why are Foderas so expensive?

[basses55]

+1

It would appear that non-Fodera owners have egos too. Imagine that.

If I scored a Ritter (umm...sans logo) for the price of a Warwick... well ok it looks exactly like a Ritter to me (they all work in the same country dont they?) I'd be kicking ass all over the internet too! Insulting other bass owners and inferring some are just suckers.

I'd be driving my new Audi laughing at everyone else all the way to the Bundestag....oh ..wait..I'd have to sell that Ritterick wouldent I?...sht....


(Just like with RBass, no slight on Warwick either, I like some of their models more than Ritters...but I dont sht on Ritter owners for having only an "ego" and an inability to a determine what appeals to them artistically... I would never insult them based on my ignorance of their situation, taste, and needs)

 

[Brad Johnson]

If I scored a Ritter (umm...sans logo) for the price of a Warwick... well ok it looks exactly like a Ritter to me (they all work in the same country dont they?) I'd be kicking ass all over the internet too! Insulting other bass owners and inferring some are just suckers.

I'd be driving my new Audi laughing at everyone else all the way to the Bundestag....oh ..wait..I'd have to sell that Ritterick wouldent I?...sht....


(Just like with RBass, no slight on Warwick either, I like some of their models more that Ritters...but I dont sht on Ritter owners for having only an "ego" and an inability to a determine what appeals to them artistically... I would never insult them based on my ignorance of their situation, taste, and needs)

And that's why you do what you do and others do what they do.

Then again I have no idea just how great it must feel to be able to say "I got an R Bass and you didn't, suckers!".

With conviction.

 

[basses55]

And that's why you do what you do and others do what they do.

Then again I have no idea just how great it must feel to be able to say "I got an R Bass and you didn't, suckers!".

With conviction.

 

[stringsmith]

Im done with the Fodera wars. Rich people and fools rule! play your Fodera, your Fender, your SX, whatever. Real artists stand up! Working musicians stand up!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Im done with the Fodera wars. Rich people and fools rule! play your Fodera, your Fender, your SX, whatever. Real artists stand up! Working musicians stand up!

I am a working musician. So is Basses55 and several other folks here.

Thankfully I'm not rich so I guess that doesn't automatically make me a fool.

As long as relatively expensive items exist, people will complain about not seeing their value. Others will not see their value and move on. Some will buy them. Some may even buy them and then self-flaggellate for being so weak. Others will simply order more pie.

So let it be written...

 

[Tactician]

Hey guys - this isn't about the music - we're getting into a slanging match now. If there were easy answers to this stuff we'd all drive the same car - best drive best value - but we don't because we all have different needs - needs that go way beyond the car and driving. Some want a Farrari and some get a Fiat (Me - but hey, both come from the same organisation in Italy.) My Punto isn't a Farrari, but it does the job. Do I look as cool driving up in a Punto compared to a Farrari - no. Can I afford a Farrari - no. If I could afford one would I buy one - no - I'd rather use the money more constructively in the community. But those are all my choices - no rights or wrongs, and so long as I don't disadvantage someone else in the process, why not?

Walking up to some guy just getting out of a Farrari and slagging off his choice of car probably tells us more about the slagger than the driver. Nothing wrong with being passionate - just get passionate about the music...or life....or love.

 

[Jules Forcella]

Since I play Fodera (I'm a working Musician too ) - I get all the Groupies

Cheers, Julian

 

[Tactician]

Duh

That's where I'm going wrong. It's my Fiat appraoch to everything in life that's letting me down. How do you let the ladies know that this is a special bass though? Or do you only get chased by ladies that are experts at exotic basses. Bit of a niche I should think?

 

[gkbass13]

if i had 5k to spend on any bass i could choose, the fodera at LAG would be mine right now.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I'd love a Matt Garrison sig... if someone wanted to give it to me!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Hey guys - this isn't about the music - we're getting into a slanging match now. If there were easy answers to this stuff we'd all drive the same car - best drive best value - but we don't because we all have different needs - needs that go way beyond the car and driving. Some want a Farrari and some get a Fiat (Me - but hey, both come from the same organisation in Italy.) My Punto isn't a Farrari, but it does the job. Do I look as cool driving up in a Punto compared to a Farrari - no. Can I afford a Farrari - no. If I could afford one would I buy one - no - I'd rather use the money more constructively in the community. But those are all my choices - no rights or wrongs, and so long as I don't disadvantage someone else in the process, why not?

Walking up to some guy just getting out of a Farrari and slagging off his choice of car probably tells us more about the slagger than the driver. Nothing wrong with being passionate - just get passionate about the music...or life....or love.

There are easy answers to this stuff... people just don't like the answers.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Duh

That's where I'm going wrong. It's my Fiat appraoch to everything in life that's letting me down. How do you let the ladies know that this is a special bass though? Or do you only get chased by ladies that are experts at exotic basses. Bit of a niche I should think?

He didn't say ladies, he said groupies.



BTW I have a Fodera and a Fiat. Guess that makes me conflicted.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Again, since the term "rich" keeps popping up, simple question time. Let's see who tackles this one:


Do you have to be rich to own a used Kia*?










* or in my case a 91 Olds.

 

[fullrangebass]

Assuming that you played one/all of these Foderas before puchasing, it must have had/has enough redeeming qualities that compelled you to purchase it...is it (are they) daily players or still "gig worthy"?

Just askin'.

the first Fodera was bought on the grounds of respect for Randy Coven (I own his "Funk me tender" LP since 1988; I was a guitar palyer at that time but still blown away). The other two Fodera's are Emperors (Deluxe and Elite), both bought used. I had no chance to lay my hands on either them, but when knowlegdable people rave about them, I thought of giving them a try. They were bought to be "directly" compared to some other high end basses of mine. "Direct" comparison means a tried and true bass from a master luthier compared side to side with another tried and true bass from another master luthier ("same" woods, but different methods all together). It may sound odd but certain luthiers make some models "better" than others , and that's what I'm after: The better ones from each good recipie.

The Foderas are really great basses in terms of construction and attention to detail. They have a big solid old school sound (it's my opinion and I can take the heat for this statement). The down side? They are too heavy to gig for long and they lack the sonic detail of some other basses of mine (the width of the neck is not my first choice but then again many others love that). And yes it is true that my RBass has a sound just as big as my Foderas (just as some of my other basses). IMHO Foderas are really great basses (if you like a FODERA and can afford it) but you can find better value for money basses for that sound. It's MY opinion and I repeat that it's mine and mine only.

 

[basses55]

the first Fodera was bought on the grounds of respect for Randy Coven (I own his "Funk me tender" LP since 1988; I was a guitar palyer at that time but still blown away). The other two Fodera's are Emperors (Deluxe and Elite), both bought used. I had no chance to lay my hands on either them, but when knowlegdable people rave about them, I thought of giving them a try. They were bought to be "directly" compared to some other high end basses of mine. "Direct" comparison means a tried and true bass from a master luthier compared side to side with another tried and true bass from another master luthier ("same" woods, but different methods all together). It may sound odd but certain luthiers make some models "better" than others , and that's what I'm after: The better ones from each good recipie.

The Foderas are really great basses in terms of construction and attention to detail. They have a big solid old school sound (it's my opinion and I can take the heat for this statement). The down side? They are too heavy to gig for long and they lack the sonic detail of some other basses of mine (the width of the neck is not my first choice but then again many others love that). And yes it is true that my RBass has a sound just as big as my Foderas (just as some of my other basses). IMHO Foderas are really great basses (if you like a FODERA and can afford it) but you can find better value for money basses for that sound. It's MY opinion and I repeat that it's mine and mine only.

Of course, any reasonable person could accept that. I do.
Thank you for that opinion.

BTW, I'm not sure if its been emphasized enough yet or not..but..when asking if Foderas are worth the price and having responses based on people's personal experiences, especially concerning tone, it may be worth asking what are we comparing? What is THE Fodera tone?

I ask this because IME a high % of Foderas are either somewhat different or VERY different . This company goes from ash to mahogany to alder to walnut with maple and ash necks and numerous fingerboards, to 3 different kinds of neck joints and 3 different scale lengths too. Two different brands of pups with 2 different styles of pups. Only the pre is consistant to all amongst new builds.

So if we say that Bass X has got more "Y" than this Fodera I own or try...can we extrapolate then that all Foderas dont have as much "Y" as whatever brand you are comparing to?

Fodera is hard to pin down across the board IMO, they are pretty individual ...maybe Brad's Fodera has a totally different tonality and is twice as big sounding as even my Fodera because they are almost completely different in specs. I know there are some differences between the same models in general amongst all builders, but I'm just highlighting an exaggerated factor that some may want to take into consideration when trying out and comparing a Fodera.

Again, this does not mean that I think anyone should like ANY Fodera as much or more than another brand at any price point, or that anyone should try one and think they are worth the price.

 

[Brad Johnson]

the first Fodera was bought on the grounds of respect for Randy Coven (I own his "Funk me tender" LP since 1988; I was a guitar palyer at that time but still blown away). The other two Fodera's are Emperors (Deluxe and Elite), both bought used. I had no chance to lay my hands on either them, but when knowlegdable people rave about them, I thought of giving them a try. They were bought to be "directly" compared to some other high end basses of mine. "Direct" comparison means a tried and true bass from a master luthier compared side to side with another tried and true bass from another master luthier ("same" woods, but different methods all together). It may sound odd but certain luthiers make some models "better" than others , and that's what I'm after: The better ones from each good recipie.

The Foderas are really great basses in terms of construction and attention to detail. They have a big solid old school sound (it's my opinion and I can take the heat for this statement). The down side? They are too heavy to gig for long and they lack the sonic detail of some other basses of mine (the width of the neck is not my first choice but then again many others love that). And yes it is true that my RBass has a sound just as big as my Foderas (just as some of my other basses). IMHO Foderas are really great basses (if you like a FODERA and can afford it) but you can find better value for money basses for that sound. It's MY opinion and I repeat that it's mine and mine only.

A couple of things...
If you changed that to "I" it would make much more sense.

On the "Foderas are heavy" thing... I get that same thing quite often when people check out my main Brubakers*. I quite honestly tell people "Yes, Brubakers are heavy... except for the lighter ones.

I've found the same to be true for Foderas.





*they're heavy because it's what I knowingly asked for.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Of course, any reasonable person could accept that. I do.
Thank you for that opinion.

BTW, I'm not sure if its been emphasized enough yet or not..but..when asking if Foderas are worth the price and having responses based on people's personal experiences, especially concerning tone, it may be worth asking what are we comparing? What is THE Fodera tone?

I ask this because IME a high % of Foderas are either somewhat different or VERY different . This company goes from ash to mahogany to alder to walnut with maple and ash necks and numerous fingerboards, to 3 different kinds of neck joints and 3 different scale lengths too. Two different brands of pups with 2 different styles of pups. Only the pre is consistant to all amongst new builds.

So if we say that Bass X has got more "Y" than this Fodera I own or try...can we extrapolate then that all Foderas dont have as much "Y" as whatever brand you are comparing to?

Fodera is hard to pin down across the board IMO, they are pretty individual ...maybe Brad's Fodera has a totally different tonality and is twice as big sounding as even my Fodera because they are almost completely different in specs. I know there are some differences between the same models in general amongst all builders, but I'm just highlighting an exaggerated factor that some may want to take into consideration when trying out and comparing a Fodera.

Again, this does not mean that I think anyone should like ANY Fodera as much or more than another brand at any price point, or that anyone should try one and think they are worth the price.

Agreed. They don't all sound the same so it doesn't really make sense to treat them as if they do.

 

[fullrangebass]

IMHO (I have tried other Fodera basses apart from my own) the Fodera sound has a big fundamental (Double coils or singles) and thick low mids (the EMG equipped ones are more influenced by the pickups, allowing less of the wood to shine through, IMHO again eg the VW model). The electronics are versatile and the construction is very good. Woods do have a significant role in the Fodera sound, but the basic Fodera sound is there with the wood acting it's role (walnut, ash, mahogany, alder with or without top) with the idiosyncracies of each type of neck joint and scale length being presented.

Each luthier has his(/her?) own pricing policy and depending on exposure, availability and demand, this is the way they make a living (as it should be).

IMHO that great quality comes a touch expensive in terms of value for money aspect (nothing great comes cheap, I know). If we start taking into account the re-sale value, the heavy names in the players list and the solid sound, some people may feel it's not expensive. The question is: what have you got for what you have paid? this is the question for each person concerned to answer

 

[Jules Forcella]

He didn't say ladies, he said groupies.

and it was just a joke ......

I drive an old 3er BMW..... so , this ain't a big car either

 

[Jules Forcella]

I ask this because IME a high % of Foderas are either somewhat different or VERY different . This company goes from ash to mahogany to alder to walnut with maple and ash necks and numerous fingerboards, to 3 different kinds of neck joints and 3 different scale lengths too. Two different brands of pups with 2 different styles of pups. Only the pre is consistant to all amongst new builds.

...but you can take all the different Players like Richard Bona , Matt Garrison, Anthony Jackson, DiPiazza , Lincoln Goines, etc..... with their different Foderas - but they all (!!!!) have the same Character in their Sound.... the Character of Tone Fodera is well known for.....

Just like Smith Basses have the "Smith Sound" that we know from so many Records.... or what ever ... the List of examples is long....