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Alleva Copollo Owners?

#2
foderaman said:
I have been reading some posts on the AC and was wondering why as owners you feel they have a more traditional Vintage tone and feel to a Vintage Fender over Brands such as Sadowsky,F Clef and Nordstrand?
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In some ways you had answered your question. The reason most of us did buy one (many bought 2, 3 and 4.) is because it has more of a traditional feel than the other basses you mentioned. Specifically, its the feel, looks and sound when playing that reminds you of the vintage tone you once played and heard both recorded and live. But it comes out of what Jimmy Coppolo wanted. Jimmy was always into vintage sounding instruments. To get that he knew alot of it would not come from parts. He had to cut it and shape it himself. That is what his instruments are. Although to achieve that it takes longer but each instrument is taken care of to accomplish making that sound. Also having the original painters from fender to paint his nitro basses helps. Eventhough it may not be the reason for its vintage tone, it does show you how much he is into the vintage feel, tone and sound. Unfortunately he is moving to LA and I would not be surprised if one day he rents the old factory that fender once had.
 
#3
Bassist30 said:
Unfortunately he is moving to LA and I would not be surprised if one day he rents the old factory that fender once had.
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What do you mean, "unfortunately?" I live in San Diego!

Any bass has a series of design criteria - Fodera has theirs, Fender has theirs....

Jimmy's criteria are to match the vintage sound and feel, and he REALLY succeeds. As Bassist30 stated, parts don't cut it! Sadowsky also has vintage models that are different than the other models.

IMHO, Jimmy does it best - that is why I have kept my LG-5 and will have a KPB-5 soon.

Dan K.
 
#4
I think it also comes from a deep understanding of what works for theses instruments and what doesen't.....he was mentored by John Shur, who many beleive to be one of the true maswters of vintage sound, so much so, that Fender even hired him as a Master Builder of their instruments for a time........but that's not to say that other builders don't...Sadowsky has been excelling for years with his formula and he has litterally thousands of happy customers that agree....it's, once agin, all about what you are looking for and what you prefer to get out of your instrument but IMO the A-C vintage tone is undeniable...
 
#8
Me personally, I would rather have a new vintage sounding instrument than an instrument that's been around the block too many times to count. You pay all of this money for a true vintage Fender but yet run a higher risk of needing repairs to get it in good playing shape; thus, having to spend more than the thousands of dollars you already put into it.

Jimmy's basses are the best and I should be getting mine soon.
 
#11
The only one out of the one's you've mentioned that I've played is Sadowsky, and his design ethos is less about making true copies of vintage Fenders and more about taking elements of their design and tone and tweaking or updating them for modern players who are looking for that.
 
#12
I don't think any of these gushers actually answered the OP's question. So here's my take, from what I've gathered. First and foremost, the Sadowsky has a much hotter preamp. The AC's nitro finish will feel, age (and maybe sound) more like an old Fender. I think the smaller FB radius of the AC contributes to the feel as well.
 
#13
foderaman said:
I have been reading some posts on the AC and was wondering why as owners you feel they have a more traditional Vintage tone and feel to a Vintage Fender over Brands such as Sadowsky,F Clef and Nordstrand?
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Per the above, because A-C's sound like vintage Fenders, and the other basses you list really don't sound nor feel/play much like Fenders at all IMO!
 
#14
Dave Hill said:
I don't think any of these gushers actually answered the OP's question. So here's my take, from what I've gathered. First and foremost, the Sadowsky has a much hotter preamp. The AC's nitro finish will feel, age (and maybe sound) more like an old Fender. I think the smaller FB radius of the AC contributes to the feel as well.
Click to expand...

I don't think the finish has anything to do with tone (that's a big myth IMO). My A-C is poly and sounds like.... the best vintage Fender ever. That being said, I love my Sadowsky also for what it is. FClef/Fodera NYC, not so much.
 
#15
namraj said:
sorry to be a noob, but surely if u want 2 spend lots of money to sound vintage, why not buy a vintage instrument?
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I want a vintage 5-string!

Also; cost, availability, customization, options....

I can't get a vintage 5-string at any cost and Jimmy offers options that just make the package LOTS sweeter. Also, I have seen few vintage basses that don't have a few problem areas - Jimmy's don't!

Dan K.
 
#16
I know what you mean about Vintage 5,s but maybe it is the neck radius he uses which gives its feel to it.As far as his pres and pickups I see on his web site he has other manufactures pres and Pickups?IAre most people going with the Alleva Pickups and Pre?Also doesn't Cali have strict pollution laws out there?Is that why Nitro finishes have deminished some? Well it looks like I may have to try one for myself?
 
#17
Hey Foderaman,
I think 99% of the people on this forum who have an AC have his homewound pups and preamp...and the people who chose the other preamps, very intelligently, run their bass passive! ;)

Hey Namraj,
I can't afford beat up old fenders!
 

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