Bass of the Week: Fodera’s Masterbuilt Ruby Is More Than a Bass – It’s a One-of-a-Kind Tribute
Two years ago, Fodera Guitars marked their fortieth anniversary with a limited run of the Emperor Deluxe bass. However, the party is still going. This year they unveiled a one-of-a-kind bass that holds nothing back.
“On March 14th 2023, Fodera Guitars reached its 40th birthday as a continuously family owned and operated business,” they share on their website. “To celebrate this achievement, the artisans at Fodera created the Masterbuilt Ruby. Designed primarily by Vinny Fodera, but with the invaluable artistic input from the entire Fodera team, the anniversary bass represents the finest expression of the craft.”
The incredible instrument has a quilted sapelle body with a figured maple toneblock. It’s ornate top features the Fodera logo and additional details all made from walnut, mahogany, madrone, Japanese maple, and holly. The 9-piece roasted maple neck holds a flame ebony fingerboard with even more intricate art.
“The fingerboard, which has been affectionately dubbed ‘the Fodera Tree of Life’ incorporates symbols of Brooklyn as well as Fodera company history,” the company explains. See below for the explanation for all of the inlay’s symbols.
Finally, the five-string bass is fitted with a Seymour Duncan Apollo Linear Jazz Humbucker matched with a Monarch 3-band preamp.
Fodera Guitars Masterbuilt Ruby Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 5 |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Construction: | Neck Through |
| Body Shape: | Custom Monarch Shape |
| Body: | Quilted Sapelle Body w/ Figured Maple Toneblock |
| Top: | Multi-piece Figured Walnut, Mahogany, Madrone, Japanese Maple, and Holly |
| Neck: | 9 piece Roasted Maple Neck w/ Wenge Stringers |
| Fingerboard: | Flamed Ebony Fingerboard |
| Frets: | 24 (Large) |
| Inlay: | “Fodera Tree of Life” |
| Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Apollo Linear Jazz Humbucker |
| Electronics: | Monarch 3 Band Preamp - Custom Layout |
| Strings: | Fodera x DR 45125 SS Strings |
| Other: | Magnetic Inlaid Truss Rod Cover |
Fodera Tree of Life Symbol Key:
- Contrabass: pays homage to Anthony Jackson
- 168 Ave O: the location of the first Fodera shop’s location
- Monarch 4 string: the first Fodera model
- Yin Yang: representing our relationship with Victor Wooten
- Ladybug: honoring Rita Fodera, Vinny’s late wife and Laura’s mom
- Drill & Soldering Iron: Joey’s blue Makita drill which he’s used since day one on all of the electronics that he has worked on throughout the years
- Flower: Yellow Forsythia which is the official flower of Brooklyn
- 40 Heart: representing our milestone anniversary and inlaid in 14k Gold
- “Joey’s Clippers” which he has used every day and were his father’s
- Chisels and gauges: symbolizing hand craftsmanship
- Ruby suspended in headstock: was part of one of Laura’s rings; rubies are the official gift for 40th anniversaries
- Butterfly pickup cover: hand sculpted and quarter matched Japanese Maple
- M Inlay: Masterbuilt inlay
- Top boasts a sampling of exotic woods that we have used throughout the years (Holly, Box Elder, Madrone Burl, Mahogany, Walnut)
- Acanthus leaves: symbolizing longevity
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
