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Thoughts on Fodera's

#2
For that kind of dough, your best bet is to make it your business to get your hands on one and play it first. Or you can take the opinions of a bunch of people who may or may not have the same thoughts/feelings that you have.

Would you buy a car without test driving it first? That's essentially what you are doing if you don't check one out in person first.
 
#6
I've owned an Emperor 5 and Yes it is very well worth it! Hands down the best basses ever made with wooden necks. They are meticulously crafted, well thought out at all levels and areas. The only problem is that once you own one you will not look at anything else but another Fodera! I sold mine to get a headless Status. Wood is great but graphite beats them all hands down. But that's just me. If I didn't have the opportunity to get the Status the Fodera would still be mine!

Definitely check a few Foderas out before you buy the right one though.
 
#7
melodiaopus said:
Hello all,

I just wanted to get some feedback on Fodera basses. I have been thinking about investing in either a Monarch Elite 4 string or an Emporer Elite 4 string. Are these basses really worth the $8,775 price tag?
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Only you can make that decision. They are fine basses and so are a lot of other basses that cost just as much or not as much.
 
#8
:cool:

Great playing a sounding basses. They are one of those bass company that there basses become art.
$$$$ yes, but that's why we all can own one.
Vinny & Joey make magic.
Think MTD, Carl Thompson. Top of the line Builders.
 
#11
I recently played a Pedulla Thunderbolt 5, which is quite funny because I have always played a 4 string, and thought damn.. I wouldn't mind having this 5 string. It's definately half the cost of a Fodera and sounds great.

Since we're on the subject. What makes the price difference between the Fodera Elite neck-through series for Monarch and the Emporer rather than the Deluxe, dovetail version. Is the extra $1350 worth the cost for a neck-through and solid body design rather than the Dovetail??
 
#14
melodiaopus said:
I recently played a Pedulla Thunderbolt 5, which is quite funny because I have always played a 4 string, and thought damn.. I wouldn't mind having this 5 string. It's definately half the cost of a Fodera and sounds great.

Since we're on the subject. What makes the price difference between the Fodera Elite neck-through series for Monarch and the Emporer rather than the Deluxe, dovetail version. Is the extra $1350 worth the cost for a neck-through and solid body design rather than the Dovetail??
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The way I understand, the cost difference between the 2 is how the top is placed on the various styles. On the dovetail, the top is routed and the neck is slid in similarly to a bolt on. On the neckthrough the top has to be cut to fit around the finished neck. And, it is glued on after the neck.

I am sure Jason will step in here and confirm.

And, yes I own one. I waited for 4yrs to get it. It is my dream bass built the way I wanted. I couldn't do that with anything else.

Jason, Vinny, Joey, Rob all took care of me to make the best of a rough situation. And, the finished project is even more than I could have hoped for. Custom service says a lot to me.

Would I buy another one? Yep. In the process of designing another one right now. Hope to finalize the order by the end of the year.
 
#17
melodiaopus said:
Since we're on the subject. What makes the price difference between the Fodera Elite neck-through series for Monarch and the Emporer rather than the Deluxe, dovetail version. Is the extra $1350 worth the cost for a neck-through and solid body design rather than the Dovetail??
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really a matter of personal taste. Bolt on VS neck thru has been on TB for years... Not as many dovetail builders out there. Guess Gibson did something right in the bass department or than the early mid 60's tbird pups which are IMHO the best passive pup ever made after the pbass ...

All foderas play pretty much the same. Nothing comes close if you like their style basses. Obviously i must because i have had 6 , still own 5...

The neck thru usually but not always will be heavier due to the extra maple versus mahog etc... I prefer my dovetails to the neck thru but recently added a YYStd which is bolt on and it plays just like a FODERA..... I would not expect anything less from the VJJ boys.

For the price you are thinking of spending I recommend you contact Jason and take a trip to Brooklyn. They have the best Customer service around - them - not some fool on the phone. You want to make sure you get exactly what you want to take anyway any anxiety for the 2 years you will wait..IMHO

here is my first one that sealed the deal for me...back in 1983
 

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#18
Definitely try one first. They are amazing, but may or may not be your thing.

I'm with Gre107... My Status basses changed my mind about wood.

But if I could own them and still have a Fodera, that's a no brainer, I'd have them both.
 
#19
Yep...that is the same Jason.

I am not going to get into the advantages of neck through, dovetail bolt-on. It really is a players choice. I wanted a single cut so, neck through was the only real option. There are bolt-on and set neck single cuts. But, the guys at Fodera perfected the single cut for bass and I trust the way they do it. Not saying anything about the others, just haven't had the opportunity to play one.

When I ordered mine, I started designing in 2004. I was going to get an Emperor and a former Fodera employee -to remain nameless- said, "Thom you got to check out mine." After that I was sold on the single cut. But, I went to several dealers all over the country to play Foderas to make sure. The first Fodera I played was in 1996, it was an AJ Contra. I fell in love with that bass and never forgot the feel.

There are several neck through Monarch and Emperors on the Newborn page right now. If the instrument says toneblock or heelblock it is neck through. Here is Oteil's neckthrough Monarch...

http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=212
 
#20
melodiaopus said:
I have been bothering the hell out of Jason so much that he couldn't discuss any more details with me via email. Possibly we're talking about the same Jason from Fodera, ThomWalker
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there is only one Jason there. It is a small shop 4-5 guys and several very helpfull woman for admin type stuff.

here is a picture of a early 1986 timeframe neck thru emporer. 4 string will look the same unless you get the full body wood option, which has become very popular since i had this built
 

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