The Valenti Megathread Part IV

[mark beem]

Does Niño make a 33 scale Jazz bass with 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge ( 5 string strung low E to high C)? Or a 34 scale with same specs?

Well, Niño can definitely cause torrential downpours in the Pacific region..

 

[T2D2]

Thanks. Here's a little history on your bass:

Thanks for the information Nino! I agreed when I first got the bass that the neck pickup seemed a little further back than normal in an odd position, and was maybe slightly concerned, but I haven't had any problems getting the tones that I want out of the bass.

 

[T2D2]

The pickup spacing looks similar to the Sadowsky 5-24 Modern but just a bit further from the bridge.
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Nordstrand should be out soon with a hum-cancelling Big Blade which might be cool with series/parallel/single coil switches in a bass like this (feeling a little GAS).
Nordstrand Hum Cancelling Big Blade Pickups

That sounds pretty intriguing to me. I really had to adapt a little when I first started playing this bass with the blades, coming from the Warwicks with the MEC pickups. I'm not a big fan of the hum, so I have been running the blend in the mid position to eliminate the hum, unless I really need to solo one of them. However I am getting the tones that I want to out of the bass in the mid position, but I am open to exploring some other pickup options

 

[Chef]

Right. So I've had this bass for like 6 years now. It still kills.

 

[5StringPocket]

That sounds pretty intriguing to me. I really had to adapt a little when I first started playing this bass with the blades, coming from the Warwicks with the MEC pickups. I'm not a big fan of the hum, so I have been running the blend in the mid position to eliminate the hum, unless I really need to solo one of them. However I am getting the tones that I want to out of the bass in the mid position, but I am open to exploring some other pickup options

Being able to shift the balance between hum-cancelling pickups gives a wider variety of useable tones. Retaining that single coil type voicing but hum cancelling seems to provide the best of both.

 

[Chef]

Nord Fat Stacks can be single coil, or hum canceling via a coil tap switch. I have two basses set up like that.

 

[Chef]

My Mom says, "When I rock out, I only use Valenti Basses."

 

[Mr_O'B]

My Mom says, "When I rock out, I only use Valenti Basses."View attachment 1117158

The picture is priceless!

 

[Chef]

She's pretty cute!!

 

[Gab124]

Question for all the Valenti specialists.
I wonder if I could get a comparison between three different basses;
1. Tone and flexibility between a Sadowsky pj5 and a Valenti reverse Pj5
2. What difference(s) from a modern 5 between those two?

 

[Session1969]

Question for all the Valenti specialists.
I wonder if I could get a comparison between three different basses;
1. Tone and flexibility between a Sadowsky pj5 and a Valenti reverse Pj5
2. What difference(s) from a modern 5 between those two?

Well, they're both modern fives, first off, unless the Valenti you're talking about is passive with vintage sounding pickups. You have a lot of options with a Valenti. I have a Valenti reverse PJ5 and the person I bought it from told me that my bass is a bit brighter than a Sadowsky because I have an Aguilar OB2 pre (Nordy pups). Mine has a passive tone control so I get as round as I need. Plenty of flexibility with my Valenti, imo.

 

[Chasarms]

Question for all the Valenti specialists.
I wonder if I could get a comparison between three different basses;
1. Tone and flexibility between a Sadowsky pj5 and a Valenti reverse Pj5
2. What difference(s) from a modern 5 between those two?

I have a Sadowsky MV5 and a Valenti Reversed PJ. In the past, I have had a Sadowsky NYC reverse PJ, a Metro PJ, an NYC modern and a few other Sadowsky basses.

First of all, it's hard to compare any bass to a Sadowsky Modern. The pickup placement and the soapbars create a very unique sound. Personally, I like it a lot, but the middy grind is there all day, and hard to dial out. Also, the pickup placement really focuses the tone. It is hard to get a "round" tone out of it.

As for the reverse P setup, I think it impacts the tone as I have written on here many times before. In fact, I was inspired to have the Valenti built as a reverse P because of my experience with the Sadowsky I owned. The low end is more focused and less puffy than the traditional config and the highs are a touch fuller. At center detent, the bass sounds, to my ear, more like a modern soapbar bass (with a more traditional PU placement, unlike the Sadowsky modern). When you start panning the PUs, you capture more of the expected J bridge and P pickups sounds. Soloed, I think the front pickup still sounds like a P bass, only less so. I strongly prefer the reversed setup to the traditional design.

The Sadowsky Metro PJ I owned, with traditional PU placement, was probably my least favorite of all I have owned. Of course, that is like picking out your least favorite supermodel. Although, the bass was Alder with a Pau Ferro FB, which have never really cared for in general. Whether it was the woods or pickups, I cannot say, but it was quite "tame" as compared to my traditional view of the Sadowsky tone.

My Valenti is Nordstrand equiped with the 2b preamp. The Nordstrand pre sounds amazing in this bass, but it doesn't have near the coloration of a Sadowsky pre. I imagine if you ordered a Valenti with Sadowsky guts, it would be a challenge to distinguish the two in a mix.

 

[Gab124]

I have a Sadowsky MV5 and a Valenti Reversed PJ. In the past, I have had a Sadowsky NYC reverse PJ, a Metro PJ, an NYC modern and a few other Sadowsky basses.

First of all, it's hard to compare any bass to a Sadowsky Modern. The pickup placement and the soapbars create a very unique sound. Personally, I like it a lot, but the middy grind is there all day, and hard to dial out. Also, the pickup placement really focuses the tone. It is hard to get a "round" tone out of it.

As for the reverse P setup, I think it impacts the tone as I have written on here many times before. In fact, I was inspired to have the Valenti built as a reverse P because of my experience with the Sadowsky I owned. The low end is more focused and less puffy than the traditional config and the highs are a touch fuller. At center detent, the bass sounds, to my ear, more like a modern soapbar bass (with a more traditional PU placement, unlike the Sadowsky modern). When you start panning the PUs, you capture more of the expected J bridge and P pickups sounds. Soloed, I think the front pickup still sounds like a P bass, only less so. I strongly prefer the reversed setup to the traditional design.

The Sadowsky Metro PJ I owned, with traditional PU placement, was probably my least favorite of all I have owned. Of course, that is like picking out your least favorite supermodel. Although, the bass was Alder with a Pau Ferro FB, which have never really cared for in general. Whether it was the woods or pickups, I cannot say, but it was quite "tame" as compared to my traditional view of the Sadowsky tone.

My Valenti is Nordstrand equiped with the 2b preamp. The Nordstrand pre sounds amazing in this bass, but it doesn't have near the coloration of a Sadowsky pre. I imagine if you ordered a Valenti with Sadowsky guts, it would be a challenge to distinguish the two in a mix.

Thanks to you and @Session1969 for your thoughts on this. I am seriously considering a Valenti but would have to eventually part with my Sad PJ5 so trying to make sure it would give me what I am missing with it. I love my Sadowsky, but sometimes I do feel it is a little polite or "tame" as you mentioned. That brought me to the modern series, but loosing the ability to get that warm round tone for slower songs etc. scares me a little. Then I saw the reverse pj, and additionally one with the big splits caught my interests. Seems like it could get aggressive but still be able to choke back to some traditional tones as well. I have never played the nordstrand 2b preamp before. I have read that some consider it very clean which to my brain can translate to polite as well. Don't know how to compare that - I do love the Sadowsky pre though. In the end I need that authoritative low end that is tight - in one band I play a good deal of syncopated lines with guitarists and tight clarity really seems to help there. If it helps I play mostly classic rock or music with a good deal of classic rock inspiration with modern tones.
And the comparisons continue. Thanks again

 

[Chef]

chasarms for the win
Totally accurate coverage

 

[Chasarms]

Thanks to you and @Session1969 for your thoughts on this. I am seriously considering a Valenti but would have to eventually part with my Sad PJ5 so trying to make sure it would give me what I am missing with it. I love my Sadowsky, but sometimes I do feel it is a little polite or "tame" as you mentioned. That brought me to the modern series, but loosing the ability to get that warm round tone for slower songs etc. scares me a little. Then I saw the reverse pj, and additionally one with the big splits caught my interests. Seems like it could get aggressive but still be able to choke back to some traditional tones as well. I have never played the nordstrand 2b preamp before. I have read that some consider it very clean which to my brain can translate to polite as well. Don't know how to compare that - I do love the Sadowsky pre though. In the end I need that authoritative low end that is tight - in one band I play a good deal of syncopated lines with guitarists and tight clarity really seems to help there. If it helps I play mostly classic rock or music with a good deal of classic rock inspiration with modern tones.
And the comparisons continue. Thanks again

Assuming your Sadowsky is the one in your avatar:

While the wood police may come along and negate my view, whether you choose Valenti, Sadowsky, or something else altogether, try an Ash/Maple combo. Reading your comments, I believe either of my basses would cover your goals. Both are ash maple. My experience is that there is a touch of grit that comes from an Ash/Maple bass that just isn't there with Alder/RW.

Might be psychosomatic. Maybe I have convinced myself as much. But, it sure seems real enough to me.

 

[Gab124]

Assuming your Sadowsky is the one in your avatar:

While the wood police may come along and negate my view, whether you choose Valenti, Sadowsky, or something else altogether, try an Ash/Maple combo. Reading your comments, I believe either of my basses would cover your goals. Both are ash maple. My experience is that there is a touch of grit that comes from an Ash/Maple bass that just isn't there with Alder/RW.

Might be psychosomatic. Maybe I have convinced myself as much. But, it sure seems real enough to me.

Not the wood police!!
I hear ya - and the more I think about it the more I realize I just need to get a second 5 string. I really do like what my Sadowsky does, it can have that super foundational punch that just gives a great platform for the band. I adjust my P pup lower and the J pup higher then mix just favoring the bridge - in that way it is not nearly as pillowy as it was in stock setup but still has plenty of body. However, I still lust after an uber tight somewhat aggressive bass for another tone choice and I am not sure I will get both in one instrument, maybe something that does neither well but good enough across the board. On the other hand, I might just be making my gas seem reasonable to myself

 

[Baird6869]

Assuming your Sadowsky is the one in your avatar:

While the wood police may come along and negate my view, whether you choose Valenti, Sadowsky, or something else altogether, try an Ash/Maple combo. Reading your comments, I believe either of my basses would cover your goals. Both are ash maple. My experience is that there is a touch of grit that comes from an Ash/Maple bass that just isn't there with Alder/RW.

Might be psychosomatic. Maybe I have convinced myself as much. But, it sure seems real enough to me.

I agree.

My swamp ash/maple Valenti 5er is a beast and only 7.5lbs. It sits in the mix as well as any Sadowsky (or Fodera) I have ever gigged with. With the Nordy duals and pre, I get a great slap tone, amazing upper register clarity and the ability to get some grit for metal, punk and alternative as well as a useable P bass tone for classic rock and country.

I have owned 4 Sadowskys including a NYC and I personally wouldn't buy another American Sadowsky over a Valenti. Nino makes great basses and uses top materials. Plus he worked at Sadowsky....

 

[noahw1]

My swamp ash/maple neck with pau ferro fretboard Valenti P/J (traditional P) Nordy pups and Sadowsky pre is extremely aggressive. When I have round wounds on it I usually have the VTC to about 50% or less because of it's bite. Lately I've been using TI Jazz Flats to tame the beast a bit.

 

[Chasarms]

. . . I have owned 4 Sadowskys including a NYC and I personally wouldn't buy another American Sadowsky over a Valenti. . .

I could never justify to myself the cost of a new, fully custom NYC Sadowsky. I wouldn't enjoy it enough to spend the money. It's no different than my Harley. Sure, I could go buy a 2017 CVO Limited for $42K, but it wouldn't really enhace the riding experience any more than the bike I have now.

That said, I have never picked up a bass at any price that I think is better built, more aesthetically pleasing, and/or better performing than a NYC Sadowsky. That's my opinion, FWIW, of course. If I found the right deal on a used one again, I'd probably think about it long and hard.

Now, if you wanted to argue that Nino is tied for first, we'd be splitting hairs to get anywhere with the argument.

 

[Baird6869]

I could never justify to myself the cost of a new, fully custom NYC Sadowsky. I wouldn't enjoy it enough to spend the money. It's no different than my Harley. Sure, I could go buy a 2017 CVO Limited for $42K, but it wouldn't really enhace the riding experience any more than the bike I have now.

That said, I have never picked up a bass at any price that I think is better built, more aesthetically pleasing, and/or better performing than a NYC Sadowsky. That's my opinion, FWIW, of course. If I found the right deal on a used one again, I'd probably think about it long and hard.

Now, if you wanted to argue that Nino is tied for first, we'd be splitting hairs to get anywhere with the argument.

I am with you. A used NYC Sadowsky for new Valenti money would be tough to pass up. I'm am not saying Valentis are BETTER than Sadowskys, but IME there isn't a huge difference in fit/finish, playability and tone. Also, Valenti has come up it with cool options such as roasted necks, cool high end exotic wood tops, etc. as of late as well.