Club Alleva Coppolo (Part 9)

[Bernie Connors]

Hey Bernie!

$1,500 for a board upgrade (especially given the amazing basic Indian RW Jimmy provides for 'free') is simply ridiculous IMO.

Hi, Ken! Good to see you back.

Yeah, I could be wrong, but I believe that's more than what Fodera charges for their birdseye maple boards. Kinda puts it into perspective.

Jimmy makes a great instrument. The add-ons, as you said, are definitely a want and not a need when it comes to his basses.

 

[narud]

Hey Bernie!

$1,500 for a board upgrade (especially given the amazing basic Indian RW Jimmy provides for 'free') is simply ridiculous IMO.

Edit: Again, the only reason I'm posting so much about this is all the PM's I've gotten over the past couple of years with everything thinking these basses cost $5,000.

The best way to think about this is that it will cost you about $3,400 to get into a full fledged, wonderful, amazing, perfectly playing, wicked sounding LG or LM. Any options after that are mostly aesthetic, and might be worth it for various reasons (and, are VERY expensive). Again, this is similar to the FBass pricing model IMO. As Vic posts on occasion, don't think the 'base' or 'standard' models are in ANY way lower end.. they just don't have the excess bling!

i think its more like 3600,(splitting hairs i know) thats around what he was telling me when i was in there a few months ago for a standard spec lg5.

 

[KJung]

Hi, Ken! Good to see you back.

Yeah, I could be wrong, but I believe that's more than what Fodera charges for their birdseye maple boards. Kinda puts it into perspective.

Jimmy makes a great instrument. The add-ons, as you said, are definitely a want and not a need when it comes to his basses.

+1 I always had the incorrect notion that FBasses were stupid expensive also, since I saw all those fancy topped models for $7,000. The base models are in the $3's.

Fodera pricing... that's a whole other ridiculous thing, but again, if you want one, you just have to take out the wallet!

 

[KJung]

i think its more like 3600,(splitting hairs i know) thats around what he was telling me when i was in there a few months ago for a standard spec lg5.

Yeah, the LG might be a touch more than the LM... not sure. I think I just saw the LM Basic price of around $3,400, but again, it is a bit of a mystery. Less than the equivalent Sadowsky though, so again, 'reasonable' IMO for this class of instrument. I know the RA's get real scary real fast. I hope he puts the 'basic RA' spec (like the CAR one I just sold.. it was the only one that has been made when I talked about it with Jimmy) in the product mix. That's a great spec for someone who wants the tone and feel of an RA without the extra thousand or so for the blocks and binding.

 

[YCBass]

+1...on my LM5 order I really wanted to get blocks and binding, but that would have bumped me up to and LM5 Deluxe which is around a $1000 increase. That much for a rosewood upgrade is tough to justify, but at least you can argue that there's a tonal difference. But blocks and binding is PURELY cosmetic - so I REALLY couldn't justify dropping an extra grand on it...

I did. I just figure that I am getting the J bass of my dreams and it was gonna have everything I wanted. I tried to think ahead and consider resale value or resaleability but that would mean (I think) that I needed to ditch the Rosewood board and go straight Ash/Maple which is what the LM really is. But for all intents and purposes this will be my main bass and a keeper so hopefully all goes to plan, and I am sure Jimmy will deliver. Plus, since I get to take part in the build process then I can make or ask Jimmy to make little adjustments along the way. Can't wait!

 

[vision]

i think its more like 3600,(splitting hairs i know) thats around what he was telling me when i was in there a few months ago for a standard spec lg5.

If he quoted you around $3600 then it was probably for an LG5 Standard, which costs $3685 according to the price list. But you can get an LG5 Basic for $3395, which is the same price as the LM5 Basic. There is a small difference in options between the Basic and Standard - it could have been the color option or even a pickguard upgrade (with the Basic I believe you are limited to a white or black guard, no pearloid or tort. Also, any metalic or translucent colors bump you to the Standard spec, or if you want a gloss neck or a vintage tint neck.) So for $250-$300 or so, if you upgrade from Basic to Standard you get many more options available.

 

[KJung]

If he quoted you around $3600 then it was probably for an LG5 Standard, which costs $3685 according to the price list. But you can get an LG5 Basic for $3395, which is the same price as the LM5 Basic. There is a small difference in options between the Basic and Standard - it could have been the color option or even a pickguard upgrade (with the Basic I believe you are limited to a white or black guard, no pearloid or tort. Also, any metalic or translucent colors bump you to the Standard spec, or if you want a gloss neck or a vintage tint neck.) So for $250-$300 or so, if you upgrade from Basic to Standard you get many more options available.

Excellent. That was what I was loosely trying to say. So, around $3,400 for the base LG and LM, and then a couple/few hundred bucks for any poly color or neck tint you want. Very reasonable for this level of instrument IMO.

 

[FelliniFlex]

Hey Bernie!

$1,500 for a board upgrade (especially given the amazing basic Indian RW Jimmy provides for 'free') is simply ridiculous IMO.

Edit: Again, the only reason I'm posting so much about this is all the PM's I've gotten over the past couple of years with everything thinking these basses cost $5,000.

The best way to think about this is that it will cost you about $3,400 to get into a full fledged, wonderful, amazing, perfectly playing, wicked sounding LG or LM. Any options after that are mostly aesthetic, and might be worth it for various reasons (and, are VERY expensive). Again, this is similar to the FBass pricing model IMO. As Vic posts on occasion, don't think the 'base' or 'standard' models are in ANY way lower end.. they just don't have the excess bling!

Great Info!! Thanks!

I'd love to see a LG5 or LM5 in Blue Sparkle...that'd be my choice, Blue Sparkle w/ perloid PG.. unless that'd we more expensive than an Olympic White one.

 

[vision]

I did. I just figure that I am getting the J bass of my dreams and it was gonna have everything I wanted.

+1...and I am still going back and forth in my mind about it. I KNOW that if I keep it with dots instead of blocks/binding that I'll always look at it wishing I had gone all the way and got what I really wanted. But when I think about it an extra $1000 or so for that cosmetic option seems silly.

 

[narud]

If he quoted you around $3600 then it was probably for an LG5 Standard, which costs $3685 according to the price list. But you can get an LG5 Basic for $3395, which is the same price as the LM5 Basic. There is a small difference in options between the Basic and Standard - it could have been the color option or even a pickguard upgrade (with the Basic I believe you are limited to a white or black guard, no pearloid or tort. Also, any metalic or translucent colors bump you to the Standard spec, or if you want a gloss neck or a vintage tint neck.) So for $250-$300 or so, if you upgrade from Basic to Standard you get many more options available.

all i know is the mf'r has had some confusing pricing going on. price increase after namm so lets see how much the bare bones goes to now.

 

[jonno1707]

Another thing to consider is the dots necks have a stain finish board and the block and bound are high gloss...Does it sound and feel different and does that alone make a difference to you???

 

[KJung]

Another thing to consider is the dots necks have a stain finish board and the block and bound are high gloss...Does it sound and feel different and does that alone make a difference to you???

You can get high gloss with dots... that's what my CAR RA Basic has.

I assume you can have a satin finish with blocks (like the Sadowsky and Daryl Jones J's), but that's a little more unusual.

 

[YCBass]

+1...and I am still going back and forth in my mind about it. I KNOW that if I keep it with dots instead of blocks/binding that I'll always look at it wishing I had gone all the way and got what I really wanted. But when I think about it an extra $1000 or so for that cosmetic option seems silly.

I hear ya Jason. Specially for me I didn't even know I was gonna order an A-C til that Monday I came in which was a week after the SoCal GTG when I first got to play Bigg Redd Too and the Green RA5 - my first experience with A-C's ever. So going from being happy with my Mike Lull at $0.00 to $4,500ish in a week's time is quite mind-numbing.

 

[KJung]

all i know is the mf'r has had some confusing pricing going on. price increase after namm so lets see how much the bare bones goes to now.

+1 I know I'm beating a dead horse, but since there is so much confusion...

2009 at least.... $3,400 gets you in the door. Upgraded poly colors and neck tint will cost you a couple hundred or so more. That should make the vast majority of J Bass lovers VERY happy for, at most, about $3,700 (or less).

 

[west*coast*bass]

That's a tough one. In general, you will have an easier time reselling a high end bass that is a 5 string versus a 4, and Jimmy's 5 string necks are just SO amazing IMO.

The simple answer is that there is absolutely nothing you can't play on a 5 versus playing it on a 4. However, of course, the 6 string guys say the same thing, but the muting issues and neck width, combined with the slightly closer string spacing on most 6's make those basses literally unplayable for me. So, I understand it is a very personal thing (how wide of a neck is 'too wide' and how difficult the extra string muting challenge will be to an individual).

If I was playing a 4 string, I would most probably be playing a nice Fender. For 5 strings, these A-C's just kill for me.

So, 5 string all the way, since you asked The price, I believe, is virtually the same for a 4 or a 5.

You make a great point. I am as comfortable on a 5 as a 4 so there are no issues for me as far as muting, etc. It would probably be smart to go ahead and get the 5 string, I know I'll play the hell out of it!!

Thanks Ken.

Mark

 

[vision]

I hear ya Jason. Specially for me I didn't even know I was gonna order an A-C til that Monday I came in which was a week after the SoCal GTG when I first got to play Bigg Redd Too and the Green RA5 - my first experience with A-C's ever. So going from being happy with my Mike Lull at $0.00 to $4,500ish in a week's time is quite mind-numbing.

lol true! I think I'm gonna feel it out based on how long it takes as far as build time. If it takes a little longer before he starts building my bass then that'll give me the chance to save up a little more to get the blocks/binding, and seeing it that way won't feel like I'm dropping $4500 all at once for it. But if he starts building it soon then I'll roll with it the way I ordered it.

 

[esoxhntr]

Most who have tried both say the vintage bridge is just a touch 'darker sounding', but my guess is, it is pretty minor.

Sorry, as someone who has actually tried this I respectfully disagree. The difference is not subtle, in fact my impression is that changing the bridge has more effect on the sound just about anything other than changing the PUP position, or swapping the neck from rosewood to maple. The vintage bridge definitely produces a rounder, sweeter sound. There is less focus in the bottom end, but more "thump". The Hipshot bridge will give you more definition and cut. The Hipshot definitely has a more modern"hi-fi" groove to it (ie. better for slapping for the most part).

Then again, I have crazy/stupid/ridiculous stuff on my bass like nitro, blocks, and binding. So what do I know...

 

[Vic]

Sorry, as someone who has actually tried this I respectfully disagree. The difference is not subtle, in fact my impression is that changing the bridge has more effect on the sound just about anything other than changing the PUP position, or swapping the neck from rosewood to maple. The vintage bridge definitely produces a rounder, sweeter sound. There is less focus in the bottom end, but more "thump". The Hipshot bridge will give you more definition and cut. The Hipshot definitely has a more modern"hi-fi" groove to it (ie. better for slapping for the most part).

Have you actually swapped bridges from one to the other on the same bass? Just curious.

 

[esoxhntr]

Sorry, as someone who has actually tried this I respectfully disagree.

Yes. Have tried it with my RA5, my LG5 fretless, and basses55's LG5 and LM5. Had pretty much the same effect on every bass. Made each one sound a little older in it's own way. Of all of them I think it had the most profound effect on my fretless.

 

[Vic]

Yes. Have tried it with my RA5, my LG5 fretless, and basses55's LG5 and LM5. Had pretty much the same effect on every bass. Made each one sound a little older in it's own way. Of all of them I think it had the most profound effect on my fretless.

(sorry, did miss that in your post somehow) Wow, you swapped the Hipshot B out for the vintage bridge on 4 basses... that's huge. I'm assuming the vintage bridge you're talking about is Jimmy's custom bent plate?