In the late ‘80s, Jimmy Coppolo began his career in New York City on the famous 48th st. strip of guitar stores as head of the Vintage department. For years Jimmy watched as amazing gear come in and out of the shop, often repairing and bringing old instruments back to their original glory, Jimmy slowly began to build instruments in the original tradition of the artisans that built these treasured guitars. Pulling apart so many, gave him a desire to build gig friendly instruments that could stand the test of nights in the New York clubs, while perfecting some of the old world building techniques. The Alleva- Coppolo goal was to make the best representation of those vintage guitars, and to never compromise on the quality with mass produced construction. A pre-amp was the first part of the mix, and was designed by Jimmy to give his clients basses a bump that he heard in his head- Its 2 band treble/bass is a boost boost with the ability to bypass, giving the option to the players to use it or not, gives a smooth extra fullness to the basses without taking away from their vintage feel and tone. These were implanted in a ton of customers old J basses.
Jimmy began making some guitars with some bought pieces, and the now signature headstock to play while he was gigging. Slowly he designed what would now be known as the LG5. With a slightly altered shape, yet comfortable to what everyone was used to playing. He included the AC headstock, vol/vol/tone/trebPRE /bassPRE knob configuration with no knob plate. and lollypop tuners to make what he did different from the other builders.
LM series, the KBP and RA were next as he expanded the models.
Alleva-Coppolo has been changing constantly. Slight modifications, experimentation of pickup pole pieces, building of bridges, and always pushing to find the wire that was originally used in the pickups of the early electrics constantly fuel Jimmy. New ways of building are often experimented with, and if it helps, its added to the production. if it hurts it, it is scrapped.
After moving to California with his dog Caesar, Jimmy added a HAAS CNC machine to help speed up production. The idea was not to stop making handmade items, but to make sure that the first step in the shape was more consistent and exact. Once out of the CNC machine, the rest is done by hand. It takes a long time. If you already have an AC, you already know that these are not made over night. Wood is set to dry, rest, settle or whatever is needed to make sure they arrive perfect.
With the desire to grow, Jimmy has began to sell his pickups designed in-house to fit in standard J and P basses, as well as bringing back some of his history: Guitars. As a guitar player, Jimmy has a passion not only for bass, but for the guitars he started his company with. Production of several models of guitars are coming back with the same vintage feel and sound as the basses. Another early product was the Pre-amp pedal, called the kah-boom box. Soon you will be seeing some
A-C/Benevale pedals to add to your pedalboard. Keep an eye out.
Alleva-Coppolo Basses and Guitars were all built to be played. The more they are used, the more character they have. The stories can be told of how they ended up in the condition they are in. The rooms they were played in. The bumps as they knocked up against the drum kit in the middle of a set. We love seeing them in any condition. Welcome to the Famiglia.