The Valenti Megathread

[Nino Valenti]

Nino,
Everything I'd seen here has been ultra clean and beautiful in terms of craftsmanship. But, I'm still left wondering why your control plates don't follow the curvature of the bodies?

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but I think your basses would look more cohesive if that control plate sloped/curved more, so as to mimic the curvature of the body of the basses. And also the beautiful curve of your headstocks.

It seems to me like you need to get away from the sadowsky plate and peruse your own vision.

Just my 2 cents. Keep up the good work.

Matt

The control plate doesn't follow the body because of the USA Custom 34" 5 string Body and pickup layout. It is something that has concerned me and it will change soon. I don't take it as "fighting words". It's something that's bothered me for a while.

Here is what the my Vintage J4 looks like:

"It seems to me like you need to get away from the sadowsky plate and peruse your own vision."
Umm... what? Sadowsky vision? I'm building basses inspired by Big Leo!!!

 

[blizzard]

I'm seeing double... 4 Jazz basses.

my bass

ninos bass

 

[Commreman]

Is it possible to get a 1 3/4 inch nut width on a five string? Also, is it possible to get a thinner neck profile than the standard "Fender" C shape?

 

[joelb79]

So.. again, are blocks and binding now available? I didn't see that USACG was doing this yet.. or was that a Warmoth neck?

 

[Nino Valenti]

So.. again, are blocks and binding now available?

Yes

I didn't see that USACG was doing this yet..

They're not.

or was that a Warmoth neck?

Nope.

 

[Nino Valenti]

Is it possible to get a 1 3/4 inch nut width on a five string?

Yes.

Also, is it possible to get a thinner neck profile than the standard "Fender" C shape?

My necks do not feel like a Fender. Mine current necks are flatter, not as chunky.

 

[Willem]

Do you think you'll ever have tighter stringspacing available? Like 17mm?

 

[Altitude]

Do you think you'll ever have tighter stringspacing available? Like 17mm?

You could get a Hipshot A-style bridge and tighten the spacing that way.

 

[Vic]

You could get a Hipshot A-style bridge and tighten the spacing that way.

I'd think you'd also need a narrower neck or it might look odd going from 19mm to 17mm by the time you add it all up?

 

[Ryan L.]

That trans. white one is absolutely beautiful. Even if it is backwards.

 

[BassManPatsFan]

Nino--the body on that lefty jazz looks thicker than the rest. edit: Did the customer order an extra thick body or is it just the angle that makes it look thicker?

 

[ALiP BoB]

Yes

They're not.

Nope.

Then who is doing the blocks and binding neck?

 

[west*coast*bass]

Then who is doing the blocks and binding neck?

Highly skilled Monkeys...

 

[Vic]

Highly skilled Monkeys...

Actually, this is true, in a sense...

 

[jokerjkny]

used my 5'er on a few cabaret gigs i did this month, and if anything, nino's basses help you get more gigs!

 

[Vic]

used my 5'er on a few cabaret gigs i did this month, and if anything, nino's basses help you get more gigs!

This is true... I don't even own one, but I picked one up at Tom's and my cell phone rang... it was the band leader with a new gig to check my schedule for. Amazing. These basses actually pay for themselves...

 

[Willem]

You could get a Hipshot A-style bridge and tighten the spacing that way.

I don't think the strings would align with the pole pieces and yeah the neck too...

 

[PocketGroove82]

The control plate doesn't follow the body because of the USA Custom 34" 5 string Body and pickup layout. It is something that has concerned me and it will change soon. I don't take it as "fighting words". It's something that's bothered me for a while.

Gotcha! That vintage J looks very nice as a whole unit. I personally really get off on basses where everything just works together and nothing detracts from the cohesion. Like the Stingray; IMO, you take that pickguard off and "YIKES!"
And I really do think your headstock shape is one of the sexiest takes on the fender.

"It seems to me like you need to get away from the sadowsky plate and peruse your own vision."
Umm... what? Sadowsky vision? I'm building basses inspired by Big Leo!!!

Point taken!
I stand corrected.

 

[Dirty Dave]

Amazing. These basses actually pay for themselves...

That's great news considering I just put myself in line for one.

 

[Nino Valenti]

Odd. The trans white has a serial number from 20 basses ago.

USACG was having continuous "issues" making that neck. After 9+ months of of waiting, I had the neck made by someone else.

I assign serial numbers when I place the order and that's how long my customer has been patiently waiting,