Kev

Oh I agree that Warwick have huge prices too, but most of their basses don't get insane until you start spec'ing up a custom model. I shudder to think what a Fodera Presentation II with customisations would cost!! But some interesting points raised here for sure, but I'd still question if they only make a 10% profit on bulding a $35k bass, there's something not quite right. But i'll certainly have a read into why the Presentation models need to be so expensive.

I mean I'm not trying to argue or just attack Fodera, as they're not alone as you say! But 10% profit margin, am I right in saying that it therefore as a starting price costs them ~$32k to make one of those Presentation II models? If so, how??

Sorry I couldn't find the mini bass there, they all seem full scale. Can you link me?? And in fairness I am more referring to their signature/artist range like this one than their base level standard range, so it probably is unfair of me to base all on that, but a business model where they break even (this is what I know of their model, from your post) is still completely bonkers, and they should really move the shop if there is any shred of truth in that. I think their standard range prices still came in a few thousand dollars higher a piece than top end masterbuild basses from the other builders you mention. Isnt it more like $20k for the full scale presentation model? Are they made during high rent months in NY or something?? 🙂 Edit: Just flashed up the 2022 price list, $35,200 for the Presentation II?!!

By all means link me to an $18k Fender/Alembic/Sadowsky mini bass? Or even a $9k one?? If it truly costs so much in NY that they only break even on 5 figure basses, their business model is completely insane. But I just don't believe that.

Just madness. And people will buy it, gleefully. I don't get the travel bass trend, but I get there is a market and loads of builders are doing them now. Saw one for $3,000 odd the other day and thought who on earth would pay that kind of price. Little did I know. It's hard to watch some luthiers struggle to make a name for themselves, build for little profit if any to get their names out there, and there's companies like this basically printing their own money, because they have a NY workshop.

Sounds good, honestly can't really remember watching live footage and hearing Myung before, anyone know of any good vids taken?

Certainly the case for me. 3 years amp free!

You certainly weren't their target audience! I think I remember them being expensive, i.e. a fully spec'd amp was a good amount more than many other Class D Amps out at the time. And, at the end of the day, there was probably always a stock amp close enough to ticking all the boxes available. Although, I'm seeing a lot less Markbass amps around in general these days? They were all over the place when the Momark came out, can't remember the last time I saw anyone with one now.

Unique to the Markbass range, certainly. It was just the idea of choosing a power module rating, a preamp type and other things that you couldn't just buy ready made at the time. Like I say really, a custom spec amp of sorts, within the constraints of the modules they made. Imagine a Class A/B version of it, you may find it easier to see the benefits of

Really quirky, they sounds fantastic too. Think this is the model nate navarro has, or had and used for lots of videos, and it always sounded better than anything else he was using.

That's kinda the point?? I don't think it was ever intended that users bought multiple modules and swapped them etc. Its a way of Markbass releasing an amp without a spec, and the buyer can spec it exactly as they want at the point of purchase, almost like a custom amp. Great idea, but doubt it was remotely economically viable for them.

Nice catch! Love to know the concept behind it being a headless but not being a headless at the same time! Just aesthetics or something else?

Is that a bit cheeky?? When I saw this, I thought it was a limited edition bass and there were only 100 being made, not that the first 100 were just numbered.

Fighting talk, I don't understand half of the percussive stuff Amos pulls off. Myung could be doing amazing things for DT I guess, it's not like you can hear him in the mix 😂

Aren't Tesseract on support? That would be the reason why I would have bought a ticket, DT do nothing for me to be honest! Amos is in a different league to Myung, his techniques and feel are stunning.

I had 3 relay switches on different 3 Leaf pedal builds fail all within 12 months of one another, although on all occasions there was a loud pop whenever bypassing. Get it to a tech, hopefully won't be too difficult to swap them out.

It's just daft. I think its how utterly pristine the wood looks in the worn areas. It just doesn't happen like that! More fool anyone who chooses that is the best way to spend £3.5k.

Number of pieces of equipment. Multiple power sources, additikal cables, additional footprint, everything that comes with it.

If its seen as a non-disclosure then yes average will be applied. But I'm highly sceptical playing in a band would be deemed an occupation unless you would describe yourself as a semi-professional musician. Perhaps people in serious function bands dip into this, original bands earning a ticket share or petrol money, not so much. But it wouldn't be considered a serious omission. If you're a part time builder on the side, or more obvious an uber drive, totally different. But being in a band is not too different from being a designated driver on a night out in terms of risk. In terms of leaving expensive equipment in your car, its not insured by motor anyway, so claims directly associated with that are minimal.

On an online motor question set, where would you answer what makes up the social domestic and pleasure activities? Or how else is it disclosed?

It actually isn't anymore, hasn't been for a few years. There used to be a requirement to disclose any material fact that may influence an Underwriter decision, but that has now changed to the opposite of what you've said; the onus is on the Insurer now to ask the right question, and if the right question isn't asked, the customer doesn't need to disclose. Basically means most FCA/FOS complaints go the way of the consumer for non disclosure these days. I don't work in motor insurance, more leisure and household, but unless you class your band as your job, I can't imagine a need to disclose it. Come to think of it, I cant really think of an incident that may happen that would be unique to a music related venture that would be insured anyway. Is there an example?

Giving them a lick is much cheaper and much easier, and you'd still be in!

Yeah, it was interesting that the guy painted that as a positive, as opposed to it being another sign of a cheap factory built fit for multiple purposes bass body...

Interesting video to watch. It just looks so cheap. I mean honestly, hand me that and tell me it's a far east T-Bird knock off, I'd believe it. I think Stingrays are a crazy price point now, but at least the Special I had was pretty flawless in build quality, no complaints at all.