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NBD (Fauxdera content)

#84
Roy Vogt said:
This has been an ongoing battle for a long time. I can remember in the 1970s that Ibanez first made inroads in the US with knockoffs of Gibson Thunderbirds, flying Vs, etc. Eventually they developed their own lines, but Gibson and Fender did keep a tight control on use of their designs, hence the "lawsuit" Ibanez and Fernandez basses. Even the much lauded SX Fender knock offs had to (or chose to ) change their headstock design so they weren't so much like the real deal.
As far why Fodera would be upset, I feel the same way when I find Teach Me Bass Guitar on a bit torrent site. The Learning Dock and I spent a lot of time, care and money to create the best product possible and it's frustrating to see it stolen and distributed. At least no one is profiting from it like these Chinese trading companies are with bad knockoffs. Bass guitars are the tip of the iceberg, how many times have we heard of fake Louis Vuitton bags, blue jeans or the like being confiscated by US Customs?
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While I agree, I do think the Chinese knockoff thing is different.

1)The American companies in the 70's were so out of touch with their customers in many cases the Japanese were making the Fenders and Gibsons Americans wanted.

2) In many cases the copies had been tolerated for years with no legal action. It wasn't until the copies started equalling and in many cases exceeding the quality of American instruments that Fender and Gibson began to care.

3) The Foderas, Ritters, and MTD's of the world are in every case much smaller companies than their Chinese copiers, and the cost of legal action is much more prohibitive to them.

4) The Chinese don't give a crap about intellectual property and don't enforce it, the Japanese did.

The reality is the Ibanezes, Yamaha's, Fernandezs and Tokais of the world actually forced Gibson and Fender to get serious about quality and customer wants and made them better. Cheap Chinese copies of high end custom basses aren't making Fodera, MTD or Ritter any better, just lowering their value by in some cases (remember the Ritter fake GC sold as real) and confusing customers on the resale market.
 
#86
NWB said:
True, but there are still a lot of Ibanez, Schecter, Sterling by MM, etc. active basses in that price range that are typically fully functional.

I'd say that those brands are probably better for comparison purposes anyway than the passive old-school models from Fender/Squier.
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Mine was DOA. It happens. I have sent a message to the seller, lets see how he responds.
 
#93
lowendmafia said:
I thought Foderas came with a magic "Wooten Switch" so you could play just like him... In all seriousnous though, if I were to buy a Fodera, I would definitely get a Monarch or Yin Yang. Almost bought a standard a while back, still kicking myself.
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I am partial to the AJ Presentation. If only they made it in a bolt on. Because that is the only reason why I don't have one.

If it makes you feel better, I missed my chance to pick up a used Standard for not a lot of money too.
 
#94
cfsporn said:
I am partial to the AJ Presentation. If only they made it in a bolt on. Because that is the only reason why I don't have one.

If it makes you feel better, I missed my chance to pick up a used Standard for not a lot of money too.
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Other people's pain, suffering and regret often makes me feel better... ;) I just don't really dig 5 and 6 string basses. Mostly a Jazz bass guy, but I played a couple Foderas at Bass San Diego last year, and there's just no way a production factory in China is making anything close to what I had in my hands.
 
#95
lowendmafia said:
Other people's pain, suffering and regret often makes me feel better... ;) I just don't really dig 5 and 6 string basses. Mostly a Jazz bass guy, but I played a couple Foderas at Bass San Diego last year, and there's just no way a production factory in China is making anything close to what I had in my hands.
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I am slowly transitioning to 5 string (mostly fretless) basses. It is a difficult process as I have spent the past few years getting some great 4 bangers, and most of them will probably end up being sold or traded.


I agree with you on the last part. However, I never expected to get Fodera quality at this price range.
 
#96
Right, but some people in this thread are outraged that China is trying to copy Fodera... there is just no way anyone is confusing these for legit. A buddy of mine got one of the knockoff Les Pauls and it even had "made in USA" and a gibson serial number on the headstock. It wasn't bad for what it was, but it certainly is no Gibson LP. I sorta look at this stuff like gag-gifts. Its like, if I want a Pino CS p bass, I am not going to buy a Squier CV in Fiesta Red and think its going to be the same bass.

cfsporn said:
I am slowly transitioning to 5 string (mostly fretless) basses. It is a difficult process as I have spent the past few years getting some great 4 bangers, and most of them will probably end up being sold or traded.


I agree with you on the last part. However, I never expected to get Fodera quality at this price range.
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#97
Eventually a singlecut design was going to be available at this price point. My only issue with it is the poorly ripped off logo. Other than that it doesn't look like a Fodera. I can see someone completely unaware of Fodera taking a cursory glance at the two and thinking they might be similar. My guess is a person like that is way down the list of potential customers for Fodera.

As far as cheating the brand out of sales, I don't see that happening. There have been a lot of singlecuts built since Vinny pioneered the design, of varying quality and prices and I haven't noticed a hit on Fodera's pricing or the demand by actual potential buyers. I remember complaining about one high quality copy early on only because I thought it lacked originality. Now I own one and not because it looks like a Fodera. Around the same time, another new builder came up and there were cries about them building copies that I'd think most would now say would hardly be confused for a Fodera. The newness has worn off the fundamental design and as such the shock value for many has too.

So now that I've seen some pics of this bass, unless they really step up making it look like an actual Fodera, it doesn't appear to be a copy to me. That would be akin to Superman being upset at a kid with a blue t-shirt buying some red felt to make a big "S" for his chest.

Then again... I still have a problem with the companies that are clearly making blatant Higher quality copies, right down to the logos, with the intent of doing a serious knock-off to deceive buyers. And if this is a step towards this brand heading down that road...
 
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#98
Baird6869 said:
Nope. It looks terrible. Look at where the neck joins the body on the treble side. I guess we all need the cutaway to be 2-3" past the last fret.

I could care less that it is a Fodera. Nobody that comes to my gigs even knows what a real Fodera looks like (or has even heard of a Fodera). Not a personal thing for me. I play the best for me, not to impress anyone.
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I agree with Angus... And that's the first time I've seen someone complain about too much upper fret access.
:)

I'd think a straight on photo would give a much better perspective on how the bass looks.
 
#99
Rip Topaz said:
I can see why he would be concerned. If these cheap knockoffs continue, it will inevitably effect the general opinion of his instruments. Basically this crap makes the real thing look bad. And not in the "I just bought a Fodera for $400!" way, but in the "I can't believe Fodera puts out this junk" way. Because most people won't see them as the garbage fakes they really are. They will unfortunately associate the Fodera name with this crap. (No offense on you, OP. I know why you bought it.)
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But most people will not see them as Foderas. Heck, they don't even see Foderas as Foderas.
:hmm:

They're not a household name. I'd hope most of us would realize how much of the world outside of TB is oblivious to much of what we take as a given. Practically every time I take my Fodera out someone asks me what it is. That happens with just about anything I gig with that doesn't say "Fender" on the headstock.
:cool:

As far as low quality rubbing off on the brand, I doubt that will happen with any serious buyers any more than folks blaming a brand because the guy brandishing the bass is a wanker. I know folks can be gullible but it's rare to come across the intersection of being that ignorant AND having deep pockets.
 

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