thebassist

I love my passive Jazz Basses but I reckon a lot of that is because I've used them since I started playing 20 odd years ago and they feel so comfortable and familiar.

I had a Stingray for about a year when I was in a three piece band and the sound was enormous - I couldn't believe how powerful it was in comparison to my Jazz - but as soon as that band disbanded and I was playing in four/five+ pieces again I sold it and went back to using my Jazz for everything.

Personally, I don't reckon that the Behringer will give you anything like the full fat bottom end that you're used to with your Stingray - I've never been able to get massive bottom end with any single coil pickup basses I've had.

Interestingly, reading your latest comments dude, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you eventually do what I did, just the other way round if you know what I mean... move on your Jazz for a another tried, trusted and loved Stingray.

If you could only have one. A Fodera or a Smith, which would you go for?

Also molan, have you played a Ken Smith? If yes, how do they compare?

Wow stunning. I remember salivating over that when they posted it on Facebook.

Can you post s picture molan?

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1415298234' post='2598992']
What would right minded bass players think of someone who owns a Fodera but can't play very well?
[/quote]

That is exactly what I'd be if I bought one...

Wow, check this out...

[url="http://www.rondomusic.com/ursa2mn6bk.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/product6141.html[/url]

[quote name='TolerancEJ' timestamp='1415293779' post='2598917']
In addition to the custom builds, Fodera has also released Standard series of the Monarch, Emperor, Victor Wooten Yin Yang, Matt Garrison, Tom Kennedy models. Standards are a little less expensive than a full custom build.
[/quote]

Yes, this Emperor is the standard model and it's £5300ish. In my eyes, that is an awful lot of cash for a non-custom instrument.

http://www.basscentral.com/pdimages/2014/BLOWUPS%202014/FODERA%20EMP%206%20STD%20BLK%20HARDW%20ES6012%20blowup.php

Wow - including shipping and taxes that comes in at over £5300! It does look nice, has 24 frets, is 34-inch scale and, reading up on it, looks like it'd be ideal... it's just a shame that it's so much money. Incredibly that's £5300 for a non-custom instrument too.

http://www.basscentral.com/pdimages/2014/BLOWUPS%202014/FODERA%20EMP%206%20STD%20BLK%20HARDW%20ES6012%20blowup.php

I'm absolutely not trying to get into an argument or anything - I'm genuinely interested to understand whether there is something very, very special/unique to justify their prices compared with say a custom ACG, Ken Smith, Wal, Overwater, etc.

I posted in another thread that I'm in the market for a 6 string at the moment and while looking around online, the prices of Fodera basses has really struck a chord.

They seem to be upwards or, in some circumstances, in excess of double the cost of any other "equivalent" basses out there. I know taste, what people like, etc. is extremely personal and very subjective indeed but are they really that much better in people's opinions?

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3][b]
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&section=findpost&pid=2598815"][/url]Painy, on 06 November 2014 - 03:32 PM, said:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]

This is what keeps me up at night but as a 6er rather than a 7. About 1/3 the price of the Xotic though so you could have 3 of them in different colors (although just this one in white would keep me pretty happy).[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Only thing is they're only available as an import from the US so a bit tricky to try before you buy.[/size][/font][/color][quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415288399' post='2598827']
I looked into getting one of those a little while ago, a few emails back and forth. Someone off here bought one and I seem to remember the reports were pretty positive.
[/quote]

Go on...... buy it.... you know you want to...

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415285668' post='2598782']
Yes there is alot to be said for going secondhand... Especially when you suffer from GAS as much as I do
[/quote]

GAS is a terrible affliction... yet, I love it too.

I'll be going second hand I think.
For two reasons:
1. I turn basses around quite regularly - apart from 2 basses I own, I generally switch every 1 to 2 years.
2. I'll lose less money if/when I do move it on for something else.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415275282' post='2598626']
If I was in the market for a new jazz sixer I'd be looking at this from Xotic... never played one but think it looks great.



To be honest I'd personally try and avoid having two basses instead of a single sixer... I'm trying to get down to carrying as little as possible to gigs. In truth I could get away with a fiver for 90% of what I do with bands, but I do need the high C for a few tunes so I decided that a sixer was the way to go.

My aim is to get down to one fretted sixer and a fretless.
[/quote]

Yeah, this is entirely my thinking as well - to get down to carrying just one bass, my Aguilar TH500/SL112 and pedalboard for gigs.
And again like you, I reckon I could get away with a 5 string for 90% of what I do - the difference is that I use the high C a lot and only need the B for a few pieces.

Hmmm....

http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2716&type=Bass%20Guitar

You've hit the nail on the head RE the Foderas - I really fancy one but don't want to try it because I know what I'm like. I really should stick to my £3k budget.

...I've even considered buying two passive Fender Jazz 5 strings and having one BEADG and the other EADGC. One white and one sunburst so they're instantly recognisable on a dark stage.

I'm looking at dropping maximum of £3k on a 6 stringer and a Ken Smith Black Tiger that's for sale locally will be my first port of call.

I'm usually very trigger happy and just buy stuff but I'm going to try to fight that urge this time - I'm fully aware that I really need to gain some self control and spend some time to get the right one.

I really want something I can use in almost any situation - something very, very versatile. I'd love and appreciate some recommendations from personal experiences.

I've owned a fair few American Jazz and Precision basses and really can't recall playing one that was terrible. Sure some aren't as good as others but I found that they were all pretty much spot on with a professional set up.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415196405' post='2597731']
I think you and I are looking for the same thing...
[/quote]

Maybe I'll buy just save a few quid and buy another 5er.

The werid thing I find is that Fender don't offer a proper 6 given the vast range of basses they offer now at many different price points as well. It's like they have a bass covering all the... bases... apart from a 6.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415191357' post='2597615']
I had no idea these existed..


[/quote]

Yeah, I do quite like it actually. Just wish Fender would do a standard/non-signature model.

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1415189403' post='2597582']
What annoys me is that they could make it, it'd just take up to 3 years to get it in your hands! I don't know about you, but my GAS may not survive that long period!
[/quote]

They did a Steve Baily 6er a few years ago. Thing is, I don't like signature instruments.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415188163' post='2597559']


I reckon Fender must have looked into doing a proper sixer and decided it's not worthwhile... I'd imagine that six strings are a very small percentage of the bass market.

Personally I think a six-string jazz deluxe would be a reasonable seller.
[/quote]

I'd buy it!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415187360' post='2597541']
Something these lines would have me interested...


[/quote]

Yeah, and call me shallow, but I really want Fender on the headstock. A 34-inch scale, US Standard passive 6-string Fender Jazz Bass is exactly what I'd like

I don't think it is myself. I think it's a real shame Fender don't really open up the custom shop to offer 6-string options, etc. I'd love a 6-string US Standard Fender Jazz Bass.

Wow - a beautiful looking bass.