Tell me about Fodera Emperors

Jared! Ohhhh, Jaaaaared!

 

I'm no Fodera expert, but I believe the average price is around $5000-8000.

Wouldn't mind playing one tho, my current experience is limited to Monarchs.

 

They can range from around 5000 to around 9000 depending what you want on it.

 

To get it to finland will be a major pain too. But from the one fodera i've played. It just might be worth it.

 

HI

I had a new emporer and a used emporer in the past. The new one was about $6800 list and I paid about $3200 for the used one. I no longer own either

Rob

 

Their all over the place price wise used. I've always sold Fodera's 5 string set-neck and neck-through is the 3k-4k range. Check with Jim at Atlanta Bass Gallery http://www.atlantabassgallery.com/

Jim's a good guy to work with and I know has a couple of used and even a few new ones in.

 

While Fodera makes great basses, they are seriously overpriced and it has to be based on greed. Remember that a hot bass won't make you a great player. Jaco worked miracles on an old worn fender, Paul Mcartney made history on a Hofner and Vic Wooten shocked the world with a $2000 Monarch bass that now sells for $6000 plus. The Jaco relic bass is about 2 grand and I'm sure the Beatle bass is not cheap. Don't get me wrong, I think all players deserve a quality instrument that has the sound that they want but it seems these companies get a superstar bass god player in there stable and then they double there prices. To me they are no better than Nike with the Jordan shoe line. Get what you want and get what you can afford. this is just my 2cents worth don't mean to offend. Don

 

Please cite the rationale behind this statement. These basses are not mass-produced, and that level of craftsmanship does not come inexpensively. Further, if they sell every bass they make, they are not overpriced, period. Vinnie and Joey might even be leaving some money on the table. Why should they charge any less for their basses ... to do you a favor? Who are you?

 

I fixed your post for you. . .

 

Me too.

 

Marketing 101: when the value to the consumer exceeds the price being asked they will buy the product. Be it a VW Rabbit or an Aston Martin, Fender or Sadowsky.

(All Jaco had available were Fenders, ditto for Paul Mc back in the day)

I do agree that having a hot bass won't make you a hot player.

For me a Beatle bass does not meet the Marketing 101 statement. Not sure about the Jaco relic.

 

Looks like Steve and I are on the same groove here (see the Sadowsky tube amp posts) I've owned a couple of Fodera's and ended up not really liking them much for a number of reasons. However, I don't think they are overpriced, not worth it, etc. They ended up not being my thing. As with any product, if the price/value is out of whack for you.... then by definition you shouldn't buy it.

Also, I don't picture Vinnie, Roger, Michael Tobias, etc. driving around in expensive cars and living in the big house on the hill. There are easier ways to make money than to make small production run relatively custom instruments for picky buyers. Even though their prices do seem high, when you roll in dealer cuts, overhead, etc.,etc., and then consider the relatively small number of instruments they make, the prices don't seem so out of whack.

 

the fact that they cost so much and that not many people can afford them, is part of why those privaledged few are willing to pay that much for a bass that is tailor made to their specs...

I don't think ferrari is selling less cars because toyota brought out a cheaper spots car...!?

 

Exactly.

I got to baby sit a Ferrari for a while once. Only a few minutes. I saw the guy parking in a lot and went over to say hello and admire the car. He said he was just going to pick up a friend. I sat in the car with the engine running. Dabbed the throttle a few times. Being an F1 fan and a sometime shifter kart racer I almost cried. Nothing like a Ferrari engine. If I had the $ I wouldn't hesitate.

But I digress . . . .

 

i don't even think they're so rare and exclusive or overpriced or whatever... i've seen so many foderas around. much more than modulus or lakland or alembic, etc.
and i'm pretty sure most of those people buying foderas must have thought they were getting a good value for their hard earned money.

 

I highly doubt it is based on greed. But, I would be willing to bet having a shop in NYC has to be paid for somehow.
Sadowsky, Fodera and New York Bass Works all have hefty price tags. I have a feeling this has something to do with cost. If it doesn't I do not think they would be in business (imho). They are all great basses and probably toward the top of the pecking order in craftsmanship, but there is no way to stay in New York without making some serious cabbage.

 

Hmmmm. So if Sad/Fodera/New York Basses was located in (insert your less desirable location) I'll probably offend someone by choosing a less desirable location than NYC. But would one of these basses be priced cheaper if it was built in Geneva, New York? I've been to Geneva. I much prefer NYC Doesn't Mr Tobias live in a small out of the way place? And Mr Ritter. Sure its a factor but in the case of Sadowsky even if you are a dealer in a small out of the way place you still have to charge the price Roger has set.

 

Well guys, I really didn't mean to offend anyone But I stick by my opinion that these "boutique" basses are overpriced because of big endorsers, much like any other company. Hey guys, lets not make lutiers out to be angels. They are humans like us and they see opportunity to raise their price mark just like Shell oil, Nike, or any other BUSINESS. Now I must say that I have played a Fodera and they are fine basses and the cats at Fodera make a high quality product. But so do a lot of other companies who make instruments for half the price. Oh yeah about the do me a favor comment, If I am the consumer I should be done a favor or should I overpay for an instrument to do the luthier a favor. Fodera gets plenty of favors everytime Anthony Jackson, Victor Wooten, Matt Garrison and a host of others show fans that Monarch butterfly headstock. Cha Ching!!! Also who am I? I'm a bass player like you guys. Peace all. and remember, play what you want.
P.S. A Corvette Z/06 will blow the doors off of a Ferarri for les than half the price. I'm out. Don