Club Alleva Coppolo (Part V)

[KJung]

I was able to break in my set of Nickels and get very close to the exact sound I am looking for with Nickels. With my particular LG it still has a little more zing to the sound which will probably help in live situations but very much the tone I was hoping for. I can still dial up a more SS string 70s type tone when I need it using the onboard treble control and rolling back the VTC slightly. But don't get me wrong for slap playing the SS are totally superior.

Unfortunately I am off pretty much all month so getting her out on a gig won't happen any time soon. I am hoping to spend most of my free time practicing the DB when not doing the needed home repairs...

I've never done this in the past but I think I might just bounce back and forth between the Hi Beams and nickels depending on the gig. This bass can do both very well That might save me from having to own a seperate LM or other 70s style J...

Very cool!

 

[biggreddbass]

Hey TB'ers ...

It's with great sadness that I have to announce that my A-C Limited 5, fondly known as "The Heart Breaker" is for sale today in the classifieds.
The move to LA has put a financial squeeze on me & I have to let something go.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[tommixx]

Hey TB'ers ...

It's with great sadness that I have to announce that my A-C Limited 5, fondly known as "The Heart Breaker" is for sale today in the classifieds.
The move to LA has put a financial squeeze on me & I have to let something go.

Thanks,

Jason

I know how you feel bro...I put up my AC up and then took it down and put it back up again. She is currently in the For sales as well at a giveaway price. Things are tough all over. Keep your chin up and remember better days are coming. Good luck to you and God Bless!

Peace,

T

 

[CelinderMotoMan]

Whay are so many people selling their ACs?

 

[XavidmanX]

Whay are so many people selling their ACs?

People are broke. I know some people think that the economic crunch isn't real, but maybe only because it's not hitting them...yet (not implying that you're saying that, by the way).

I'm in education and my hours (and thus pay) have been cut. Not only are AC's up for grabs, but just count the number of Sadowskys, Foderas, and Celinders that can be found around right now, not to mention the rock bottom prices on other brands normally found around the classifieds like Roscoes, MTD's, etc.

It's a bad time right now.

 

[tommixx]

People are broke. I know some people think that the economic crunch isn't real, but maybe only because it's not hitting them...yet (not implying that you're saying that, by the way).

I'm in education and my hours (and thus pay) have been cut. Not only are AC's up for grabs, but just count the number of Sadowskys, Foderas, and Celinders that can be found around right now, not to mention the rock bottom prices on other brands normally found around the classifieds like Roscoes, MTD's, etc.

It's a bad time right now.

+1...I think the panic is probably worse than the reality but it is fueling things, no doubt. Personally I have a BUNCH of stuff here and NO room. My dad still has a bunch of my vintage stuff and all my amps in his finished basement. I have my Alleva listed because I am trying to simplify my life and setup and it is not only redundant to some other stuff but it is a big ticket item that is tieing up a lot of cash that I would rather have in the bank right now. I am selling mine at a huge discount because that is where the market is right now. If I had the room I would likely ride out the downturn and net another $500 on the sale. I only lost a few hundred on my first one. But I am taking a bath if this one sells for the listed price. I am essentially giving someone a top of the line Alleva WITH a Dalbergia board for the price of a standard Alleva with no upcharge options! It is like getting the NITRO AND the Dalbergia for free! IT is nuts but that is the reality of the market now....I can't speak for anyone else but I would imagine it is much the same with everyone else who is selling.

Peace,

T

 

[svtb15]

That is one pretty bass..

Hey TB'ers ...

It's with great sadness that I have to announce that my A-C Limited 5, fondly known as "The Heart Breaker" is for sale today in the classifieds.
The move to LA has put a financial squeeze on me & I have to let something go.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[tommixx]

Happy New Year Coppolo-holics.......Be safe and play your ass off.........

HEY ACE OF BASS...I AM TRYING TO SEND YOU A PM! It says your box is full....PM me when you can receive please!

 

[KJung]

Whay are so many people selling their ACs?

I'm not sure 4 is 'so many' However, per the above comments, there are IMO an unusual number of high end basses on the used market at the moment. These are tough times, and even for those of us who have good day jobs, there is a feeling of uncertainty in the air that results in many more people tightening their belts than I've experienced since the Carter years in the US.

Also, I don't know about the rest of you guys, but my first quarter gigging schedule is the worse I've had in 30+ years of playing. Absolutely horrible... gigs being canceled, very few weeknight club gigs available, not even many Friday night privates/casuals, etc. It's tough, but if you are a full time player, it must be REALLY rough.

I did just purchase a second Alleva (used), but, I sold a Celinder to do it.

You will also notice that 3 of those Alleva's for sale are 'super upgraded' ones, with very expensive fancy tops, body woods, boards, etc. It's a rare buyer in this market who finds those things 'worth the money' (especially if they are associated with basses who's whole vibe is 'simple, old, Fender'), so they've been sitting there a while. This gives the impression of 'lot's for sale', when in fact, it's the same 2 or 3 that have been on the market for a bit or that have been put up for sale, taken down, and then put up again.

 

[esoxhntr]

Also notice, most of the Alleva Coppolos for sale are from sellers who have at least one other Alleva in their possesion, or on order. I had three, sold my KPB5, and picked up a standard four. As many have already stated, it's not a good time for many people to have a lot of cash tied up in instruments.

But Alleva Coppolo basses still rock!

 

[Nick Bassman]

Whay are so many people selling their ACs?

Not everyone is selling ..................

 

[bugbass]

Not everyone is selling ..................

.
+1

 

[FunkMasterJono]

Jason.. Thats one hell of a bass. Id snap it up in a second but like heaps of people around here, Im watching my wallet a little too much sadly!! Id love a second A-C but Im trying to be mature for the first time in my life hahahah Cant have the toys I want all the time!

That said 2/3's of my stable is up for sale trying to convince myself that I have enough money for that 2nd I "desperately want"

 

[Coelho]

OK, my first ever attempt at recording clips. I just set the Edirol on its little tripod about 2 feet in front of the Puma500/S212 rig and let her fly, along with a running commentary of settings, etc. I believe my recording level was way too low, but at least maybe you can get a sense as to what these two wonderful basses sound like

The Puma rig sucks a little bit of the grind out of both basses... it's really smooth, but hopefully you will get the idea.

Here's a picture of the 'test rig' and about a 6 minute clip playing different styles and settings on the LM5 and LG5, both with one day old DR Hi Beams.

K

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good job!
I really liked the LM5 sound. The LG5 is more "nasal" (???) sounding.

 

[KJung]

Good job!
I really liked the LM5 sound. The LG5 is more "nasal" (???) sounding.

Thanks! I'm also a 70's ash/maple guy, so the LM is literally the best execution of that tone in a 5 string I've ever experienced.

The LG is a bit softer and warmer up top and has a little less true, deep low end (even with the little Edirol with internal mics, you can hear the wider, deeper, bigger tone of the LM when playing down to the open B on the clip), and a bit more lower mid and mid mid focus versus the deep voicing and upper mid growl of the LM. To some, that sounds warm and punchy, to others, maybe a bit polite or in your words 'nasal or compressed'. It just depends what tone is in your head.

As Jason (Vision) pointed out in his brief review based on spending a bit of time with these two basses, the differences are magnified by the 'feel' of the basses, with the LM being very quick, bouncy and 'hard feeling'... very immediate, and the LG being a bit more giving, relaxed and a bit 'spongy' (in a good way), mirroring what many of us feel is the difference between a good 70's J bass and a good early/mid 60's J Bass.

I like them both a LOT, and they both IMO do what they were designed to do.. emulate either a somewhat lighter, softer, mellower, warmer tone of a 60's style Fender, or that aggressive, immediate, more aggressive later 70's J tone.

 

[mothra2]

...
I like them both a LOT, and they both IMO do what they were designed to do.. emulate either a somewhat lighter, softer, mellower, warmer tone of a 60's style Fender, or that aggressive, immediate, more aggressive later 70's J tone.

Hi Ken,

I am really enjoying revisiting your clip...very helpful for comparing the two builds.
Hey, I'm really diggin the passive LG sound on that first groove where you keep dropping down to F(or E), really sounds like a heartbeat thump each time you drop down...until the preamp comes on, at which point it sounds a bit smeared and less together/focused for me. Is that accurate of the electronics I.Y.O. or just my perception of that small sample and playing variance?

 

[KJung]

Hi Ken,

I am really enjoying revisiting your clip...very helpful for comparing the two builds.
Hey, I'm really diggin the passive LG sound on that first groove where you keep dropping down to F(or E), really sounds like a heartbeat thump each time you drop down...until the preamp comes on, at which point it sounds a bit smeared and less together/focused for me. Is that accurate of the electronics I.Y.O. or just my perception of that small sample and playing variance?

To me, it's more of the limitation of the little 'on board' microphones in my little Edirol recorder. Amazing for what it is, but you have to give it a little bit of a break given that the on-board mic's are 'what they are'.

Engaging the pre just adds the slightest touch of extra low end that IMO puts that 'poor man's recording rig' just a touch beyond its limits.

That being said, the passive tone of the Alleva's is just simply wonderful. My beloved Sadowsky's sound thin in passive mode, single coils or not (I assume, and from Roger's posts, I guess it's a fact, that the single coil mode with the Sadowsky basses is meant more as a 'battery fail safety mode'). With the Alleva's, in my opinion, they ARE passive basses that just happen to have a subtle pre on-board.

So, I find the subtle bass and treble extension you get with the Alleva pre 'flat' a positive, and I feel they sound more 'passive' than any active bass I've ever owned. However, if someone said I have to play mine passive for the rest of my life, I could do that!

Back to your question, I think you are hearing the limitations of my 'clueless' recording technique than a true limitation in the low end in active mode.

(One thing you can notice, even with the simple little hand held recording deal, is that there is NO attenuation in the low end on that TecAmp rig, all the way down to the open B string. I continue to dig this stuff more, and more, and more!!!).

 

[bugbass]

To me, it's more of the limitation of the little 'on board' microphones in my little Edirol recorder. Amazing for what it is, but you have to give it a little bit of a break given that the on-board mic's are 'what they are'.

Engaging the pre just adds the slightest touch of extra low end that IMO puts that 'poor man's recording rig' just a touch beyond its limits.

That being said, the passive tone of the Alleva's is just simply wonderful. My beloved Sadowsky's sound thin in passive mode, single coils or not (I assume, and from Roger's posts, I guess it's a fact, that the single coil mode with the Sadowsky basses is meant more as a 'battery fail safety mode'). With the Alleva's, in my opinion, they ARE passive basses that just happen to have a subtle pre on-board.

So, I find the subtle bass and treble extension you get with the Alleva pre 'flat' a positive, and I feel they sound more 'passive' than any active bass I've ever owned. However, if someone said I have to play mine passive for the rest of my life, I could do that!

Back to your question, I think you are hearing the limitations of my 'clueless' recording technique than a true limitation in the low end in active mode.

(One thing you can notice, even with the simple little had held recording deal, is that there is NO attenuation in the low end on that TecAmp rig, all the way down to the open B string. I continue to dig this stuff more, and more, and more!!!).

Did you try to record using the line-in on the Edirol? Perhaps that might be even better for telling the difference between the two basses.

 

[Tom7]

Hi Ken,

I am really enjoying revisiting your clip...very helpful for comparing the two builds.
Hey, I'm really diggin the passive LG sound on that first groove where you keep dropping down to F(or E), really sounds like a heartbeat thump each time you drop down...until the preamp comes on, at which point it sounds a bit smeared and less together/focused for me. Is that accurate of the electronics I.Y.O. or just my perception of that small sample and playing variance?

I've been listening and relistening to that recording as well, Ken. That was such a useful thing for you to do for us, thanks again.

I have a question for the group.

There are some alder / rosewood LGs for sale now, some with pickups in the 70s position and some with pickups (presumably) in the 60s position.

In your opinion, how would the positioning affect the tone?

 

[Tom7]

You know, it looks like I misspoke in my last post. Not all of the Alleva Coppolos for sale are LGs. Not at all.

I mistakenly thought alder + rosewood = LG and ash + maple = LM, but that's not the case is it?

I can't find the answer on the Alleva Coppolo site, so maybe y'all can help me understand the differences between:

LM
LG
RA
1600
Modern

Cheers,
Tom