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Thoughts on Fodera's
- Thread starter melodiaopus
- Start date
I have had my Warwick Thumb Bolt-On for 10 years and have never wanted another.. until now. I have always wanted a Fodera, but thought that it was just a fantasy like most people decide to buy a Scion over a Bentley. I figured that since I am serious bass player, semi-professional that it's time to take my bass experience and fly to the fantasy world of basses; and this is where I have landed, Fodera world.
Vinny's daughter Laura does a lot at the shop as well. Amanda handles the shipping. Not sure if Holly is still there. Everybody there is terrific and customer service is top notch.
This is mine...
http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=229
This is mine...
http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDetails.aspx?FeaturedItemID=229
one more thing. the maonarch and emporer are different body styles. I would equate to like a pbass versus a jbass. you should play them both to see what you prefer. i am a average size person and it appears that smaller folk seem to prefer the monarch as it feels more compact IMO but there clearly are exceptions.
Body styles below show the difference...
Body styles below show the difference...
Attachments
beautiful bass. Congrats. Walnut was my first love...
Holly was still there as of about 3 weeks ago
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,136
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
lets hope this remains a civil thread.
I've owned 4 Fodera's over the years. My Matt Garrison 5 was flat out an amazing bass.
My Emperor 5 not so much.
I played the one that was featured on the Fodera site called "the Beast"- it belonged to a friend of mine. To be honest, it was lifeless and the tone just didn't sing like others I have played.
And at the time, I believe is was over $10,000.
First and foremost, don't buy into the hype on ANY bass built by ANY one.
YOU need to get your grubby little paws on one and play it.
Trust Jason and the rest of the crew when making decisions regarding what tone you're going for.
IMO, it's best to stay relatively close to the proven tone woods and take note of other players basses.
Because remember, you're going to be waiting a LONG freakin' time to get it, and your thoughts on what you want tonally speak WILL change.
And keep this in mind, there are plenty of other high end luthiers out there doing the same level of work as Fodera.
I've owned 4 Fodera's over the years. My Matt Garrison 5 was flat out an amazing bass.
My Emperor 5 not so much.
I played the one that was featured on the Fodera site called "the Beast"- it belonged to a friend of mine. To be honest, it was lifeless and the tone just didn't sing like others I have played.
And at the time, I believe is was over $10,000.
First and foremost, don't buy into the hype on ANY bass built by ANY one.
YOU need to get your grubby little paws on one and play it.
Trust Jason and the rest of the crew when making decisions regarding what tone you're going for.
IMO, it's best to stay relatively close to the proven tone woods and take note of other players basses.
Because remember, you're going to be waiting a LONG freakin' time to get it, and your thoughts on what you want tonally speak WILL change.
And keep this in mind, there are plenty of other high end luthiers out there doing the same level of work as Fodera.
Yep, that is exactly the way I see them, j bass or p bass. I have always played p basses so, the monarch appeals to me in double cuts.
And, yes play both of them. When I was playing them I looked for shops that had them and planned vacations around those shops. When I was finally ready to order I made the trip to Brooklyn. And, played a couple more.
Now that we're on the subject. I know that certain woods have a play in the tone and sustain of an instrument.. so I've read. Here is what I was going to go with for my custom Monarch or Emporer 4 string
HAHAHAHAHAHA!SX basses cost $11.
But seriously, they cost $129 each, so if a Fodera on average costs $8500, then you could get 65.89 SX basses for the same price, all the same color!
So much for hoping this remains a civil thread!
Yep...on all accounts. There are other builders out there. And, you may find you don't like Foderas. No shame, everybody laughs at me when I say I don't like Sadowksys, I like Laklands. Every player is going to like something different. And, EVERY bass will feel different.
Good luck.
Now that we're on the subject. I know that certain woods have a play in the tone and sustain of an instrument.. so I've read. Here is what I was going to go with for my custom Monarch or Emporer 4 string
Model: Monarch or Emporer Elite
Instrument Type: Solid Body
Neck Options: Neck-Through
Neck Profile:Standard
Body: Walnut
Top Wood: Buckeye Burl
Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
Are these a good mix of woods?
Model: Monarch or Emporer Elite
Instrument Type: Solid Body
Neck Options: Neck-Through
Neck Profile:Standard
Body: Walnut
Top Wood: Buckeye Burl
Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
Are these a good mix of woods?
I've played three of them. I wouldn't have bought 2 of them if they were a grand a piece. The third one was pretty nice but was too heavy.
When you order a Fodera does it come with a Case or is that an extra expense.. since spending $8,775 wouldn't be enough to get a free case.
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,136
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
I have a simular bass coming.
Difference is I have a maple tone block and walnut body wings.
Capped with a exhibition grade flame maple top and an ebony fingerboard (different builder, but don't want to derail from Fodera).
Walnut will have a tighter (punchy?) lows but the mids and highs will ring a bit clearer.
Jason can chime in and give you a more accurate description.
I love the look of the walnut.. it's hard to hear a description of a tone.. I seriouly have to hear it through my same amp. I have a Epifani UL-502 with a Bergantino HT322. I also have a Epifani UL-310, that I hardly play.
There are a few basic requirements you should have for yourself before having a Fodera bass guitar made.
1- know the type of wood combinations you like.
2- know the kind of neck feel you like.
3- know the pickups and electronics and how it works with the wood(s).
4- if you can't get to or find a Fodera bass don't worry, try other companies for the types or wood and electronic combinations. 80-85% of the work can be taken care of before you start the building of a Fodera. Don't get caught up in the unnecessary- hype. Fodera will take care of the other 15%.
To your benefit, know that Fodera can and will build what you want and need (want and need are are two different things). Fodera are "Masters" of bass guitar making (no hype the truth)!
You must do your own research!!!
Believing you are serious minded, these are steps that are needed for a world class Fodera.
Good luck!
ps
Don't forget the $'s
1- know the type of wood combinations you like.
2- know the kind of neck feel you like.
3- know the pickups and electronics and how it works with the wood(s).
4- if you can't get to or find a Fodera bass don't worry, try other companies for the types or wood and electronic combinations. 80-85% of the work can be taken care of before you start the building of a Fodera. Don't get caught up in the unnecessary- hype. Fodera will take care of the other 15%.
To your benefit, know that Fodera can and will build what you want and need (want and need are are two different things). Fodera are "Masters" of bass guitar making (no hype the truth)!
You must do your own research!!!
Believing you are serious minded, these are steps that are needed for a world class Fodera.
Good luck!
ps
Don't forget the $'s
