- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
Background
A couple of months ago I was running some miscellaneous specs by Nino for a vintage PJ with a P-bass body. I was thinking of going classic with a nice burst and a tort guard. I probably would have forgotten about it if not for the one in the Sadowsky In Stock page. I started a thread about it here and next thing I know I get an email from Nino... "... so you like #4443, eh? Look at this..". Well, "this" was his #027 Valenti PJ5. He offered to ship it to me to get my impression of it, and of course I couldn't refuse that.
First Impressions
You gotta love that new bass smell. I don't know if it's the smell of the wood, the finish, or even the foam in the case, but it's just as intoxicating as thet new car smell.
My expectations were high for this one for a couple of reasons: 1. I already owned a Valenti and know first-hand what Nino is capable of; 2. This is Nino's 19th bass since he built mine (going by the s/n) and with practice comes perfection, and 3) this was Nino's first use of neck and body from USACG, who have an impeccible reputation for quality.
From the initial pics (here), it looked like exactly what I was thinking of. When I first saw it, however the body ended up being darker than in the pics, and the fretboard ended up a little more reddish (both good things)... it's just perfect in person.
When I picked it out of the case, I was a little stunned to feel the quality (dare I say almost Metro-like?). For the second straight time, I was amazed. Fit, form, and finish... from the neck, to the fretwork, to the setup, I just had a feeling it would be killer.
Plugging It In
Plugging it in was even better. Having had a P-Bass in the past and being a Jazz guy now, I was wanting a little variety. Even more specific, I'm a Jazz/Ash-body/Maple Fretboard guy. Going back to a P-Bass/Alder-body/Rosewood would probably give me the 'departure in tone' I was looking for... and it does. I don't think I'll be able to accurately describe the tone, so I put together some miscellaneous clips for your perusal. All I can say is "Nino did it again!".
The Move to USACG
This is Nino's first 5-string bass with USACG parts, and in seeing the results, I'm glad that he hooked up with them as an alternative to Warmoth. USACG offers more options especially in the neck department. For example, the profile (from top of the fretboard to the back of the neck) is thinner and it also has the shallow "C" profile you'd find on a Sadowsky Metro or F Bass. The 12" radius board is also a welcome option.
Pros
* Everything - it actually feels as high quality as my Sadowsky UV70MB5
* Price - Nino's basses have to be the best bargain on the planet.
Cons
* USACG doesn't offer blocks and binding - would have been nice, but I'm not complaining, and this isn't Nino's fault.
Conclusion
After the first 30 mins of playing this bass, I decided it isn't going back to Nino.
Specs
* Alder Body (looks like between a '59 and Tobacco burst)
* Maple Neck (with Vintage tint) and Rosewood board (12" radius, 22 frets, clay dots)
* Nordstrand NP5 and NJ5 pickups (both hum-cancelling)
* Aguilar OBP-1 Preamp
* Controls: Vol - Blend - VTC - Treble/Bass
* Push/Pull for Active/Passive on Volume
* Hipshot "B" Bridge (19mm spacing)
* Hipshot Ultralight Tuners
Clips
* Fingerstyle - Both Pickups - Flat EQ - B string featured [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - Both Pickups - Flat EQ - B string featured [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - P Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - J Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Slap (if you can call it that) - Both Pickups - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - Both Pickups - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - J (Bridge) Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - P (Neck) Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - J (Bridge) Pickup - 25% Boost on Treble and Bass [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Man, one thing I've learned in recording clips today... my timing sucks. On the bright side, I've found my new practice regiment. Put that on the 'Pros' side too.
Pics
Invalid Link Removed
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Invalid Link Removed
A couple of months ago I was running some miscellaneous specs by Nino for a vintage PJ with a P-bass body. I was thinking of going classic with a nice burst and a tort guard. I probably would have forgotten about it if not for the one in the Sadowsky In Stock page. I started a thread about it here and next thing I know I get an email from Nino... "... so you like #4443, eh? Look at this..". Well, "this" was his #027 Valenti PJ5. He offered to ship it to me to get my impression of it, and of course I couldn't refuse that.
First Impressions
You gotta love that new bass smell. I don't know if it's the smell of the wood, the finish, or even the foam in the case, but it's just as intoxicating as thet new car smell.
My expectations were high for this one for a couple of reasons: 1. I already owned a Valenti and know first-hand what Nino is capable of; 2. This is Nino's 19th bass since he built mine (going by the s/n) and with practice comes perfection, and 3) this was Nino's first use of neck and body from USACG, who have an impeccible reputation for quality.
From the initial pics (here), it looked like exactly what I was thinking of. When I first saw it, however the body ended up being darker than in the pics, and the fretboard ended up a little more reddish (both good things)... it's just perfect in person.
When I picked it out of the case, I was a little stunned to feel the quality (dare I say almost Metro-like?). For the second straight time, I was amazed. Fit, form, and finish... from the neck, to the fretwork, to the setup, I just had a feeling it would be killer.
Plugging It In
Plugging it in was even better. Having had a P-Bass in the past and being a Jazz guy now, I was wanting a little variety. Even more specific, I'm a Jazz/Ash-body/Maple Fretboard guy. Going back to a P-Bass/Alder-body/Rosewood would probably give me the 'departure in tone' I was looking for... and it does. I don't think I'll be able to accurately describe the tone, so I put together some miscellaneous clips for your perusal. All I can say is "Nino did it again!".
The Move to USACG
This is Nino's first 5-string bass with USACG parts, and in seeing the results, I'm glad that he hooked up with them as an alternative to Warmoth. USACG offers more options especially in the neck department. For example, the profile (from top of the fretboard to the back of the neck) is thinner and it also has the shallow "C" profile you'd find on a Sadowsky Metro or F Bass. The 12" radius board is also a welcome option.
Pros
* Everything - it actually feels as high quality as my Sadowsky UV70MB5
* Price - Nino's basses have to be the best bargain on the planet.
Cons
* USACG doesn't offer blocks and binding - would have been nice, but I'm not complaining, and this isn't Nino's fault.
Conclusion
After the first 30 mins of playing this bass, I decided it isn't going back to Nino.
Specs
* Alder Body (looks like between a '59 and Tobacco burst)
* Maple Neck (with Vintage tint) and Rosewood board (12" radius, 22 frets, clay dots)
* Nordstrand NP5 and NJ5 pickups (both hum-cancelling)
* Aguilar OBP-1 Preamp
* Controls: Vol - Blend - VTC - Treble/Bass
* Push/Pull for Active/Passive on Volume
* Hipshot "B" Bridge (19mm spacing)
* Hipshot Ultralight Tuners
Clips
* Fingerstyle - Both Pickups - Flat EQ - B string featured [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - Both Pickups - Flat EQ - B string featured [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - P Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Fingerstyle - J Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Slap (if you can call it that) - Both Pickups - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - Both Pickups - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - J (Bridge) Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - P (Neck) Pickup - Flat EQ [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
* Pick - J (Bridge) Pickup - 25% Boost on Treble and Bass [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Man, one thing I've learned in recording clips today... my timing sucks. On the bright side, I've found my new practice regiment. Put that on the 'Pros' side too.
Pics
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
