1966powers

I don't have a digital caliper to measure it with such exact precision. But I imagine those specifications can be found on the Fodera website.

I don't have a scale handy...but comparing it to a jazz bass next to me I'd say between 4.200 and 4.300 kg.(9,25-9,47 lb)

Yes. The most incredible thing is the combination of possibilities with the switches and the three-position control that combines the pickups. It has very good sustain due to the solid bridge and the strings through the body. A very, very interesting bass, really.

Let's see how the pictures look now...

Of course! Tomorrow I'll take photos in natural light and update them all. They were taken with artificial light.

Up for sale, a 1980 Kawai F-II B, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. 1450 € This rare, expertly-crafted Kawai clearly takes its design cues from Alembic, featuring maple/mahogany neck-through construction, maple/koa body wings, and active electronics, including the four-way rotary pickup selector only seen on the earliest F-II Bs. Each humbucker is powered by its own 9v battery, dynamic and immediate with great upper-midrange burp, and the bass benefits greatly from the articulation, immediacy and roundness of the active electronics. The bridge pickup has a potent sound with enough nasally top end attack to cut through when needed and provide the necessary presence. With both pickups engaged, there are a myriad of subtle variations via the three-way Tone Character toggles, and the interaction between both pickups and tone switches provides many of the most pronounced and thumpy sounds the bass has to offer. The mini toggles are essentially midrange boost/cut controls, neutral in the middle position. At the neck, the bass has a certain softness and breadth, with a pillowy low end that sits well in a mix, and the fourth position on the rotary pickup selector is a mute/kill switch. Neck Specs: Wood: Maple/mahogany (five-piece) Shape: Slender C Fretboard: Rosewood slab, dot inlay Frets: Medium jumbo. Scale Length: 34” Body Specs: Wood: Koa /maple Pickups: Humbucker x2 Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, “Tone Character” three-way mini-toggle x2, four-way rotary Pickup selector Hardware: Rugged brass toplader bridge Original rectangular case. Worn but still functional. Shipping at the buyer's expense. Open to possible trades.

What varies is the electronics of these early models. This one has the original Japanese electronics. Is it of worse quality? Hehe, I think the Japanese electronics are just as good as the others. Even much better.

Hi! The bridge has a system for customizing the distance between the strings. You can set them at 19 mm or closer together, at about 18 or 18.5 mm.

When people say it's a lower-value bass because it's made in Japan, I find it ridiculous. It's superior to some US-made models, and the quality of the woods is identical to the woods used in the basses in Ken's shop.

It's a great bass. What Ken Smith did 35 years ago strikes me as very interesting: sending the wood to Japan and overseeing the construction of this model. He did it with the same meticulousness as in his workshop. All by hand and by a single person he completely trusts.

pm sent

I don't have a recording with the bass, nor a sample of the sound. I'm really sorry. But I assure you that it has a very very defined sound and a lot of punch. Very comfortable. Weighs 9.2 lbs. (4.1kg)

I'm selling this unique, custom-made 2003 Fodera Matt Garrison Signature Imperial. 8500€. The bass is in perfect condition with only a few minor dings from use. A magnificent instrument that sounds as good as it looks! The bass is an absolute dream to play, incredibly responsive with a wide range of sounds. I'm including a custom ramp for it, although it's not currently installed. #MG52247N Flame redwood top Alder tone block Walnut body Ebony fingerboard 3-piece ash neck Abalone dot inlays Neck-through construction 33" scale 18.5mm/19.0mm spacing Fodera/Pope Custom 3-band EQ Fodera/Duncan Dual Coil pickups 4.6kg Original Fodera case. The bass is in Valencia.

Ken Smith Burner, Artist model, manufactured between 89 and 93. Made 100% by hand in Japan. Wood from Ken Smith's workshop. 5 pieces on the neck (purple and maple) and 5 pieces on the body (walnut and maple). Original electronics. Scale 34". Separation between strings 17 mm. Ideal for playing chords. Tuning: BEADG/EADGC Allows for high-speed playing. 4000€. Ken Smith comments on this model in his forum: "The head maker could make Violins, Acoustic Guitars and even Banjos by hand. He was a real Luthier. He said in Japanese that HE must handmake the Artist Model himself and the other models Custom, Deluxe and Standard can be thru normal production. He was clear about that in not such a nice way BUT, he wanted the credit at home for being the Luthier he was. The bass that Hadrien Feraud plays is the Artist model Burner!" The email Ken Smith sent me about this bass when I sent him the pictures: "In the first few years, the Factory some some direct within Japan. We never saw these basses. About 300 were made and sole in Japan. This is one of them and the Artist model." " 89-93? Builders.. We supplied the body wood.. A great factory in Nagano, Morris Guitars. I knew the owner personally." Comes with a Smith soft case from the period. Shipping costs not included.