(Dave Fields at Club Bonafide NYC with his Fodera Emperor Classic – Photo Charles Worrell)
Fodera Emperor Classic Guitar review by Dave Fields
It’s been a great honor to be one of the first people here in the NYC area to get a Fodera Guitar endorsement. I’ve known the folks at Fodera for years having played in many bands with legendary bassist and Fodera cofounder Joey Lauricella. For those of you who haven’t met Vinny Fodera he’s the most beautiful man you’d ever want to meet and the most amazing master luthier in the NYC and beyond area. Jason DeSalvo, the other partner is a true gentleman and also my pal BUT…. this article is not about how amazing the owners of Fodera are or about how much I love them. It’s about the guitars they create and believe me, I’m a tough critic! I’ve assembled the three of my previous guitars and I know what goes into building a guitar. That’s why, as much as I was thrilled when I was offered the Fodera Guitar endorsement, I knew when I got the guitar I would have to take some hard looks at it.
Let me start off by saying, I’ve had my Fodera Emperor Classic about a month now. When we were discussing the build of the guitar, we all agreed that we weren’t going to go crazy customizing it. I did have a few requests however: that it would remain around 8lbs, that the neck would be a 60’s thin C style profile. I also asked for Humbucker-Single-Humbucker pickup configuration. I wanted spectacular quilted maple on chambered mahogany. The only thing that was an extra was the 24db boost pot. We mutually decided to put in Lindy Fralin pickups. We started out with two Pure PAF’s and a split blade for the single coil. Other than that, it’s a Fodera Emperor Classic like you would buy online or in the store.
It took some months to build, like any handmade guitar. I have to tell you though… when I first laid eyes on it, it was love at first sight…. The craftmanship, the attention to detail, the sheer beauty of it is truly remarkable…. Like nothing I’ve ever seen or held in my hands before. This guitar rings and sings like a beautiful drop dead gorgeous diva or it screams like a big haired rocker or croons like an old jazzer. I was awestruck by the evenness of every note in every register and especially the high notes which sang out as clear as a bell and had beautiful sustain. I couldn’t stop smiling after playing it!!!! LOL!!!
A couple of observations: When I first got my guitar, it was so new it had a faint smell of fresh paint. Joey and Vinny both cautioned me that the neck would need some time to settle in. I like very low action with D’Addario EXL 120 strings so I’m very sensitive to the slightest movement on the neck. One of my first shows with the guitar were in the summer where it was very hot and high humidity. The neck moved around for about a week or so but as Joey Lauricella put it, “you have to bend it to your will”! I love that! And that’s exactly what I did. I broke it in and WOW….!! It came even more alive! Will DeYoung, one of the gang at Fodera, was so amazing in helping me fine tune the sound by doing little tweaks to the frets and changing the neck pickup to a Sunbucker Blues. Also, and this is one of the incredible things about Fodera, Vinny recarved the neck for me just as a tweak. WOW… that’s one thing you could never get from a big guitar manufacturer: service, love, attention to detail and CARE!
I soon realized that the guitars that I had been playing were like toys AND, this is really huge, this hit me like a ton of bricks… why would someone spend the same amount of money on a guitar off the rack when they could get a handmade guitar from Fodera that would blow away anything they could buy from one of the big name guitar companies?!!!!
I could go on and on about my guitar and Fodera. Let me close by saying I wish you readers could play it! That says it all! Come to one of my shows and you can witness it in person or hear it on my new CD that should be out in spring of 2019, “Force of Will”.
Hope to see you soon!
-Dave
(For more about Fodera Guitars:)
www.foderaguitars.com
Fodera Emperor Classic Guitar review by Dave Fields
/1 Comment/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields at Club Bonafide NYC with his Fodera Emperor Classic – Photo Charles Worrell)
Fodera Emperor Classic Guitar review by Dave Fields
It’s been a great honor to be one of the first people here in the NYC area to get a Fodera Guitar endorsement. I’ve known the folks at Fodera for years having played in many bands with legendary bassist and Fodera cofounder Joey Lauricella. For those of you who haven’t met Vinny Fodera he’s the most beautiful man you’d ever want to meet and the most amazing master luthier in the NYC and beyond area. Jason DeSalvo, the other partner is a true gentleman and also my pal BUT…. this article is not about how amazing the owners of Fodera are or about how much I love them. It’s about the guitars they create and believe me, I’m a tough critic! I’ve assembled the three of my previous guitars and I know what goes into building a guitar. That’s why, as much as I was thrilled when I was offered the Fodera Guitar endorsement, I knew when I got the guitar I would have to take some hard looks at it.
Let me start off by saying, I’ve had my Fodera Emperor Classic about a month now. When we were discussing the build of the guitar, we all agreed that we weren’t going to go crazy customizing it. I did have a few requests however: that it would remain around 8lbs, that the neck would be a 60’s thin C style profile. I also asked for Humbucker-Single-Humbucker pickup configuration. I wanted spectacular quilted maple on chambered mahogany. The only thing that was an extra was the 24db boost pot. We mutually decided to put in Lindy Fralin pickups. We started out with two Pure PAF’s and a split blade for the single coil. Other than that, it’s a Fodera Emperor Classic like you would buy online or in the store.
It took some months to build, like any handmade guitar. I have to tell you though… when I first laid eyes on it, it was love at first sight…. The craftmanship, the attention to detail, the sheer beauty of it is truly remarkable…. Like nothing I’ve ever seen or held in my hands before. This guitar rings and sings like a beautiful drop dead gorgeous diva or it screams like a big haired rocker or croons like an old jazzer. I was awestruck by the evenness of every note in every register and especially the high notes which sang out as clear as a bell and had beautiful sustain. I couldn’t stop smiling after playing it!!!! LOL!!!
A couple of observations: When I first got my guitar, it was so new it had a faint smell of fresh paint. Joey and Vinny both cautioned me that the neck would need some time to settle in. I like very low action with D’Addario EXL 120 strings so I’m very sensitive to the slightest movement on the neck. One of my first shows with the guitar were in the summer where it was very hot and high humidity. The neck moved around for about a week or so but as Joey Lauricella put it, “you have to bend it to your will”! I love that! And that’s exactly what I did. I broke it in and WOW….!! It came even more alive! Will DeYoung, one of the gang at Fodera, was so amazing in helping me fine tune the sound by doing little tweaks to the frets and changing the neck pickup to a Sunbucker Blues. Also, and this is one of the incredible things about Fodera, Vinny recarved the neck for me just as a tweak. WOW… that’s one thing you could never get from a big guitar manufacturer: service, love, attention to detail and CARE!
I soon realized that the guitars that I had been playing were like toys AND, this is really huge, this hit me like a ton of bricks… why would someone spend the same amount of money on a guitar off the rack when they could get a handmade guitar from Fodera that would blow away anything they could buy from one of the big name guitar companies?!!!!
I could go on and on about my guitar and Fodera. Let me close by saying I wish you readers could play it! That says it all! Come to one of my shows and you can witness it in person or hear it on my new CD that should be out in spring of 2019, “Force of Will”.
Hope to see you soon!
-Dave
(For more about Fodera Guitars:)
www.foderaguitars.com
Victor’s, Tambour and Kingston NY!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields Fodera Emperor Classic Guitar – Photo Dave Fields)
Thursday October 4th I return to VICTORS, 500 Commerce St Hawthorne NY 8:30pm to co-host and play with Roger Zee and Rudy Feinauer at Westchester NY’s best Thursday night jam. Bring your axe!
Friday October 5th I will be back yet again at Brooklyn NY’s newest wine bar/restaurant/music venue TAMBOUR, 652 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 8:30pm for a night of fun light jazz, funk, soul and blues. Chef Thomas will rock your world with his out of this world cooking! Featuring Nick DiFrisco on drums and TBone McEwan on bass.
Saturday Oct 6th 0+ FESTIVAL at THE ANCHOR, 744 Broadway Kingston NY w/ Mark Marshall 8pm. I will be part of my dearest friend and the man who I learned guitar from Mark Marshall as part of his band for the 0+ Festival!
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Oct 13th BLUE MOON CAFÉ, Englewood NJ special host
Oct 15th INDUSTRY CITY, Brooklyn NY 6pm Fodera Guitars presents
Oct 16th STANHOPE HOUSE Jam 9pm special guest
Oct 27th DADDY JACK’S, New London CT
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
STANHOPE HOUSE All Stars this week!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields at Crossroads Blues Festival – Photo Lee Ann Flynn)
This week things dramatically slow down for me, I only have one show LOL! While I have the week slower I’m working on my new CD “Force of Will”. More news about that coming soon.
This Friday Sept 28th STANHOPE HOUSE 45 Main St Stanhope NJ with the Stanhope All Stars! I love playing with the owners of Stanhope House Jon and Matt Klein. It’s going to be a blast!
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Oct 4th VICTORS, Hawthorne NY
Oct 5th TAMBOUR Brooklyn NY
Oct 6th 0+ FESTIVAL, Kingston NY w/ Mark Marshall 8pm
Oct 13th BLUE MOON CAFÉ, Englewood NJ
Oct 15th INDUSTRY CITY, Brooklyn NY 6pm
Oct 27th DADDY JACK’S, New London CT
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
Dave Fields Plays
Tambour and Pinnacle Ridge Winery!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields at Club Bonafide – Photo Charles Worrell)
Hi Everybody!
This week is yet another big Dave Fields weekend with three shows!
Before I get into that, I’m honored and grateful that Big City Rhythm and Blues magazine included me in their guitar players issue. Writer Luke Woltanski wrote a beautiful article about me. Click here to read:
http://www.davefields.com/reviews/
This Week:
My first ever gig at Friday Sept 21st TAMBOUR 652 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 8pm featuring the amazing Nick DiFrisco on drums and T Bone on bass!
https://tambourbar.com
Wow, I’m so excited to retrun to my FAVORITE winery in the whole world, Saturday Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, 407 Old U.S. 22, Kutztown PA 4pm. Pinnacle Ridge is utterly spectacular. Its set on rolling hills in the beautiful Pennsylvania country side with an old barn where they host their summer concert seris. The wine is…. “forget-about-it”!!!!!!!
https://pinridge.com
Sunday Sept 23rd LES ENFANTS de BOHEME, 177 Henry St NY NY 7pm I will be accompanying the legendary Paul Shapiro as he does his music. It’s going to be extra special, it’s going to be a duo: Paul Shapiro/vocals and reed instruments and Dave Fiewlds/(Fodera) guitar!
http://www.lesenfantsdeboheme.com
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Sept 28th STANHOPE HOUSE w/Stanhope All Stars!
Oct 4th VICTORS, Hawthorne NY
Oct 6th 0+ FESTIVAL, Kingston NY w/ Mark Marshall
Oct 13th BLUE MOON CAFÉ, Englewood NJ
Oct 15th INDUSTRY CITY, Brooklyn NY
Oct 27th DADDY JACK’S, New London CT
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
Stanhope House/Crowded Castle Brewery
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields at Crossroads Blues Festival – Photo Lee Ann Flynn)
Thank you to everyone for your support last week in making all the shows such a success! Also a special thanks to all the fabulous artists who performed with me.
This Week:
This Friday Sept 14th I continue my residency at STANHOPE HOUSE, 45 Main St Stanhope NJ 8pm in the cabaret room. With me will a reunion of the members of my band “The Coyotes”: Andy Huenerberg (bass) and Tom DeFaria (drums).
http://stanhopehousenj.com
Friday Sept 15th CROWDED CASTLE BREWERY, 242 Bridge St Phoenixville PA I play my second show in seven days in Phoenixville. Come check out Phoenixville’s coolest craft beer/music venue!
http://crowdedcastle.com
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, Kutztown PA
Sept 23rd LES BOHEME, NY NY
Sept 28th STANHOPE HOUSE w/Stanhope All Stars!
Oct 4th VICTORS, Hawthorne NY
Oct 6th 0+ FESTIVAL, Kingston NY
Oct 13th BLUE MOON CAFÉ, Englewood NJ
Oct 27th DADDY JACK’S, New London CT
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
Club Bonafide NYC this Thurs Sept 6th and More!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Dave Fields new Fodera Emperor guitar! Ludlow St NY NY photo Judy Fields)
This is the big week with three huge Dave Fields shows!
This Thursday September 6th Dave Fields – Fodera Guitar show at Club Bonafide 212 E 52nd St NY NY where dave will be unveiling his new Fodera Emporer Guitar! Featuring a night of Fodera Guitar artists starting at 8pm: Opening act BLUES BALL, Elisa Brown and the grammy award winning bassist Reggie Young and his band!
For tickets:
http://clubbonafide.com/event/dave-fields-fodera-guitars-spectacular-with-bluesball-elisa-brown-reggie-young-special-guests/
Friday Sept 7th TWISTED TAIL, Philadelphia PA 9pm Philadelphia’s premier blues room!
http://thetwistedtail.com
Sept 8th PHEONIXVILLE BLUES FESTIVAL Pheonixville PA 8:45pm
I WILL BE THE HEADLINING ACT!
https://pvilleblues.org
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Sept 14th STANHOPE HOUSE, Stanhope NJ
Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, Kutztown PA
Sept 28th STANHOPE HOUSE w/Stanhope All Stars!
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
NEW FODERA GUITAR HAS ARRIVED!
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Wow… my new Fodera Emperor guitar is a work of art… the attention to detail, the wood, the presentation is outstanding. After playing two shows with it I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s like a cultured, refined, elegant beauty that’s absolutely a masterpiece. The quilted maple top is just about the most dazzling top I’ve ever seen. Master luthier Vinny Fodera handpicked the neck wood which is premium select “pearloid” birdseye maple and rock birdseye maple. It’s awesome…..! More pictures to come in the upcoming weeks!
This week some big shows in the Midwest!
Saturday Aug 25th CROSSROADS BLUES SOCIETY BLUES FESTIVAL Byron IL 12 noon!
I’m the opening act for the 9th annual Crossroads Blues Festival. I will have Andy Huenerberg and Matt Arbeiter with me!
http://www.crossroadsbluesfestival.com
Aug 26th FLATTED FIFTH Bellevue Iowa (Jazz show)
I return to Bellevue Iowa to the best BBQ joint on the Mississippi THE FLATTED FIFTH at Potter Mill for a special early evening jazz show! 5-8pm
http://www.pottersmill.net/musicschedule/
DON’T FORGET:
*Thursday September 6th will be the big Dave Fields – Fodera Guitar show at Club Bonafide 212 E 52nd St NY NY Featuring a night of music starting at 8pm: Opening act BLUES BALL, Elisa Brown and the amazing Reggie Young!
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Sept 6th CAFÉ BONAFIDE, NY NY
Sept 7th TWISTED TAIL, Philadelphia PA
Sept 8th PHEONIXVILLE BLUES FESTIVAL Pheonixville PA
Sept 21st STANHOPE HOUSE, Stanhope NJ
Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, Kutztown PA
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
3 Shows This week!
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Wow! It’s been nonstop traveling with two family vacations in a row! Both places having no WiFi and poor cell service but hey, sometimes that’s kind of nice! I’m back in NYC and its back to grindstone and I am SOOOOO excited to be playing again this week.
THE NEW DAVE FIELDS FODERA EMPEROR GUITAR IS DUE THIS WEEK!
I will keep you informed about it!
Thursday August 16th I will be with Roger Zee and Rudy Feinauer at VICTOR’S 8pm 500 Commerce Ave Hawthorne NY. I always love going to VICTOR’S to see all my Westchester friends!
https://www.facebook.com/Victors500/
Saturday August 18th 8pm I will be at the legendary STANHOPE HOUSE 45 Main St Stanhope NJ for my last show of June. Special guests will be the owners of Stanhope House Matt and Jon Klein. Featuring RK Scott on bass and Sam Bryant on drums.
http://stanhopehousenj.com
Sunday August 19th 10pm I return to NYC’s oldest rock club BITTER END 147 Bleecker St NY NY 10pm for a 50 minute show and a warm up for my shows in the Midwest. Featuring Andy Huenerberg on bass and Matt Arbeiter on drums
http://www.bitterend.com
*Thursday September 6th will be the big Dave Fields – Fodera Guitar show at Club Bonafide 212 E 52nd St NY NY Featuring a night of music starting at 8pm: Opening act BLUES BALL, Elisa Brown and the amazing Reggie Young
http://clubbonafide.com/event/dave-fields-fodera-guitars-spectacular-with-bluesball-elisa-brown-reggie-young-special-guests/
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Aug 25th CROSSROADS BLUES SOCIETY BLUES FESTIVAL Byron IL
Aug 26th FLATTED FIFTH Bellevue Iowa (Jazz show)
Sept 6th CAFÉ BONAFIDE, NY NY
Sept 7th TWISTED TAIL, Philadelphia PA
Sept 8th PHEONIXVILLE BLUES FESTIVAL Pheonixville PA
Sept 21st STANHOPE HOUSE, Stanhope NJ
Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, Kutztown PA
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
Upcoming Summer Shows
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Vinny Fodera at The Fodera Guitar factory, Brooklyn NY)
There he is, the master, the legendary luthier, Vinny Fodera as he shapes the neck for my new guitar, the (Dave Fields) Fodera Emperor classic. It’s due to be done sometime around August 17th and I can’t wait to get it!
I’ve been away the past few weeks in Norway, in upstate NY where there has been little cell service and bad WIFI so this has been my first chance to connect with you all. I hope you‘re summer has been going well! It’s been a hectic one for me. It’s been nonstop traveling!
In the upcoming weeks I will be:
Thursday August 16th I will be with Roger Zee and Rudy Feinauer at VICTOR’S 8pm 500 Commerce Ave Hawthorne NY. I always love going to VICTOR’S to see all my Westchester friends!
https://www.facebook.com/Victors500/
Saturday August 18th 8pm I will be at the legendary STANHOPE HOUSE 45 Main St Stanhope NJ for my last show of June. Special guests will be the owners of Stanhope House Matt and Jon Klein. Featuring RK Scott on bass and Sam Bryant on drums.
http://stanhopehousenj.com
Sunday August 19th 10pm I return to NYC’s oldest rock club BITTER END 147 Bleecker St NY NY 10pm for a 50 minute show and a warm up for my shows in the Midwest. Featuring Andy Huenerberg on bass and Matt Arbeiter on drums
http://www.bitterend.com
*Thursday September 6th will be the big Dave Fields – Fodera Guitar show at Club Bonafide 212 E 52nd St NY NY Featuring a night of music starting at 8pm: Opening act BLUES BALL, Elisa Brown and the amazing Reggie Young
http://clubbonafide.com/event/dave-fields-fodera-guitars-spectacular-with-bluesball-elisa-brown-reggie-young-special-guests/
Coming Up For Dave Fields
Aug 25th CROSSROADS BLUES SOCIETY BLUES FESTIVAL Byron IL
Aug 26th FLATTED FIFTH Bellevue Iowa (Jazz show)
Sept 6th CAFÉ BONAFIDE, NY NY
Sept 7th TWISTED TAIL, Philadelphia PA
Sept 8th PHEONIXVILLE BLUES FESTIVAL Pheonixville PA
Sept 21st STANHOPE HOUSE, Stanhope NJ
Sept 22nd PINNACLE RIDGE, Kutztown PA
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave
Victors, Keegan Ales and Stanhope House!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by davefields(Jasper Fields at The Fodera Guitar factory – Photo Dave Fields)
I recently brought my son Jasper to The Fodera Guitar factory in Brooklyn NY so he could check out how they were building my new guitar. He’s pictured with the beautiful quilted maple that will be the top of my new Fodera Emperor which I hope to get by mid August!
I can’t wait to get it!
This week I have three more big shows!
Thursday June 21st I will be with Roger Zee and Rudy Feinauer at VICTOR’S 8pm 500 Commerce Ave Hawthorne NY. I always love going to VICTOR’S to see all my Westchester friends!
https://www.facebook.com/Victors500/
Friday June 22nd I reunite with the guy who taught me how to play guitar and the friend who I’ve known the longest in my life Mark Marshall for a special show at KEEGAN ALES 20 Saint James St Kingston NY (w/ Mark Marshall) 9pm. It’s always a treat to play with Mark. He rocks real hard!
http://www.keeganales.com
Saturday June 23rd 8pm I will be at the legendary STANHOPE HOUSE 45 Main St Stanhope NJ for my last show of June. Special guests will be the owners of Stanhope House Matt and Jon Klein and Tara Layne will also join us sometime on the first set. Featuring Buddy Allen on bass and Sam Bryant on drums.
http://stanhopehousenj.com
Coming Up For Dave Fields
July 6th WESTMORELAND ARTS FESTIVAL Latrobe PA 3pm
I hope to see you soon!
-Dave