• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Valenti Megathread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#901
I just got this about a week ago, and have finally had some time to spend with it. The color is Teal Green Metalic with matching headstock and mint guard. The electronics are passive with the '62 style stacked knobs. I love this configuration. The pickups are Alleva Coppolo J's.

The bass is a nice weight. It balances perfectly, and the neck meets the body with a nice contour that facilitates upper register playing. It is a nice little feature that adds to the playability, but doesn't detract from the J vibe. I opted for the classic stlye body. I just feel more comfortable on them. The construction of this bass is perfect. I'd be hard pressed to find any tiny issue---there are none. The neck feels wonderful. I owned a Jaco CS relic that I always thought had such a wonderful neck. Well, this Valenti is giving that bass a run for the money. I ended up selling the CS due to the lined board. This bass has an unlined fretless fingerboard and it is gorgeous. I have always been impressed with subtle beauty, and this bass is a looker without being too 'over-stated.'

The tone is right on. It sounds like a fretless J should. I can coax all kinds of musical nuances out of it, and it responds to subtle changes in technique. The string to string balance is perfect. I've found myself favoring the bridge pickup. It is full and rich. On other basses, sometimes the bridge pickup can be too thin, but not on the Valenti. I can't believe how detailed it is.

I played a few Valentis when I met Nino at a TB GTG so I knew this bass would kill. However, they all had active pres and modern pickups, so, even though I knew he would deliver a killer bass, I didn't know what his take on a passive, classic J would be. This bass proves that Nino can build anything. I think the wood and electronics combos are spot on. I look forward to playing this bass more.

Here's a pic:
HPIM4021.jpg
 
#902
Here's mine - #004. I've had it since fall. Love this bass. Will certainly consider another when I get in the buying mood again.

Everyone that sees this comments on it. I's even better when they hear how it sounds. This bass wins the battle of the killer undertones.
 

Attachments

  • valenti 004 1.jpg
    valenti 004 1.jpg
    35.7 KB · Views: 60
  • valenti 004 3.jpg
    valenti 004 3.jpg
    66.1 KB · Views: 63
#903
HPIM4116.jpg


Geez... what is it about burst + tort + maple that pokes me right in the gut? A classic combo, but I still drool over them.

Nice job Nino! I'm considering a P/J in the very near future (gotta sell one first though).

Is bass building your full-time gig now? What's the turn around time?
 
#905
I could probably post this in just about any forum around here, since it ultimately involves the bass, the strings, and the amp - but I'll post it here and call it good.

I have just terminated a failed experiment with DR High Beams on my Valenti. After reading so many good things about them, I had to give them a try. I did, and played about four gigs with them over the course of a month.

I'll mention that my Valenti has Sadowsky humcancelling pickups and the Sadowsky preamp, an ash body, and a maple board.

To my ears, this combination just moved me way too far up the "bright" scale. Using my typical EQ settings, I got a very clicky-clacky tone and a ton of non-note noise from the bass. I found myself dialing my tweeter way back on my cabinet, EQing my amp differently, and dialing the VTC back about 70% on the bass in order to get a satisfactory tone. In doing so, I lost a lot of the liveliness I like out of the Valenti. I have actually begun to lose favor for the bass, because I've had to fiddle with the controls in the middle of gigs way, way more than I prefer to. I'm a set it and forget it guy who prefers to control tone with my right hand.

I waited as long as I did because people have said that High Beams mellow nicely over a period of time. I will admit that when I took them off two nights ago, they were still fully "alive" after a month or more, and seem to be very durable. But they had not mellowed enough to be acceptable to my tonal requirements.

I am back to my cheap $14-per-set Carvin nickel light guage strings. Despite the price point, I have had by far the best overall experience with these of any string I have tried on my maple neck basses. I also use them on my Skjold 6-string.

YMMV.
 
#907
Chef said:
These?
Link Removed
Click to expand...
Exactly, and the equivalent 6011 set for my Skjold, which is a six-string. They have worked very well for me. I have two sets for each bass and cycle them on and off with a bath in denatured alcohol in between. I've been on the same two sets for each bass for a little less than a year.
 
#910
WJGreer said:
I could probably post this in just about any forum around here, since it ultimately involves the bass, the strings, and the amp - but I'll post it here and call it good.

I have just terminated a failed experiment with DR High Beams on my Valenti. After reading so many good things about them, I had to give them a try. I did, and played about four gigs with them over the course of a month.

I'll mention that my Valenti has Sadowsky humcancelling pickups and the Sadowsky preamp, an ash body, and a maple board.

To my ears, this combination just moved me way too far up the "bright" scale. Using my typical EQ settings, I got a very clicky-clacky tone and a ton of non-note noise from the bass. I found myself dialing my tweeter way back on my cabinet, EQing my amp differently, and dialing the VTC back about 70% on the bass in order to get a satisfactory tone. In doing so, I lost a lot of the liveliness I like out of the Valenti. I have actually begun to lose favor for the bass, because I've had to fiddle with the controls in the middle of gigs way, way more than I prefer to. I'm a set it and forget it guy who prefers to control tone with my right hand.

I waited as long as I did because people have said that High Beams mellow nicely over a period of time. I will admit that when I took them off two nights ago, they were still fully "alive" after a month or more, and seem to be very durable. But they had not mellowed enough to be acceptable to my tonal requirements.

I am back to my cheap $14-per-set Carvin nickel light guage strings. Despite the price point, I have had by far the best overall experience with these of any string I have tried on my maple neck basses. I also use them on my Skjold 6-string.

YMMV.
Click to expand...

Your experience equals mine. I've tried to move over to Hi Beams several times, and have been thoroughly disappointed each time. Clackety is exactly what I would describe them as. Very little warmth. I do like the aggressiveness in the mids, but the zing is just over the top for me. Low Riders are better, as the string tension seems to help control string noise. Still, I am just a nickel string kind of guy. For my ears, it seems to help my basses sing. I've not tried the Carving strings, but at that price point I just might have to. I have used D'Addario nickels which are fairly cheap as well. EB Slinkies are also not bad. I've even been very happy with Elixir strings on many basses, and when you are playing outside in the summer heat here on the Gulf Coast, Elixirs are excellent. The last for months for me without string chaning, and when things get hot and sweaty they allow your fingers to still glide across the strings.

DR makes very high quality strings though. Their nickels sound great also, although the Sunbeams are just too low-tension for me. But considering how pricey they are, I don't feel they are worth the extra money over D'Addario. I'm going to order some of those Carvin strings and give'em a whirl. Thanks for sharing!
 
#911
Friends,

A movie version of Bigfoot is currently being shot in Colorado. The producers have decided to source some of the soundtrack using local artists. My current project, Fina Dupa, submitted one of the tracks from our recent CD for consideration as part of the soundtrack.

Our song, called "Alligator", has been chosen as one of twenty finalists by the Denver area radio station hosting the selection. They are selecting the winner partially by vote.

Will you spend 30 seconds and vote for our song? Simply do the following:

- Go to http://www.alice1059.com/
- Find and click the link for "Battle of the Bands - Listen then vote for your fav song out of 20 finalists! "
- Vote for Fina Dupa - Alligator

Please, send this message to your friends. This is a numbers game now - we need all the votes we can get. Where you live does not matter.

The voting will be finalized at the end of the day this Wednesday - so go quickly!

Thanks!
 
#912
WJGreer said:
Friends,

A movie version of Bigfoot is currently being shot in Colorado. The producers have decided to source some of the soundtrack using local artists. My current project, Fina Dupa, submitted one of the tracks from our recent CD for consideration as part of the soundtrack.

Our song, called "Alligator", has been chosen as one of twenty finalists by the Denver area radio station hosting the selection. They are selecting the winner partially by vote.

Will you spend 30 seconds and vote for our song? Simply do the following:

- Go to http://www.alice1059.com/
- Find and click the link for "Battle of the Bands - Listen then vote for your fav song out of 20 finalists! "
- Vote for Fina Dupa - Alligator

Please, send this message to your friends. This is a numbers game now - we need all the votes we can get. Where you live does not matter.

The voting will be finalized at the end of the day this Wednesday - so go quickly!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Done Will, nice uptempo fun tune, good luck I hope you make it. By the way is this a vote early and often "Chicago Style Deal" ;) LOL let us know.
 
#917
Heh, I didn't realize this thread existed. I'm a proud member, at this point. About 2 months ago, I put a deposit down on a 5 string of Nino's:

I wanted Nino's take on a "Lakland 55-94 in a jazz body with black hardware", and this is what happened:
>> 5 string Jazz bass
>> Swamp Ash w/Quilted Maple top
>> Blueburst finish
>> Birdseye Maple neck/fretboard w/side dots only
>> Satin Clear finish on neck
>> Black Hardware
>> Hipshot ultra-lite tuning gears
>> Hipshot B style bridge
>> Nordstrand NJ5S in neck position
>> Nordstrand MM5.4 in bridge position
>> Aguilar OBP-1 w/passive tone control
>> 3 way mini switch for MM5.4, series/single coil/parallel

I couldn't wait for 6 months, so I snagged #039 from the classifieds when it came up.
VintP4_001.jpg


However, I've realized I'm not really a 4-banger person, so I worked out a trade on #066, WHICH IS ON IT'S WAY TO ME NOW!

HPIM7121.jpg


I'm almost dying of excitement between the two, Nino truly knows how to put a bass together, from what I've seen on #039.

Cheers,
Nick
 
#920
WJGreer said:
Friends,
Will you spend 30 seconds and vote for our song? Simply do the following:

- Go to http://www.alice1059.com/
- Find and click the link for "Battle of the Bands - Listen then vote for your fav song out of 20 finalists! "
- Vote for Fina Dupa - Alligator

The voting will be finalized at the end of the day this Wednesday - so go quickly!Thanks!
Click to expand...

Here's the direct link...
http://alice1059.com/pages/2031508.php

You got my vote.

Rob
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back