Fodera NYC Empire Bass Owned by Victor Wooten

This Fodera NYC Empire Bass is owned by Victor Wooten

Victor Wooten doesn't play just anything. The five-time Grammy winner, four-time Bass Player of the Year, and founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones has spent decades trusting Fodera with his voice on the instrument. This NYC Empire is one of those basses — not a retail signature model, but one that actually lived in his hands.

This one tells a story. It's heavily modified, with a cable running through the back of the neck and out through the body — a purpose built solution for Victor's legendary stage theatrics, letting him swing and toss the bass without losing the signal. The playwear is real and significant: dings, dents, scuffs, and scratches from years of heavy use. One screw is missing from the neck pickup. 21 frets, no volume or tone controls, powered by a 9V battery, and currently sitting with high action that would benefit from a setup.

None of that is the point though. This is a deeply personal instrument, purpose built and played by one of the greatest bassists alive, sold directly from his own Reverb shop.

Ships fully insured with delivery confirmation and comes with a signed, embossed Certificate of Authenticity.