My Fodera Monarch Custom is coming!

[solarfly]

My Fodera Monarch custom shipped today!

Last year I decided to take my savings and put a deposit down on a custom bass, but I didn't know which company to go with. I researched for months, I always had my eye on Fodera basses ever since I got to put one in my hands about 15 years ago just for a few moments. I could barely even play well back then compared to now. I looked at all sorts of builders and what they offered, but in the end I think I already knew in my heart I would make the Fodera happen. A lot had to do with how the bass looked, the build quality and sound anyone who seems to own a Fodera Guitar appreciates.

What sold me on the company was how they treated me, listened to what I wanted to do, took their time (over the course of months) presenting me with wood options for me to select and discussing the tonal outcomes of various option combinations. They take their time and get to know who you are, what music you like, what you're after and what you're not.

So, I'll have to upload some pics! The ones I have are the original wood selection options and a single picture of the bass before the hardware was added. I don't have a picture of the finished bass yet!

Before Shipping!

 

[solarfly]

Specs
- Fodera Monarch body shape
- Swamp Ash tone block
- Aldar body
- Spalted Maple Topwood
- Hard Rock Maple neck, neck-through
- Massacar Ebony fretboard
- Abalone dot inlay
- Fodera/Pope Custom preamp, dual humbucking Seymore Duncan pickups (this electronics setup is amazing)
- Black hardware

I wanted a bright but punchy tone and wanted to keep the weight down a little. The maple neck and ebony fretboard will really brighten the tone, so I opted for a swamp ash tone block to pull it back. Aldar body is what my Fender Jazz is made of now and I like the tone, but it's also fairly light. The neck-through design is something I've always wanted in a bass. It's been argued for generations that bolt-on is punchier while neck-through has better sustain. I don't care about sustain as much as the beauty of the design and that it is another difference from my Fender Jazz Elite (which I also love playing, it was my other dream bass). I'm starting out with the bass strung with Fodera nickle RW, should be a great experience!!!

I'll follow up with more photos once the bass gets here and Fodera posts them!

 

[Paulabass]

That's the coolest fingerboard I've ever seen. drool

 

[solarfly]

That's the coolest fingerboard I've ever seen. drool

Thanks, I have a serious passion for great coffee, from the ritual to different beans and brewing methods. I make cappuccinos at home, serve coffee to the band when they come over. So I had this coffee and cream theme in mind the whole time. What blew me away in that assembly is how the guys at the shop were able to line up the fingerboard with the spalted maple top. It's as if the creamy swirls flow right into the body of the bass, it was such an incredible attention to detail that can't help but be noticed!

FedEx is telling me it might be as long as next Wednesday! I'm not going to sleep all week.

 

[J_Bass]

That looks very cool, congratulations!

 

[solarfly]

They just sent me a picture of the bass before shipping! This isn't the pro shots, I asked Phil to snap one for me before it left. Now I really can't sleep

 

[Bassworship1]

They just sent me a picture of the bass before shipping!

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One of the nicest Spalted maple basses I've ever seen. There is no doubt that will be a magnificent bass.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

A fine example of New York craftsmanship! Congrats and rock that bass hard!

 

[nostatic]

They just sent me a picture of the bass before shipping! This isn't the pro shots, I asked Phil to snap one for me before it left. Now I really can't sleep

Easy, you can spend that extra time planning your next build

 

[solarfly]

Easy, you can spend that extra time planning your next build

No joke! I already started imagining a Fodera Standard just for gigging, can't be bringing this beauty to filthy bars with drunk people spilling beer

 

[solarfly]

Waiting for this FedEx truck to get here today is KILLING ME ARGH ARGH WHERE ARE YOU! The kid part of me wants to drive around the neighborhood and find him My bass is on there!

 

[solarfly]

YES! Right after I sent the above, the truck rolled up, it's all about TalkBass

 

[J_Bass]

Pics!

 

[solarfly]

 

[joel406]

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Normally I don’t care for Fodera’s. Most of the ones I see are 5 string with too wide of a neck or the single cuts.

But this...

Oh my...

B.e.a....utiful!

 

[J_Bass]

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A work of art, what a beautiful neck!

 

[kesslari]

Congratulations. Play some great music on that beauty.

 

[solarfly]

Congratulations. Play some great music on that beauty.

Man I'm on cloud 9 right now. I took it to the music school where I still take lessons, hang out and do open mic every Friday, my mentor was blown away by the tone and playability. Then I spent an hour on the stage working out tones with the house amp and drums in preparation for Friday. I'm so friggin stoked!

 

[Kmrumedy]

Fodera makes wonderful instruments and make customers feel like they are family. Very nice purchase. Congrats.

 

[Basehead]

Holy Mama!! Everything about that bass is giving me a huge bout of G.A.S.