Club Alleva Coppolo (Part 7)

[KJung]

Great clip...I can really hear the difference down low much more...

Thanks. It's an interestingly voiced bass. It still sounds like a J Bass to me (i.e., in that general tone universe), but it has its own voice. It moves a bit more toward the LM when I use the F1/AE410 rig, which kind of inserts more upper mids relative to the upper treble ping into the voicing of the bass.

I dig it!

 

[Vic]

Great clip.

+1

Ken, any chance you could do another actual A/B clip with the RA and LM?

 

[KJung]

+1

Ken, any chance you could do another actual A/B clip with the RA and LM?

LM is in a different city now (which is why I sprung for a more 70's style instrument to keep in Detroit). The LM clip I already posted should be very comparable if you make sure the levels are the same. Even the amp and recorder are in the same exact position in the room, so it should be VERY apples to apples IMO.

My little recorder doesn't do a great job of translating the low end differences among these basses (although you can hear it, especially on the B string), but the upper mid and treble variations across the three instruments really come through IMO.

On a side note, I now am using DR Lo Rider nickels on my LG, which IMO is a much nicer fit with those basses than the very bright stainless steel roundwounds I use on the RA and LM. The Lo Riders really brought the upper mid growl out and reduced the very top end of that instrument (sizzle is not what the LG's are about). I'll eventually put up a clip of the LG again with broken in nickel Lo Riders. It sounds SWEET (literally and figuratively)!!!!!

 

[GRoberts]

Hey Ken, Thanks for the Clip. The RA sounds good, but it just didn't knock me out like your LM or LG did. Can't describe it. Doesn't sound bad at all, just seems to be a bit too middle of the road for my preference.

I'd still be hard pressed to decide on an LM5 or LG5 though I'm sure I couldn't go wrong with either. But since I have an Alder/Rosewood bass that knocks me out, I think I'd lean toward the LM5. Certainly over the RA. Not knocking the RA. I'd just rather have one definitive flava of Alleva mojo.

 

[KJung]

Hey Ken, Thanks for the Clip. The RA sounds good, but it just didn't knock me out like your LM or LG did. Can't describe it. Doesn't sound bad at all, just seems to be a bit too middle of the road for my preference.

I'd still be hard pressed to decide on an LM5 or LG5 though I'm sure I couldn't go wrong with either. But since I have an Alder/Rosewood bass that knocks me out, I think I'd lean toward the LM5. Certainly over the RA. Not knocking the RA. I'd just rather have one definitive flava of Alleva mojo.

I'm totally with you on that! I'm still totally floored by my LM, and that's really 'my tone'. The RA is fun though, and definitely a 'different flavor'. Since, to my ear, it sits between the LG and LM, your 'middle of the road' is a good description.

K

 

[biggreddbass]

On a side note, I now am using DR Lo Rider nickels on my LG, which IMO is a much nicer fit with those basses than the very bright stainless steel roundwounds I use on the RA and LM. The Lo Riders really brought the upper mid growl out and reduced the very top end of that instrument

+1

After almost 4 years of using only DR Extra Life on my LG5, I switched to DR Lo Rider Nickels this year after Winter NAMM and haven't looked back. They bring out a much warmer & richer tone in the bass and seem to make it "sing" more.

 

[Bass7755]

Hey guys. I recorded a little bit of noodling on the new RA5 for you to hear. I used the same volume, recorder, strings (including age of string... relatively new DR Hi Beams), amp (TecAmp rig) and tone settings (flat except for a very slight bass boost on the onboard preamp... 10% at most, and slight upper mid cut at 800hz on the amp) as I did for the LM and LG clips I posted a while back. If you want to hear them again for direct comparison, there is a menu with all the clips I've posted when you click on the link below.

This clip isn't nearly as 'organized' as the LG and LM clips I put up a while back, but it has a bit of slap and fingerstyle, and covers much of the range of the instrument.

To my ear, you can really again hear the impact of the wood and design differences. The RA5 is not as big down low as my LM, and does not have that upper mid grind that the LM has. It sounds to me like, well, an LG with a maple board, which is kind of what it is (along with the 70's pickup placment). I can really hear the impact of that glossy finished maple board... lot's of upper treble click.

It's an unusual combination to me of the 'polite' low end of my LG (by polite, I mean warm and punchy, but not that BIG low end like the ash/maple LM), and a somewhat modern 'ping' to the attack (again, I attribute that to that shiny poly coating and maple board, and I assume the 70's pickup placement versus the LG).

I actually like this bass a bit more through the more aggressive, grindy Berg AE410 than the very pure and transparent TecAmp rig, but at least it will provide a bit of A/B/C comparison with the same amp, room, recorder, strings, and player among these three models.

Again, note that the little internal mic's end up compressing the low end a little bit versus what you really are hearing live, but it's close enough to get a feel for the tone I think.

Here's the clip:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And... here's the bass again:

Thanks for posting the clip Ken. It sounds a lot like my RA-5.
Mine has DR Sunbeams on it...but it still sounds close.
It's the perfect tone for ME! My J bass gas is over.
Now I'm gassing for a KBP5 but my hours are really being
cut back at work for the next couple of months (hopefully
not longer). So any bass purchases will have to wait.
Dan

 

[KJung]

Thanks for posting the clip Ken. It sounds a lot like my RA-5.
Mine has DR Sunbeams on it...but it still sounds close.
It's the perfect tone for ME! My J bass gas is over.
Now I'm gassing for a KBP5 but my hours are really being
cut back at work for the next couple of months (hopefully
not longer). So any bass purchases will have to wait.
Dan

The more I play the RA the more I like it. It really sounds good through the AE410/F1... grindy and big and punchy, with plenty of sizzle if I want it.

Good luck with the work thing. Tough times right now. I also would enjoy owning a KBP5, and I'm pretty sure I will, but the times have me pacing things a bit more than in the past. My guess is, it will be a KBP5 in 2010!

Edit: Also, thanks for confirming that the sound in my clip is relatively accurate to what you hear. The point of me putting up these clips is to try to convey the general tone of the various models, since it would be impossible for most to try them prior to purchase. Of course, I like the 'flat EQ, new string zing' tone, so for those listening to the clips, a little bit of the passive tone control, or a less transparent rig 'old schools' up these basses nicely. Don't fear the zing!!! It's there if you want it, but these basses growl and thump too if that's your thing.

 

[KJung]

+1

After almost 4 years of using only DR Extra Life on my LG5, I switched to DR Lo Rider Nickels this year after Winter NAMM and haven't looked back. They bring out a much warmer & richer tone in the bass and seem to make it "sing" more.

Hey! Good to see you back on the site. It's been a while (I think).

I meant to send you a PM, your tone and playing on that Tony Coleman clip on your site is KILLING!!!! Wonderful tone and groove!!!!

 

[biggreddbass]

Hey! Good to see you back on the site. It's been a while (I think).

I meant to send you a PM, your tone and playing on that Tony Coleman clip on your site is KILLING!!!! Wonderful tone and groove!!!!

Thanks for the kind words.
I'm always lurking, but it's nice to be back posting.
Glad you like that clip. It's one of my favorites from the second to last show of a month long tour in Europe. My LG5 was less than a year old, so that means ... badass II bridge, no passive tone, 1st generation pickups & preamp and different tuners ... Sounds like a completely different bass now btw age & updates ... it's nice to have that time period documented.

Congrats on your new axe ... she's a beauty and the color's perfect. ;-)

 

[Tom7]

Hey! Good to see you back on the site. It's been a while (I think).

+1

... your tone and playing on that Tony Coleman clip on your site is KILLING!!!! Wonderful tone and groove!!!!

Another +1... and here's a link to the clip Ken is talking about.

I am also very fond of [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] as well though. The second verse uses a different tone for the lead line than the first and third verse. Both are nice, especially that 2nd verse, and they really show off the finger style of that bass. I love it!

Good to see you back.

 

[Tom7]

Hey guys. I recorded a little bit of noodling on the new RA5 for you to hear. I used the same volume, recorder, strings (including age of string... relatively new DR Hi Beams), amp (TecAmp rig) and tone settings (flat except for a very slight bass boost on the onboard preamp... 10% at most, and slight upper mid cut at 800hz on the amp) as I did for the LM and LG clips I posted a while back. If you want to hear them again for direct comparison, there is a menu with all the clips I've posted when you click on the link below.

This clip isn't nearly as 'organized' as the LG and LM clips I put up a while back, but it has a bit of slap and fingerstyle, and covers much of the range of the instrument.

To my ear, you can really again hear the impact of the wood and design differences. The RA5 is not as big down low as my LM, and does not have that upper mid grind that the LM has. It sounds to me like, well, an LG with a maple board, which is kind of what it is (along with the 70's pickup placment). I can really hear the impact of that glossy finished maple board... lot's of upper treble click.

It's an unusual combination to me of the 'polite' low end of my LG (by polite, I mean warm and punchy, but not that BIG low end like the ash/maple LM), and a somewhat modern 'ping' to the attack (again, I attribute that to that shiny poly coating and maple board, and I assume the 70's pickup placement versus the LG).

I actually like this bass a bit more through the more aggressive, grindy Berg AE410 than the very pure and transparent TecAmp rig, but at least it will provide a bit of A/B/C comparison with the same amp, room, recorder, strings, and player among these three models.

Again, note that the little internal mic's end up compressing the low end a little bit versus what you really are hearing live, but it's close enough to get a feel for the tone I think.

Here's the clip:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And... here's the bass again:

I am listening to the clip right now... for the 5th or 6th time I'd say, and smiling BIG.

What a GREAT tone; I REALLY like it. In fact, until I heard it, the RA5 wasn't really on my radar. It sure is now.

For me, I was kind of a strict ash + maple, or alder + rosewood kind of guy -- which is weird because one of my favorite finger style tones of my basses comes from a bass with an alder body and maple board. Nevertheless, I thought of it as an anomaly, and wasn't ever interested in another alder and maple bass.

That clip was a real eye opener for me, Ken. Thanks for taking the trouble to post it. Seriously, that was great.

BTW, now I'm listening to your original clip comparing the LM5 and the LG5. I can see why you wanted all 3 of these basses. I wonder why it took me so long to discover Coppolos!

 

[KJung]

I am listening to the clip right now... for the 5th or 6th time I'd say, and smiling BIG.

What a GREAT tone; I REALLY like it. In fact, until I heard it, the RA5 wasn't really on my radar. It sure is now.

For me, I was kind of a strict ash + maple, or alder + rosewood kind of guy -- which is weird because one of my favorite finger style tones of my basses comes from a bass with an alder body and maple board. Nevertheless, I thought of it as an anomaly, and wasn't ever interested in another alder and maple bass.

That clip was a real eye opener for me, Ken. Thanks for taking the trouble to post it. Seriously, that was great.

BTW, now I'm listening to your original clip comparing the LM5 and the LG5. I can see why you wanted all 3 of these basses. I wonder why it took me so long to discover Coppolos!

Thanks! I'm digging it.

The funny thing is, the RA was not on my radar either. I thought I was buying another LM (the fact that this is the only RA built without blocks and binding fooled both me and the dealer)! I got a surprise! It's cool though, and I like the fact that it is a different flavor.

Edit: I'll eventually put up a new clip of the LG with the nickel Lo Riders installed. MUCH better to my ear than the Hi Beams for that particular bass. IMO, the HI Beams were attempting to make that bass something it is not. The nickel Lo Riders remove the 'click' up top, which IMO is not really that pleasant on a RW board, and goose up the upper mid, lower treble growl. It sounds much more 'in the spirit' of the 'mid 60's' J that was its loose inspiration. It moves it quite a bit away from that more bright, aggressive, but still smooth RA tone.

 

[Tom7]

Thanks! I'm digging it.

The funny thing is, the RA was not on my radar either. I thought I was buying another LM! I got a surprise! It's cool though, and I like the fact that it is a different flavor.

Edit: I'll eventually put up a new clip of the LG with the nickel Lo Riders installed. MUCH better to my ear than the Hi Beams for that particular bass. IMO, the HI Beams were attempting to make that bass something it is not. The nickel Lo Riders remove the 'click' up top, which IMO is not really that pleasant on a RW board, and goose up the upper mid, lower treble growl. It sounds much more 'in the spirit' of the 'mid 60's' J that was its loose inspiration. It moves it quite a bit away from that more bright, aggressive, but still smooth RA tone.

I think that is wise (the string change over on the LM). I can see having overlap in basses, but not duplication -- not unless you really dig that vibe and can really afford the redundancy I guess.

You know what would be fun? To have a clip edited so that we can A/B/C the basses. Right now, there is so much space say between the slap tone of the LM and LG clips, then loading and playing the RA clip, that I can lose their tones bit in my ear.

But how cool to hear all the slap tones back to back, then finger style back to back.

At any rate, this is great stuff; I'm lovin' it!

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

Not a great picture, but you can see the 'shiny' neck/fretboard finish, and the color is closer to how it really looks, versus the more 'fire-engine red' look of Brian's pictures IMO.

This was on LowEnds Site right?

Gasp! Love it! Someone up there likes you : )

 

[KJung]

This was on LowEnds Site right?

Gasp! Love it! Someone up there likes you : )

Yes, and yes

 

[Andrew Jones]

I think that is wise (the string change over on the LM). I can see having overlap in basses, but not duplication -- not unless you really dig that vibe and can really afford the redundancy I guess.

I think this key, I have DR Highbeams on the white LG/indian and Ken Smith Halfwounds on the sunburst W/delbergia finally Fender Flats on the KP. they all sound very different from each other.


Aj

 

[Basseroni]

Great clip, Ken. That's making me want to add an RA5 to my arsenal. Like you, I still love the LM5 sound more but I really dig the RA sound, too.

 

[KJung]

Great clip, Ken. That's making me want to add an RA5 to my arsenal. Like you, I still love the LM5 sound more but I really dig the RA sound, too.

Thanks! Yes, I too like the more raw upper mids and slightly bigger low end of the LM also. But there is just 'something' about that combination of warm, tighter low end combined with that more pure top end coming of that poly gloss finished maple board that is really addicting.

The more I play it, it sounds a bit like the LM played through a really good tube loaded studio compressor. It doesn't have that immediacy off the board on the front end of the attack like the LM. The tone is still very bright and alive (versus the LG), but it has just a bit of compression and 'give' to it that makes it very fun to play, and a bit more 'forgiving' than the brutally quick and immediate LM.

The RA might be a very good choice for players who want one J Bass type instrument that can cover the widest range of tones... from very warm and organic (almost LG-ish with the tone control dialed down a bit), to a pretty good aggressive slap and sizzle (almost LM-ish with everything wide open). The only thing this bass won't do particularly well IMO is that fat 'bridge pickup burp' (due, I assume to the 70's bridge pickup placement... I think Narud mentioned this in a previous post when we were discussing this model/spec). It's OK with the bridge pickup favored, but my LG spanks it for that tone (that more Jaco-ish kind of low mid burp tone).

 

[esoxhntr]

The RA might be a very good choice for players who want one J Bass type instrument that can cover the widest range of tones... from very warm and organic (almost LG-ish with the tone control dialed down a bit), to a pretty good aggressive slap and sizzle (almost LM-ish with everything wide open).

+1

As the original RA fanboy I may have mentioned that the odd time...