The Valenti Megathread Part IV

[roller]

Greetings All!

I've been lurking around this thread for years, and the time has come for me to add a 5 sting Jazz to the collection. I contacted Nino yesterday and he's already ok'd most of the specs. However, since I will be going in without having actually played a Valenti before, I'd like some input from this group!

Basically, I'm looking for a jazz bass that will perform/shine and be versatile across all styles of music. My main gig is an originals band that draws inspiration from bands like Little Feat-Grateful Dead-Phish-WSP etc, but I also play/ sub in a few funk bands, 70's cover bands, jazz ensembles and salsa and steel pan groups etc. I'm counting on this bass to become my workhorse for the foreseeable future and it will be used in all these settings.

I'm leaning towards these specs, so any thoughts/ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated! I also want this bass to have a familiar feel to it, so a couple specs will match my US Spector BO's, hence the Spector mentions in the specs.

V21-J5
35” scale
Alder body (prefer 9lbs or less)
18mm string spacing * Hipshot A bridge *
1 7/8” nut * Spector is 1.81 *
16” Fretboard radius * Same as Spector *
Contoured heel
Rosewood Fretboard
Unfinished neck (no gloss)
Hipshot UL Tuners
Nordstrand hum-cancelling Jazz P’up * 60’s spacing *
Nordstrand 2-band Pre * 9v *
V-V-T(VTC?) -stacked B/T w/ active/passive
Rear routed (want the option to remove pickguard)
45-125 nickel strings

I'm also after a more traditional look to this bass, so I'm thinking a 3TSB w/ tort guard and chrome hardware, but not ruling out any solid colors either.

Again, thoughts or suggestions are definitely appreciated! Also, feel free to quote this post and share a pic of your Valenti for inspiration on the color scheme!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to locking in a build and joining the club!

Thanks for posting to the thread! An official welcome to you!

Without question, you're about to buy a sweet bass. A few thoughts and suggestions:

1) I've owned Hipshot's A bridge and B bridge... both are nice, but I prefer the B for a number of functional reasons. And as I wrote in a recent thread, it takes up less of a footprint on the face of the body and I feel like it's visually more at home on a Jazz Bass. I LOVE my brass B bridge I have on #245, a bass with many of the same specs you're looking at (reviewed in this thread on page 88).

2) Ever consider a single-coil J-Bass pickup? Or maybe a pickup that's switchable between single-coil and humbucking? For many moons, I thought humbucking was the ONLY way to go... "WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO PUT UP WITH HUM??!!!" But I now feel that single-coils have more personality... they aren't as "polite"... and they provide the growl that's pleasing to my ears, even if there'a a little hum involved. I run my Nordy Fat Stacks in single-coil mode 99.9% of the time... they just sound better that way. YMMV.

3) Stainless steel frets are a pleasure to play... there's not much of a tonal difference to nickel silver to my ears (and many others' ears)... and they last and last and last.

4) A three-tone burst is a timeless classic you can never go wrong with... but dang, there's a lot of 'em out there. I'm a big fan of the old Fender custom colors, especially those you don't see on many basses (ex. Inca Silver, Firemist Silver, Firemist Gold, Dakota Red, Ocean Turquoise, transparent Vintage Blonde). I just love it when makers concoct a "new classic" by taking a classic color and throwing on a cool retro-looking pickguard (ex. matte black, aged white, red tortoise instead of brown tortoise, black mother-of-pearl) for a combination that looks just as sweet as three-tone burst with tortoise.

All that being said, a three-tone burst Jazz Bass looks killer with a clear plexi pickguard... a very "Jaco" look.

Best of luck... excited for you... let us know what you land on!

 

[bassWR]

Greetings All!

I've been lurking around this thread for years, and the time has come for me to add a 5 sting Jazz to the collection. I contacted Nino yesterday and he's already ok'd most of the specs. However, since I will be going in without having actually played a Valenti before, I'd like some input from this group!

Basically, I'm looking for a jazz bass that will perform/shine and be versatile across all styles of music. My main gig is an originals band that draws inspiration from bands like Little Feat-Grateful Dead-Phish-WSP etc, but I also play/ sub in a few funk bands, 70's cover bands, jazz ensembles and salsa and steel pan groups etc. I'm counting on this bass to become my workhorse for the foreseeable future and it will be used in all these settings.

I'm leaning towards these specs, so any thoughts/ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated! I also want this bass to have a familiar feel to it, so a couple specs will match my US Spector BO's, hence the Spector mentions in the specs.

V21-J5
35” scale
Alder body (prefer 9lbs or less)
18mm string spacing * Hipshot A bridge *
1 7/8” nut * Spector is 1.81 *
16” Fretboard radius * Same as Spector *
Contoured heel
Rosewood Fretboard
Unfinished neck (no gloss)
Hipshot UL Tuners
Nordstrand hum-cancelling Jazz P’up * 60’s spacing *
Nordstrand 2-band Pre * 9v *
V-V-T(VTC?) -stacked B/T w/ active/passive
Rear routed (want the option to remove pickguard)
45-125 nickel strings

I'm also after a more traditional look to this bass, so I'm thinking a 3TSB w/ tort guard and chrome hardware, but not ruling out any solid colors either.

Again, thoughts or suggestions are definitely appreciated! Also, feel free to quote this post and share a pic of your Valenti for inspiration on the color scheme!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to locking in a build and joining the club!

I really like Nino's vintage tint (no gloss) on the back of the neck and the Sadowsky preamp. Have not played anything with the Nordstrand 2B.
I bet this will be killer just like you have it spec'd though.

 

[Green1]

Greetings All!

I've been lurking around this thread for years, and the time has come for me to add a 5 sting Jazz to the collection. I contacted Nino yesterday and he's already ok'd most of the specs. However, since I will be going in without having actually played a Valenti before, I'd like some input from this group!

Basically, I'm looking for a jazz bass that will perform/shine and be versatile across all styles of music. My main gig is an originals band that draws inspiration from bands like Little Feat-Grateful Dead-Phish-WSP etc, but I also play/ sub in a few funk bands, 70's cover bands, jazz ensembles and salsa and steel pan groups etc. I'm counting on this bass to become my workhorse for the foreseeable future and it will be used in all these settings.

I'm leaning towards these specs, so any thoughts/ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated! I also want this bass to have a familiar feel to it, so a couple specs will match my US Spector BO's, hence the Spector mentions in the specs.

V21-J5
35” scale
Alder body (prefer 9lbs or less)
18mm string spacing * Hipshot A bridge *
1 7/8” nut * Spector is 1.81 *
16” Fretboard radius * Same as Spector *
Contoured heel
Rosewood Fretboard
Unfinished neck (no gloss)
Hipshot UL Tuners
Nordstrand hum-cancelling Jazz P’up * 60’s spacing *
Nordstrand 2-band Pre * 9v *
V-V-T(VTC?) -stacked B/T w/ active/passive
Rear routed (want the option to remove pickguard)
45-125 nickel strings

I'm also after a more traditional look to this bass, so I'm thinking a 3TSB w/ tort guard and chrome hardware, but not ruling out any solid colors either.

Again, thoughts or suggestions are definitely appreciated! Also, feel free to quote this post and share a pic of your Valenti for inspiration on the color scheme!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to locking in a build and joining the club!

I think this looks good. I'm sure that you will be happy and Nino is great to work with!

 

[mark beem]

Greetings All!

I've been lurking around this thread for years, and the time has come for me to add a 5 sting Jazz to the collection. I contacted Nino yesterday and he's already ok'd most of the specs. However, since I will be going in without having actually played a Valenti before, I'd like some input from this group!

Basically, I'm looking for a jazz bass that will perform/shine and be versatile across all styles of music. My main gig is an originals band that draws inspiration from bands like Little Feat-Grateful Dead-Phish-WSP etc, but I also play/ sub in a few funk bands, 70's cover bands, jazz ensembles and salsa and steel pan groups etc. I'm counting on this bass to become my workhorse for the foreseeable future and it will be used in all these settings.

I'm leaning towards these specs, so any thoughts/ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated! I also want this bass to have a familiar feel to it, so a couple specs will match my US Spector BO's, hence the Spector mentions in the specs.

V21-J5
35” scale
Alder body (prefer 9lbs or less)
18mm string spacing * Hipshot A bridge *
1 7/8” nut * Spector is 1.81 *
16” Fretboard radius * Same as Spector *
Contoured heel
Rosewood Fretboard
Unfinished neck (no gloss)
Hipshot UL Tuners
Nordstrand hum-cancelling Jazz P’up * 60’s spacing *
Nordstrand 2-band Pre * 9v *
V-V-T(VTC?) -stacked B/T w/ active/passive
Rear routed (want the option to remove pickguard)
45-125 nickel strings

I'm also after a more traditional look to this bass, so I'm thinking a 3TSB w/ tort guard and chrome hardware, but not ruling out any solid colors either.

Again, thoughts or suggestions are definitely appreciated! Also, feel free to quote this post and share a pic of your Valenti for inspiration on the color scheme!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to locking in a build and joining the club!

That is going to be a killer bass!

My only comment would be to echo what @Low84 said above in recommending the Hipshot B bridge over the A.

Of the three Valenti basses I currently have (#184, #243 & #261), two have B bridges and I wish I could go back in time and get a B bridge on the third.

As @Low84 said, they take up less real estate but I like them because (to me) they're easier to intonate.

 

[5string_phunk]

Thanks for posting to the thread! An official welcome to you!

Without question, you're about to buy a sweet bass. A few thoughts and suggestions:

1) I've owned Hipshot's A bridge and B bridge... both are nice, but I prefer the B for a number of functional reasons. And as I wrote in a recent thread, it takes up less of a footprint on the face of the body and I feel like it's visually more at home on a Jazz Bass. I LOVE my brass B bridge I have on #245, a bass with many of the same specs you're looking at (reviewed in this thread on page 88).

2) Ever consider a single-coil J-Bass pickup? Or maybe a pickup that's switchable between single-coil and humbucking? For many moons, I thought humbucking was the ONLY way to go... "WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO PUT UP WITH HUM??!!!" But I now feel that single-coils have more personality... they aren't as "polite"... and they provide the growl that's pleasing to my ears, even if there'a a little hum involved. I run my Nordy Fat Stacks in single-coil mode 99.9% of the time... they just sound better that way. YMMV.

3) Stainless steel frets are a pleasure to play... there's not much of a tonal difference to nickel silver to my ears (and many others' ears)... and they last and last and last.

4) A three-tone burst is a timeless classic you can never go wrong with... but dang, there's a lot of 'em out there. I'm a big fan of the old Fender custom colors, especially those you don't see on many basses (ex. Inca Silver, Firemist Silver, Firemist Gold, Dakota Red, Ocean Turquoise, transparent Vintage Blonde). I just love it when makers concoct a "new classic" by taking a classic color and throwing on a cool retro-looking pickguard (ex. matte black, aged white, red tortoise instead of brown tortoise, black mother-of-pearl) for a combination that looks just as sweet as three-tone burst with tortoise.

All that being said, a three-tone burst Jazz Bass looks killer with a clear plexi pickguard... a very "Jaco" look.

Best of luck... excited for you... let us know what you land on!

Thanks for the suggestions!

On the color, I'm not 100% set on 3TSB, and probably leaning more toward Olympic white with a reddish tort guard. I've actually never owned a 3TSB, which is why I mentioned it, but I think a solid color may be the way to go for this build. ...I'll save the 3TSB for a p-bass!

I'm also not set on the A style bridge. It's what is on my 2 Spector BOs and is my go-to when I buy a bass with a bent plate bridge and need to replace it.

As for the hum-cancelling pups, I have a Geddy with single coils and it drives me mad hearing that hum. I've even had a few issues with it thru the FoH at a few gigs. My other two basses have hum-cancelling pups and, to my ears, have more personality than the SC's in the Geddy. And they're dead quite. The beautiful thing is, I can always change them out if I find them to be too polite!

I'll probably go with whatever frets Nino recommends. I don't have a preference either way, just want something that will last!

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! It's always good hearing the perspectives of owners who have been thru this process before! Can't wait to get this ball rolling!

 

[5string_phunk]

I really like Nino's vintage tint (no gloss) on the back of the neck and the Sadowsky preamp. Have not played anything with the Nordstrand 2B.
I bet this will be killer just like you have it spec'd though.

I hadn't thought about the vintage tint, that might be a good idea!

Honestly, I've not used a Nordstrand 2B pre either, but based on what I've seen a VTC and 2B pre is a good combo. I already know Nordstrand pups are amazing, so I have to assume his pre's are too! I'm actually looking for the Sadowsky pre pedal, so I may end up with the best of both worlds!

 

[5string_phunk]

I think this looks good. I'm sure that you will be happy and Nino is great to work with!

Thanks for the kind words! I def look forward to working thru this process with Nino and coming out the other end with a stellar instrument!

 

[5string_phunk]

That is going to be a killer bass!

My only comment would be to echo what @Low84 said above in recommending the Hipshot B bridge over the A.

Of the three Valenti basses I currently have (#184, #243 & #261), two have B bridges and I wish I could go back in time and get a B bridge on the third.

As @Low84 said, they take up less real estate but I like them because (to me) they're easier to intonate.

I appreciate the kind words and suggestions! I find it interesting that the B bridge seems to be more popular than the A, but I can see where there is a simplicity to it that would be appreciated. I've used A bridges on almost every bass I've owned, but definitely not against trying something different! Besides, I can always change it out if I don't like it!

 

[roller]

Thanks for the suggestions!

On the color, I'm not 100% set on 3TSB, and probably leaning more toward Olympic white with a reddish tort guard. I've actually never owned a 3TSB, which is why I mentioned it, but I think a solid color may be the way to go for this build. ...I'll save the 3TSB for a p-bass!

Take your time and nose around online... search for "Fender custom colors"... and then view galleries from various boutique makers and see what all they're offering up. You'll know the color for yours when you see it.

And yes, pickguard color can make a HUGE difference on a bass or guitar.

 

[bassWR]

Thanks for the kind words! I def look forward to working thru this process with Nino and coming out the other end with a stellar instrument!

Big Fan of Shell Pink....Just Sayin

 

[kittywithabanjo]

View attachment 3216001
Big Fan of Shell Pink....Just Sayin

Cool I have a bass just like this in surf green from a local builder, same specs...

 

[Green1]

So I have decided to order a P bass from Nino.......I don't have a P and so I thought why not. Here are the specs:

V21-J5 body and neck
Swamp Ash
Radiation Green with a Black Pearloid pickguard

1 7/8 Nut width
maple fretboard
34 inch scale
Evo Gold vintage size frets

Hipshot B style bridge (19mm)
Black Hardware.

NP5 Reverse P pickup
passive only vol and tone.

let me know what you guys think. I had a Nordy Jazz in this color and I regret selling it, a very cool color with the black pearloid guard.

 

[Green1]

Hope all you Valenti fans are having a great Holiday weekend with friends and family. My wife worked last night, so I got to put some practice in. I'm still making minor adjustments to my recently acquired Valenti.....mainly just lowering the action a bit......neck is still perfect as it was when I received it. It still has me shaking my head in disbelief how ridiculously good this bass is. I didn't realize how expensive the American Fenders have gotten lately.......I don't know about the rest of you, but if I'm a guy who is prepared to spend 2K on a new Fender........why wouldn't I go with something like a Valenti where for just a little more I can get it exactly the way I want it. Thanks again to Nino for being cool to work with and for making such nice basses for working musicians!!!

 

[5string_phunk]

Alright...

I've officially sent the deposit to Nino for my build!! Can't believe how easy it was to hit that 'send payment' with confidence, knowing I'd discussed basically every option with Nino! After some back and forth, I went with a few of Nino's suggestions and I think I'm going to have a perfectly versatile workhorse!

...and now the wait begins!!

Here are the final specs!
V21-J5
-lightweight swamp ash body
-Olympic White
-Contoured heel
-Red-ish Tort Pickguard
-chrome control plate
-60’s pickup locations
-Rear routed

Graphite Reinforced Maple neck
-Pau Ferro Fretboard
-a darker piece w/decent a grain pattern
-cream dot inlays & side dots
-35” scale
-1 7/8” nut
-16” Fretboard radius
-'Unfinished' neck (No Gloss Finish)

Nordstrand Electronics
-NJ5S hum cancelling pickups
-2B preamp with VTC * with a single 9v *
-Vol, Vol, Tone, Bass/Treble w/preamp bypass on the Tone
-250K pots for passive controls (volumes and tone)

Hipshot hardware
-Ultralite Tuners
-B Bridge, 18mm
-String retainer
-Schaller straplocks
-chrome

-45-125 nickel strings

 

[bassWR]

Alright...

I've officially sent the deposit to Nino for my build!! Can't believe how easy it was to hit that 'send payment' with confidence, knowing I'd discussed basically every option with Nino! After some back and forth, I went with a few of Nino's suggestions and I think I'm going to have a perfectly versatile workhorse!

...and now the wait begins!!

Here are the final specs!
V21-J5
-lightweight swamp ash body
-Olympic White
-Contoured heel
-Red-ish Tort Pickguard
-chrome control plate
-60’s pickup locations
-Rear routed

Graphite Reinforced Maple neck
-Pau Ferro Fretboard
-a darker piece w/decent a grain pattern
-cream dot inlays & side dots
-35” scale
-1 7/8” nut
-16” Fretboard radius
-'Unfinished' neck (No Gloss Finish)

Nordstrand Electronics
-NJ5S hum cancelling pickups
-2B preamp with VTC * with a single 9v *
-Vol, Vol, Tone, Bass/Treble w/preamp bypass on the Tone
-250K pots for passive controls (volumes and tone)

Hipshot hardware
-Ultralite Tuners
-B Bridge, 18mm
-String retainer
-Schaller straplocks
-chrome

-45-125 nickel strings

You’re gonna love it.

 

[Kevdel]

The waiting is the hardest part....

 

[Green1]

I took my Valenti out on a corporate gig last weekend and it did the job wonderfully. I go back and forth between 34 and 35 inch scale and lately I have been leaning towards the 34......its a little more comfortable and my Valenti is a nice light piece of Alder......my back appreciates that on long gigs also. Thx again to Nino for "delivering the goods" on this bass

 

[roller]

Welp... I did it again.

And I blame all of you.

Yes, this message is to you -- the posters to the Valenti Megathread.

You contributed to this happening.

You just sat there in from of your computers and devices and let it take place.

Some of you don't even post to this thread... you just dial it up and read it... so this rests on your shoulders as well.

You all just sat there and watched.

It's as if you wanted it materialize.

My wallet is feeling the aftermath.

And now, I'll have to carve out a little room... for another super-badass custom Valenti... which I just pulled the trigger on.

 

[bassnyc1]

Welp... I did it again.

And I blame all of you.

Yes, this message is to you -- the posters to the Valenti Megathread.

You contributed to this happening.

You just sat there in from of your computers and devices and let it take place.

Some of you don't even post to this thread... you just dial it up and read it... so this rests on your shoulders as well.

You all just sat there and watched.

It's as if you wanted it materialize.

My wallet is feeling the aftermath.

And now, I'll have to carve out a little room... for another super-badass custom Valenti... which I just pulled the trigger on.

Okay, I’ll accept being one of the enablers! Now, what did you get? (Specs please)

 

[tink9975]

you're welcome