Nordstrand Pre vs Sadowsky

[gimmeagig]

I am curious about the Nordie 2b4a pre.Specifically how it sounds in a Jazz type 5 string bass.
How does it compare to a Sadowsky pre.The treble center seems to be the same at 4khz but the bass center is at 50hz vs 40hz.
How noticeable is the difference?
I've been very happy with my Sadowsky and also my OBP1 preamps but I have a bass that I might want to try something new in.

[narud]

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

I am curious about the Nordie 2b4a pre.Specifically how it sounds in a Jazz type 5 string bass.
How does it compare to a Sadowsky pre.The treble center seems to be the same at 4khz but the bass center is at 50hz vs 40hz.
How noticeable is the difference?
I've been very happy with my Sadowsky and also my OBP1 preamps but I have a bass that I might want to try something new in.

my brief time with the nord tells me that the boost is more useable. wish i could be more help. one thing to keep in mind is that pres with the controls at the same frequency can still sound way different.

[Brado]

I would go with a higher center frequency for the bass boost. 40hz is nice; don't get me wrong.....if you're dealing with a larger rig at high volumes,boosting at such a low frequency can do some damage to your speakers in a hurry. I'm speaking from experience (2 nights ago, actually). 50hz is still nice & low.

[MarkTAW]

Sadowsky makes an outboard pre that I've been on again/off again tempted to get. Why not pick one up & see how you like it?

[smeet]

I believe they both come in outboard form.
I talked to Carey and he felt that the overall sound of his pre was similar to the Sadowsky's. But the Nordstrand is cut/boost, right? The Sadowsky is boost only. I'm interested in the 3-band Nordstrand (with switchable mid freq). I dream about mids and cut/boost in my Sadowsky... Probably won't modify my instrument, but it's tempting.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Brado

I would go with a higher center frequency for the bass boost. 40hz is nice; don't get me wrong.....if you're dealing with a larger rig at high volumes,boosting at such a low frequency can do some damage to your speakers in a hurry. I'm speaking from experience (2 nights ago, actually). 50hz is still nice & low.

Actually the starting point of a shelving bass control (or even the center point of a very wide Q bass control) has very little if anything to do with how the deepest frequencies are impacted. It all has to do with the slope and/or hi pass cut off way down deep.

I love the Sadowsky pre with J Basses myself. However, there is a LOT of boost in the boost only bass and treble. The usable range of both of those controls with most rigs (i.e., rigs that are even and fully voiced from top to bottom) is between 'off and 25%'. The Sadowsky pre with just a touch of bass boost applied is just fat as anything. I love it.

I have not had the pleasure of trying the Nordstrand pre, but all indications are that it is a bit more subtle than the Sadowsky... maybe a bit closer to the amazing Alleva-Coppolo preamp, which has similar bass and treble boost frequencies as the Sadowsky, but is much more subtle, and usable throughout the entire range of the boost IMO and IME.

[gimmeagig]

Originally Posted by KJung

Actually the starting point of a shelving bass control (or even the center point of a very wide Q bass control) has very little if anything to do with how the deepest frequencies are impacted. It all has to do with the slope and/or hi pass cut off way down deep.

I love the Sadowsky pre with J Basses myself. However, there is a LOT of boost in the boost only bass and treble. The usable range of both of those controls with most rigs (i.e., rigs that are even and fully voiced from top to bottom) is between 'off and 25%'. The Sadowsky pre with just a touch of bass boost applied is just fat as anything. I love it.

I have not had the pleasure of trying the Nordstrand pre, but all indications are that it is a bit more subtle than the Sadowsky... maybe a bit closer to the amazing Alleva-Coppolo preamp, which has similar bass and treble boost frequencies as the Sadowsky, but is much more subtle, and usable throughout the entire range of the boost IMO and IME.

I'm with you on that 25% comment.Anything more is just not musical unless you compensate on the amp.
The Sadowsky is is a great preamp.I have it in three basses.
I wanted to try the Mike Pope preamp, but it is 350.- and as much as I would like to, I just can't swing that right now.
Is it possible to buy the Alleva Coppolo preamp separately?Probably not.
I'm not in such a rush.I'll keep my eyes open on e-bay.Something might turn up.In the meantime my NTBT sounds pretty good too.

[narud]

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

I'm with you on that 25% comment.Anything more is just not musical unless you compensate on the amp.
The Sadowsky is is a great preamp.I have it in three basses.
I wanted to try the Mike Pope preamp, but it is 350.- and as much as I would like to, I just can't swing that right now.
Is it possible to buy the Alleva Coppolo preamp separately?Probably not.
I'm not in such a rush.I'll keep my eyes open on e-bay.Something might turn up.In the meantime my NTBT sounds pretty good too.

any of the pres youve mentioned sounds better in a jazz than the ntbt. been there, done that. jimmy will sell you his pre, but its 350 bucks as well. if youre interested in one, pm me as i have an extra i might be looking to move.