Nordstrand 2 Band Pre vs. Sadowsky VTC onboard

Nobody · #1 03-18-2011, 08:34 AM

I love my bass(Ibanez SRX690) but feel that the preamp is lacking and a better one would be ...... well ...... BETTER.

I don't know anything about pres and would appreciate your input. I think I'll get one of these two when I get one. I like the idea of have a passive tone control when the pre is bypassed. I know with the Sadowsky the tone control can be used even with the pre on. Is this also true of the Nordstrand? The Nordy has boost and cut where the Sadowsky has boost only. I can't really see the need for cutting the bass and with the tone control to cut the highs when needed, do I really need to cut the highs with the pre? I'm leaning toward the Sadowsky at this point but wanted to see what you guys and gals thought of these two pres. Thanks for the input.

Nordstrand 2 Band Preamp
2B-4c ( 2 pickup - 4 Knob)

- Volume (pull passive)
- Blend
- Passive Tone
- Treble/Bass Stack

2B-4c Prewired - $192

Specifications:

- Treble: +/- 12 dB@4KHz
- Bass: +/- 12 dB@50Hz

Technical Data:

Overall Gain is +/- 10db by a trim pot on the circuit board

or the Sadowsky Sadowsky Guitars | Bass Preamp/DI

5Hz to 50KHz
bass +13dB boost @ 40Hz
treble +13dB boost @ 4KHz
This is the same circuit built into every Sadowsky NYC bass. Includes pots for Vol-Vol or Volume-Pan wiring, vintage tone control (VTC) which includes a push-pull pot for the preamp bypass and a stacked treble/bass control.

Nickthebass · #2 03-18-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobody

I can't really see the need for cutting the bass and with the tone control to cut the highs when needed, do I really need to cut the highs with the pre?

I'd say two things in response to this.

1) An active high cut sounds different to a passive tone control (to me at least)

2) Cutting the bass and treble will in effect boost the mids.

I've got a Metro with the Sadowsky 2 band preamp (no VTC though) and it is very good. I thought I would miss the lack of mid control but I use the pick up bias for this instead. (More bridge p/up -> more mids.)

I'm thinking about a Nordstrand circuit for another bass so I'd be interested to see the answers on that too.

Nobody · #3 03-18-2011, 09:10 AM

Good points! Thanks!

maurilio · #4 03-18-2011, 11:28 AM

It's up to you how you wire/want the passive tone ctrl, but by default the tone ctrl is always "on" on the nordstrand (like the sad).
Nord comes prewired for less $ than the Sad, tho

M

Nobody · #5 03-18-2011, 12:32 PM

Yeah, the Nordy being prewired is definitely a plus. Is it safe to assume then that the tone pot on the Nordy is prewired to be able to be used whether the pre is on or off?

testing1two · #6 03-18-2011, 01:09 PM

With no EQ applied the Nordstrand is more neutral to my ears while the Sadowsky has a more distinct voicing. Both sound very, very good.

maurilio · #7 03-18-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobody

Yeah, the Nordy being prewired is definitely a plus. Is it safe to assume then that the tone pot on the Nordy is prewired to be able to be used whether the pre is on or off?

yes

Nobody · #8 03-19-2011, 08:02 AM

OK, now I'm leaning toward the Nordy.
Thanks for the input and info so far.

Nobody · #9 03-20-2011, 02:26 PM

ManuBerdin · #10 03-20-2011, 03:49 PM

My first Nordy ( Big singles loaded ) came used with a Sadowsky pré with VTC . I changed it for a Nordstrand 2 weeks ago and had the chance to use the bass in the same conditions with the two preamps on two gigs in the same place , same musicians , one on Friday and one on Saturday after the preamps swap ...

The Nordstrand pré is more "natural" sounding , less "agressive " . In fact , the Sado sound was fine , but the Nordy is way better IMHO ...

Nickthebass · #11 03-20-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuBerdin

My first Nordy ( Big singles loaded ) came used with a Sadowsky pré with VTC . I changed it for a Nordstrand 2 weeks ago and had the chance to use the bass in the same conditions with the two preamps on two gigs in the same place , same musicians , one on Friday and one on Saturday after the preamps swap ...

The Nordstrand pré is more "natural" sounding , less "agressive " . In fact , the Sado sound was fine , but the Nordy is way better IMHO ...

On the basis of this it looks like I'm heading for a Nordstrand circuit too.

Chasarms · #12 04-19-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthebass

I'd say two things in response to this.

1) An active high cut sounds different to a passive tone control (to me at least)

2) Cutting the bass and treble will in effect boost the mids.

I've got a Metro with the Sadowsky 2 band preamp (no VTC though) and it is very good. I thought I would miss the lack of mid control but I use the pick up bias for this instead. (More bridge p/up -> more mids.)

I'm thinking about a Nordstrand circuit for another bass so I'd be interested to see the answers on that too.

Having both the active Treble boost and the VTC in the Sadowsky pre actually creates a very specific kind of magic. The frequency centers are different. What it allows you to do is to actually boost the active treble, use the passive tone roll off a touch and get an awesome, ultra-clear bright tone without any harshness or brittle high end.

The Norstrand is pretty neutral. I wouldn't call the Sadowsky "harsh" by any means, but it does have a certain character. If you like it, then there's no substitute. If not, then there no avoiding it.

I happened to REALLY like it. My sadowsky basses have this mojo of fullness, thickness and warmth combined with tight, focused punch that I have never experienced in another bass.