ok, so I'm now 6 weeks and 16 gigs into life with the YYS (and my first Fodera). I will freely admit that while I'm picky about instruments and have owned a bunch of really nice basses, I was skeptical about the YYS. I waxed philosophic about overcoming that previously, but of course I was firmly in the honeymoon phase. Combine that with the desire to psychologically affirm that your money was well spent and you've got the natural tendency to gush about a new bass.
At some point though, the fingers hit the strings (hopefully repeatedly), and the cold morning light after multiple shows (like this past weekend with 4 gigs in 3 nights) tends to expose the weaknesses in the player/instrument relationship. Combine that with recordings from every show and you've got plenty of fodder for making or (usually) breaking that magic bond that some of us seek in an instrument.
For those that don't want to wade through a bunch of words - this bass kills. Is it perfect? Umm, no. There is no "perfect." And pursuing that myth will lead to misery. Expectations are a pita. So if it isn't "perfect", then why the effusive praise? Well, it is simple if you let it be simple. You can break making music down into two main issues. The first is being able to execute the ideas in your head/heart/hands. The second is finding new ideas/sounds/emotions that can flow out into the world. A good bass makes it easy for the first one to happen. A great instrument facilitates both. I've owned a lot of good instruments and a handful of great ones. My Fodera is certainly in that short list of great basses that whisper in my ear and lead me places that don't have any of my footprints.
It is no secret that my Rob Allen Deep 5 is my other "keeper" bass. While sonically the YYS and RA couldn't be more different, they share the fact that they both have a voice that is inherent to them. The RA is the big warm down comforter that will wrap itself around any tune. Playing straight ahead jazz on that thing is just perfect. And it is fun to crank out some funk or rock on it as well. The YYS on the other hand is a devilish girl that epitomizes yin/yang. I can roll onto the P pup, dial back the tone, and get a fat thump and also do the jazz thing. But then I can twiddle the knobs and slice and dice through any sonic maze. But it isn't just the sound - that damn neck just taunts me and leads me down dangerous paths. Back in '03 I played on a Kaz Takeda album that was released in Asia. A Japanese reviewer said, roughly translated, "he plays his bass from a perilous stance." I always took that as a compliment. And the Fodera induces me further onto the high wire, and if I fall, it is still there for the next note. After all, if you play it once, it's a mistake. If you play it twice, it is jazz.
I also take into account the people who make the instrument. The certain special basses invariably have had the hands of special people work them from shapeless blocks into finished instrument. One of the great things about working with a small builder shop is that you not only can get to know the people, but invariably you can see/feel their personality, aesthetic, and approach in the bass. The Fodera crew is top notch and passionate about their craft. It makes a difference. Are they expensive? Yup. Are the worth it? Absolutely, though ymmv.
At some point though, the fingers hit the strings (hopefully repeatedly), and the cold morning light after multiple shows (like this past weekend with 4 gigs in 3 nights) tends to expose the weaknesses in the player/instrument relationship. Combine that with recordings from every show and you've got plenty of fodder for making or (usually) breaking that magic bond that some of us seek in an instrument.
For those that don't want to wade through a bunch of words - this bass kills. Is it perfect? Umm, no. There is no "perfect." And pursuing that myth will lead to misery. Expectations are a pita. So if it isn't "perfect", then why the effusive praise? Well, it is simple if you let it be simple. You can break making music down into two main issues. The first is being able to execute the ideas in your head/heart/hands. The second is finding new ideas/sounds/emotions that can flow out into the world. A good bass makes it easy for the first one to happen. A great instrument facilitates both. I've owned a lot of good instruments and a handful of great ones. My Fodera is certainly in that short list of great basses that whisper in my ear and lead me places that don't have any of my footprints.
It is no secret that my Rob Allen Deep 5 is my other "keeper" bass. While sonically the YYS and RA couldn't be more different, they share the fact that they both have a voice that is inherent to them. The RA is the big warm down comforter that will wrap itself around any tune. Playing straight ahead jazz on that thing is just perfect. And it is fun to crank out some funk or rock on it as well. The YYS on the other hand is a devilish girl that epitomizes yin/yang. I can roll onto the P pup, dial back the tone, and get a fat thump and also do the jazz thing. But then I can twiddle the knobs and slice and dice through any sonic maze. But it isn't just the sound - that damn neck just taunts me and leads me down dangerous paths. Back in '03 I played on a Kaz Takeda album that was released in Asia. A Japanese reviewer said, roughly translated, "he plays his bass from a perilous stance." I always took that as a compliment. And the Fodera induces me further onto the high wire, and if I fall, it is still there for the next note. After all, if you play it once, it's a mistake. If you play it twice, it is jazz.
I also take into account the people who make the instrument. The certain special basses invariably have had the hands of special people work them from shapeless blocks into finished instrument. One of the great things about working with a small builder shop is that you not only can get to know the people, but invariably you can see/feel their personality, aesthetic, and approach in the bass. The Fodera crew is top notch and passionate about their craft. It makes a difference. Are they expensive? Yup. Are the worth it? Absolutely, though ymmv.
