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Fodera Yin-Yang Standard Wait Support Group

ian_s

ian_s

Jul 10, 2009
618
10
#1
Some money came my way, and I decided to use a chunk of it to buy my dream bass, a Fodera. I decided on a YYS because I love the look, Victor was and is an inspiration for me, and the price is right there with a high-end Dingwall (my other repressed desire).

I looked at it for a while, and thought about hunting for a used Monarch, and it struck me that the YYS is a "Monarch Standard". Got a check to Ultimate Basses for #28.

So I'm all :hyper: and Jason said they'll be ready in early fall. Hence, a YYS Wait Support Group. This group is for commisseration, bugging Jason for details and photos, and the like. Hating on Foderas and/or Yin-Yangs and/or Victor can happen over in the Fodera Club :hiding:
 
#4
I will do my best to check in from time to time and keep you up to date!

First of all, thanks for your interest, support and belief in what we are doing here in Brooklyn!

So far we have around 35 of the first 60 Yin Yang Standard bodies carved and sanded. We will begin painting them in 5 piece batches hopefully next week and the first necks are due to be finished by around June 10. When we originally released the instruments we announced that we would begin delivering the Yin Yang Standards by July 1, 2010 and we are very much on track to do this.

We intend to deliver roughly 10 YYS's per month beginning on (or before) July 1. Given this, you can figure out your approximate delivery date based on your serial number as it is our intent to deliver every one of the first 60 before Christmas.

We anticipate announcing production for #'s 61-90 on, or around July 1 for deliveries beginning 1/1/12 and, for those of you thinking of attending NAMM 2012, our hope is to have 5 fully built YYS's that are NOT spoken for available at the show...

I'll keep ya' posted!!

J
 
#8
The two that we have finished to date have weighed 8.7 and 9.0 pounds and I would imagine that given the woods we are using, most (if not all) will be in that range. Since we are making a goo number of these at the same time, if you ordered one directly we could certainly assure that you get one that is sub 9 pounds...

BTW, I JUST weighed the first one we built (the one that is 9.0 pounds)...I have been playing it in my home studio for months just to make certain that if any issues crop up we can fix them well in advance of putting together the production models (no issues so far!). Since they will be built EXACTLY the same way as the two prototypes and will use exactly the same woods, I think these weights are fairly representative...

Cheers,

J

nostatic said:
8.5-9.5 lbs, with most being closer to 9.0-0.5lbs. That is per someone at Fodera. Over 9lbs is a no-go with me, no matter how nice the bass. I'm tired of seeing my orthopedic surgeon ;)
Click to expand...
 
#9
Part of the problem is I'm spoiled with a 6.1 lb Rob Allen :p

Thanks for the details. Always helps to have more data to work from. The two basses I have on order at the moment both have targets of 8lbs (and maybe a tad under) but I know there is variability in woods and how things end up in the end. Certainly is a little easier when you've got small batches and you can pick for certain characteristics.

btw, what is the nut width on these? I didn't see that on the spec sheet. Also I assume the bridge spacing is 19mm?
 
#10
Just Thumpin' said:
I will do my best to check in from time to time and keep you up to date!

First of all, thanks for your interest, support and belief in what we are doing here in Brooklyn!

So far we have around 35 of the first 60 Yin Yang Standard bodies carved and sanded. We will begin painting them in 5 piece batches hopefully next week and the first necks are due to be finished by around June 10. When we originally released the instruments we announced that we would begin delivering the Yin Yang Standards by July 1, 2010 and we are very much on track to do this.

We intend to deliver roughly 10 YYS's per month beginning on (or before) July 1. Given this, you can figure out your approximate delivery date based on your serial number as it is our intent to deliver every one of the first 60 before Christmas.

We anticipate announcing production for #'s 61-90 on, or around July 1 for deliveries beginning 1/1/12 and, for those of you thinking of attending NAMM 2012, our hope is to have 5 fully built YYS's that are NOT spoken for available at the show...

I'll keep ya' posted!!

J
Click to expand...
:eyebrow:

That doesn't seem on track to me.
 
#11
Yeah, I have a Rob Allen too...delightfully light, but a completely different animal (NOT saying better or worse, just different).

Anyway, Nut width is 1.5" and string spacing is 19.0mm.

I think that I didn't make my point clear about the batch size and the weight...

1. We WANT them to all be around 8.75 - 9.25 pounds. After 27 years of building, Vinny and Joey have determined that this is the optimal weight for this wood combination and body shape in order to maximize tone without being too heavy. We could easily make 8 pound (or even less) basses, but have consciously chosen not to.

2. Because there is natural variation in the weights of the various woods that comprise an instrument, when you have multiple bodies to choose from, we could easily match a neck and body up to ensure that it was less than 9 pounds. We do not want to go down as low as 8 pounds for tone reasons. Even on our custom instruments, unless there are medical considerations involved, we generally urge customers to not build a Fodera that is too light...

Regards,

J

nostatic said:
Part of the problem is I'm spoiled with a 6.1 lb Rob Allen :p

Thanks for the details. Always helps to have more data to work from. The two basses I have on order at the moment both have targets of 8lbs (and maybe a tad under) but I know there is variability in woods and how things end up in the end. Certainly is a little easier when you've got small batches and you can pick for certain characteristics.

btw, what is the nut width on these? I didn't see that on the spec sheet. Also I assume the bridge spacing is 19mm?
Click to expand...
 
#12
Understood, and there certainly can be trade-offs between weight and tone though I'm in the camp that doesn't think they necessarily correlate universally but makes sense with your woods and application. I know the Rob Allen is a different thing - that's why I'm nosing around Fodera ;)

Actually after many years and playing and a solid year plus of recent churning on instruments, I have a narrowed down what works for me and what doesn't given my current gigs. It wasn't until recently that I came back to 4-strings, but now I'm happily gigging away on mostly 4-bangers with only my Deep 5 with an extra string. The Skjolds I have on order will cover my future 5-string needs and I'm actually quite happy with my Fender (gasp!) AmDlxP (a PJ). The gaps I'm still looking to fill are an "aggressive" fretless 4 (like you said, the RA is its own thing) and a fretted 4 "stunt bass" (24 frets, ability to do go-for-the-throat tone, etc). The YYS fits that last category, but my worries have been weight and nut width. I've found that 1-5/8" is about perfect for me, but there are so many variables with neck profile, etc, something more narrow *might* feel comfy to me.

The weight thing is non-negotiable. Too many years of accumulated injuries, constant computer use on my day job and most every free moment spent gigging or shedding means lighter isn't just nice, it is necessary (and yes, even with proper exercise regimen, technique, etc.). My Fender is 8.7 and that is the absolute upper limit.

At any rate, ideally I'd get to spend a minute on one to see the neck feel. Then again, gawd knows I've thrown money at things sight-unseen in the past :p

Thanks for the details - food for thought. I dig your instruments and have spent some quality time with Victor and Anthony and they are great ambassadors for your basses. And thx for sponsoring Wooten Woods as well. :)
 
#13
All makes great sense! Next time you are on the East Coast come pay us a visit and you can play one. Or, if you don't make it back here, we ill have some at the NAMM Show in Anaheim in January!

Cheers,

J

nostatic said:
Understood, and there certainly can be trade-offs between weight and tone though I'm in the camp that doesn't think they necessarily correlate universally but makes sense with your woods and application. I know the Rob Allen is a different thing - that's why I'm nosing around Fodera ;)

Actually after many years and playing and a solid year plus of recent churning on instruments, I have a narrowed down what works for me and what doesn't given my current gigs. It wasn't until recently that I came back to 4-strings, but now I'm happily gigging away on mostly 4-bangers with only my Deep 5 with an extra string. The Skjolds I have on order will cover my future 5-string needs and I'm actually quite happy with my Fender (gasp!) AmDlxP (a PJ). The gaps I'm still looking to fill are an "aggressive" fretless 4 (like you said, the RA is its own thing) and a fretted 4 "stunt bass" (24 frets, ability to do go-for-the-throat tone, etc). The YYS fits that last category, but my worries have been weight and nut width. I've found that 1-5/8" is about perfect for me, but there are so many variables with neck profile, etc, something more narrow *might* feel comfy to me.

The weight thing is non-negotiable. Too many years of accumulated injuries, constant computer use on my day job and most every free moment spent gigging or shedding means lighter isn't just nice, it is necessary (and yes, even with proper exercise regimen, technique, etc.). My Fender is 8.7 and that is the absolute upper limit.

At any rate, ideally I'd get to spend a minute on one to see the neck feel. Then again, gawd knows I've thrown money at things sight-unseen in the past :p

Thanks for the details - food for thought. I dig your instruments and have spent some quality time with Victor and Anthony and they are great ambassadors for your basses. And thx for sponsoring Wooten Woods as well. :)
Click to expand...
 
#15
On the Yin Yang Deluxe (of which we limit our annual production to just 6 pieces), the Yin Yang design is hand joined wood (including ebony as the black wood). On the Yin Yang Standard which costs roughly 1/3 of the Yin Yang Deluxe, the Black is painted...

Regards,

J


carlos840 said:
Is the Yin Yang actually just painted on the bass!
I always thought you guys used a bit of ebony!
Click to expand...
 
#19
You can count me in! I have number 35 on order through bass central and I can't wait. I should be getting mine around mid-October I think. I had to sell off all my other gear and I'm down to just a Fender Precision until it's done, but I think it's well worth it. I realized that having a bunch of basses, I was spending too much time getting used to the idiosyncrasies of each bass when I would switch. I'm looking forward to truly bonding with the right instrument.


Michael
 
#20
phishaholik said:
You can count me in! I have number 35 on order through bass central and I can't wait. I should be getting mine around mid-October I think. I had to sell off all my other gear and I'm down to just a Fender Precision until it's done, but I think it's well worth it. I realized that having a bunch of basses, I was spending too much time getting used to the idiosyncrasies of each bass when I would switch. I'm looking forward to truly bonding with the right instrument.


Michael
Click to expand...

Oh man, I really wish I could bond with one instrument. I'd be a lot richer for it.
 

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