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So Many People Are Selling Their Foderas
- Thread starter Manuel101
- Start date
If you really track resale of boutique instruments like I do, you'll see just how much of a hit most boutique basses take at resale time, particularly if there's a time constraint. Hint: if you're checking values on ebay, check completed auctions. A seller can ask for whatever they want, doesn't mean they'll get anywhere near an off the wall asking price. And funnily enough, many of the brands where you can take a multi-thousand dollar hit at resale time are the same ones some folks practically guarantee are the safest investments.
Not if you really pay attention.
Unless it's a Guarnieri or something, no musical instrument ought ever be purchased with the concept of resale value in mind. They are like cars that way... It's nice if such value is there if/when you are ready to sell, but you cannot count on it.
Totally agree with this. I think that two different approaches need to be considered when buying a used instrument or a new instrument.
Typically, when I'm considering a used instrument, I research what they typically sell for. Common sense, I know, but we all know what they say about common sense. My idea is that if I get it and totally hate it, I can probably sell for what I paid for it and move on to something else.
But when I'm considering buying a new instrument, especially a high end custom instrument like a Fodera, I try to acquire used instruments first to figure out what I like and/or don't like so that when I do place an order, I have some realistic expectation of what to expect. I also assume I am BUYING TO KEEP! Currently 3 of my 6 basses are basses I custom ordered. The youngest one of the bunch is a Roscoe fretless that I've had for almost 6 years now. I'm sure I could sell that or either of my other two custom basses for more than what I paid for them, but I have no need or motivation to do that.
One thing to consider, this coming from a former owner of several Fodera's, is that while they great basses they don't sound any better than many other basses. There is nothing magical in the pickups, nothing magical in the preamp, and the wood they use isn't any better than what most use. As I have, others may have come to this same conclusion and would rather a less expensive bass and pocket the rest of the cash.
What I love most about Fodera's is their playability and body shapes. Their designs are simple but beautiful and Vinny carves a hell of a neck. Tonally, for what I like, I can get better tones out of my Fender's than the Fodera's. That said, I'd like to own another some day. It will be hard to stomach though. I bought a brand new Emperor 5 Dlx in I believe '04 or 05 for $4500. The exact same bass today would cost right at $9000. I have no idea why the price would double in such a relatively short amount of time.
What I love most about Fodera's is their playability and body shapes. Their designs are simple but beautiful and Vinny carves a hell of a neck. Tonally, for what I like, I can get better tones out of my Fender's than the Fodera's. That said, I'd like to own another some day. It will be hard to stomach though. I bought a brand new Emperor 5 Dlx in I believe '04 or 05 for $4500. The exact same bass today would cost right at $9000. I have no idea why the price would double in such a relatively short amount of time.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Check out Post #55 on page 3 of this very thread...someone else asked essentially the same question and I answered it there...
Regards,
Jason
Regards,
Jason
this is not true.
in 1985: *new* fodera 6-string (second generation, reverse split-p style pickup) with gig bag and case cost $1,800.
in 1993: *used* 1988 fodera 6-string (third generation, j-bass style pickup) with case bought from fodera shop cost $2,500.
by the way, internet price on fender custom shop 5-string looks to be about $4,250 these days.
my *guess* is that these are parts basses constructed of somewhat better wood with *somewhat* more individual caredunno about pickup differences. contrast that with something where there is a *lot* of carehandmadeand a lot of attention (read old stock personally chosen) that costs $10,000 or so.
whether you like one or another better is up to you. just trying to add a little perspective.
last, i did a search on a lot of manufacturers' basses on ebay, here and craigslist. looks like a lot of basses being sold, but not as many foderas as you'd think from this post.
and, since i'm trolling for another old fodera 6, i look *every day* and i don't see the market as being flooded. (anyone wanna sell a 19881990 fodera 6?)
I own so many glaring exceptions to this it's not even funny. I'd even go so far as to say that most gear should be bought with resale value taken into consideration. Beats the heck outof being surprised should you find yourself in an unexpected situation where it becomes a factor.
I know this is often seen as conventional wisdom but what have you really taken into consideration when you say it? The question is for anyone who truly believes what you said.
Buying below market is easy to do. I bought my Fodera used and could've doubled my "investment" immediately. Absolutely no doubt in my mind that it was and is a very solid investment. If I had to sell it today at a giveaway price I'd still come out ahead. I could actually triple my investment with no tax libility. Is that a good or bad investment?
Maybe most new production basses aren't a good investment. If that's what's meant, it should be said. To make your blanket statement just doesn't hold water IME IMW. Anything that you can easy flip and show a decent legal profit is a good investment IMO IME. Heck, my gear has been a far more solid investment than my 401k... it's because of my interest in and knowledge of the market and how I procured the gear that makes them a good investment.
The fact that you get to play your investment is a bonus.
Wow - two of my favorite Long Island builders. Does Roy even make basses anymore?
Can't forget about Roger in Long Island City either.
Joelc73 said:
Greetings! Yes; Roy, who changed his name to something I can't recall (something more appropriate to his Zen Buddhist beliefs), is indeed still making basses. He was hit by a brain challenged driver, for lack of better terms, while riding his bicycle. But he's improving from what I hear.
Long Island City is its own subculture, I don't personally include it
I'll throw my 2 cents in here. Like many have said, Fodera's are great instruments. Some of the best out there for sure. Are they the best? That's a loaded question and totally subjective. I've owned a couple and they were great. I did have MAJOR customer service issues with every one of them after the sale. Which is why I ended up selling mine.
Hopefully, with you on board Jason. Those types of issues have gone away. I know I was not the only one who experienced post sale issues a few years ago.
That said, I have no qualms with Fodera pricing, etc etc etc. It is what it is and people continue to pay it. So, more power to them. If you look at the majority of the custom builders in the past couple of years. Most of them have had major price increases. It's just what it takes to make a living these days. If you talk to most of these guys and spend any time with them. You will see that making custom basses is usually not going to get you rich anytime soon!
Hopefully, with you on board Jason. Those types of issues have gone away. I know I was not the only one who experienced post sale issues a few years ago.
That said, I have no qualms with Fodera pricing, etc etc etc. It is what it is and people continue to pay it. So, more power to them. If you look at the majority of the custom builders in the past couple of years. Most of them have had major price increases. It's just what it takes to make a living these days. If you talk to most of these guys and spend any time with them. You will see that making custom basses is usually not going to get you rich anytime soon!
