Club Alleva-Coppolo (Part 13)

[Vic]

I thought that was what the CNC was for.

OH MY GOSH... you didn't go there did you?

Seriously tho, the CNC, once fully online, is gonna do really great things. It'll increase his productivity and consistency while reducing the time he has to spend doing the stuff that doesn't require his special expertise... let him focus a lot more on the stuff that does. A very very good thing to have going. The only sad part is how long and hard it's been for him to get it going (tho I think Yohann may have posted he's getting close!).

 

[Saluki]

OH MY GOSH... you didn't go there did you?

Seriously tho, the CNC, once fully online, is gonna do really great things. It'll increase his productivity and consistency while reducing the time he has to spend doing the stuff that doesn't require his special expertise... let him focus a lot more on the stuff that does. A very very good thing to have going. The only sad part is how long and hard it's been for him to get it going (tho I think Yohann may have posted he's getting close!).

I did and I was just kidding. I am always on the hunt for a used AC. I am not into the hype, but having played Vic's I know what Jimmy is capable of.

 

[WaskoDS]

I guess asking in the middle of a rather heated discussion was a folly on my part, but I'll ask again (as I did 2 pages back); is there a price list floating around, hidden on the website, or do I have to shoot them an email asking? I would feel kind of silly asking, considering I will not in the immediate future have the money together to buy one, but I want to know just how far away I am from that point.

 

[vision]

I guess asking in the middle of a rather heated discussion was a folly on my part, but I'll ask again (as I did 2 pages back); is there a price list floating around, hidden on the website, or do I have to shoot them an email asking? I would feel kind of silly asking, considering I will not in the immediate future have the money together to buy one, but I want to know just how far away I am from that point.

It would be best to give Jimmy a call and have him email his current pricelist to you - he doesn't list it on the website. The last time I got one for him was in 2009 when I ordered my bass, and I don't know if he increased prices in 2010 or not.

 

[KJung]

I guess asking in the middle of a rather heated discussion was a folly on my part, but I'll ask again (as I did 2 pages back); is there a price list floating around, hidden on the website, or do I have to shoot them an email asking? I would feel kind of silly asking, considering I will not in the immediate future have the money together to buy one, but I want to know just how far away I am from that point.

You'd have to request a recent one. As a guideline, I would plan around $4,000, +/- $500 depending on options.

 

[diglo]

The ebay bass is tempting!

 

[peterpalmieri]

I'm only commenting on what seems like 'issues' that have emerged since the move of the shop within the last 18 months or so. Disappointing, but I would hope that things get back to perfect eventually.

I look forward to being able to recommend these instruments again down the road.

I am curious of your perception of what has changed since he moved?

I wonder if the arrival of Visions bass will change that.

 

[YCBass]

I guess asking in the middle of a rather heated discussion was a folly on my part, but I'll ask again (as I did 2 pages back); is there a price list floating around, hidden on the website, or do I have to shoot them an email asking? I would feel kind of silly asking, considering I will not in the immediate future have the money together to buy one, but I want to know just how far away I am from that point.

I will get in touch with Jimmy for a pricelist and get it to you... Or you can email or call him directly.

 

[YCBass]

(tho I think Yohann may have posted he's getting close!).

Yes! While still needing a couple things, the CNC is operational! Now it's about learning the program and getting the drawings & measurements in there. We routed a neck yesterday for blocks and binding and it came out near perfect!

 

[NYJimmy]

Well, that's great!... for you...

Problem is, most people don't get that kinda' access and those kinda' options. I know I've spoken to Jimmy a few times about getting an LM built that would net a 9 pound max final weight and he basically told me there wasn't much chance of that (when in fact I know there's plenty of ash out there that both sounds good and also doesn't weigh the usual ton even with his full body sizes).

Now to give him his due, I'm sure if I pushed him, he'd manage to find something, but I still got the impression it'd be really hard to hold it to 9 pounds... that he'd "try", but not really be able to give me any assurance. I understand his tonal goals and intentions, but as I think we're seeing here, there's a LARGE market of folks that aren't willing to put up with the super heavy basses... because we shouldn't have to anymore... as proven by lots of other basses... including some Jimmy has built himself (and apparently is now building for you). So why did I get the distinct impression from him that'd be such a problem?

I guess my main point is, I really feel he should be offering the same things to all his customers that he seems to be offering to you and Jason, and it doesn't seem that's the case.

Jason and Kirk have been more or less my R&D guys. After all these years being in this business (about 22 for those who are counting) I have yet to meet anyone more picky then them not to mentioin that they have toured the world... What better people to have help me guage things? PLUS they are my firends and not afraid to tell me to my face if I have done something they did not like or something they think is wrong; which is more than I can say for some of the cats on here that would just rather run to this froum and run their mouth (that's not you Vic, wether good or bad you actually call and speak to me like an adult ). I find it funny that some of if not most of the people that have issue with me haven't even spoken to me and probably never played one of my instruments even though they claim the opposite. Hey like we say back home in NYC "Ahh, Whaddaya gunna doo ova heer?" To stay on topic with Vic's concern I do not play favorites with Jason and Kirk, all my clients are offered the same options. On the topic of light weight, if someone really wants it and as long as I have it then it's theirs. Worth mentioning: So far for the LM series of basses, I prefer the tone of the heavier North Eastern ash as opposed to the lighter ash. To my ears it's the sound that represents that model best.
-Jimmy Coppolo

 

[NYJimmy]

Isnt that specifically why you pay $$$ for a boutique instrument? You have to fly to CA to pick out a good piece of wood?

Hi Dave,
Not at all, I search hi and low and pay top dollar for old cut old growth wood that has low moisture content. If for some reason that's not available I make sure the wood that is available has that very low moisture content and just for safe measure I'll let is sit a long while at the shop before using it. Bottom line is I stand by all the wood that I use.
-Jimmy Coppolo

 

[NYJimmy]

Just popping in to ask a quick question (since I'm sure you guys would most readily know), but is there a price list, so that I can know just how out of my price range AC basses are? Can't find anything of the sort on their website. I'm sure I could contact them, but I'd feel sorta silly over it, not (within the immediate future) having any plans on buying anything. Thanks!

Please don't ever feel funny or uncomfortable to e-mail or call me. I have several dealers over seas that I have authorized to structure pricing for their country. So to avoid confusion I do not post pricing right now. If you are in the states I sell direct and I can easily e-mail you a current U.S. price sheet. If you are over seas please let me know where and if there is a dealer near you I will make sure you get the correct pricing info.
-Jimmy Coppolo

 

[NYJimmy]

I don't think anyone is suggesting otherwise, but when you talk to Jimmy, the impression you get is, he'll try, but it could still come in realistically closer to 10... as opposed to maybe 8.75 to 9.25.

That said, it is NOT hard for a luthier to get very very close. All it takes is a few times sampling what weight a body blank is before processing and then measuring the bass when done, and boom... you have your reference point, and you can extrapolate from there very easily. I know multiple builders and luthiers who can (and do) do this and pretty much nail the weight spec'd. Case in point, FOUR J style basses I JUST received this spring/summer, none chambered, and three were ash bodies. All literally between 8.9 and 9.1 pounds.

And Kirk, I luv ya man, but I gotta go with Dave Hill on the response to your post. Yeah, I personally would have the opps to go to his shop at least once a year, but that should not at all be relevant.

Hey Vic,
I have a method for predetermining what the weight out come MAY be. I have actually tried this out with Mitch and a few other players. I takes a little while and so far for the most part it works. BUT there is still no 100% guarantee that once the bass is completed it will weigh what is predicted. Since it's not a 100% guarantee I'd rather not take the risk. When ordering if there is any concern (such as in this case weight) just call and speak with me. I can't stress enough the importance of the one on one comunication.
-Jimmy Coppolo

 

[NYJimmy]

I have a suggestion for Jimmy...

I totally get what kind of person he is. Very artistic, very very laid back about stuff... maybe even to the point of bothering some potential customers with the way he interacts. To be very honest, I think that personality is part of why he can do as well as he does with the art of building his basses.

IMHO, what he needs is a person to be a "business frontman". Field all the questions, give the kind of specific answers people want to hear, and relate the importance of serving detailed specification requests... maybe even be the shop champion for the customer and do the wood search Jimmy is hesitant to do. Stay on top of emails and maybe even phone calls, etc.

That way, Jimmy could focus totally on just the instrument building, and his customers/prospects would generally have a better experience.

Just a thought. Bottom line, despite my somewhat crotchety responses today relative to my more typical post, I DO want to see Jimmy succeed in a big way. I see what he can do, and I want him to keep doing it, and do it more.

I have a few people in mind but it takes time and a lot more dough than you'd think.
-Jimmy

 

[Vic]

Hey Vic,
I have a method for predetermining what the weight out come MAY be. I have actually tried this out with Mitch and a few other players. I takes a little while and so far for the most part it works. BUT there is still no 100% guarantee that once the bass is completed it will weigh what is predicted. Since it's not a 100% guarantee I'd rather not take the risk.

Jimmy, I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to see you comment directly on this stuff.

At least I, for one, wouldn't be upset if I spec'd a 9 pound max and it ended up just slightly over, so I don't think anyone would expect it to be 0.00 pounds "tolerance". I think most folks are pretty reasonable about that. But if I spec'd a 9 pound max and it ended up being closer to 10 pounds, that'd be a problem. On the other hand, if I spec'd a 9 pound bass and it ended up 8.5, that wouldn't bother me AT ALL. So if your estimation system runs a range of variation, just shoot for the low end, and you'll always win, and even if you go over, it should just be very slightly, and no cause for concern or complaint.

IMHO anyway.

When ordering if there is any concern (such as in this case weight) just call and speak with me. I can't stress enough the importance of the one on one comunication.
-Jimmy Coppolo

+1
This was the case with my LG, and for the record, I spec'd a weight on that bass, and you nailed it.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I have a new prototype 5-string coming from jimmy which may weight 7.9 pounds DN board Oly White Blocks /Binding and my new LG5 is about 8.5 pounds with a full size un chambered body in Sonic Blue with DN board dots /Binding.. But I spec that low weight...

You have on order two basses with DN boards

I had a DN board on my KBP5 and it was amazing. I've held off selling my honduran board LG and order a DN/nitro/bent plate. It is obviously a lot of coin for a few small differences, thus far I've held off.

We'll see how those Sunbeams break in, I changed my set up a little today with a little more relief and then lowered the string height accordingly.

 

[NYJimmy]

Jimmy, I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to see you comment directly on this stuff.

At least I, for one, wouldn't be upset if I spec'd a 9 pound max and it ended up just slightly over, so I don't think anyone would expect it to be 0.00 pounds "tolerance". I think most folks are pretty reasonable about that. But if I spec'd a 9 pound max and it ended up being closer to 10 pounds, that'd be a problem. On the other hand, if I spec'd a 9 pound bass and it ended up 8.5, that wouldn't bother me AT ALL. So if your estimation system runs a range of variation, just shoot for the low end, and you'll always win, and even if you go over, it should just be very slightly, and no cause for concern or complaint.

IMHO anyway.

+1
This was the case with my LG, and for the record, I spec'd a weight on that bass, and you nailed it.

Well it's a pleasure to come on from time to time. I hope I cleared up some confusion and/or eased any concerns. Gotta run! Thanks for having me.
-Jimmy Coppolo

 

[svtb15]

HI Peter..Yes 2 it is..
But in real life the second one is a default DN.. Since i really wanted to get the African RW so that it is just like my P4.
My current African is chocolaty brown with red striping and very smooth..
Not impossible to find but if you thought the DN was expensive well the African may be more. Im a musician not a gazillionaire.
What i like about the African on my P4 is that it has a real nice snap to it that makes it growl ..
So the second DN is sort of by default...
TB is for debate i guess... so is there a huge difference between DN and others RW... I think we beat that to the ground some time ago.. But i like the way it feels, so why not. You only live once..

You have on order two basses with DN boards



.

 

[svtb15]

yeah didn't you have a sunburst P5?
Those SBs are just dead on.. I remember the first time Jimmy showed one to me and i saw it from the back.. and i thought it was an old fender... No one is doing a SB with that opaque yellow in the middle.. They all show grain... those 60s (at least the ones that i have seen) are all opaque in the yellow area..

You have on order two basses with DN boards

I had a DN board on my KBP5 and it was amazing. I've held off selling my honduran board LG and order a DN/nitro/bent plate. It is obviously a lot of coin for a few small differences, thus far I've held off.

We'll see how those Sunbeams break in, I changed my set up a little today with a little more relief and then lowered the string height accordingly.

 

[narud]

yo can someone get a hold of that alder that levitates?