I dont think I got anywhere close to the Smith tone with the Fodera. Mainly because of the pickup spacing.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I dont think there are any similarities of importance between any of the brands.
Aside from price?
I've played / listened to both; Smiths seem to have a more distinct sound, while Foderas play better (in my limited exposure with both)
My recently acquired Sadowsky has the "Modern" pickup spacing that makes it sound more like a Smith than I would have expected - and I'm happy about it. If I want to cop a Fender tone, I have basses for that.
Yeah, Fodera basses are definitely more traditional sounding, but Smith basses sound like Smith basses.
This may sound obvious, but have you never tried a BSR body shape, I have a 6 string and it balances perfectly seated or standing.
My new to me, '00 zebrawood BSR5PE. Recently traded my '01 maple BSRPE for it.
Here is my 1989 BT I bought new in 89. I quit playing professionally in 1992. Mostly a session player. It sat in its case some 20 years + till late Dec 2013 when the playing bug bit me again. Brought it my luthier for a restoration so to speak. Cleaned up and had custom ramps built to match the radius. Just sensational. Will post vids of bass shortly. It is unreal how nice these instruments sound. I just love the original preamp in these basses. Here are some recent pics.
Beautiful, would love one of those!Here is my 1989 BT I bought new in 89. I quit playing professionally in 1992. Mostly a session player. It sat in its case some 20 years + till late Dec 2013 when the playing bug bit me again. Brought it my luthier for a restoration so to speak. Cleaned up and had custom ramps built to match the radius. Just sensational. Will post vids of bass shortly. It is unreal how nice these instruments sound. I just love the original preamp in these basses. Here are some recent pics.
Just received this BMT. Pretty rare right? May I join the club? I'll take better pics soon.
I currently have a Black Tiger 5, a 6EG Cocobolo/Walnut, and a 5EG Flame maple/soft maple. My next one would be a 5EG quilted maple/walnut.
How do you like the black tiger? I typically am a walnut guy but I played a Smith that was walnut top/walnut core and it didn't quite speak the way I expected. Seems like Ken prefers to have the core different from the top.
Do you hear much of a difference between the different wood combinations?
I've owned a few different Smiths. I biggest difference for me was between the bolt on vs. the neck thru. I was OK with the bolt on's but the neck thru was special. I'd like to get another some day.
I can hear the difference in tones out of them all, and they arent faint either. The tonal differences are very noticeable.
The Black Tiger is awesome. I will never get rid of that bass. Just great growl.
The Black Tiger is awesome. I will never get rid of that bass. Just great growl.
I have a dilemma. I have a BSR6EG
that I don't play. Come to find out, its just too big for my hands, I am not a 6 string player, and I don't have a purpose for it. My problem is that it is a beautiful bass, but it sits in its case for months on end without being touched. That isn't necessarily the problem, the problem is that I want another 5 string. I can't justify having 6 basses. The 5 string would replace this bass and would get more use, since i am a 5 string player. My crossroads is that this is a beautiful bass, one of the best Cocobolo figures I have ever seen. I feel weird getting rid of it, but i feel selfish holding on to it and not using it. What would you do?
