Valentino's Custom Bass

[smokin_dave]

WOW.I don't know what to say.What an incredible bass.I want to hear it.

[jlpicard]

Val,  I know I've told you this before in a phone conversation but your sense of design and taste is so much like what  I would want in a bass. I am totally jealous!  I would have any one of your designs but this one..bellisimo!
When I get ready to start my bass I would appreciate your input on all aspects of the design.  Mike DeVincenzo

[jlpicard]

Val,  I know I've told you this before in a phone conversation but your sense of design and taste is so much like what  I would want in a bass. I am totally jealous!  I would have any one of your designs but this one..bellisimo!
When I get ready to start my bass I would appreciate your input on all aspects of the design.  Mike DeVincenzo

[susan]

Jonathan,
 
How right you are regarding Val's instrument taking a back seat to customers projects needing to be completed.  That's why my Tribute guitar sat for 2 years without inlays, finally being sold to a store because they needed one after selling their Tribute and Further guitars.

[marcm]

family businesses are often like that.  my family was in the sporting-goods business, and forty-some years ago what i wanted most for christmas one year was a flexible flyer sled.  at the last moment, literally on christmas eve, my dad secreted my sled away to accommodate a paying customer.  he made it up to me later (i still own the sled), but that was one of the ways i learned what it means to be in a family business

[bigbadbill]

Well Val, that is the bass that Batman WISHES he owned, LOL! Wonder if he'd swap you the Batmobile? Incredible....congratulations aren't really necessary but you've got mine anyway!!!

[flaxattack]

how much for that tailpiece??  
think i would like it on the wolf val

[valvil]

Yes Bob,
 
Rami's were continuous as well...
The pants?
they are purpleheart with ebony & graphite laminates....
I have a pair that are solid purpleheart too...
Gonna have to find some coco bolo pants next...
Valentino

[valvil]

Here's the shot of the crown omega from the top

[bob]

Looking at that, I'm almost surprised you didn't go for a mini ebony stinger... but I guess that might have been overkill.
 
As one would expect, the balance and proportions are just perfect. And it's a rare treat to see the laminates inside the holes for the machine heads! I've been messing about with bridge blocks and pickups lately, and always get a kick out of seeing the wood cross-sections, but hadn't thought about taking out a tuner.

[rami]

Val,
 
Your Bass is just over-the-top awesome!  I suppose working at Alembic (next to Susan and Mica) allows for opportunities of creative influence that most of us can only dream of.
 
I love your selection of Coco-Bolo (very grainy), just perfect for the continuous wood everything.  (Love those pickups!)
 
Rami

[bsee]

Has anyone seen this bass lately?  We haven't heard from it in a while, and I thought I wasn't the only one hoping to see it get to completion.

[valvil]

Thanks Rami,  
 
I missed your post back when you uploaded it.
 
Hello Bob,
 
I see it every day I'm at work... Also everyone who comes in for a tour gets to see it.
The finishing process is over. At the moment I'm waiting for my 2 bridges to be done, then James can do the preliminary set-up and the hardware can go to the plater. After it gets back here, the electronics & the hardware can be installed. Then I'm taking it home un-upgraded (no interference at my house, cell phones don't even work and you get no TV signals without cable or a sat dish), until it's my turn on Ron's bench.
Right now, it does not look all that different from the last pictures I posted, so now I am waiting until there is something new to show, before I post anymore pictures. And then you'll see lots of shots.
 
 
Valentino

[bsee]

It looks like I might be visiting the shop next Wednesday.  I look forward to the opportunity to see it in person!
 
-Bob

[pace]

In person it is a beautiful sight to behold.... I regret not taking my camera into the shop when I was there the other week..... I am sure we'll see this body used again~ perhaps for someone who feels the triple O is too over the top, and the balance point is too plain.....  
 
After seeing it in person I started dreaming up a double neck 8-string/mando-cello based on this body...... You are a very lucky man Val.  
 
-Mike