Fodera Emperor 6 Standard Bass Guitar - Natural Reviews
When you need a classic bass vibe and unrivaled playability, you just can't beat Fodera's Emperor 6 Standard 6-string bass. This retro-style instrument delivers the exceptional performance that's made owning a Fodera the goal of bass players around the globe (including a bunch of us here at Sweetwater), but at a fraction of the cost of a custom model. At the same time, the satin-finished alder body with striking figured walnut top, hard rock maple neck, and compound-radius pau ferro fingerboard are the same components you'd find on a custom model; plus, this bass was built by the same luthiers who produce Fodera's vaunted custom models. Top it off with custom dual-coil pickups, an active 3-band preamp, a brass nut, and Gotoh tuners, and you couldn't ask for a finer bass than the Emperor 6 Standard.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Best playing/sounding 6 string
I've played a number of great six-string basses during my time as a bass player, and I can honestly say that this one is at the top of the list. I of course expected the best from Fodera, but was not expecting an immediate connection with this one. Sometimes you have to spend time with a new bass to get used to it, but this one right away just felt like home.
First, the sound: it is Fodera, through-and-through. Very clean, very clear, and with a range of options that will get you just about any sound you can ask for. P bass? Yes. J bass? Yes. Stingray? Yes. This is also the first bass I've played that splitting the coils does seem to make a difference in the tone. On one setting you get a nice, tight, midrangy forward sound that reminds me of my Lakland 55-02 with both pups running full; and on the other setting you get a nice scooped-sounding J bass. The neck pick up soloed sounds like a P bass, and is actually not muddy, which can be the case in pup arrangements like these. The bridge pick up is burpy sounding, but full and can actually be used on its own, without blending in the neck pup. The preamp and tone controls all have very useful applications, and are great for tone-shaping. I'm usually just content with the flat setting on the bass, simply using the tone control and my plucking hand position to alter my sound.
Secondly, the fit/finish: top-notch. Top. Notch. This bass just oozes quality and makes you feel like you are playing the best. Fretwork is absolutely amazing--nothing poking out from the fretboard, no deadspots, and an incredibly easy to play, flat fretboard with low action. The bass came set up exactly how I prefer to play, and after swapping out the stock strings with some DR Pure Blues, the bass came to life. I'm not a huge fan of the walnut top, but after playing it, I'm definitely coming around. Also, the neck on this bass. OMG! The easiest, smoothest playing bass neck I've ever had. The oil finish or whatever they use on this is just the perfect balance between a gloss and satin finish--not too fast, and not too "grippy," or tacky.
If you have the financial means to get a Fodera, you absolutely must. They are game-changers, and will do what every quality, handmade instrument should do: inspire you to play. These Standard models are a much easier way to get one in your hands, so go out and get one!
Shout out to Joe Schafer at Sweetwater for getting this to me, and so quickly! I ordered this on a Sunday evening, and had it by Tuesday morning! Astonishing.
