• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Club Alleva-Coppolo (Part 13)

Status
Not open for further replies.
#881
:
Vic said:
Simple. Comfort. Why put up with a heavier bass if you don't have to? Doesn't matter whether you have physical capability reasons or not, I can't imagine anyone choosing a heavier bass just for the weight.

Now that leads me to my main point, which is tone.

Yes, weight affects tone, and if the tonal element you do get strictly from a heavier bass is critical to you, then yes, you have no other options.

However, and thankfully, it's absolutely incorrect to make the assumption that nobody can have a great J tone without also having a heavy bass.

At least that's not at all the case with me. My 9 pound LG also easily keeps up with or improves upon the best sounding other J and J type basses I've spent time with, and I've played some truly awesome basses that were boat anchors and they don't impress me one tiny bit more.

So at least in my case, weight boils down to only one thing... the ability and willingness of the builder to build to that spec... not tone.
Click to expand...

I am not certain that I imparted the belief that a heavier bass was superior in tone to a lighter bass. If I did so I retract that belief.

What I did state was that the ALLEVA that I have which is heavy--- sounded better and felt better than my Fender 8.5 pound bass on the same gig.

If I had the luxury of testing 2 ALLEVA LM 5's "side by each together" east coast vernacular comin' at ya :D I would likley choose the lighter of the two.
If however one truly were NOTICEABLY lighter.
I did not have this luxury (of comparing to other ALLEVA's not that many of us do ?) and acquired my bass on a blind date kind of-though the seller was very up front about the weight.

Marcus Miller used this bass of mine on sessions in Washington last month and by all accounts everyone was HAPPY ;)

BUT if weight were comparable I'd of course go for the better sounding and or playing instrument.

With the notable exception of Monsieur/ Senor Tom Barney most bassists would always opt for a lighter comfortable bass, wouldn't they ? :cool:

Recall my first impression here on TB after receiving my LM Deluxe. I was not happy with the weight.

However the bass has completely won me over and that weight is no longer an issue with an ALLAEVA because of ergonomics--thanks KEN ):bassist:
 
#882
peterpalmieri said:
Between 8.5 and 10.5lbs I could choose regardless of weight. It will be interesting if Jason's LM is closer to mine in weight and he and Ken can compare that with Ken's light LM5....

I'm actually very interested in hearing this perspective and Jason I hope that darn thing is back from paint. The good news is the agony of waiting passes after the bass arrives!
Click to expand...

+1...I think we all basically have a weight threshold and anything about that weight is uncomfortable, and anything below it doesn't matter too much. I didn't realize this until I played 2 specific Celinders (both were Ken's, and the blonde one went to Vic and then me after that). The blue one was 12 lbs and was too heavy for me - I played a 4 set Motown gig with that bass and just about needed a sling for my shoulder after the show. But the blonde one weighed 11 lbs and I literally couldn't tell the difference between that one and a 9 lb bass while on a strap, no matter how long I played it.

I'm really looking forward to getting mine and hearing how it sounds. I've only played Ken's LM, which we all know is killer. I'll be sure to post a bunch of clips of mine once I get it and get settled with it.
 
#884
vision said:
+1...I think we all basically have a weight threshold and anything about that weight is uncomfortable, and anything below it doesn't matter too much. I didn't realize this until I played 2 specific Celinders (both were Ken's, and the blonde one went to Vic and then me after that). The blue one was 12 lbs and was too heavy for me - I played a 4 set Motown gig with that bass and just about needed a sling for my shoulder after the show. But the blonde one weighed 11 lbs and I literally couldn't tell the difference between that one and a 9 lb bass while on a strap, no matter how long I played it.

I'm really looking forward to getting mine and hearing how it sounds. I've only played Ken's LM, which we all know is killer. I'll be sure to post a bunch of clips of mine once I get it and get settled with it.
Click to expand...

+1 I think that is part of the ergonomic issue that bassarama and I were discussing above.

If you remember, that blue Celinder Update had a custom neck profile that was very thin and sleek. It was also a birdseye neck that seemed a bit less dense.. it moved a bit when you yanked on it. So, most of the weight was in that super heavy northern ash body, and as you said, that bass hung on me like a stone. The blonde one, while only being a touch lighter, had much more 'meat' in the neck.. more weight, more wood, and while still heavy, it just 'hung better' and didn't feel so brutal.
 
#885
KJung said:
+1 I think that is part of the ergonomic issue that bassarama and I were discussing above.

If you remember, that blue Celinder Update had a custom neck profile that was very thin and sleek. It was also a birdseye neck that seemed a bit less dense.. it moved a bit when you yanked on it. So, most of the weight was in that super heavy northern ash body, and as you said, that bass hung on me like a stone. The blonde one, while only being a touch lighter, had much more 'meat' in the neck.. more weight, more wood, and while still heavy, it just 'hung better' and didn't feel so brutal.
Click to expand...

Great point Ken, the blonde one I had definitely had a chunkier neck and it was perfectly balanced.

Man I miss that bass!!!!! :scowl::scowl::scowl: But when I get the LM5 it will help with that though. :bassist:
 
#887
bassarama said:
I am not certain that I imaprted the belief that a heavier bass was superior in tone to a lighter bass. If I did so I retract that belief.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, but then you turn right around and... :)

What I did state was that the ALLEVA that I have which is heavy--- sounded better and felt better than my Fender 8.5 pound bass on the same gig.
Click to expand...
here, again, you at least appear to attribute weight to the tonal advantage, since you note it. That's where I got the impression from. I would just simply argue the AC kicks that Fender's butt. I wouldn't note the weight unless I was pretty convinced that was a significant part of the reason the AC was "better". I don't think that can be established, and to be blunt, I'm not surprised the AC kicked the Fender's butt... I'd even go out on a limb and predict the same results even if the Fender was 11 pounds. :)

IMHO, at least :)
 
#888
No. The Dinky will be the Oly White with DN and the Sonic Blue one will be regular with DN dots /binding.

Dont screw it up Yohan.. :D:D:D:D

YCBass said:
I will end up working on both of yours! The "dinky" 5 string is done, is that the Sonic Blue? I remember you were on the phone with Jimmy when I was working on it.

I saw one of your necks yesterday too... Nice slim profile!

Jimmy will redo the forearm on your other one before I can finish it up.
Click to expand...
 
#891
I think you are right.. I dont want or need anything at all..really dont need another bass.. :eek:
Just good health and well being.. Wow i must be old if that's all i want these days...good health and well being:):)


Bernie Connors said:
Kirk, I believe you've reached the limit on basses with DN. Sorry, you must give one to me to keep you in compliance. ;) :D
Click to expand...
 
#892
Vic said:
Fair enough, but then you turn right around and... :)

here, again, you at least appear to attribute weight to the tonal advantage, since you note it. That's where I got the impression from. I would just simply argue the AC kicks that Fender's butt. I wouldn't note the weight unless I was pretty convinced that was a significant part of the reason the AC was "better". I don't think that can be established, and to be blunt, I'm not surprised the AC kicked the Fender's butt... I'd even go out on a limb and predict the same results even if the Fender was 11 pounds. :)

IMHO, at least :)
Click to expand...

I understand your position that I inferred that the weight of the ALLEVA (in spite of being heavy in weight kicked the Fender's butt because perhaps of the weight advantage).

So I should have made 2 sentences out of one cuz I said the ALLEVA sounded and FELT better than the FENDER. Too, remember this was an A-B test for me and though the ALLEVA won hands down it wasn't a KO in the first 10 seconds of the first round by a killin machine aka Mike Tyson kind of thing !!:D.

I in effect used the Fender for 2 full sets on either side of the ALLEVA and have used that bass a lot pre my receipt of the ALLEVA and it certainly held its own to my ears and other players and audiences ALIKE, I humbly may add.

Don't forget my post started off with the fact I was PUZZLED.

Not on the sound of the ALLEVA being better overall than the FENDER but rather that it was more comfortable to play in spite of its girth-WEIGHT ( ERGONOMICS that has been established eloquently by Ken ).

I certainly in the dickens didn't mean or was trying to forge an axiom of truth here ?? (11th commandment ):help: that the heavy ALLEVA I now own, will win Third World War by itself and beat out all competition including its lighter weight brethern :eek:

There are many permuations and considerations when one starts to delve into superiorities of bass guitars, the least not being personal taste and style IMHO.

THUS, I cannot say that any or all of the following statements are absolutes IMO and IME--:

NOTE: I got the impression you feel that the ALLEVA would decimate or sound better than a FENDER irregardless of weight. Is that correct ? :eyebrow:

1. A heavy FENDER bass will sound better than a light ALLEVA bass in all cases or vice versa.
(all things considered equal of course.The CC Fender Jazz is similar enough for the most part to an LM I feel, to make a general comparison--hope I am correct in this assumption ? :hiding: )

2. A light Fender will sound better than a heavy Fender bass or vice versa.

3. A heavy ALLEVA will sound better than a light ALLEVA bass or vice versa.

And also, my initial comments and conclusions were based on a live situation with a 10 piece band and a large room. Yes the ALLEVA did kick the Fender CC Jazz 5 (overall) but the Fender still holds it own whether it is a lightweight or a heavyweight.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU THAT AN ALLEVA WILL KICK A FENDER EVERY TIME.:scowl:

The AC LM 5 kicked the Fender CC5 at my gig aforementioned overall and that was that.

To each his own I guess and I will make the extra effort to be more clear in my descriptions, even when I assume the comments are obvious to most experienced players and general readership etc etc ;).

Your point has been well taken on my ambiguities of weight and feel.:crying:

BUT in all fairness and honesty the Fender CC5 has a more sweeter Marcus slap tone and cuts more than the ALLEVA in both live and in recorded situations, It is that the ALLEVA is more even and pronounced across the TOTAL sound spectrum and styles IMO.

ALSO for the record. my Reggie Hamilton Artist 5 "weighing in this corner" 10 pounds";) has a much darker and broader sound than either the single coil ALLEVA LM5 or the Fender Custom Classic that I own and love.

I note that a lot of players on this AC forum have more than one make of bass, so one can conclude like Joey at FODERA told me succinctly so once.."there is no one bass that will do it all":ninja:

I really should be practicing !!
 
#895
bassarama said:
NOTE: I got the impression you feel that the ALLEVA would decimate or sound better than a FENDER irregardless of weight. Is that correct ? :eyebrow:
Click to expand...
Not categorically, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happened more often than not. I also don't believe in absolute generalisms. :)

I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU THAT AN ALLEVA WILL KICK A FENDER EVERY TIME.:scowl:
Click to expand...
Agreed. See above. :)

All your other points are well taken, and agreed upon.

Now, that wasn't hard was it? :D

Seriously, I think this all just boils down to my apparently mis-reading your post (It wouldn't be the first time I've been confused or read too much into something). My only objection would have been to someone equating greater tone with more weight.

Anyway, onward. :)
 
#896
svtb15 said:
No. The Dinky will be the Oly White with DN and the Sonic Blue one will be regular with DN dots /binding.

Dont screw it up Yohann.. :D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

svtb15 said:
WOW. .I think the post above may be the first one that i have ever done on TB that i did not have to go back and fix the typing...
Click to expand...

Not so fast, hehe... ;)

I remember "finishing" the Dinky while you were on the phone with Jimmy, then he came over and said, "We gotta hit the forearm cut some more." (deeper). So then I had to round off the edges all over again for that part.... You're a picky mofo man... j/k. :D

Anyway, I will probably work on your "other" body, whichever one that is, tonight. And I'll try to not screw it up too bad, though I know you have a love for messed up stuff.
 
#897
Love ya man.... .......only kidding...:)
Psyche!
No i really love ya man!
Really i do...:D

Im thinking the Dinky is gonna be cool too.. Really looking forward to them both.. I really need a JJ 5 string now...


YCBass said:
Not so fast, hehe... ;)

I remember "finishing" the Dinky while you were on the phone with Jimmy, then he came over and said, "We gotta hit the forearm cut some more." (deeper). So then I had to round off the edges all over again for that part.... You're a picky mofo man... j/k. :D

Anyway, I will probably work on your "other" body, whichever one that is, tonight. And I'll try to not screw it up too bad, though I know you have a love for messed up stuff.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back