Belka

My experience with Fender Jazzes from the 1970s is that the 76-80 models, although the most likely to be boat anchors and have shoddy construction, actually sound a lot better than 70-75 models, but then again I really like the snappy Marcus Miller tone that only the 76-80 models provide. It might be to do with the weight but I think it's more likely to be a change of pickup done around this time - I think they went from alnico to ceramic magnets which really gave them that snap. If you're after rock/reggae/indie/soul tones however the 70-75s will do very well for you, I'm sure. I think it's the 70-75 models that look the best, with the big TV logo and the proper knobs (not strat knobs).

I actually much prefer the front mounted jack socket to side mounted. Having played a lot of Foderas however, I have noticed a few things that I think could be improved. Maybe some other Fodera owners will (dis)agree with me. 1. The Fodera bridge. It's solid and works well but if the grub screws holding up the saddles aren't at exactly equal height teh saddles will rattle - not had this with Hipshots, etc. 2. Very minor thing but the truss rod tool is quite thin. If the truss rod is a bit stiff the allen key/truss rod adjustment tool will flex quite a bit before the truss rod shifts and it makes turning it less precise. 3. Agree about the knobs. At the prices they charge and considering the otherwise flawless aesthetics of their basses, they could at least offer metal knobs matching the bridge/tuner finishes as standard. I think the layouts are fine though. 4. The Pope preamp, despite being very musical, is a bit noisy when compared to others (others in my case being the EMG preamp, Bartolini NTMB, MusicMan preamp). It's not a make or break thing but I think Mike should look into reducing the hiss coming out of it. Otherwise I can't really say anything negative about them.

Looks nice but that price is unrealistic. If it is all original with a straight neck and fully working electronics/truss rod it is probably worth more like £15,000. I honestly think vintage guitar prices from the '50s/60s have peaked. The top of the market was probably 2008, and now as the wealthy boomers slowly fade into history and subsequent generations take less interest in 50s-70s rock, combined with the inevitable de-magnetization of pickups that will eventually require replacement if they are ever going to be played, prices are likely to freeze and perhaps even come down. Don't get me wrong, they'll still be worth a lot, and some Gen Xers and Millennials are still likely to take an interest, but the interest (and finances) won't be there to keep prices going up. It seems to be the 1970s models which are rising in value still now. Some might say this is ludicrous due to the reputation for quality in the '70s, but I can see the appeal as they definitely look the part, and if you get a good one it is in no way inferior to a '60s model. To keep it in context however, most '70s Fender basses are still comparable in price to the cost of the new American models, and way cheaper than the custom shops, so you could say that over the course of the 45 odd years they've been out there they haven't really gained much value at all. 1980s models? Seems to be only Fullerton models and early Japanese Squiers commanding high value (and generally for a lower price than brand new American Original models). Despite the recent Guns 'n' Roses reunion and clamour around Appetite for Destruction as the best record of the '80s, Fender Jazz Bass Specials of the period are still only going for £450-600, and they're now 30 years old. If you go back to the '90s, the guitars/basses of the time that were 30 years old (made in early '60s) were already starting to get silly money paid for them. Yes, they were pre-CBS and that undoubtedly helped, but the nostalgia factor was also important. That goes to show that the nostalgia factor is just not really there for middle-aged people who were young back then. Anyway, rant over.

John Francis Anthony Pastorius?

I've used both the nickel and steel XLs on 5 and 6 string basses, 45-100 with the 130 B and 32 high C. I prefer the nickels, I really like the tension and tone. The steels are also interesting - they're extremely bright and they stay that way for a very long time, much longer than the nickels. They also have a much higher tension, which may or may not be a good thing.

I'm not sure as Foderas are normally fitted with Gotohs. The GB7 looks very similar to a Gotoh but it might not be an exact fit.

I've never seen it done before but if I was putting a ramp on a jazz bass I'd try to get it to match the pick guard. Not sure how you'd get the radius but I guess it could be done by getting a piece of wood with the right radius, and then gluing a piece of appropriate pick guard material onto that. I suppose you'd need a pretty strong glue to stop it coming apart under tension but if it could be done it would look great.

Also, regarding the jibe about lawyers, solicitors, CEOs etc... Myth. Instrument collectors may collect vintage Fenders and Gibsons ( and even then the majority of collectors are players or former players). I've never, ever come across a Fodera owner who was not a passable bass player.

And by the way, the top on the Monarch P is not holly, it's ivorywood. White, but not as white as holly.

I own one Fodera and have another one on order due in September. I like the idea of the Monarch P, and I agree with Si that if they have put the model out, then they clearly believe there is a demand for it, and it is likely among Fodera owners who want the P bass vibe rather than Fender players looking to upgrade. Despite my love of their basses however, I wouldn't buy it. Foderas appeal to me due to their effortless playability and the killer tone of the Duncan duals. I'll quite happily keep my Foderas for that reason but when I buy a P bass I won't be bothered about super low action or great woodwork. I like a P bass to have pretty high action, a thick neck and solid colours. If you play one of those for any extended time period the added finger strength you've gained ratchets the playability factor on the Foderas up another notch. Still, good they put it out as a choice for those who want that playability on a P bass.