Fodera NYC Empire 4 Vintage Sunburst (pre-owned)

Fodera NYC Empire 4 — Vintage Sunburst

Fodera’s NYC Empire

This is the NYC Empire 4 in Vintage Sunburst from Fodera, out of New York. It weighs 4.4 kg. Fodera is the name most bassists put at the very top of the boutique ladder. However, for most of us the Brooklyn custom basses stay a dream.

In contrast, the NYC Empire was Fodera’s answer to that. Basically, it’s their own take on the classic bolt-on bass, with the abalone butterfly on the headstock. In addition, it has Fodera’s ideas about how a bass like that should feel and sound, at a price a working player could actually reach.

Carved in Japan, finished in New York

Indeed, the recipe was a clever one. Specifically, the wood parts for the NYC series were carved in Japan by luthiers trained by Fodera. After that, they went to the shop in New York for fretwork, electronics and final assembly.

This one, in particular, is the vintage-flavoured version of the idea. For example, it’s alder and rosewood, with a three-tone sunburst and a tortoiseshell pickguard. Furthermore, it has a P/J pickup set where you’d normally expect two J’s.

Body, Neck & Woods

Alder in Vintage Sunburst

The body is alder under a high gloss urethane Vintage Sunburst. Alder is the wood behind most of the classic sixties bass sounds for a reason. In fact, it gives you an even response across the whole range, a strong, slightly forward midrange and a warm low end that doesn’t turn woolly. In other words, it makes a bass sit in a mix without any help.

Besides, the body shape is Fodera’s own, with deeper cutaways and softer contours than the basses that inspired it. As a result, it hangs well and gives you easy reach to the top frets.

One-piece maple neck

The neck is a single piece of hard rock maple, bolted on with four bolts. Meanwhile, the headstock is left in natural maple, with the N.Y.C. Empire Bass logo and the Fodera butterfly inlaid in abalone.

In general, a one-piece maple neck gives you a quick, snappy attack and a clear fundamental. Therefore it’s exactly what you want behind a P pickup.

Rosewood and large frets

The fingerboard is Indian rosewood with mother-of-pearl dots and 21 large frets on a 34″ scale. Rosewood rounds off the top end a little and adds warmth to the note. Consequently, together with the alder you get that familiar sweet, woody vintage sound rather than a bright modern one.

Moreover, the large frets make bends and vibrato easy, and the bass feels clean and sure under the fingers.

Condition

Condition

This bass has been played and looked after, and it presents really well. Above all, the neck is perfect. It’s straight, stable and a pleasure to play all the way up.

Finish and pickguard

There are some dings in the finish, but not many. In addition, the tortoiseshell pickguard shows the fine surface scratches you get from normal playing. However, nothing takes away from the overall impression of a fine, well-kept bass.

Finally, it weighs 4.4 kg and comes with its original case.

Electronics, Sound & Feel

Fodera P/J pickups

The pickups are a Fodera P/J set with exposed pole pieces. Specifically, the split-coil in the neck position gives you the big, punchy, hum-free thump that has carried more records than any other bass sound. Meanwhile, the single coil at the bridge adds bite, growl and definition.

Blend the two, and you get a wider, more open tone with a tight low end and a clear top. In fact, it works for fingerstyle, pick and slap alike.

2-band preamp at 18 volts

Furthermore, everything runs through the Fodera NYC 2-band preamp, powered by two 9V batteries for 18 volts of headroom. For example, you get a stacked master volume and passive tone, a pickup blend, and treble and bass. In addition, a small switch takes the preamp out of the circuit altogether.

For instance, in passive mode with the tone rolled back a touch, it’s a pure old-school P/J. On the other hand, switch the preamp in and you can add weight in the lows or air in the highs without touching your amp. I would say that’s a real help when the room changes from gig to gig.

What’s not to like?

In my opinion, this is a bass for the player who loves the look and feel of a classic sunburst four-string. At the same time, you want it built to a higher standard and with more range on tap.

Moreover, it’s one of the few ways into the Fodera family without custom-shop money. Indeed, we think this P/J version in alder and rosewood is one of the most useful versions of the NYC Empire you can find. So, what’s not to like?