Absolutely agree with you but the OP only asked for opinions regarding Alembic, Fodera and Smith.
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Smith or Fodera or Alembic?
- Thread starter Jeff Lee
- Start date
I haven't had the fodera pleasure as of yet, but I've played Alembics and KS over the years. I'd honestly like to own all 3 and maybe some day I will, but of the 3 the first bass I'll probably give in and buy will be an old series II just because the prices are getting better and better on them. Im not a big fan of active preamps and the only active bass I own is my Wal, so although all are interesting I'll probably have the most fun with an alembic.
That said, the very early smiths with the medallion headstocks are soooo cool and I am gassing for a custom fodera since I got my Carl Thompson and I understand what having an instrument built to your spec and ideas can do for your musical imagination. I get crazy ideas and I'd spend well over $10k on a fodera if I were to order one, and that's just not in the cards right now. If I was going to order another custom bass like my CT from a small builder I would need to sell some gear and I just love all my stuff too much to let it go right now, so ill wait. I see Fodera, Smith, and Alembic all being in business for the next 5 years so no rush, and the only one I'd order new is Fodera anyways.
That said, the very early smiths with the medallion headstocks are soooo cool and I am gassing for a custom fodera since I got my Carl Thompson and I understand what having an instrument built to your spec and ideas can do for your musical imagination. I get crazy ideas and I'd spend well over $10k on a fodera if I were to order one, and that's just not in the cards right now. If I was going to order another custom bass like my CT from a small builder I would need to sell some gear and I just love all my stuff too much to let it go right now, so ill wait. I see Fodera, Smith, and Alembic all being in business for the next 5 years so no rush, and the only one I'd order new is Fodera anyways.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
If I had a choice, I'd choose one of each!
Fodera - Anthony Jackson Presentation I
Smith - CR6
Alembic - SC Deluxe
Fodera. Just more my cup of tea ergonomically.
Mind you, this is based on a very small sampling. If I was actually looking at something in the class with any seriousness, I would budget for a bunch of travel to stocking dealers to try some instruments. before making the trip to NY to do the shop tour...
If I'm spending anywhere near $10K, I'm going to spend a few hundred extra to create a sense of occasion, and give my once-in-a-lifetime purchase the attention it deserves.
Mind you, this is based on a very small sampling. If I was actually looking at something in the class with any seriousness, I would budget for a bunch of travel to stocking dealers to try some instruments. before making the trip to NY to do the shop tour...
If I'm spending anywhere near $10K, I'm going to spend a few hundred extra to create a sense of occasion, and give my once-in-a-lifetime purchase the attention it deserves.
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Cliff Bordwell
Commercial User
Three excellent brands. Give me another Alembic. Yes, I am biased, but I will say, with good reason. I have owned 6 Alembics. I have owned 1 Ken Smith. Granted, it was a Burner, but I have also played a Chuck Rainey and a couple BSR5GN and some other top line model. I've only spent finger time with two Foderas that I can recall. All were extremely nice, so let's face it, we're splitting hairs here and logging personal preference. So my personal preference is Alembic, because that's where my comfort zone is.
And for what it's worth, I also have vintage Stingrays and Sabres that get a lot of appreciation and playtime. And I can get into a nice Roscoe, too.
The Spoiler that was my first Alembic and the 4-string Series I that I still own were comparatively light. In fact, my Series I is no heavier than any of my Music Man basses, even though it is considerably larger. My 5-string Series II is the heaviest bass I've ever played. And it's my main bass. All the weight brings some serious tone. Considering all the other great basses in my herd, the fact that I put up with the weight speaks volumes for how outstanding it sounds.
This is a result of one of Alembic's design elements. The neck is further out of the body than other basses. The reach on my 5-string is longer than on any 35" I've ever played. I tend to position the bass in a way that puts the headstock a little in front of me rather than off to the side.
And for what it's worth, I also have vintage Stingrays and Sabres that get a lot of appreciation and playtime. And I can get into a nice Roscoe, too.
The Spoiler that was my first Alembic and the 4-string Series I that I still own were comparatively light. In fact, my Series I is no heavier than any of my Music Man basses, even though it is considerably larger. My 5-string Series II is the heaviest bass I've ever played. And it's my main bass. All the weight brings some serious tone. Considering all the other great basses in my herd, the fact that I put up with the weight speaks volumes for how outstanding it sounds.
This is a result of one of Alembic's design elements. The neck is further out of the body than other basses. The reach on my 5-string is longer than on any 35" I've ever played. I tend to position the bass in a way that puts the headstock a little in front of me rather than off to the side.
I'm pretty short....5'7" but the reach hasn't been a major obstacle. This pic shows me reaching second position pretty easily. You can also see that the headstock is a few inches foreword of my body instead of just going straight right to left.
And just to give you an idea how long this bass is, here's what happened when I tried to clothe it in a stock Reunion Blues gig bag.....
It's the point on the bridge end that causes the size issue. And the humongous headstock.
Of the three I have only tried Alembic ( which I own) and Fodera which I spent a couple of hours trying a number of models earlier this year.
Whilst I've heard great tones from Fodera from other bass players like Victor Wooten and James Genus live and on record, when I've played them I haven't found a sound that I liked sufficiently to consider buying one nor could I find a sound that I thought I was missing from what my alembics give me.
So for the foreseeable future I'm sticking with Alembic.
Whilst I've heard great tones from Fodera from other bass players like Victor Wooten and James Genus live and on record, when I've played them I haven't found a sound that I liked sufficiently to consider buying one nor could I find a sound that I thought I was missing from what my alembics give me.
So for the foreseeable future I'm sticking with Alembic.
If I had to rank three brands at the top of the bass world based on my experience and desires it would be Alembic, Fodera and Ritter in that order.
Right or wrong I've always put Smith in the same category as Jerzy Drozd or if I were going for a more traditional look Alleva Coppolo and Sadowsky basses. All great basses but in a slightly different league from Alembic, Fodera and Ritter.
Of course if your giving one for free I'll take any of the above.
Right or wrong I've always put Smith in the same category as Jerzy Drozd or if I were going for a more traditional look Alleva Coppolo and Sadowsky basses. All great basses but in a slightly different league from Alembic, Fodera and Ritter.
Of course if your giving one for free I'll take any of the above.
I've owned both a Smith and Fodera and they both played beautifully but were curiously lacking in character. The tone was bland and they both seem to leave recording engineers underwhelmed.
Now, the Alembic is ALL character. NOTHING sounds like an Alembic. But I find them a bit stiff feeling find the sound a little too unique to blend in many types of music.
Take it for what it is. I don't know if that helps or hurts.
Now, the Alembic is ALL character. NOTHING sounds like an Alembic. But I find them a bit stiff feeling find the sound a little too unique to blend in many types of music.
Take it for what it is. I don't know if that helps or hurts.
So what do you play instead of this three that does it for you?
Personally I own a Smith and an Alembic and every time I pick them up I am always re-amazed at just how great these basses are! However, generally speaking, musically I tend to agree with your assessment at least in some cases. Sometimes they do work well, of course. But if I want something that REALLY sits in the mix, yet cuts it like a sharp knife, it's my Modulus TBX.
Tone is where you find it.
True. I've come to the conclusion that if you want an instrument to do a lot of things, you need a lot of instruments. Nothing is quite a J or a P or a Musicman other than a J a P and a Musicman. And all three are less expensive than a Fodera.
I own several basses but realize not everyone has that luxury. But I can say that in a straight up comparison between my Smith or Fodera and my $500 Ibanez SR 500 with bartoliini's , the Ibby is more versitile, (seeming more apropos in various genres), cut through in live situations, and recorded far better.
I don't know what it is about the boutiques -- maybe the solidity (both were neck-throughs)or the combination of woods, but their tone was just dead. And you have to admit, you don't hear too many non bassists talking about "that great Fodera sound."
Just like as a bassist, I couldn't care less if the guitarist has some fancy custom made ax. I want to hear a Strat or a Paul.
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Probably never ever see any of them in person, but I am saying Alembic. I would sure like a series 1 myself.
