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I know that in all the time I've dealt with Jimmy since 2007 he's been totally caring about any issues... and very motivated to making things right. He's also been very passionate and motivated about standing behind his product, and in addition to that has treated me and so many others like family, not just clients. This has been my experience. I can only speak for myself and what I've observed.
This thread is a legitimate forum to post overall experiences and impressions about AC - the long view- while still understanding that some people have had negative experiences too, including Addison. The details of Addison's case are already known and have been gone over..and over
I feel bad that any of this went down and I'm happy that in the end there is a resolution for both parties.
I know from my own experience that the Jimmy/AC experience goes one heck of a lot better than this did, and while maybe not perfect for a few, is mostly a really good or a great one.
I'd hope that people by now would be at the stage that whatever the specifics of what happened means for you, that it gets incorporated ....and at this point ( which is waay down the line in terms of repeating anaylsis) we can move ahead...
Mitch
This thread is a legitimate forum to post overall experiences and impressions about AC - the long view- while still understanding that some people have had negative experiences too, including Addison. The details of Addison's case are already known and have been gone over..and over
I feel bad that any of this went down and I'm happy that in the end there is a resolution for both parties. I know from my own experience that the Jimmy/AC experience goes one heck of a lot better than this did, and while maybe not perfect for a few, is mostly a really good or a great one.
I'd hope that people by now would be at the stage that whatever the specifics of what happened means for you, that it gets incorporated ....and at this point ( which is waay down the line in terms of repeating anaylsis) we can move ahead...
Mitch
So what is it about Alleva-Coppolo basses that makes them stand out against other boutique instruments?
Just bringing the focus back to the instruments in general, if you will.
For someone unfamiliar with them, what's special about them?
Just bringing the focus back to the instruments in general, if you will.
For someone unfamiliar with them, what's special about them?
I've never run into a boutique 5 string J that felt so much like a really old instrument. Jimmy's unique low radius 5 string fretboard, use of OLD wood in his build, and his more traditional 'hand made' sort of vibe makes his basses feel totally different from the wonderful, exacting CNC's sort of perfection of, for example, the Sadowsky basses (which I also love for what they are).
The other thing that is really cool is that pickups, preamps, pretty much everything, is OEM, and most stuff is made in the shop. The pickups and preamps are things of wonder to me... just sweet sounding and 'old sounding' to my ear.
So, what you get is a new bass that has at least some of that 'early Fender' feel, look and tone, in an active 5 string instrument, which is pretty remarkable.
In our many, many GTG's in Detroit, the A-C's always really spoke to the J bass guys (I have no experience with Jimmy's P basses at all.... never played one, and I also have little interest in 4 string basses, so can't comment there either).
For those wanting a 5 string J style instrument, and want an active bass with a great B string that sounds more like a passive 4 string, they are quite amazing to me personally.
IMO and many years now of happy IME. Again, not white washing the issues discussed earlier, just answering your question specifically from my experience with my beloved LM (and the LG and RA I owned previously, and the many I have played).
- Jan 7, 2008
- 2,196
- 224
- 39
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Olinto, La Bella, JuleAmps, Epifani
I've never run into a boutique 5 string J that felt so much like a really old instrument. Jimmy's unique low radius 5 string fretboard, use of OLD wood in his build, and his more traditional 'hand made' sort of vibe makes his basses feel totally different from the wonderful, exacting CNC's sort of perfection of, for example, the Sadowsky basses (which I also love for what they are).
The other thing that is really cool is that pickups, preamps, pretty much everything, is OEM, and most stuff is made in the shop. The pickups and preamps are things of wonder to me... just sweet sounding and 'old sounding' to my ear.
So, what you get is a new bass that has at least some of that 'early Fender' feel, look and tone, in an active 5 string instrument, which is pretty remarkable.
In our many, many GTG's in Detroit, the A-C's always really spoke to the J bass guys (I have no experience with Jimmy's P basses at all.... never played one, and I also have little interest in 4 string basses, so can't comment there either).
For those wanting a 5 string J style instrument, and want an active bass with a great B string that sounds more like a passive 4 string, they are quite amazing to me personally.
IMO and many years now of happy IME. Again, not white washing the issues discussed earlier, just answering your question specifically from my experience with my beloved LM (and the LG and RA I owned previously, and the many I have played).
+1
I've played EVERY high end 5 string Fender clone out there and ACs just feel and sound the best to me. Like Ken said, a combo of his attention to historical accuracy, awesome old wood, and that worn in vintage feel made by hand make for insane instruments. There's just a vibe in each one that makes you feel like you're playing the best vintage Fender you've ever played but magically it has a B string
....After a KBP5, RA5, and TB LM5, I just started selling off my vintage Fenders!
Are there ant boutique makers of Fender clones that accomplish the feeling of an old bass as described above but with a passive electronic package?
Is that optional on AC instruments?
Not that I can afford one, but the idea of these felling the closest to an old bass raised my curiosity.
Is that optional on AC instruments?
Not that I can afford one, but the idea of these felling the closest to an old bass raised my curiosity.
Chef
In Memoriam
I have a passive KBP4 and it's easily the nicest p-bass I've ever played. So nice in fact, that I put down my jazz basses after many many years. Ok......I pick them up once in a while. It's got the spalted alder body and dalbergia negra board. Incredible tone. Also, the neck hasn't budged on me in over 5 years
Agree...
The LM's and the LG's get much of the fanfare, but the KBP4's and KBP5's just kill it... I loved my Willie Weeks KBP4 and my KBP5 Plum Crazy with DB FB is an incredible P-Bass, too.
Best,
Mike
This thread is a legitimate forum to post overall experiences and impressions about AC - the long view- while still understanding that some people have had negative experiences too, including Addison. The details of Addison's case are already known and have been gone over..and over
Mitch
Unfortunately folks jump to conclusions before hearing both sides of the story. Folks started the incestuous pile on before allowing Jimmy's side to be heard. Once I heard what he had to say, I drew my own conclusions. I hope that Addison actually gets his money back. It ain't over till its over and nothing is resolved until the money is in his hand. I also hope this episode also doesn't prevent more people from having positive experiences with Jimmy.
People never considered the possibility that Addison could have manufactured everything to destroy Jimmy. I'm not saying he did, but if u really think about it, it was a possibility. However remote the possibility, It is possible for somebody to come along and try to destroy someone's business for their own selfish reasons. This is why you have to hear both sides. People get railroaded like this all the time in the print and television media.
Nobody won in this situation, Addison did not get his dream bass, and Jimmy took some PR hits. I hope everybody can move on, but unfortunately this thing will not be forgotten. And yes, this is so 2 days ago.
Well I have to say I never paid attention to this maker before the big spectacle here on TB, and the reputation of his instruments lines up with what I would look for were I suddenly in the market (my wife has just a couple more years of law school, and we are lucky to be not paying for all of it!!!). A new bass that feels like an old Fender sounds cakes.
My take were I in the position, as I may be one day: Ask Mr. Coppola directly in person or Skype or phone what he felt about this occurance. Were he to besmirch this or any other former customer to me I would walk away. Then and there. Would any of us want to be that besmirched customer one day?
This was the incident, but the next weeks and years are the outcome.
My take were I in the position, as I may be one day: Ask Mr. Coppola directly in person or Skype or phone what he felt about this occurance. Were he to besmirch this or any other former customer to me I would walk away. Then and there. Would any of us want to be that besmirched customer one day?
This was the incident, but the next weeks and years are the outcome.
And the tone control works the same in passive or active.
Mine works so well in active mode that I rarely even touch the bass or treble controls. But when I do, I know they're so sweet & transparent.
The switch from active - passive is seamless too.
Completely agree.I thought you meant prior to his response, Vic. I agree, after you've really stuck your foot in it is too late. Calling shenanigans on Addison was pretty incredible, I don't care how upset someone might be. Any situation like that screams for stepping back, taking a deep breath and if nothing else asking yourself "How will this help ME?".
Then wait a while and ask yourself again. Heat of the moment and all that.
My point was that after the initial problem had gotten to the point where Addison felt compelled to post about it, it wasn't too late for Jimmy to make a post that would lead to a far more positive outcome. IME IMO of course.
Datsaxguy,
Are you serious? You cannot make those types of accusations against anyone let alone YOUR customer without some type of proof! And that is why Jimmy was nailed the wall about it. If he had handled any of this with the class and dignity that Addison did, he would have been applauded but unfortunately he choose a different route. And for the conspiracy theorists out there, all the subsequent posts clearly state that the photos were legitimate and could not have altered to the extent that Jimmy insinuated that they were. Mistakes happen to the best of them, but his reaction and response is really what struck a nerve with many of us.
I do not own an AC and never will consider purchasing one after this mess. But to those that do, enjoy your bass! It's cool that you found a bass that you love and that works for you..many of us are still looking for the "one"
I hope this is the last post on the subject....this thread should be for and about those who love their AC basses!
Peace
Are you serious? You cannot make those types of accusations against anyone let alone YOUR customer without some type of proof! And that is why Jimmy was nailed the wall about it. If he had handled any of this with the class and dignity that Addison did, he would have been applauded but unfortunately he choose a different route. And for the conspiracy theorists out there, all the subsequent posts clearly state that the photos were legitimate and could not have altered to the extent that Jimmy insinuated that they were. Mistakes happen to the best of them, but his reaction and response is really what struck a nerve with many of us.
I do not own an AC and never will consider purchasing one after this mess. But to those that do, enjoy your bass! It's cool that you found a bass that you love and that works for you..many of us are still looking for the "one"
I hope this is the last post on the subject....this thread should be for and about those who love their AC basses!
Peace
Your missing the point, You can accuse anybody of anything on the internet with or without proof. Any of that proof could have been manufactured. I'm not making a claim that it was, nor do I believe that it was but I only came to that conclusion AFTER i heard both sides. Once Jimmy actually spoke, I was able to come to an INFORMED decision based on both sides of the story.
Your reaction to this statement is part of the reason why this whole thing went viral. I agree that it shoulda been viral, after both sides were heard.
Chef
In Memoriam
There was like 30 pages of this in the other thread.
That seems like plenty, aside from all the more of it here.
That seems like plenty, aside from all the more of it here.
