Club Alleva-Coppolo (Part 12!!!)

[svtb15]

Yeah Peter.. Snap out of it.. man!

I think I am coming around...

 

[rodl2005]

Just a quick note.

MY AC EUT5 came in yesterday.
Played it acoustically for a cuppla hrs last nite & thru my Walkabout Scout 12" for a 1/2hr before work this morning.

Sounds LOVELY, feels lovely..... pics & more to come.

'tis a 'sonic blue'?? OR IS that it or Daphne Blue??, maple board(w/ lotsa birdseye figuring) & '70's pup placement.

SAys "EUT5 Prototype" along with serial No. on neck plate.
DAMN NICE so far!!! Impressed!

 

[KJung]

Interesting. I don't think you and I hear Indian the same way... either that, or my Indian board is different than most. I hear my board similar to how you describe the Honduran board. I just looked it up, and Honduran rosewood is denser than Indian (60-70 lbs per cubic ft vs 53 for Indian), so I'd think the Honduran would have more "ping" than Indian (just as the denser Ebony does compared to any Rosewood). Indian has typically been mostly described as a good alternative, and pretty comparable, to Brazilian in most of the posts/pages I've seen.

Not sure density is the driving force in the tone of the fretboards. Indian is known to have a bit more 'ping' and sweet top end than Brazilian in general, and that is surely what I hear in the basses by various manufacturers that I've played. However, I've only heard one Honduran board (Peter's), and that bass is REALLY something.... kind of sits between my LG and LM... not as airy and sweet up top as my LG, not quite as grindy as my LM, but it sits in a very nice place between the two. It reminds me a bit of an ash bodied bass with a RW neck... it has that sort of vibe. REALLY nice bass, and light weight too!

 

[Vic]

Not sure density is the driving force in the tone of the fretboards.

I have trouble understanding how it couldn't be very significant, at least... especially when most tone wood sites talk about that (as well as grain patterns) as a basis for comparison to explain tonal diffs.

Indian is known to have a bit more 'ping' and sweet top end than Brazilian in general...

But the question wasn't really Indian vs Brazilian, it was Indian vs Honduran. That said, despite the comments I've read about EIR being a good replacement for DN when DM availability is a problem, I agree with your comment on EIR vs DN diffs here. My main reason to bring that up was to further illustrate how others also hear EIR as more of a non-pingy wood (I don't think anyone would describe DN as pingy).

Anyway, all that said, I've also only played a couple HR boards in my life, and not for any great length of time, so FWIW for sure, and I totally trust your ears on what you heard on Peter's bass, so it's all just academic, I guess... especially when you consider how widely even one species of wood can vary from tree to tree and growth area to growth area (even within the same general region of the earth).

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

I've played Pete's LG5 and to my ears (to be fair, it had rounds while my KBP5 w/ DN has flats) the HR board was very bright, clear, and articulate....maybe more so than any Indian or Brazilian RW boards I've had experience with. I wouldn't necessarily use "pingy" to describe it, but it sounded wayyy sweeter in the high end and just brighter all around whereas my DN KBP5's high end is far less clear and warmer (even w/ rounds)....one of the finest jazz basses I've played though (and I'm not a rounds guy)....not to mention his LM5....that thing is serious.

 

[peterpalmieri]

To Mitch's point, I would describe the Honduran as very rich in the mids both lower mids and extending into the upper range, when compared to other East Indian and DN boards I've played. It's very grindy in that regard. Where to me the DN is smoother in the mids and generally warmer as if you dropped a little passive tone.

If I try to look blindly at the honduran board it has a significant impact on the traditional 60s formula that to me doesn't lead it toward a 70s style jazz but maybe more towards the original Musicman mid present aggressive tone.

Again it's the only LG I've ever played so I don't have a great point of comparison to other LGs. If someone was looking for a traditional 60s style J I wouldn't neccessarily recommend the Honduran. If you are looking for a more aggresive mid present grind it's perfect.

To me the Honduran makes the LG sound less like my LM and more like it's own animal.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I was just thinking how I always thought the blocks on Jimmy's 5 string basses seemed a little small and not quite right. It did make me hesitate in getting that option. I can say that in person they are just right.

* Good excuse to add some photo content

 

[MikeXbass]

Hey guys....without wanting to interrupt the topic at hand...i just thought id add this post to the AC thread....

I recently purchased a Hipshot Bridge for my LG5 since I was having some SERIOUS issues with the saddles falling during shows. I had the bent plate "fixed" once and shortly after, it started to move again..so I went ahead and ordered the Hipshot from Jimmy. After about a month of playing it..I came to realize I MUCH prefer the tone on the Bent Plate. I really didnt think id hear or feel a difference but I did. The Hipshot is definately more focused and its sounds and plays great but I bought some blue LOCKTITE today and set it up. If this stuff does the trick I will be posting the Hipshot 5 for sale in case any of you guys are interested in trying it out.


Thanks again!
Hit me up if any of you are interested!
Mike X

 

[xkimsungminx]

Hey so I haven't been on TB in a while because I've just been SOO satisfied with my LG5 Lucky me! But noticed discussion regarding the diff RW boards and their tonal qualities, and was wondering if there are any AC owners in the LA County or Orange County area that'd like to get together and try each other's LG's, LM's or RA's out.

If anyone would like to have an AC G2G for this or something I think it'd be pretty cool. I still have yet to try some of the other wood combo's that Jimmy's built and would love to try the other variations.

So if anyone would like to try, what I would consider the ultimately primely best example of the LG5 Ultimate, then just give me a holler.

@ MikeXbass: Before coming across the LG5 I have currently, a friend of mine had my and our exact same bass, but with the Hipshot B bridge, and for ME, I knew that I liked the bent plate more too and came to a similar, if not the same, conclusion as you on preferring the plate.

Jimmy put loctite (not sure what kind exactly) on my saddle's too when I took it in last summer around this time, and the trouble saddle's (D and G) have yet to come down again. But then again, I don't gig/play nearly as much as you do, so I'm hoping mine won't be coming down any time soon or ever.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Hey guys....without wanting to interrupt the topic at hand...i just thought id add this post to the AC thread....

I recently purchased a Hipshot Bridge for my LG5 since I was having some SERIOUS issues with the saddles falling during shows. I had the bent plate "fixed" once and shortly after, it started to move again..so I went ahead and ordered the Hipshot from Jimmy. After about a month of playing it..I came to realize I MUCH prefer the tone on the Bent Plate. I really didnt think id hear or feel a difference but I did. The Hipshot is definately more focused and its sounds and plays great but I bought some blue LOCKTITE today and set it up. If this stuff does the trick I will be posting the Hipshot 5 for sale in case any of you guys are interested in trying it out.


Thanks again!
Hit me up if any of you are interested!
Mike X

I had that same trouble with the bent plate on my KBP5 at the first gig I played it on. I used the blue locktie and never had a problem again. I have since sold the bass to Mitch (bassdoubler) I included the locktite with the bass. Mitch said he hasn't needed to use it even after making some height adjustments.

I may try the bent plate on my LG5 as well.

 

[Baccomang]

After about a month of playing it..I came to realize I MUCH prefer the tone on the Bent Plate. I really didnt think id hear or feel a difference but I did. The Hipshot is definately more focused and its sounds and plays great....


Hey Mike interresting information .
Could you please describe the tonal differences between the Hipshot and bent plate bridge a bit more if possible?
Is the bent plate more Fender Jazz style like ( smooth and round tone ) and not so "over-defined" as the Hipshot ?

I may be considering a bent plate on my new LG5 also .

 

[Vic]

I had that same trouble with the bent plate on my KBP5 at the first gig I played it on. I used the blue locktie and never had a problem again...

Yeah, this should work perfectly fine. The other thing I've seen done on vintage style bridges with this problem is to take the adjuster screws, lay them on a hard surface, and tap them with a hammer (tap force depends on how hard the metal is, and you don't wanna' flatten them... just enough to dull the thread peaks a tad)... or smash very slightly with pliers. That slightly distorts the threads enough to give you an interference fit with enough friction to solve the problem. Just FYI. Locktite is probably easier.

 

[KJung]

I've played Pete's LG5 and to my ears (to be fair, it had rounds while my KBP5 w/ DN has flats) the HR board was very bright, clear, and articulate....maybe more so than any Indian or Brazilian RW boards I've had experience with. I wouldn't necessarily use "pingy" to describe it, but it sounded wayyy sweeter in the high end and just brighter all around whereas my DN KBP5's high end is far less clear and warmer (even w/ rounds)....one of the finest jazz basses I've played though (and I'm not a rounds guy)....not to mention his LM5....that thing is serious.

To clarify.. I was describing my Indian RW board has having a bit of the ebony like ping on the top end. It is a very glossy, dark, and 'hard feeling' board. I hear Peter's LG just as you did (with nickel rounds). It was quite bright in the upper mids/lower treble... kind of like a bass with an ash body and Morado board. Wonderful bass... kind of half way between my LM and my LG.

I may be attributing too much to the Honduran board though.... it is just a totally killing sounding bass. Not quite as 'period correct' sounding as my LG (which has a 'very old soul' to my ears...even with the brighter Indian board), but it just sounds darn good! Lightweight too!

 

[rodl2005]

MAN I can't upload any pix yet, but used my EUT5 at a rehearsal WED, & a gig on Thurs nite & another gig on Fri(last) nite.

MAN I'm SO impressed with it!!!!

Just KNOWING the 'G ' string is as punchy & defined as the 'A' for example is bliss.
I used it 95% of the time in PASSIVE mode- great being able to use the TONE control in passive mode-beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used it for 2.5 of the 3 sets in passive mode @ Thurs' gig.
& at the gig last nite I used it in passive for the first 2 sets, then for our last set where we do more modern stuff, I switched it into active mode. Didn't TOUCH the 2 EQ controls.
The TONE control works a treat in active also.

BOTH these gigs were in our 8 piece Soul/funk/Disco band-"Sugartrain" - we've just done a MOTOWN REVUE type thing with this band added a horn(so there's 3) & added another front girl(so there's 3 ) & we're doing all girl group/motown 'style' stuff.

From "My Guy" to "Reach Out" to "Be My Baby" , "Stop in the Name of Love" in the 60's set,

thru to 70's motown & similar stuff- like "Best of my Love"-Emotions, "Love Hangover"-Dianna Ross, "Yes We Can Can"- Pointer Sis., & "Forget Me Nots"-Patrice Rushen etc ... so this AC EUT5 just fits in ther perfectly.

It has the " '70's bridge pup placement" & as youd no doubt know- THESE SONGS have WICKED basslines

I s'pose I preaching to the converted here, but I'm just SO impressed by it.

It's just as one of you guys said (-PLEASE forgive me for not trawling back thru the pages to see which of you it was) When I mentioned I wanted a bass that'd DO the 'vintage' tone, but be ABLE to go a modern edge when dialled in..... U guys said I'd LOVE the AC.
Well you were 100% Spot on!!

I've got a set of SIT roundwounds on it at the moment. & I s'pose this'd KILL with damn near ANY Strings, but I seriously can't wait to try a set of good flatwounds on it.
Anyone recommend a set of flats that go well with AC's

& THANX for the 'encouragement' for me to go for this bass!!! She's superb. As stated B4 - pix to come.

 

[Bass7755]

Vic, and a couple of other guys suggested using blue locktite
a couple of months ago. I tried it on my KBP5 and it worked
perfectly.
Thank's guys!
Dan

Hey guys....without wanting to interrupt the topic at hand...i just thought id add this post to the AC thread....

I recently purchased a Hipshot Bridge for my LG5 since I was having some SERIOUS issues with the saddles falling during shows. I had the bent plate "fixed" once and shortly after, it started to move again..so I went ahead and ordered the Hipshot from Jimmy. After about a month of playing it..I came to realize I MUCH prefer the tone on the Bent Plate. I really didnt think id hear or feel a difference but I did. The Hipshot is definately more focused and its sounds and plays great but I bought some blue LOCKTITE today and set it up. If this stuff does the trick I will be posting the Hipshot 5 for sale in case any of you guys are interested in trying it out.


Thanks again!
Hit me up if any of you are interested!
Mike X

 

[Bass7755]

Yeah, I love my Coppolo's G sting too!
I have owned a few basses in the past that had
a really weak G string.
Congrats bro!
Dan

MAN I can't upload any pix yet, but used my EUT5 at a rehearsal WED, & a gig on Thurs nite & another gig on Fri(last) nite.

MAN I'm SO impressed with it!!!!

Just KNOWING the 'G ' string is as punchy & defined as the 'A' for example is bliss.
I used it 95% of the time in PASSIVE mode- great being able to use the TONE control in passive mode-beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used it for 2.5 of the 3 sets in passive mode @ Thurs' gig.
& at the gig last nite I used it in passive for the first 2 sets, then for our last set where we do more modern stuff, I switched it into active mode. Didn't TOUCH the 2 EQ controls.
The TONE control works a treat in active also.

BOTH these gigs were in our 8 piece Soul/funk/Disco band-"Sugartrain" - we've just done a MOTOWN REVUE type thing with this band added a horn(so there's 3) & added another front girl(so there's 3 ) & we're doing all girl group/motown 'style' stuff.

From "My Guy" to "Reach Out" to "Be My Baby" , "Stop in the Name of Love" in the 60's set,

thru to 70's motown & similar stuff- like "Best of my Love"-Emotions, "Love Hangover"-Dianna Ross, "Yes We Can Can"- Pointer Sis., & "Forget Me Nots"-Patrice Rushen etc ... so this AC EUT5 just fits in ther perfectly.

It has the " '70's bridge pup placement" & as youd no doubt know- THESE SONGS have WICKED basslines

I s'pose I preaching to the converted here, but I'm just SO impressed by it.

It's just as one of you guys said (-PLEASE forgive me for not trawling back thru the pages to see which of you it was) When I mentioned I wanted a bass that'd DO the 'vintage' tone, but be ABLE to go a modern edge when dialled in..... U guys said I'd LOVE the AC.
Well you were 100% Spot on!!

I've got a set of SIT roundwounds on it at the moment. & I s'pose this'd KILL with damn near ANY Strings, but I seriously can't wait to try a set of good flatwounds on it.
Anyone recommend a set of flats that go well with AC's

& THANX for the 'encouragement' for me to go for this bass!!! She's superb. As stated B4 - pix to come.

 

[MikeXbass]

Well....one gig down and it's still sitting JUST WHERE I LIFT IT..the blue loctite seems to have done the trick..


As far as tonal differences...
All I can really say...Is for me...the B string was significantly tighter on my bent plate than the hipshot. Still incredibly tight on the hipshot..but I did feel like the tone and feel I fell in love with had sort of changed.

The hipshot is definitely more focused but the vibe on the bent plate definitely feels more like home.

 

[fredguy]

Anyone recommend a set of flats that go well with AC's

I like old LaBella flats on my KBP5. I also throw a broken in set of Sadowsky or LaBella flats on my LG-5 for a month or so every couple of string changes.

dave

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

TI flats ALWAYS sound good on ACs!

 

[rodl2005]

So TI &/or Labella make 5 string sets of flats??? Must check out some online stores. Any recommendations here???

Bass7755- Dan - thanx for the kind words. It's a beautiful thing. I like the fact that it doesn't LOOK like a boutique bass, but AFAIK it WORKS better'n ANY bass I've tried B4- 'boutique' or production line. The ONLY one that came CLOSE was my old Stingray 5 (which I Shouldn't've sold :-( but- them's the breaks)
As I mentioned I've been using it 90% at least in PASSIVE mode. Even last nite's(Sun) jazz/blues gig, I took it to. I USUALLY use my Precision with flats, but wanted to try the AC EUT5 in that scenario.
Of course it SHONE. But with the fairly new roundwounds it had a bit much 'ring' & sustain.

So I'd LOVE to get a set of decent flats- probly a fairly light guage, as the flats I've liked best so far have been D'addario Chromes 40-95.

But I've never tried TI flats- but have heard nothing but great things about them.
I've only tried REAL thick Labella flats- too thick a guage for me- so they didn't 'click' with me. I DID try a set of Labella TAPEWOUNDS on my P bass- & I like them a lot.

So If i could get a set of TI's or the like in a 40-95 & a -120 'B' string or similar I'd love to give this A TRY with the AC EUT5