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Which look for a Valenti P-Bass?

Which P-bass color scheme do you like best?

  • Tobacco Burst

    Votes: 37 27.4%

  • Blueburst

    Votes: 39 28.9%

  • Translucent Brown

    Votes: 41 30.4%

  • Other/Carrots

    Votes: 18 13.3%
  • Total voters
    135
#61
Jared Lash said:
Yeah, I really like the blueburst but I agree it doesn't fit as well with the whole "vintage sounding P" concept.
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How exactly does a given "color" not fit with a vintage "sound"????

If someone is laying down a smooth, groovin', pulsating jazz or R&B rhythm, I couldn't care less if the bass was fluorescent orange with day-glo pink leopard stripes!!!
By the same token, someone pumping out a steady string of 8th notes on a metal track could be playing a Hofner hollowbody for all I care. As long as it SOUNDS good in the mix, thats what matters.

EDIT: Just know this-WHATEVER color you get, you'll be happy. I got the chance to play one of Nino's 5 stringers at the NE GTG several months back and WOW, was I impressed!!!
 
#63
kjpollo said:
How exactly does a given "color" not fit with a vintage "sound"????

If someone is laying down a smooth, groovin', pulsating jazz or R&B rhythm, I couldn't care less if the bass was fluorescent orange with day-glo pink leopard stripes!!!
By the same token, someone pumping out a steady string of 8th notes on a metal track could be playing a Hofner hollowbody for all I care. As long as it SOUNDS good in the mix, thats what matters.
Click to expand...

It's not that the look influences the sound (though there could be some differences in ash/maple vs alder/rosewood) it's just whether or not I WANT to keep a vintage look to match the vintage sound. I'm still not sure if Antigua is a possibility (and if I'd go that route even if it is) but if it isn't I'm going with whatever comes out on top in the poll.

Maybe I should declare a "winner" when we get to 100 votes. :D
 
#65
kjpollo said:
How exactly does a given "color" not fit with a vintage "sound"????

If someone is laying down a smooth, groovin', pulsating jazz or R&B rhythm, I couldn't care less if the bass was fluorescent orange with day-glo pink leopard stripes!!!
By the same token, someone pumping out a steady string of 8th notes on a metal track could be playing a Hofner hollowbody for all I care. As long as it SOUNDS good in the mix, thats what matters.

EDIT: Just know this-WHATEVER color you get, you'll be happy. I got the chance to play one of Nino's 5 stringers at the NE GTG several months back and WOW, was I impressed!!!
Click to expand...

I like to think that I don't care what color an instrument is, but the fact is that over about 30 years of playing I've always ended up selling an instrument that I didn't like the look of.

Audiences definitely react to visuals. All things being equal, a band of attractive people will get booked for more money than a band of unattractive people. You won't be warmly received bringing an Explorer shaped bass to a blues gig.

I doubt that a blue-burst bass would raise many eyebrows one way or another, but as much as I love the color blue, I think it might gnaw away at me. If I came across it used at a bargain price I'd buy it. If I had options, I'd choose another color, even though I think it looks nice. I can't explain why.

KO
 
#66
jmain said:
Other/carrots = Antigua

Not winning, but still my vote. ;)


Did Nino say he could swing that finish? And if so, would the pickguard have the finish like the pic you posted or a black pg?
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Well, if Antigua IS a possibility then I'll weigh it against whichever one wins the poll and decide from there. Honestly I'm not sure I'd go with antigua if I can't get the pickguard similarly shaded - that's a big part of the appeal to me. Nino is asking his finisher and said he'll let me know.

kraigo said:
I doubt that a blue-burst bass would raise many eyebrows one way or another, but as much as I love the color blue, I think it might gnaw away at me. If I came across it used at a bargain price I'd buy it. If I had options, I'd choose another color, even though I think it looks nice. I can't explain why.
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Yeah, the blueburst is actually the most appealing to me visually but I'm not sure if it's out of place for a P-bass or not. Then again, I really just want that thumpy tone - it's not as if I'll be joining a MoTown Revue tomorrow where it will look out of place. But again, if the poll gets to 100 I'm picking whichever one has the most votes and running with it. :bassist:
 
#67
I'm just not sure why people consider a P bass to be a "vintage" bass and a Jazz bass not, when they've been around almost as long. I can see it maybe with the old P bass '51 style, but other things have moved along, why not all of them. I consider the P bass to be just another tool, just like the J or anything else. Make it pretty. :)
 
#68
Jared Lash said:
Well, if Antigua IS a possibility then I'll weigh it against whichever one wins the poll and decide from there. Honestly I'm not sure I'd go with antigua if I can't get the pickguard similarly shaded - that's a big part of the appeal to me. Nino is asking his finisher and said he'll let me know.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pg would be the determining factor for me too. The shaded PG adds a lot to the look, although I might pick it even with a black pg.

That said, they're all tops in my book. Pretty cool that these folks are picking your next finish!
 
#70
HPIM7333.jpg


It doesn't matter what color you get, every bass Nino makes is incredible :D

And they look great on stage;)

2.jpg
 
#71
kjpollo said:
I gotta say, if Nino CAN get the Antigua for you, go for it! A friend of mine has a P-bass with that finish and it does look good.
(talk about arguing against myself! :) )
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If it's a possibility I'm going to have to give it some real thought. I certainly dig it.

Vinny D said:
It doesn't matter what color you get, every bass Nino makes is incredible :D

And they look great on stage;)
Click to expand...

Vinny, I've checked out your bass on the Valenti site many times and it is sweet. And you're right - it does look great on stage. :bassist:

Only six more votes and I'm declaring a winner.
 
#77
peterpalmieri said:
Youv'e reached 100 votes and it's a tie. I say translucent brown, considering I started posting your previous P bass thread my suggestion should pull some weight! ;)
Click to expand...

That's a pretty convincing argument. ;)

When the voting tightened up at the end I figured it could end in a tie. It does make me feel better about not being able to decide since the voting ended up 30 to 30 to 27.
 
#78
kjpollo said:
How exactly does a given "color" not fit with a vintage "sound"????
Click to expand...

Some of us are thinking that if the OP wants a vintage sound, then he might want a vintage look to go with.

That was my thought. So, I voted for trans brown! I think the blueburst is prettier, but trans brown has a classic 70's vibe... especially with the black guard and ashtray. And I wholeheartedly agree with the others: vintage tint on the neck!
C_Keelan_012.jpg
 
#79
It was tied at 100 but now Translucent Brown is clearly in the lead so that looks like the way I'll go. Of course, I probably won't put down a deposit until I get back from my work trip next Friday so that may change.

In any event, the last update from me is this because others had asked about this info:

Nino says an Antigua burst is probably an option but would carry an upcharge. Hmm. . .
 
#80
Glad transparent brown is winning! Of all the colors Fender has offered over the years, the "mocha" or "walnut" brown Precisions from the '70s have always been my favorite look. The black pickguard is a must, and good call on the tinted neck. Rosewood with blocks is a pretty decent look too (i think there's a fender japan jazz w/ that color combo). The best thing about trans brown IMO is that it's clearly recognized as a classic color and look for a precision, yet there really aren't that many of them around. And fender certainly hasn't made a mass produced one in a long time. They're unique enough looking to be fun, but the actual colors are pretty mellow and subtle. At one point I had hoped to order a trans brown 4 string PJ from Nino, but it'll be a awhile til I can afford something like that.
 

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