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its pretty over the top
as most of you guys know (jimmy included...haha) im pretty anal. however, im not even that bad.
I think the lack of control plate is one of the more visible things Jimmy does (along with the modified headstock shape) to make these basses 'his own' versus knock-off's of old Fenders.
Those of us who love these basses actually really like that sort of 'modified look' (i.e., the lack of control plate and headstock that 'suggests' a more vintage look without being a copy) that says 'these are new basses with a lot of Jimmy's design and vibe that are meant to 'suggest' some of the classic basses in what many call the vintage era).
There are plenty of companies out there that will make a bass that looks almost exactly like a Jazz bass if that's what you are looking for.
So, to answer your question, my guess is a control plate is not really on Jimmy's list of options
the lack of control plate is one of the things i really like about his basses (aesthetically speaking). pretty f'n cool design imo.
+1 No offense to the folks out there that may dig this finish, but IMHO it's the worst looking thing I've ever seen.
Yes.
As Ken and RS have already pointed out, Jimmy is not concerned about strictly duplicating the exact look of a J bass, so why should you be? His theme is TONE, using period correct materials, and to some extent, design, especially if it's tonally relevant (i.e. pickup placement, scale length). So select the TONE you want, and paint the thing up any way you like.
+1 to everyone else's thoughts.........a lot of times I look at old 70s basses and wish they were another color.....I have a cool ass spec for an LM5, but I ain't tellin'........Vic's spec is cool too, but I would probably do a black pickguard over the sunburst......I think the root beer color is cool as hell......and I can appreciate Antiqua's look as well.........
You can't hold out on me! I agree the burst needs a black guard and the oly white needs a perloid.
I'd love to be able to work in a cream perloid pick guard on this bass.
I'm just gonna say how cool it is to have Jimmy helping us all out here on TB and offering his knowledge. A lot of guys don't do that and it shows how much Jimmy cares for his customers and his instruments. His dedication and passion is very apparent. Something that seperates him from others.
It won't be long before I will be calling Jimmy for another Coppolo. He's as cool as a cat can get.
It won't be long before I will be calling Jimmy for another Coppolo.
He's as cool as a cat can get.
I wanted to follow up on this a little bit. I totally agree that 'FOR ME' fancy tops on Jimmy's basses just doesn't seem to be a direction I am interested in heading or mixing and matching woods and pickup locations. Of course if that speaks to anyone individually by all means go for it!
That being said I know on occassion Ken has mentioned the standard fingerboards are just fine and while I totally agree. There is a certain vibe that I get from my KBP5 with the nitro finish, DN board, burst finish, vintage bridge and a set of flats. It might even be imagined but again 'FOR ME' it just adds to the 60s vibe. When I pick up that bass it looks, feels and sounds like what it is.
My thinking on going blocks and bindings on the LM5 says 70s vibe and that is why I am first inclinded to use one of the period correct colors, although I think I am moving beyond that. That way when I look at it I want to pick it up and be inspired to play with that feeling in my head.
Again 'FOR ME' a basic LM5 just looks like any other modern Jazz bass (a great one of course) but it doesn't scream 70s J until you plug it in and play it (I am guessing as I've never played one). There is nothing wrong with that and from a dollar and cents stand point the Basic LM5 is an unbelievable value, I was suprised when Jimmy quoted me.
I am pretty sure that I took the time to weigh the additional cost of a Deluxe, given the fact that it won't sound any different, but creates a vibe. The reason that I want an LM5 is to help me create that vibe, just like when I stuff a rag under the strings on my KBP5 to play motown tunes, it feels right and sounds right and puts a big smile on my face regardless of who else notices.
As for being utilitarian my LG5 with the slightly brighter Honduran board is more then enough to cover anything I want to do. The other stuff is just fun and cool and I realize I'm a pretty lucky guy...
Thanks for all the guidance guys!
Makes total sense. My Nitro LG has a totally different vibe than my LM, and I dig it. I never was interested in having a Nitro finished bass, but on a bass vibing that era, it really does make some sense. We've all discussed boards to death here, so no comment on that
Regarding my color comment, I didn't mean to say that I wouldn't keep it 'Jazz Bass' legitimate, just that I wouldn't worry about 'what colors existed when they had perloid blocks' or whatever.
Again, pure aesthetics and hence pure IMO!
It's kinda funny, but if all else is equal, then I would choose from a period-correct color. Even with Jimmy's updated features (lack of control plate and altered headstock design), his work is obviously a big tip of the cap towards the vintage work that Fender did, and in a lot of ways, I think it would be cool to see a modern version of a vintage-looking (and more importantly, vintage-sounding!) instrument.
Of course, the crux of that argument is that you don't prefer a non-period-correct color. If you want trans purple with yellow stripes or some other modern styling, I'd do that in a heartbeat as opposed to limiting yourself to early Fender colors. But you've stated that you typically think of color as an afterthought, so in that case, why not get a color that's as vintage as the sound and feel?
Of course, the crux of that argument is that you don't prefer a non-period-correct color. If you want trans purple with yellow stripes or some other modern styling, I'd do that in a heartbeat as opposed to limiting yourself to early Fender colors. But you've stated that you typically think of color as an afterthought, so in that case, why not get a color that's as vintage as the sound and feel?
I would agree with this, and again to clarify my comment, 'period correct' to me is any jazz bass color between 1960 whatever and current day. I just don't see a lot of sense in eliminating colors you like because they were introduced or eliminated before or after blocks and binding were introduced, etc.
All I know is that my LG4 in surf green with blocks and binding will look just great, no matter if It's period correct.. which I think It may be btw hihih
Man, that's going to look great!
Hey all you Nitro guys. I'm a bit clueless on Nitro finishes. I understand you aren't supposed to put them in cases with 'non cloth' interiors (e.g., the original Slimcases) or even put them in cases with significant plastic on the interior (like the bottom pad of the Sadowsky bag which was reported to cause some issues with Nitro finished basses).
I've been keeping my LG in the A-C case, which is cloth lined throughout. However, I hate the old style bags that throw your bass out of tune every time you put it in there, and the minimal protection also is not my idea of a good time, especially if it has to go in a van with other equipment. I also don't really dig that 'leaning tower of pisa' thing that happens with the offset J body when you set a simple cloth bag down.
So.... after emailing the Mono case guys, I picked up a new Mono bag that seems very nice. It is cloth throughout most of the bag, and here's the question, it has a sort of synthetic mesh covering over a few of the support points (like the neck support and lower body support). The Mono guys 'think' that would be fine for a Nitro finish bass.
Do you guys with Nitro experience believe the Mono case will be cool and not damage the finish? I'm not sure I've given you enough info to answer, but there it is!
K
I've been keeping my LG in the A-C case, which is cloth lined throughout. However, I hate the old style bags that throw your bass out of tune every time you put it in there, and the minimal protection also is not my idea of a good time, especially if it has to go in a van with other equipment. I also don't really dig that 'leaning tower of pisa' thing that happens with the offset J body when you set a simple cloth bag down.
So.... after emailing the Mono case guys, I picked up a new Mono bag that seems very nice. It is cloth throughout most of the bag, and here's the question, it has a sort of synthetic mesh covering over a few of the support points (like the neck support and lower body support). The Mono guys 'think' that would be fine for a Nitro finish bass.
Do you guys with Nitro experience believe the Mono case will be cool and not damage the finish? I'm not sure I've given you enough info to answer, but there it is!
K
Chef
In Memoriam
that'll never work.
better send it to me, i have one of those 100% cloth lined protec contegos that'll work better.
better send it to me, i have one of those 100% cloth lined protec contegos that'll work better.
I think the lack of control plate is one of the more visible things Jimmy does (along with the modified headstock shape) to make these basses 'his own' versus knock-off's of old Fenders.
Those of us who love these basses actually really like that sort of 'modified look' (i.e., the lack of control plate and headstock that 'suggests' a more vintage look without being a copy) that says 'these are new basses with a lot of Jimmy's design and vibe that are meant to 'suggest' some of the classic basses in what many call the vintage era).
There are plenty of companies out there that will make a bass that looks almost exactly like a Jazz bass if that's what you are looking for.
So, to answer your question, my guess is a control plate is not really on Jimmy's list of options
It does not have to look exactly the way fender ( in design and cut) did it but personally i think it would look great. I never said if it did not have one it would be anything less. Its no big deal if you had one or not. Just a small comment. But I think it is in Jimmys mind to make one. How he does the KBP basses is nice and very vintage like (Not a plate but similar to the old fender P). I would not at all be surprised if it becomes an option. You may be surprised how many would request that on there basses. But again its the sound why you buy it anyway. So if he does it or not Im not going to worry about it.
And KJung I know "There are plenty of companies out there that will make a bass that looks almost exactly like a Jazz bass if that's what you are looking for." Also, "Those of us who love these basses actually really like that sort of 'modified look'"............. Calm down Kjung Calm Down.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
this bass is stunning!
Jimmy has 6 basses for sale on the "in stock" page!!
I would kina like a fancy top Coppolo like this.
Dan
Or this one
Yes, I forgot to mentioin trans white in the color discussion. I had a '79 hardtail (non trem) strat in trans white. That was a great guitar and cool color.
-Jimmy
I like the idea of black but the Fenders have all the chrome and I'm concerened it may not look as good without it. Clear is obviously a great option, I like the ones with out pronounced grain and actually the moca/root beer is actually starting to grow on me. I also came across a burst that I liked it had very little yellow in it with a black guard.
I've been collecting photos of jazz basses with pearl blocks now...
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