Alleva-Coppolo NYC LS5 - Rare One-Of-A-Kind

Near mint 2005 Alleva-Coppolo NYC LS5 - Rare One-Of-A-Kind!

This one is a rare bird. A 2005 AC 5-string with 1960’s pickup placement and a swamp ash body. The bass has 4 controls instead of the typical 5 on most AC’s - a volume control for each pickup (one of which pulls out for active/passive), a bass boost, and treble boost. Also, in addition to the top-loading bridge, there is a ferrule on the rear for the low B string, should you want to string the B through the bass body.

It is near-impossible to believe this bass is almost 20 years old. I can say, without any exaggeration, that it could just about pass as new. At worst, it is near mint. There are no dings, dents, or chips, and only the most superficial of scuffs/scratches. It is in near-perfect condition and must not have been played regularly.

The paint job is absolutely gorgeous yet understated - a transparent off-white/tan that really shows of the spectacular wood grain.

Comes with hard-shell case.

When I acquired this bass I had trouble figuring out exactly what it was, so I inquired of Jimmy Coppolo. Here is his response:

“I made that bass a real long time ago, maybe around 2004 or 2005. It's a one of a kind, swamp ash body with 1960's pickup spacing. At the time the passive tone option was an additional cost, so the controls are vol./vol./Treble boost/Bass boost. The bas was painted by my painter we affectionately call the professor. As for tuners and bridge back then if I was out of my stock parts I would just grab whatever I had in stock; I owned NY Guitar & Bass Boutique on 9th ave. Manhattan where not only did I build but also did a lot of repairs and restorations, sold some high end guitar, basses and amps as well. It's a cool bass but does sound a little different than the usual 60's style J; the ash body really does influence the tone quite a bit. If you are looking for something different sounding and somewhat unique yet packaged in a familiar look this would be a great fit. - jimmy”

I was also sent this response Jimmy gave to another curious AC fan:

“… I need to let you know that B5-0018 is not a LM5; it’s a LS5 which I discontinued. The bridge pickup placement is 1960’s and the body is made of swamp ash. It was modelled after two 1965 Jazz basses, one that I almost bought in the mid 1990’s and the one that the bass player from Lynard Skynard played with their original line up in the 1970’s. It’s a cool bass BUT it’s not a very common option or tone. [Redacted] was the original buyer, I think he was a guy that frequented the internet news groups back when I built it in NYC around 2005. The seller probably had no idea that this bass was the LS because not many people would even know I made one like this. It is one of a kind, if that means anything. -jimmy”