Club Alleva Coppolo (Part V)

[mothra2]

In an effort to make sure I continue to suck, I am wasting away the little valuable free time I have trying to go back to nickels on my LG5.

Upon further review my USA JO strung with nickels seems to project a punch played fingerstyle almost like the pulse from an upright, nice and low and meaty (not really like my upright but you get it). While the LG with steels has that projection at a higher frequency, even with the nickels back on the LGs projection or burp is a little less percussive I am hoping to let these settle for a good time to see what happens as the gig schedule slows for a few weeks.

The LG certainly kills with steels for that slap tone but we'll see how it goes. Ok now I really need to do some practicing before my wife gets home....

Happy New Year all!

Have u raised the action at all via neck loosening or saddle raising? If so, did you then remember to sneak your pickups up a corresponding amount? Come to think of it, you bought it used so Jimmy's setup has probably been disturbed by someone along the way. Sneaking those pickups up a bit can drastically effect what you are chasing as far as giving punch to that burp.

 

[KJung]

In an effort to make sure I continue to suck, I am wasting away the little valuable free time I have trying to go back to nickels on my LG5.

Upon further review my USA JO strung with nickels seems to project a punch played fingerstyle almost like the pulse from an upright, nice and low and meaty (not really like my upright but you get it). While the LG with steels has that projection at a higher frequency, even with the nickels back on the LGs projection or burp is a little less percussive I am hoping to let these settle for a good time to see what happens as the gig schedule slows for a few weeks.

The LG certainly kills with steels for that slap tone but we'll see how it goes. Ok now I really need to do some practicing before my wife gets home....

Happy New Year all!

I'm convinced I will stay with the Hi Beams on the LG now.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Have u raised the action at all via neck loosening or saddle raising? If so, did you then remember to sneak your pickups up a corresponding amount? Come to think of it, you bought it used so Jimmy's setup has probably been disturbed by someone along the way. Sneaking those pickups up a bit can drastically effect what you are chasing as far as giving punch to that burp.

I've made a few adjustments at this point and I think I've got the pickups, action and relief where I want them.

I really like the Hi Beams don't get me wrong, I just really want to try and get some well broken in nickels on there to see what it sounds like.

I'll wait a few days to make a judgement.

 

[XavidmanX]

I'm a fan of nickels on my LG as well. I haven't tried Hi Beams yet, just D'addarios and Jimmy's nickels on there. Between the two, Jimmy's strings are my favorites as it seemed like the B string was much more focused and tight than the D'addarios.

 

[tommixx]

I've made a few adjustments at this point and I think I've got the pickups, action and relief where I want them.

I really like the Hi Beams don't get me wrong, I just really want to try and get some well broken in nickels on there to see what it sounds like.

I'll wait a few days to make a judgement.

I tried a lot of different strings on that bass and found that the Sadowsky Blue Label Nickels gave me the most versatility. Good middle ground between the zing of steels and the warmth of nickel. Good tension and the low B is about as good as it gets on that one. Probably the most even sounding 5 I have ever played. I would try a lot of different things until you hit the combination that works for you. I agree that it takes a while to get the action, PUPS, and relief right for you. That bass was one of the few that I did not have to touch when it came from Jimmy. I know it has drifted from his setup because I made some adjustment when it came back to me no doubt due to the changes in climate. Good luck and play her in good health!

Peace,

T

 

[ricksy]

Did anyone notice the site is being updated??

 

[Bernie Connors]

Gig report - I honestly feel like selling my stable of basses, getting a KBP-5 and just be done with it. End of Story!!

Exactly! Jimmy's basses really do make one feel that way. P's and J's just work and nobody builds them at a higher level than Jimmy.

It won't be much longer before I order my next Alleva Coppolo. I can guarantee that!

 

[FunkMasterJono]

Ive already planned out a nice KBP-5 - CAOJ with Honduras Board. Maybe a couple of other touches... I already have the classic, may look towards the modern now hahah
I really have to behave myself.. I am thinning my stable just because I have a mini music store in here but the force may be too strong to resist hahah

 

[Andy Brown]

... Gig report - I honestly feel like selling my stable of basses, getting a KBP-5 and just be done with it. End of Story!! ...

I'm already convinced of this. My KBP-5 is KILLER, and I'm now just waiting for my LG-5. I'm done.









Disclaimer: The above statement is subject to change at any time.

 

[KJung]

I'm already convinced of this. My KBP-5 is KILLER, and I'm now just waiting for my LG-5. I'm done.

+1 I feel that way with the LM and LG and my wonderful Sadowsky MV5, which takes care of my more 'active modern J' thing.

My NYC RV5 has now become a bit redundant, and will probably go up for sale.

 

[esoxhntr]

My NYC RV5 has now become a bit redundant, and will probably go up for sale.

Funny how that happens to Sadowskys when Alleva Coppolos show up. It took me about a week to decide that my NYC4 would not be seeing the light of day after my RA5 arrived. I was actually thinking about grabbing a Metro 4 (I have been without a 4 string fretted for just over a year), and then the black standard 4 arrived from Jimmy. Problem solved.

Just a further report on the new black 4 string - I've been using it in a pit orchestra for the past four days, and it just kicks. Solid, punchy and very "big sounding". The stainless steel frets make the bass very articulate, but it still sounds like an old jazz; it just has a tiny bit more bite, which is working out well for more dense orchestrations.

 

[KJung]

Funny how that happens to Sadowskys when Alleva Coppolos show up. It took me about a week to decide that my NYC4 would not be seeing the light of day after my RA5 arrived. I was actually thinking about grabbing a Metro 4 (I have been without a 4 string fretted for just over a year), and then the black standard 4 arrived from Jimmy. Problem solved.

Just a further report on the new black 4 string - I've been using it in a pit orchestra for the past four days, and it just kicks. Solid, punchy and very "big sounding". The stainless steel frets make the bass very articulate, but it still sounds like an old jazz; it just has a tiny bit more bite, which is working out well for more dense orchestrations.

My MV5 isn't going anywhere... amazing bass. However, to your comment, the RV models still have quite a bit of that 'Sadowsky zing', whereas the LG's are just very old school to my ear. So, the LG seems to 'do that thing better' than the RV's (i.e., the 60's vintage thing).

Being an 'ash/maple guy', I actually dug my RV5 for all these years because it sounded more alike than different to the ash/maple Sadowsky models... still very bright and quick with plenty of sizzle. However, like many lightweight basses (especially alder ones) it has that bit of 'slap compression' where the fundamental kind of disappears into the body a bit. That's not a particularly good thing for me.

Just IMO and FYI!

 

[mothra2]

... However, like many lightweight basses (especially alder ones) it has that bit of 'slap compression' where the fundamental kind of disappears into the body a bit. That's not a particularly good thing for me.

Just IMO and FYI!

Is this, I.Y.E. body mass (low 8's vs low/mid 9's) on the weight as opposed to purely alder vs ash?

 

[KJung]

Could this be body mass (low 8's vs low/mid 9's) on the weight as opposed to purely alder vs ash?

I think part of it is just the resonant frequency of the wood or something like that, since I've had this 'disappearing fundamental when slapped' issue now on three basses, two of which were heavy ash.

I think there are two separate issues. One is just that 'sinking into the wood' sort of thing you get with Alder/RW versus maple/ash (which is why you see most slappers prefer ash and maple boards or ebony boards for a more modern tone). That's just, to my ear, the inherent kind of tone of those body woods, and it's quite pleasing for fingerstyle playing.

Then, there is the issue of that fundamental almost disappearing into the neck when slapped. That's just a drag, and I've exprienced it on a few basses now. If you don't slap, you don't notice it. However, when you wack that E string, it's almost like someone turning down the bass control on your amp, or like having a compressor turned up too high so that it quashes the note.

 

[mothra2]

I think part of it is just the resonant frequency of the wood or something like that, since I've had this 'disappearing fundamental when slapped' issue now on three basses, two of which were heavy ash.

I think there are two separate issues. One is just that 'sinking into the wood' sort of thing you get with Alder/RW versus maple/ash (which is why you see most slappers prefer ash and maple boards or ebony boards for a more modern tone). That's just, to my ear, the inherent kind of tone of those body woods, and it's quite pleasing for fingerstyle playing.

Then, there is the issue of that fundamental almost disappearing into the neck when slapped. That's just a drag, and I've exprienced it on a few basses now. If you don't slap, you don't notice it. However, when you wack that E string, it's almost like someone turning down the bass control on your amp, or like having a compressor turned up too high so that it quashes the note.

Interesting, I have had that experience twice with a NY boutique ash bass...much less on the second one, but still, that feeling that you could play thru the fundamental quite easily...a lighter touch payed off there. I assumed it was the weight thing (low 8's). Also, I find a lot of ash a bit too scooped for finger style. Always exceptions though...I had a 55-94 that was not scooped at all...tons of fundamental, but it had no single coil 'stank'.

 

[KJung]

Interesting, I have had that experience twice with a NY boutique ash bass...much less on the second one, but still, that feeling that you could play thru the fundamental quite easily...a lighter touch payed off there. I assumed it was the weight thing (low 8's).

That's a good way of putting it... 'playing through the fundamental'. Yes, on the basses that have this problem (and thank goodness, it seems to be a relatively rare situation), all is well with a soft and even a moderate touch. The trouble starts when you really dig in or slap.

I'm not sure it's a weight thing, since my MV5 is relatively lightweight, and it hammers on those low hits!

 

[mothra2]

That's a good way of putting it... 'playing through the fundamental'. Yes, on the basses that have this problem (and thank goodness, it seems to be a relatively rare situation), all is well with a soft and even a moderate touch. The trouble starts when you really dig in or slap.

I'm not sure it's a weight thing, since my MV5 is relatively lightweight, and it hammers on those low hits!

I would love to take a 50 bass sample on that one...would be interesting. I know Tommix is selling a JO 4 that weighs 7 lbs. something and he says it sounds like 13 lbs...go figure. (so much for my theory)

 

[KJung]

I would love to take a 50 bass sample on that one...would be interesting. I know Tommix is selling a JO 4 that weighs 7 lbs. something and he says it sounds like 13 lbs...go figure. (so much for my theory)

Yeah, hard to determine the causal factors on this one!

 

[mothra2]

Yeah, hard to determine the causal factors on this one!

Wood is a strange beast...

 

[vision]

I got to check out Ken's beautiful LG5 today (as well as his LM5). Man, these A-C's are nice! In comparing the two on the clip Ken posted, they sounded more alike than different. I bounced back and forth on the audio at different parts to hear the basses back to back, and the difference was very subtle. However, when in person and actually playing them back to back, the difference is HUGE. The LG5 really feels like a 40+ year old bass that has been sitting in a closet unplayed since it was built. The entire vibe of holding and playing that bass screams 60's jazz. This big difference in feel when in person makes the subtle differences in sound more clear. The LG has a bit more smooth, warm upper end while the LM has more bite in the upper mids. They are very similar in the low-mids and lows, and both even across all the strings.

That being said, I'd probably prefer the LM5 since I'm more of an ash/maple guy and also because I think I'd have an easier time getting the 60's jazz tone out of the LM5 than I would getting the 70's jazz tone out of the LG5. Both are incredible basses though!