Club Alleva Coppolo (Part VI)

[Ryan Mohr]

PM's, since we are OT'ing the Alleva thread a bit.

Sorry about that.

Here's something on-topic, Paul Turner killin' on an LG-5 Classic:

 

[peterpalmieri]

A few comments -

1. Ken I have to say I am hard pressed to find a 4 string Fender that is as good as either of my 5 string A-Cs. That being said I am sure looking hard enough you could find something but I have a feeling if you were a 4 string player you'd still have an A-C or Sadowsky if not a vintage Fender.

2. If I could do it all over again I would get my LG5 with a DN board, vintage bridge and nitro finish. I have that in my BKP5 and it just feels different (right), nothing I could quantify but I'd be willing to trade up to that if I was given the opportunity. That being said I bought my LG5 used and could be very happy playing it for eternity..

A little OT but if anyone has an LG5 with a DN board and a nitro finish and wants to go poly with a Honduran board and put a few bucks in their pocket don't hesitate to run it by me.

 

[KJung]

A few comments -

1. Ken I have to say I am hard pressed to find a 4 string Fender that is as good as either of my 5 string A-Cs. That being said I am sure looking hard enough you could find something but I have a feeling if you were a 4 string player you'd still have an A-C or Sadowsky if not a vintage Fender.

+1 in general. I surely wouldn't be playing a Sadowsky if I wanted a true Fender sounding, passive 4 string! My point was in the context of the entire discussion. If you are a working bassist, and are looking for a great sounding 4 string passive J Bass, I wouldn't immediately say 'you need to spend $3,500' on a boutique, especially if that person had the knowledge and opportunity to play and evaluate a bunch of Fenders 'off the rack', applying a decent set-up tweak, etc. to them, etc.

Just IMO here. I have to say, every once in a while, a simple, stock MIA or MIM Fender would come through Low Down Sound that would make you lose some sleep. I agree though, it was 1 of 50.

Trust me, I'm VERY happy with my Alleva's!!!!!! Worth every penny and more to me!

 

[basses55]

A few comments -

1. Ken I have to say I am hard pressed to find a 4 string Fender that is as good as either of my 5 string A-Cs. That being said I am sure looking hard enough you could find something but I have a feeling if you were a 4 string player you'd still have an A-C or Sadowsky if not a vintage Fender.

2. If I could do it all over again I would get my LG5 with a DN board, vintage bridge and nitro finish. I have that in my BKP5 and it just feels different (right), nothing I could quantify but I'd be willing to trade up to that if I was given the opportunity. That being said I bought my LG5 used and could be very happy playing it for eternity..

A little OT but if anyone has an LG5 with a DN board and a nitro finish and wants to go poly with a Honduran board and put a few bucks in their pocket don't hesitate to run it by me.

I have to agree re DN- I have an all nitro DN LG and spent time with my friend's here..plus spent time with that KP5 esoxhntr had...it does something that I really like both in feel and tone. Not "needed" IMO but gives something extra to the mix in a positive way for me.

 

[tommixx]

A few comments -

1. Ken I have to say I am hard pressed to find a 4 string Fender that is as good as either of my 5 string A-Cs. That being said I am sure looking hard enough you could find something but I have a feeling if you were a 4 string player you'd still have an A-C or Sadowsky if not a vintage Fender.

2. If I could do it all over again I would get my LG5 with a DN board, vintage bridge and nitro finish. I have that in my BKP5 and it just feels different (right), nothing I could quantify but I'd be willing to trade up to that if I was given the opportunity. That being said I bought my LG5 used and could be very happy playing it for eternity..

A little OT but if anyone has an LG5 with a DN board and a nitro finish and wants to go poly with a Honduran board and put a few bucks in their pocket don't hesitate to run it by me.

I agree on both counts! I tried to describe and quantify the difference but I do not really know how to do it either... I have an LG5 with NITRO and DN and my Booker King Signature AC and there is a tremendous difference in feel between them to me even though the setups are virtually identical to each other. It is pretty crazy sounding but I could easily tell the 2 apart blindfolded I think just from playing them accousitcally even though the dimensions are virtually the same. It is not very subtle to me either, they both have a very unique feedback to me. I should mention that they are both incredible feeling and it is actually harder to choose between them as I play them more and more. I have only had the LG5 for a few days and the BK going on a few weeks now. I had a rehearsal last night and wound up playing them about equally in the course of the evening. I got immediate compliments on the LG5 (the first I played) and everybody was a little upset when I put it down to pick up the BK but as soon as I started to play the BK they all agreed that it was very hard to choose between them tonally. The LG5 is very warm and even and the B and the G are amazing! The G is very full (as is the D) and the B is very even and not boomy or over the top at all. It sounds very much like an old vintage bass should but better and certainly plays and feels better. The BK is an Ash Body and an Ash neck with a maple fingerboard and it is just punchy and percussive as hell! It has a very clear and defined voice and has probably the clearest low end I have ever heard in a bass even with liberal amounts of boost on the EQ. I would have thought the Highs would be harsh with extreme amounts of Treble EQ but that is not the case. I find that I like it with more Boost on both bands than I am accustomed to. It sounds great flat but the EQ just makes it seem much fatter and it gives you a punch you in the gut kind of vibe. I have to admit that I had initially thought that I would sell the BK in favor of the LG5 but I find that it is becoming increasingly harder to go that route! I had even gone so far as to try and find another LG5 with Dalbergia and I still may but the BK is a very nice compliment to the LG5! My LG5 is a "mistake" according to Jimmy but I totally disagree! It has a NITRO finish and the Dalbergia board but the PUPS are in the 70's position!! The result is I essentailly have an RA5 with NITRO and a Dalbergia board. The result must be heard to be appreciated. The slap sound is very full and man it sounds so good I find myself wanting to slap much more than usual. It is addictive how good it sounds! The Dalbergia does not sound "dark" as a lot of Rosewood boarded basses seem to sound to my ear. it is very thick but still very clear...I highly recommend the combination if you can still get it...I also HIGHLY recommend the Booker King Signature, it has a very unique vibe of its own and is simply fantastic in every way! I take my hat off to Jimmy again for an amazing pair of basses...Thanks!

Peace,

T

 

[KJung]

I agree on both counts! I tried to describe and quantify the difference but I do not really know how to do it either... I have an LG5 with NITRO and DN and my Booker King Signature AC and there is a tremendous difference in feel between them to me even though the setups are virtually identical to each other. It is pretty crazy sounding but I could easily tell the 2 apart blindfolded I think just from playing them accousitcally even though the dimensions are virtually the same.
T

Those are two very different instruments, aren't they... body wood, board wood, even neck wood. Isn't one ash/ash neck/maple board, and the other alder/maple neck/rosewood board?

I would hope you could tell the difference between them

 

[tommixx]

Those are two very different instruments, aren't they... body wood, board wood, even neck wood. Isn't one ash/ash neck/maple board, and the other alder/maple neck/rosewood board?

I would hope you could tell the difference between them

Absolutely...I was referring to the Fretboard wood, I guess assumed that people would understand since I quoted Peter...Sorry!

I am talking about the feel of the fretboards folks....Same neck dimensions and the basses are pretty close to the same weight so I am saying there is such a difference to the feel I could tell which is which from the F E E L of the F R E T B O A R D....YMMV and all that stuff...just my $.02 in agreeing with Peter...



Peace,

T

 

[KJung]

Absolutely...I was referring to the Fretboard wood, I guess assumed that people would understand since I quoted Peter...Sorry!

I am talking about the feel of the fretboards folks....Same neck dimensions and the basses are pretty close to the same weight so I am saying there is such a difference to the feel I could tell which is which from the F E E L of the F R E T B O A R D....YMMV and all that stuff...just my $.02 in agreeing with Peter...



Peace,

T

Ah... +1. Makes sense.

I'd love to check out one of those ash neck Alleva's. That must be a unique vibe.

 

[Ryan Mohr]

Wouldn't an ash neck yield a warmer/darker tone than a maple neck? Just going by the Warmoth descriptions: Invalid Link Removed

 

[biggreddbass]

Hey Vic,

I stopped by the Coppolo factory on my way to a rehearsal yesterday.
Jimmy had just assembled your bass & asked me to plug it in for him.
First of all, she's a beauty ... the burst is beautiful & as much as a fan of pickguards that I am, i would leave this bass without one. The colors blending on the top of the bass are amazing.

I played her plugged in, but not set up and without the string tree.
The bass is really light weight, the neck is super comfortable and the initial tones were outstanding. She was warm & buttery and still had a bit of a snap to her (i'm guessing from the poly finish).

Congrats man ... you've got a winner here.

 

[narud]

Wouldn't an ash neck yield a warmer/darker tone than a maple neck? Just going by the Warmoth descriptions: Invalid Link Removed

ive played around 4 lm5's through my rig with the booker being one of them. i didnt think it sounded that much different.

 

[xkimsungminx]

All I have to say is, if you have the dough to purchase/order one new or can find someone selling one... get the LG5 with the DN board with Nitro finish and the bent plate bridge. One word... AWESOME!

 

[Vic]

Hey Vic,

I stopped by the Coppolo factory...

Congrats man ... you've got a winner here.

Awesome! Yeah, he sent me a couple pics in email as well as mentioning you'd had a chance to audition it. Thanks for the preview! Yea, I think I'll have him ship the guard separate. It does look pretty amazing as is. Gives me time to think about it.

Here's the preview pic... nice rich dark board, too.

 

[Vic]

Just got off the phone and he weighed it for me. 9.05 lbs. DEAD PERFECT! I originally told him, with me, it's kinda' like a game of 21, except to 9 pounds with a J. I want to get as close as possible, but not go over, because believe it or not, as it goes over 9 lbs, it really makes a difference to me. Some kinda' weird threshold thing with my lower back issues. But I like the sound a little more mass imparts, so ideally right at 9 is the best for me on a J. That's what my other JJ5 is and I love it.

Doing some final checks on the fret level and whatnot, we may be doing a quicklook review Friday night and definitely gigs next weekend.

 

[jonno1707]

Congrats Vic that bass is gorgeous...

 

[KJung]

Awesome! Yeah, he sent me a couple pics in email as well as mentioning you'd had a chance to audition it. Thanks for the preview! Yea, I think I'll have him ship the guard separate. It does look pretty amazing as is. Gives me time to think about it.

Here's the preview pic... nice rich dark board, too.

Beautiful! Not that you asked, but with a relatively old school spec (i.e., burst, rosewood, etc.) from a builder that's all about old school.... have him put that guard on

 

[Vic]

Beautiful! Not that you asked, but with a relatively old school spec (i.e., burst, rosewood, etc.) from a builder that's all about old school.... have him put that guard on

Oh, I'm having him ship the guard... make no mistake about that. I can totally put it on perfectly myself if desired (and very well could be).

Thing is, I have to agree with Jason, especially since he doesn't do the usual Fender thing of not doing the full burst under where the pickguard would be, that it's just a damn nice looking body. Also, without the ability to put a control plate on, it's not quite as compelling as with a regular J. Meanwhile, I'll have the guard and I can put it on any time very easily.

 

[KJung]

Oh, I'm having him ship the guard... make no mistake about that. I can totally put it on perfectly myself if desired (and very well could be).

Thing is, I have to agree with Jason, especially since he doesn't do the usual Fender thing of not doing the full burst under where the pickguard would be, that it's just a damn nice looking body. Also, without the ability to put a control plate on, it's not quite as compelling as with a regular J. Meanwhile, I'll have the guard and I can put it on any time very easily.

I agree it looks beautiful the way it is. But man, it's a J Bass!

Seriously, the cool thing about that unusually low neck radius is that the edge of the board is quite close to the body. So, the Alleva without the guard will feel about like the Sadowsky with the guard regarding the G and D to body distance for slapping.

I hope you dig it!

 

[Chef]

I dunno...have him ship the guard, yeah, but me, I'd leave it off for a good long time.
Great job on the finish, and I love the bookmatched look of the woodgrain.
WEll done.

Awesome! Yeah, he sent me a couple pics in email as well as mentioning you'd had a chance to audition it. Thanks for the preview! Yea, I think I'll have him ship the guard separate. It does look pretty amazing as is. Gives me time to think about it.

Here's the preview pic... nice rich dark board, too.

 

[XavidmanX]

Purdy. Congrats, Vic!