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Wal Bass Club.

It seems a good idea as I have no doubt the Foderas play better than Wals do. I like the Wal sound but their design and execution feels a little crude to me.

They feel very much an instrument conceived of 1970's ideals. Slab bodied, V-necked and all. Mk1's feel the most archaic, because they are.
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Thanks for dropping in and sharing your unsolicited opinion/criticism.
 
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we’re all a little different though so I can see how someone may not prefer a Mk1 body shape, but my Sunburst Mk3 is the most comfortable bass I have ever played. The solid ash body resonates so well and the bass is incredibly light to me...a lot of that has to do with the over-the-top perfection when it comes to the balance and ergonomics of the Wal Mk3.

How much does your 4 string Mk3 weight? How much lighter is it than a Mk1?
 
Thanks for dropping in and sharing your unsolicited opinion/criticism.

Everybody is entitled to have their opinion. He is not the first bass player to say that about Wal basses.
I love my Wal basses but I am not offended if someone doesn't like them. Some people here seem to be offended if someone gives a criticism on Wal basses. I don't care. Everybody's taste is different (luckily).
 
Everybody is entitled to have their opinion. He is not the first bass player to say that about Wal basses.
I love my Wal basses but I am not offended if someone doesn't like them. Some people here seem to be offended if someone gives a criticism on Wal basses. I don't care. Everybody's taste is different (luckily).
Agreed on the opinion comment. I’m not offended at all, please refer to Mike’s above post, he wanted a reaction, I obliged, perhaps you misinterpreted my comment.
 
You're right, however I don't go to the club threads of basses I dont like and dump in their club thread. That's very douchey.

Separate topic threads about dislikes aplenty.

I agree. But it keeps things alive and interesting. Only positive and fanboy comments and seeing pictures of Wal basses that we cannot afford can get boring also. Even though I am sort of a fanboy myself! :)
 
My MK1 is certainly no sleek and ergonomic bass. Feels more like wrangling a Bison compared to how the Dingwall plays itself, for example. But it's still a top notch built bass, and has tons of character all over it. That's omething I don't see in Foderas. To me they are the epitome of elitist boutique bass, like Ritter. I respect the build qualitiy and artistry, but the tone does nothing for me.

I can easily identify a Wal, Stingray, Höfner, Rickenbacker tone, because they are recognizable and have their own character. Never felt like that with Foderas, they never seemed to care much about a trademark tone. Which is fine, but not for me.
 
My MK1 is certainly no sleek and ergonomic bass. Feels more like wrangling a Bison compared to how the Dingwall plays itself, for example. But it's still a top notch built bass, and has tons of character all over it. That's omething I don't see in Foderas. To me they are the epitome of elitist boutique bass, like Ritter. I respect the build qualitiy and artistry, but the tone does nothing for me.

I can easily identify a Wal, Stingray, Höfner, Rickenbacker tone, because they are recognizable and have their own character. Never felt like that with Foderas, they never seemed to care much about a trademark tone. Which is fine, but not for me.

Plus Vinny Fodera learned his trade working under Stuart Spector back in the day in Brooklyn before starting his own shop. You can find Spector basses handmade and signed/dated by Stuart himself for literally thousands less than what Fodera charges, with what I consider equal, if not better build quality, and a much more recognizable signature tone. Don’t know about their build quality since Stuart retired and korg took over, but regardless, the EMG + hazlab preamp combo sounds more distinct than any Fodera I’ve ever heard. I literally swapped preamps in my Ibanez prestige basses (ones with US bartolinis) and I can’t tell the difference tonally between them and a Fodera. Not trying to turn this into a Fodera crap taking post xD but at least Ritter basses do come off as truly unique, and while the tone isn’t exactly my flavor, I find it unique to Ritter as well. I feel like Fodera’s sales model is “look, Victor plays our basses! And we have a fancy butterfly logo! Dont you want to be like victor with a fancy butterfly logo? Give us 12 grand!” LMAO

... But when I hear a Wal, fretted or fretless, ughhh, it just melts my face with such glorious tone and I just can’t wait until that day my first Wal arrives. only a few more years, fellas :roflmao::roflmao:
 
My MK1 is certainly no sleek and ergonomic bass. Feels more like wrangling a Bison compared to how the Dingwall plays itself, for example. But it's still a top notch built bass, and has tons of character all over it. That's omething I don't see in Foderas. To me they are the epitome of elitist boutique bass, like Ritter. I respect the build qualitiy and artistry, but the tone does nothing for me.

I can easily identify a Wal, Stingray, Höfner, Rickenbacker tone, because they are recognizable and have their own character. Never felt like that with Foderas, they never seemed to care much about a trademark tone. Which is fine, but not for me.

That's an interesting post. I have owned 3 Ritters and they all have had an incredible tonal range and distinctive tonal character. They may look like works of art but they are very ergonomical and playable instruments. The tone of the Roya I had was somewhat similar to a Thumb NT in that it had a piano like clarity I have seldom cone across with most of the 60+ basses I have owned.
The two Okons were no slouched either. Here's the last one I had.
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They feel very much an instrument conceived of 1970's ideals. Slab bodied, V-necked and all. Mk1's feel the most archaic, because they are.

Respectfully, a Fodera Monarch isn’t exactly cutting edge design either. So I’m not sure I understand what elevates significantly above a Wal from a design standpoint. It’s an evolution of the NYC boutique builders of the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Foderas have a lot of very beautiful and nice details. But the build quality, fretwork, level of craftsmanship, and material quality on a modern Wal is right there with any east coast boutique bass. It can take just as low a setup. My left hand is able to fret notes and move around the neck with the same speed and level of effort as a workshop built Spector or Ken Smith. (I’ve never played a Fodera). I suppose if I’m up near the 18th fret the heel joint is going to get in the way, so I’ll concede that. If you get a new build Wal by the way it’s not going to have a V neck unless you specifically ask for it. The standard neck design is rounded medium thin C neck profile.

Granted it’s got some chunky design elements, descended from a “working musicians” concept. But the things that make a bass playable and ultra high quality are all executed exactly as they should be.
 
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