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The Valenti Megathread Part IV
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
So the "ghost" bass landed exactly a week ago and I have spent A LOT of time playing this bass at home. No band practice or gigs until next week, so I haven't played this bass in a full band mix/scenario. I don't expect it will suck in any case.
I am still amazed at the paint job (sorry Nino, gotta call out Wilkins on that, his work is amazing), but this bass is just great overall. Killer tone, killer playability, killer looks and under 8lbs.
Nino's body shape (the bass, not him personally!) is very ergonomic and more comfortable to me than my old Fender Jazz basses that I have been playing for years. It reminds me of a 90's Fender "boner bass" but much more streamlined/modern (in a very good way). The asymmetrical neck turned out great also. Not exactly MTD USA, but still excellent. Also, I see no reason to ever buy another bass that doesn't have a flat-ish fingerboard. My Valenti has a 16" radius which to me almost makes my 8.5/9.5" Fenders harder to play. YMMV, but I have seen the light.
This bass wasn't cheap and the crappy Canadian exchange made this purchase hurt even more, but I have absolutely no buyer's remorse and am 100% happy with the bass and my dealings with Nino. I would recommend Valenti to anyone looking for a modern Jazz or P for sure.
I have lots of nice basses, but the Valenti will definately be going to my upcoming gigs.
Thanks Nino!
P.s. Nino's own strings are killer. The .045-.130 stainless strings sound and feel great. Very impressed.
I am still amazed at the paint job (sorry Nino, gotta call out Wilkins on that, his work is amazing), but this bass is just great overall. Killer tone, killer playability, killer looks and under 8lbs.
Nino's body shape (the bass, not him personally!) is very ergonomic and more comfortable to me than my old Fender Jazz basses that I have been playing for years. It reminds me of a 90's Fender "boner bass" but much more streamlined/modern (in a very good way). The asymmetrical neck turned out great also. Not exactly MTD USA, but still excellent. Also, I see no reason to ever buy another bass that doesn't have a flat-ish fingerboard. My Valenti has a 16" radius which to me almost makes my 8.5/9.5" Fenders harder to play. YMMV, but I have seen the light.
This bass wasn't cheap and the crappy Canadian exchange made this purchase hurt even more, but I have absolutely no buyer's remorse and am 100% happy with the bass and my dealings with Nino. I would recommend Valenti to anyone looking for a modern Jazz or P for sure.
I have lots of nice basses, but the Valenti will definately be going to my upcoming gigs.
Thanks Nino!
P.s. Nino's own strings are killer. The .045-.130 stainless strings sound and feel great. Very impressed.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
Great post!! Echos all of my own sentiments regarding my VTP5!So the "ghost" bass landed exactly a week ago and I have spent A LOT of time playing this bass at home. No band practice or gigs until next week, so I haven't played this bass in a full band mix/scenario. I don't expect it will suck in any case.
I am still amazed at the paint job (sorry Nino, gotta call out Wilkins on that, his work is amazing), but this bass is just great overall. Killer tone, killer playability, killer looks and under 8lbs.
Nino's body shape (the bass, not him personally!) is very ergonomic and more comfortable to me than my old Fender Jazz basses that I have been playing for years. It reminds me of a 90's Fender "boner bass" but much more streamlined/modern (in a very good way). The asymmetrical neck turned out great also. Not exactly MTD USA, but still excellent. Also, I see no reason to ever buy another bass that doesn't have a flat-ish fingerboard. My Valenti has a 16" radius which to me almost makes my 8.5/9.5" Fenders harder to play. YMMV, but I have seen the light.
This bass wasn't cheap and the crappy Canadian exchange made this purchase hurt even more, but I have absolutely no buyer's remorse and am 100% happy with the bass and my dealings with Nino. I would recommend Valenti to anyone looking for a modern Jazz or P for sure.
I have lots of nice basses, but the Valenti will definately be going to my upcoming gigs.
Thanks Nino!
P.s. Nino's own strings are killer. The .045-.130 stainless strings sound and feel great. Very impressed.
I have two more I'd like to commission but can't decide which I want first. There's a Jazz 5 I want similar to this one:
I had the specs all ironed out until I replaced the pickups on my Lakland Skyline 55-60 with a set of EMG J5s.. That bass really came alive after that and I'm wondering if I'd like to do the same with this one. Decisions, decisions....
I hear you. I started floating the idea of another bass to Nino the day after I got my current one!
I am liking the classic P style like yours and Chef's, but I am pretty confident that I will end up going with a PJ 5 and it will definately be a Valenti. I have been a P bass guy at heart for 30 years but I really need the versatility of the Jazz PU and active preamp as well as it being a 24 fret 5 string.
I may have to try to land something on the cheap in the Classifieds as my dollar is so crappy vs. the USD (down 20-25% in the last year alone). I guess Valentis don't have the greatest resale value which may be a good thing if I find the right bass. Regarding crappy resale on my new bass? I DONT CARE! It isn't going anywhere!
Of mine?
If so, here it is.....
Very nice, Nino!
My first impressions are all positive except for some fret sprout. Of course, it is extremely cold and the bass was travelling for almost 2 weeks. Would have happened with any bass and I'm sure it will settle down quickly. Not a problem in any way.
The finish is amazing. It turned out exactly how I wanted it, which is neat. Not a bubble, bump or imperfection to be found. Pat did an amazing job.
The neck feels great and I love the fretboard. The Birdseye is beyond excellent and the glossy finish reminds me of my 1972 Fender Jazz.
I am very glad that I went with the Nordy big singles and Nordy pre. Sounds great and completely different than my Foderas. It will be a very versatile bass but also give me the ability to have a real active funk machine, which is cool.
I asked for light, and this bass is light. Under 8lbs but feels more like under 7. Feels great on a wide strap and the suede prevents it from diving. Very ergonomic bass for me in any case.
One last thing... after seeing the build pics, I was a bit worried that the 24 fret board and neck pickup placement would seriously inhibit my ability to slap. It turns out that there is JUST enough room for me to very comfortably slap. Again, cool.
Can't wait to try this out with one of my bands, but I expect it will be killer!
Here is the "ghost bass" porn! Thanks to Noahw1 for the name! LOL
P.s. The bass looks WAY better in person!
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
Oh stop it, Mark!
I have always had a thing for really figured/blistered birdseye maple since I owned a Roscoe with a BEM board, so the $50 upgrade was a no brainer. I got lucky and the figuring is even better in person.
I can't rave enough about how nice this bass turned out. Anyone that believes that folks like Sadowsky, Valenti, Nordstrand, John Maghini and Mike Lull (as examples) just assemble Fender clone "parts basses" and are barely different than a Warmoth build are completely mental, dense or don't know what they are talking about. Sorry, I am cranky today!
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
Agree 100%.Anyone that believes that folks like Sadowsky, Valenti, Nordstrand, John Maghini and Mike Lull (as examples) just assemble Fender clone "parts basses" and are barely different than a Warmoth build are completely mental, dense or don't know what they are talking about. Sorry, I am cranky today!
I had a dream that Nino had contacted me saying he had begun work on my bass. I guess that happens when you're thinking about it all the time.
Glad to hear you love the "Ghost" bass so much, Baird.
Glad to hear you love the "Ghost" bass so much, Baird.
Chef
In Memoriam
I'm not a great photographer, but I had all 3 Valentis out today for a cleaning and though you might like to see them.
Chef
In Memoriam
Haha. Funny thing is that its a Fretwrap HD. I got them for Christmas and the person who got them for me knew my favorite color is green... it just happened to be pretty much the same color as that bass.
Chef
In Memoriam
Thanks. I hate sounding like a giggly fanboy, but I am very excited with this bass obviously. It makes me want to play more, which is a good thing.
What did you order? Apologies if you already posted the specs.
Not sure about the green 5 string, I got it used. I am pretty sure its called toxic green or radioactive green, something like that...but the purple bass is actually a MOPAR color from the 70s.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
