Club Alleva Coppolo (part 2)

[KJung]

I am not trying to start any kind of issue. However; you did not read what I wrote. I stated that the instrument I played was not as "punchy" as I would have expected in a high dollar bass. That means it doesn't matter if I am refering to a Jazz, P-bass, Stingray, Sadowsky, AC, etc..... A bass made out of that type of tone wood (Alder in this case) should project the sound acoustically as well as ampilfied. That is a clear statement about tone that everyone should understand w/out profile. It was not as punchy as my two Alderwood basses, one being a 74 jazz w/nice figured Indian rosewood and the other a good P-bass w/65 neck. I was considering getting an AC for my anniversary, but I am thankful that I got a chance to play one first. As I said before I think Alleve-Coppolo's are very good basses, but just not for me. I liked the bass, but it was not the bass for me at that price. Do not get offended as some would not like my favorite basses as well. Bass players sometimes have second thoughts on all basses they purchase no matter what they cost and resale Sadowsky's, Ritters, AC, Fenders, Lakland's, etc. * My whole point of posting my message is to remind players to play one before buying if possible. This is a big purchase to consider.

+1... I was just trying to get some context to your comments. The 'not as punchy as a high dollar bass should be' was confusing to me... for example, an MTD is a high dollar bass, but is voiced very wide, not particularly punchy, while a Roscoe is all about low mids, and will punch much more than any J type instrument... depending on how you define 'punch'!.

Every bass and every piece of wood is different, and every bass is not for every person.

 

[basses55]

I'm not positive but I don't believe this to be true. I 've seen many old fenders with figuring in the rosewood boards.I think the Brazilian that we've seen Jimmy use so far is selected for this quality I know I asked for it. I think I remember the guy(sorry i forgot your name) in Canada who got the sunburst LG5 selected his wood at the shop and chose looking for those seem qualities.Perhaps He'll chime in and describe what else he saw.I think as his stock diminishes you'll see less even dark chocolate.Not saying that it will be ugly/undesirable,It's going to sound right.It will look great just different. I would probably order another bass with it,maybe I already have.


Aj

AJ, you may have been talking about my LG...just wanted to chime in and say that I was able to pick the Braz. board and chose the darkest board with the straightest grain on purpose. So as for this being a "let down" as was implied earlier by a poster it was actually selected in particuliar.As much or little a difference that this may make, after talking with Jimmy and other luthiers (as well as my own more limited exp.) I went with that option. Of course, I'll never know what , if any, difference there would have been with a lighter more figured board....but I also do love the rich asthetic of the dark Braz on a vintage Jazz ( for me though a secondary consideration).

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[Andrew Jones]

Was I right by saying you chose the board in person at the shop?


What else did you see?


Aj

 

[basses55]

Was I right by saying you chose the board in person at the shop?


What else did you see?


Aj

Yes....it just worked out I was in NY at the right time...and was able to go through the box of braz. pretty soon after he got it in.

As far as seeing anything else..not sure what you mean..but as for boards I was only interested in braz for my AC so I just looked at those. Some beautiful stuff! All of it looked good to me. We also looked at and weighed different bodies.

...saw some gorgeous finished basses too!

 

[Andrew Jones]

What did the other Brazilian boards look like?



Aj

 

[Ace Of Bass]

What did the other Brazilian boards look like?



Aj

Here are some photos of mine......

 

[Ace Of Bass]

My board gets streaky towards the end.....sorry for the bright flash......

 

[Ace Of Bass]

+1... I was just trying to get some context to your comments. The 'not as punchy as a high dollar bass should be' was confusing to me... for example, an MTD is a high dollar bass, but is voiced very wide, not particularly punchy, while a Roscoe is all about low mids, and will punch much more than any J type instrument... depending on how you define 'punch'!.

Every bass and every piece of wood is different, and every bass is not for every person.

Very true.......I feel that I can kinda dial in a puchy-esque tone on the MTD, but to me, MY A-C's punch is unbeatable......Sorry that Mad Tango had a bad experience with the A-C he played.....maybe he's a Roscoe kinda guy?
I know that this is a A-c thread, but I had to post these pics of the Dynamic Duo somewhere...!!!!

 

[basses55]

What did the other Brazilian boards look like?



Aj

Like Ace's..some had more color and contrasting figure...quite nice. I'm not 100% sure how light the color of braz can get...maybe quite light..but I dont remember seeing those.

 

[tommixx]

Mine looks like Hershey's Dark chocolate at both ends and plays even sweeter...

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]



Peace,

T

 

[Bassist30]

I am not trying to start any kind of issue. However; you did not read what I wrote. I stated that the instrument I played was not as "punchy" as I would have expected in a high dollar bass. That means it doesn't matter if I am refering to a Jazz, P-bass, Stingray, Sadowsky, AC, etc..... A bass made out of that type of tone wood (Alder in this case) should project the sound acoustically as well as ampilfied. That is a clear statement about tone that everyone should understand w/out profile. It was not as punchy as my two Alderwood basses, one being a 74 jazz w/nice figured Indian rosewood and the other a good P-bass w/65 neck. I was considering getting an AC for my anniversary, but I am thankful that I got a chance to play one first. As I said before I think Alleve-Coppolo's are very good basses, but just not for me. I liked the bass, but it was not the bass for me at that price. Do not get offended as some would not like my favorite basses as well. Bass players sometimes have second thoughts on all basses they purchase no matter what they cost and resale Sadowsky's, Ritters, AC, Fenders, Lakland's, etc. * My whole point of posting my message is to remind players to play one before buying if possible. This is a big purchase to consider.

Buying only after trying. I believe that all the way. I have been saying that for years. Sorry to chime in and being so late with it but ......... its late and i want too. In todays market we have a hugh variety of amps, basses, accessories etc etc. The market is floaded with it. But each has a nitch, whether it be certain woods, pickup design, frequency boost, weight etc etc. Its great with lots of choice. So i hope you get what you are looking for. This is an Alleva Coppolo Thread so we are going to be partial. Punchy is another very subjective word. Did you a/b your basses with the AC? Just curious. But again Buying after trying is the way to go. That is why I bought my Alleva Coppolo. It was already made and in the shop waiting to be bought. Well I saw it in pieces first and liked the color and I was interested in his product. I said call me when it was together. I tried it and like it and bought it. I think its very punchy. But the punch I like. I had a Roscoe and it was very punchy also, but sold it 5 months after I got it. A very good bass but not for me. Dam I tried that bass too before I bought it.
Set Ups make a hugh difference also. I had one of my basses set up by a great guy and the thing was a completely different animal. Better but real different. But Jimmy sets up his basses great. So it can't be that. I guess maybe it isn't for you. But this is a Alleva Coppolo thread and saying it isn't as punchy as you expected, you will have to take a beating from some. Not me mind you. I have my own problems.

 

[Bassist30]

Very true.......I feel that I can kinda dial in a puchy-esque tone on the MTD, but to me, MY A-C's punch is unbeatable......Sorry that Mad Tango had a bad experience with the A-C he played.....maybe he's a Roscoe kinda guy?
I know that this is a A-c thread, but I had to post these pics of the Dynamic Duo somewhere...!!!!

Is that an Orange Juice Color. Where do you live and what time do you leave your house?

 

[basses55]

Here's another example of the dark version of Braz. like Tommix's

 

[Andrew Jones]

I want to say that even though given the choice I prefer and requested
the all dark style board that I would buy one that Jimmy told me would look/be great just not the same as my previous.



Aj

 

[KJung]

Here's another example of the dark version of Braz. like Tommix's

Man, do I like those boards!!!!!!

Regarding 'trying before you buy'.... nice in theory and I agree, although very few of us have a chance to try any of these relatively low distribution high end basses prior to purchasing. And even then, it's no guarantee. I spent a couple hours with the Jerzy Drozd basses prior to purchasing one, and after a few gigs, I decided I never disliked a bass more! It's always a crapshoot IMO. That Sadowsky 7 day return is cool, but many times, 7 days isn't enough to really get a feel if something is going to work or not. IMO!

 

[tommixx]

Here's another example of the dark version of Braz. like Tommix's

I NEED one just like yours to match my 4!!! LOL! I keep telling myself that I have enough....I have enough....I almost bought another Sadowsky last night and I have 4 now...so in other words, I am not totally ruling it out yet...




Peace,

T

 

[tommixx]

Man, do I like those boards!!!!!!

Regarding 'trying before you buy'.... nice in theory and I agree, although very few of us have a chance to try any of these relatively low distribution high end basses prior to purchasing. And even then, it's no guarantee. I spent a couple hours with the Jerzy Drozd basses prior to purchasing one, and after a few gigs, I decided I never disliked a bass more! It's always a crapshoot IMO. That Sadowsky 7 day return is cool, but many times, 7 days isn't enough to really get a feel if something is going to work or not. IMO!

I agree for the most part but I have to say that usually I can tell within a few minutes if I am in the ballpark. Only a couple of exceptions for me. The first when I played my first Sadowsky I knew right away I had to have one! Same with the Alleva that Mike has now, as soon as I played it for 5 minutes I thought it was the most even sounding and perfect feeling 5 string I had ever had in my hands. More recently I got a Sadowsky PJ Hybrid and it was love in the first 10 minutes. I called Roger that same day and told him thanks for making me such a great bass and to mark it as sold as I would not need anymore of the 7 day to decide to keep it! I have sent MORE than my share back to them and have spent enough on shipping in the last few years to probably buy the NYC Standard 4 that I just got....

In the end, it has been worth it as I have 6 instruments that I love so much right now that I am taking 4 of them to shows again and I haven't done that in a LONG time!! What a great time to be a bass player!

Peace,

T

 

[KJung]

I agree for the most part but I have to say that usually I can tell within a few minutes if I am in the ballpark. Only a couple of exceptions for me. The first when I played my first Sadowsky I knew right away I had to have one! Same with the Alleva that Mike has now, as soon as I played it for 5 minutes I thought it was the most even sounding and perfect feeling 5 string I had ever had in my hands. More recently I got a Sadowsky PJ Hybrid and it was love in the first 10 minutes. I called Roger that same day and told him thanks for making me such a great bass and to mark it as sold as I would not need anymore of the 7 day to decide to keep it! I have sent MORE than my share back to them and have spent enough on shipping in the last few years to probably buy the NYC Standard 4 that I just got....

In the end, it has been worth it as I have 6 instruments that I love so much right now that I am taking 4 of them to shows again and I haven't done that in a LONG time!! What a great time to be a bass player!

Peace,

T

+1, I can usually tell within a few minutes is something is really not going to work.

 

[Bernie Connors]

Here's another example of the dark version of Braz. like Tommix's

Wow! Seeing that makes me really anxious for mine!!

Very nice, Mitch!

 

[esoxhntr]

Regarding 'trying before you buy'.... nice in theory and I agree, although very few of us have a chance to try any of these relatively low distribution high end basses prior to purchasing. And even then, it's no guarantee. I spent a couple hours with the Jerzy Drozd basses prior to purchasing one, and after a few gigs, I decided I never disliked a bass more! It's always a crapshoot IMO. That Sadowsky 7 day return is cool, but many times, 7 days isn't enough to really get a feel if something is going to work or not. IMO!

+1, I can usually tell within a few minutes is something is really not going to work.

+1 on both Ken (or is that more appropriately +2?).

It's way easier to tell when a bass is definitely not my thing. However, truly good instruments tend to make you evolve into them, and it's a matter of time and gigs before you can decide whether the evolutionary process will work out.

I literally stumbled into my AC bass - and its all because I bought a Fodera from Mitch (basses55). Bought the Fodera NYC from him and loved it so much that I bought a second 4 string Emperor from Virginia. Played them both hours a day all this past summer, and at the end of that time decided that though they were beautiful playing and sounding basses, neither was quite right for me. That process took weeks, with literally dozens of gigs and rehearsals.

Fast forward to November of 2007 - still looking for "the" bass, and because I'm on holidays and a little bored, I call Jimmy, because I remember Mitch mentioning AC in the summer, have been reading this thread for a bit, and have checked out the Paul Turner clips on You Tube, and become a bit of a Jamiroquai buff.

Jimmy and I get talking about what kind of playing I mostly do, and he says something like "well I think an LG-5 would suit you, but I do have this new bass I just built..." and he goes on to describe the RA-5. It sounds like a great solution for me. Jimmy asks me how I found out about him, and I say, well this guy in Toronto told me about him. He says "you mean Mitch - that's really funny, he playing his new LG-5 not 10 feet away". So I talk with Mitch, and he talks with Jimmy, and I talk with Jimmy, and 12 hours later the RA-5 is on it's way to Toronto with the understanding that if I don't like it, I will send it back and Jimmy will build me an LG-5.

The RA-5 arrives. It's pretty awesome, but has a bit of a "zingy" sound. I practice with it for a week - it sounds and feels more wicked every time. I play a big band gig with it - it sounds wicked. I play a rock/blues gig with it - it sounds wicked. I play some rehearsals and a musical with it - it sounds wicked. Mitch comes over, takes a screwdriver to it and plays it for a couple of hours and it sounds and feels more wicked. In fact, Mitch played this bass at BPL (so did many others I'm guessing) but he didn't take to it there. Ask him how he feels about it now

The point of this lengthy post is that trying before you buy helps, but it really takes a little longer than that before you can tell whether or not a bass is going to work well for you over the long haul. I've owned (as we all have) a number of basses over the past 35 years, and only two of them stayed with me for long periods - a 1981 Spector NS2, and 1992 Sadowsky NYC. The Spector is long gone, and the Sadowsky went this fall with the previously mentioned Foderas, fine basses that only lasted with me for a few months.

For me this Alleva Coppolo is the real deal, but I would never have have known that had I not taken a bit of a gamble.