Alleva Copollo vs Nordy vs Lull vs Suhr...Fodera NYC...

[Zanderwestcoast]

Lots of options and opinions.....would be great to play them all and compare in one day. Are non trade people allowed to visit Namm? That would be the way to go!

[droskobass]

I think Lulls totally nail the Pre CBS vibe tone wise. I've actually played my Lull into a Phil jones M300 while another bassist played an all original 1962 fender jazz. The envelope, dynamics and timber were virtually the same. We swapped back and fourth and had a blast.

Mike Lull claims that the pre CBS fender bass tone is what he's going for and that all he wants to change about the bass is the ergonomics. (weight balance playability etc) Give him a call and you'll be a convert.

I've also played Suhrs, great basses but much heavier on average and less options than Lull (AFAIK).

Alleva Copollo's feel incredible but the high cost and long wait would steer me towards an actual vintage over one of Vinnie's basses for now (maybe in a couple of years when my money tree yields it's first crop)

Also at NAMM this year I tried two Moollon basses. WOW! Great work from a master builder that respects vintage instruments. total Pre CBS vibe. Nitro, all the right dimensions and great hand wound pickups. don't let the country of origin deter you. These are handmade by a very very small shop. They also have a Canadian guy working there so you could give them a Call and get a great english conversation. Good shop indeed!

and a tiny unknown builder that does great pre CBS inspired stuff on the east coast is Angry Angus. A P or J in all nitro would come in around $2000-$2400. 4-5 month wait but the resonance on the bases and guitars I've tried of his is insane. and his checking and patina are also a big part of the charm of his instruments. Look him up on facebook. he is known for strat and Tele style guitars but the PJ I own of his is phenomenal.

Happy hunting!

[KingRazor]

This thread made me curious. I've decided to compile a list of bass companies that make jazz or jazz-style basses:

Alleva Copollo
Essex
F Bass
Fender
Fodera
Ibanez
Lakland
Low End
Mike Lull
Nordstrand
Sadowsky
Spector
Suhr
Valenti

I'm sure I left a few out.

[fretno]

All great basses OP , don't think you could really go wrong with any of them . That high up the food chain should pretty much fill the spot you have for a J . Though it may be hard to actually find some of those in shops .I almost never see a couple of those anywhere around .I'd probably go for things like preferred woods /weight and color at that point . Having said that , I've only ever owned 1 x J and it's pure magic in every way .

[gimmeagig]

Originally Posted by fretno

All great basses OP , don't think you could really go wrong with any of them . That high up the food chain should pretty much fill the spot you have for a J . Though it may be hard to actually find some of those in shops .I almost never see a couple of those anywhere around .I'd probably go for things like preferred woods /weight and color at that point . Having said that , I've only ever owned 1 x J and it's pure magic in every way .

Beautiful Pictures!You're a master bass photographer.

[fretno]

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

Beautiful Pictures!You're a master bass photographer.

Thank you ! Ha , I don't know , I still can't seem to get the bass to fit into just 1 pic

[RaginRog]

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

Beautiful Pictures!You're a master bass photographer.

+1
Nice bass

[Zanderwestcoast]

So Droskobass....you liked the Alleva and the Lull....if money was no object what would you buy between the two? Aside from vintage Fender....

[droskobass]

If cost wasn't an issue I'd be picking up a mint slab board three tone 1961 Jazz, and a 1961 slab board p bass.

In the real world:

I already own a Lull M4 and four vintage fenders (68 jazz, 68 Tele, 69 Tele, and a 66 Mustang) and my main P is a three tone Angry Angus PJ in nitro.

I'm honestly totally gassing for a Moollon Classic J and P since I tried them at NAMM this year, and a Lull TC4 and a Lull PT4 (or even a T4 but those basses have nothing to do with the pre CBS JAzz thing, they're just darn good basses). I'm also looking at a trade to acquire a Delano equipped Sandberg California JM (in order to justify selling a pre EB Music man stingray and a '98 sterling that I rarely use these days)

The Allevas feel amazing, especially the 5's which have the Pre CBS Feel totally down. But At NAMM This year I felt that the Moollons totally had that vibe too but in a four string . With the Lulls you have to be ready for a satiny neck and a very very lightweight instrument. the Lulls are a different vibe they feel like a boutique instrument but sound like a pre CBS. Mike does offer nitro but I've never tried a Nitro Lull. Now that would be a treat. He also offers the Ultra V which has the 71/2 inch radius and the vintage fret size.

So to answer your question I know Lulls better so I'd have no hesitation ordering a Lull straight from Mike and I'd have faith that it would be as good if not better than any other Lull I've tried (and there is only a 3 month wait). As for Allevas I've only played two and I'd be worried that my taste would have changed between the time I ordered it and the 18 month wait time. So for a Alleva I'd have to play the actual bass I was going to buy first so I'd have to get it from a dealer or buy used, and the two I tried were 5 strings, so i'm really not the best judge of the weight or balance etc of the Allevas, they just fealt great in my hands (that's just my 2 cents)

I'm a bass pig so I'm not averse to buying new basses and I never get buyers remorse so bear that in mind too. I'd be happy owning 30 basses!

[zortation]

Moollon, wow.

[gimmeagig]

Those are nice. I do like it better if the jack is routed out to the side though.Are they Active or passive,Nordies? How much do they cost?

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

This thread made me curious. I've decided to compile a list of bass companies that make jazz or jazz-style basses:

Alleva Copollo
Essex
F Bass
Fender
Fodera
Ibanez
Lakland
Low End
Mike Lull
Nordstrand
Sadowsky
Spector
Suhr
Valenti

I'm sure I left a few out.

Don't forget M Basses. Outstanding J style basses!

[JAUQO III-X]

I know you didn't mention Wilkins but from what you're describing I would say check out a Wilkins passive vintage J bass with period correct pickup winding.




Pat Wilkins Custom Guitars™ and Basses - WJJ Classic











Wilkins endorser.

[droskobass]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

I know you didn't mention Wilkins but from what you're describing I would say check out a Wilkins passive vintage J bass with period correct pickup winding.




Pat Wilkins Custom Guitars™ and Basses - WJJ Classic

Wilkins endorser.

I Met Pat Wilkins at NAMM too, a very nice guy who builds very very good basses. He got his start at Schecter and was rebuilding Pete Townsend's guitars in the late 70's. His custom finish work looks amazing. No nitro however... but great stuff!

[droskobass]

here is some drool for Moollon classic J List 2400 street 2000 ish:

[droskobass]

Another great builder I met at NAMM from the northwest who had some amazing ideas about tone and quality building was Rod Banach at Regenerate Guitar Works.
Regenerate Guitar Works

His Basses played like a dream!

[droskobass]

The New USA Spector Codas were also killer J style US made instruments. Insane tops and finishes. I spoke to Stuart's main set up and Finish guy who let me try two of these works of art:



Stuart Spector Designs, LTD - Makers of fine electric and bass guitars: UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY | UNPARALLELED VERSATILITY | UNBELIEVABLE SOUND

[Zanderwestcoast]

Some beautiful basses. I have some research to do! I must admit I like smaller brands that are up and coming and not so mainstream yet....as long as they are finely crafted and play/sound like a dream. Are the Moollon basses made in Korea?

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

This thread made me curious. I've decided to compile a list of bass companies that make jazz or jazz-style basses:

Alleva Copollo
Essex
F Bass
Fender
Fodera
Ibanez
Lakland
Low End
M Basses
Mike Lull
Moollon
Nordstrand
Sadowsky
Spector
Suhr
Valenti
Wilkins

Alright, list is a little more complete now, but I'm sure there's others.

[Zanderwestcoast]

Celinder.....Moon.....Nash....Pensa