New DR Fodera merger

[micguy]

In any manufacturing company, you have to decide from time to time what makes sense for you to make, and what doesn't. If you don't prune products, over time you end up with a horrible mess to manage - way too many things to try to focus on. When you have a very small group of people working on something, it's prone to being questioned as to it's value to the company - "why are we doing this?" is a common question. A change in leadership often results in a change of strategy - the question is asked, and if the answer isn't compelling.....

Sometimes, one or two key employees leaving or retiring can dent the knowledge base enough to make it difficult to recover from that loss. Or, a key machine breaks, and the investment to replace and/or repair it just isn't worth it, given that the business it's supporting isn't very substantial. I worked for a company that made a LOT of different things, and at various times, our company discontinued small run products for one or more of these reasons.

In this case, I can't see people deciding not to buy a Fodera bass (their key product) because it didn't have Fodera made strings - the big part of their business didn't depend on the string making part for their reputation or most of their sales - it was undoubtedly a small part of their business. Whatever ended their string efforts was probably a rational decision, based on what it took to keep the string line running versus the (probably small) benefits.

 

[6-3-2]

But what do they sound like? I love DR strings, so I'm very curious.

 

[roller]

I hear a pack of these 4-strings runs $899.99

 

[JazznFunk]

There are/were only a handful of folks making the Fodera strings and they have been doing this for a long time- maybe one or two of them decided to retire or move on? Either way, if you source the same materials and follow the same manufacturing process, the product will be the same. Having DR take on production make sense: they likely follow a similar process, as they are not fully automated and they are in close proximity to NYC.

Fodera light nickel are among my favorite sets, along with DR Pure Blues and Sadowsky blue label. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Fodera designed/DR’s

Fodera light nickels and DR Sunbeams light nickels feel almost exactly the same to me. Sound-wise, they are very close as well. I might give the edge to Fodera in terms of a sculpted (not scooped) low-mid warmth.

 

[Dincrest]

And credit where credit's due, at least Fodera and DR are being forthright about DR doing private label strings for Fodera by putting both names/logos on those Fodera-spec strings' packaging. Typically, we have little idea who's making strings for whom. It's only through TalkBass that I learned years ago that GHS makes private label strings for Ken Smith. On a package of Ken Smith strings, you only see Ken Smith and not GHS anywhere.

I know D'Addario, GHS, and SIT are big players in the private label string game. Heck, Jim D'Addario even says in this factory tour video that some of their competitors buy wire from D'Addario:

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

But what do they sound like? I love DR strings, so I'm very curious.

I will be installing the Fodera/DR's Stainless on my Stingray tonight--and taking off the High beams. More to come soon....

 

[Ol Sparky]

Fodera are one of the few companies making ultra light sets- 125-95-75-55-40.
In many ways different In feel and tone than DRs. Fodera strings to me are a lttle
tighter and more harmonically richer
than DRs. I still think DR pure Blues
are for me, a great set for my four string
basses.

 

[winegamd]

A more harmonically rich SS somewhere between Hi-Beams and Fat Beams in a .125-.100-.80-.60-.40-.30 sounds like the perfect set to me. I hope the DRxFodera offer gauges that DR normally doesn't. The normal DR ranges are severely lacking in 6-string options.

 

[40Hz]

Plus, they're one of the few brands who sells a five string set with a high C.

That’s exactly what initially inspired me to try a set. I’m usually stuck buying 6-string sets and giving away the B.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Ok, got them wound and tuned up. It looks exactly like the Highbeams that were uninstalled, but seems to have more mids 'n lows like the Fat Beams. Definately a DR through and through. Not noticing any difference in tension, but never tried a Fodera string. Perfect string to string balance. I am guessing, it is midway between a Fat Beam and High Beam. With Foderas legendary technology for a longer lasting string, It is probably a Fat Beam that lasts longer before dulling out.

 

[6-3-2]

Ok, got them wound and tuned up. It looks exactly like the Highbeams that were uninstalled, but seems to have more mids 'n lows like the Fat Beams. Definately a DR through and through. Not noticing any difference in tension, but never tried a Fodera string. Perfect string to string balance. I am guessing, it is midway between a Fat Beam and High Beam. With Foderas legendary technology for a longer lasting string, It is probably a Fat Beam that lasts longer before dulling out.

A Fat Beam with more lows and mids sounds pretty ideal. Is it rough under the fingers like Fat Beams?

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

A Fat Beam with more lows and mids sounds pretty ideal. Is it rough under the fingers like Fat Beams?

No, not more mids and lows, just mids 'n lows like F.Beams. it is about the same grippyness as F.Beams/highbeams. Tension seems the same as F.Beams too. I have F.Beams on my Belvedere, so I tried both.

 

[Dincrest]

+1 on hoping that the Fodera/DR strings offer gauges that DR typically doesn't. For example, I like 45-100 with a 125 or 130 B, but DR doesn't do that.

I do like DR strings, though. Even after a year, Hi-Beams still sound good. Their longevity is unreal to me. Lo-Rider steels also sound good a year later. It's like... when other strings are breaking down, DRs are breaking in.

 

[TheRealGru]

I asked DR about it on IG. Here is their response on the subject. You are welcome.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

So, how I see it, Its basically a DR string...priced $15.00 more(period)

 

[BassinCT]

One thing I noted about the Nickel Fodera sets when comparing to DR is that despite being similarly gauged strings, the Fodera sets have a stiffer feel and have a more pronounced, forceful attack. This leads me to think that the core to wrap ratio is different. There is some common ground with these sets, but definitely a different recipe.

 

[Dincrest]

So, how I see it, Its basically a DR string...priced $15.00 more(period)

That's the nature of private label strings. Or private label anything, really.

For example, Spector's website says that their Spector branded strings are made by LaBella Bass Strings - Spector Bass. Click "read more" and it will say they're made by LaBella.

If you look at online prices, the Spector strings are more expensive because you're paying a premium for the Spector name. A set of 45-105 Spector nickel rounds cost about $25, but a set of LaBella Rx nickels cost around $20. (ASIDE: LaBella Rx are excellent strings. I currently have them on two of my basses).

I read an article saying that the Kirkland (Costco's house brand) cranberry juice comes from the exact same facility as Ocean Spray. So if you buy Kirkland cranberry juice, you're literally getting Ocean Spray without paying extra for the Ocean Spray name.

So now the question is what will the Fodera/DR strings bring to the table? Many folks here are hoping we'll see different gauges than what DR typically offers. I remember when Fodera had a 44-106 gauge for their strings and the only other place I've seen that is in GHS Bassics and Super Steels.

 

[jonathanhughes]

"So if you buy Kirkland cranberry juice, you're literally getting Ocean Spray without paying extra for the Ocean Spray name."

That may or may not be the case. Chances are, Ocean Spray (and any other private labeler) is making two slightly different products on the same assembly line.

Fodera says that the strings are being made to their specs, which is great, because it means they shouldn't be any different than when they were made in-house. But they're most likely not exactly the same as some other string that DR makes. Otherwise, it would be pretty hard to charge a premium if people knew they could get the exact same thing for less money packaged as DR strings. I'm sure there are some people who would pay the premium just so they can say they buy "Fodera" strings, but I would think that most people are like me and would buy the cheaper thing if possible (assuming ti was identical).

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

I used to use DR strings on my basses (since 1995) up until three sets in a row failed (maybe from a batch of erronous production) so I switched to Fodera strings. I have been very happy with respect to reliability, tension, tone and durability. Just recently, though, instead of using a 0.028 hi-C from Fodera, I replaced it with a 0.030 hi-C from DR and I found the DR sounding much closer to what I like and I started combining the sets, 100-40 set from Fodera and a single 30 string from DR. Two of my favorite string producers joining forces sounds good to me! I will wait and see...

 

[steubig]

"So if you buy Kirkland cranberry juice, you're literally getting Ocean Spray without paying extra for the Ocean Spray name."

That may or may not be the case. Chances are, Ocean Spray (and any other private labeler) is making two slightly different products on the same assembly line.

Fodera says that the strings are being made to their specs, which is great, because it means they shouldn't be any different than when they were made in-house. But they're most likely not exactly the same as some other string that DR makes. Otherwise, it would be pretty hard to charge a premium if people knew they could get the exact same thing for less money packaged as DR strings. I'm sure there are some people who would pay the premium just so they can say they buy "Fodera" strings, but I would think that most people are like me and would buy the cheaper thing if possible (assuming ti was identical).

different specs could equal different (possibly more expensive?) materials, so a different cost might not be out of line.