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why are Foderas so expensive?

#282
KenToby said:
I'm glad you chimmed in Lamar. Matter of fact I own the set neck, single cut, maple topped Rbass you used to own. You know the one with the deluxe J-retro pre and Bartolini pickups.

Taking this bass to Bassnorthwest and playing it side by side to an Fodera Empreror told me there was no need to spend the extra $4000 to get the Fodera since I have a bass in the very same league.

Lamar, since you know this bass, help me understand the $4K difference. I think you'll agree that the differences are a matter of taste since the quality of each instrument is a toss up.
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comparing it to another bass to see if it plays and sounds as good is one thing, for that matter there are many Fenders and less that really feel good, and some may actually prefer that feel to anything else, as a matter of taste.

But then you ignore any of the art and aethetic details that go not only into the bass you hold and compare, but every bass that has come out of those shops. And while on a whole most basses from skilled luthiers come out playing great, the level of desireability doesn't come from one bass a guy builds, but the network of them the have in the general pubic. So trying to compare one against another isn't fair at all.

You are entitled to your opinion, but it is just that, and the answers you have received are just that as well. I am just saying, everything you asked to hear has been said, if you don't believe these people, why'd you ask?
 
#286
lamarjones said:
comparing it to another bass to see if it plays and sounds as good is one thing, for that matter there are many Fenders and less that really feel good, and some may actually prefer that feel to anything else, as a matter of taste.

But then you ignore any of the art and aethetic details that go not only into the bass you hold and compare, but every bass that has come out of those shops. And while on a whole most basses from skilled luthiers come out playing great, the level of desireability doesn't come from one bass a guy builds, but the network of them the have in the general pubic. So trying to compare one against another isn't fair at all.

You are entitled to your opinion, but it is just that, and the answers you have received are just that as well. I am just saying, everything you asked to hear has been said, if you don't believe these people, why'd you ask?
Click to expand...

Now you've gone and screwed the whole thing up.

;)
 
#287
10...Because, Vic is "da man"!
9....Because, if they weren't...you might actually GET one!
8....Because, Mikey likes them..."Hey, Mikey!"
7...Because, Stone Cold says so!
6...Because, Fodera's are carbon neutral basses.
5....TAXES!
4....Expensive? No way! WHAT A BARGAIN!
3....3 words: Inflation, Inflation, Inflation
2....HEY...It's a FODERA!

And the Number One reason...(*drum roll*)

...Because, they come standard with trussrods! :D :D
 
#288
T-MOST said:
I'm just kidding. Foderas are Damn fine basses but the $$ is crazy. I own Roscoe basses. :hyper:
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:o Sorry. I missunderstood.

On the other hand Roscoes sound great cause they have the R, o and e letters from Fodera. Dingwalls, too, have the D and a letters from the Foderas :p

Truth to be told, Foderas are really very fine basses (relatively expensive IMHO, to chime in at the thread); but that is no reason to try to bash them; just take them or leave them
 
#295
A lot of factors go into the cost of any product. Yes, each instrument is hand made, using the best materials, manufactured by some of the most talented luthiers on the planet, living and working in the most expensive place in the country. All very understandable.

Perhaps the most abstract component is the value of the brand. There is a mystique, a set of feelings associated with the Fodera brand. The guys that play them all understand intuitively. Victor Wooten contributes to that. Those who are dying to play that well associate the Monarch with Vic's talent. It's great marketing. Anthony Jackson, Lincoln Goines, Richard Bona, these are some of the best electric bass players on the planet. How many young kids wanna grow up to play on the Yankees? Owning a Louisville slugger doesn't make qualified from a talent perspective, it does from an emotional one. Holding a professional bat makes you feel great.

These are great basses. If you have the cash and you want one, get one. You can make a lot worse choices. Are they worth it? Only one answer counts.......yours!
 
#296
I've owned a number of Fodera's
Emperor, Matt Garrison 5 (God I miss that one!!!) and now I have (and had then as well) my old Fender Jazz thats modded to hell and back.
There isn't a 4 string on this planet IMO that comes close.
I also have a Valenti 5 and a Smith 6.
Both nice basses.

The bottom line is yeah, I would love another Garrison 5. But it wouldn't stop me from laying out a piece of my soul every gig if I don't ever get one again.

The bass is NOT going to make you a better player once you pass a certain point (to me it's about $1000).
And even then, you can still get the job done on a passive US Jazz.
 
#299
:cool:
I meet Lincolin Gonies last week.
He was recording at a friends Studio.
Got to check out his personal Sig. bass.

It was amazing.
The wood, the workmanship. playability, tone.
All top of the line.
A true work of art.

Are there builders making basses as good as this?
Yes.
Are Fodera's expensive?
Yes
Would I buy one If I had the money?
Yes.
But, there are many fine basses I would like.
Vinny, and Joey get there price because people are paying it.
 

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