Club Sadowsky (Part 32)

[Hounddog]

It is a Will Lee Preamp so does anyone know what mid frequency Mr. Will Lee actually Boosts? Sounds awesome on The Late Night Show.

[THORRR]

Currently 500 and 800.


My WL doesn't really need anything. But if I had to pick,
I'd vote for a 200 to 300 boost over a 1200 boost, which I'd never use.

It's such a sweet bass just as it is.

[Sadowsky]

Originally Posted by LutherHeggs00

I think there's an error on the prices for the new Vintage 24-fret 4-string Metros.

I see the designation RV5-WL and MV5-WL in the prices. Looks like the text from the image in the Will Lee models in the center was copied to the 24-fret models on the right.

Thank you for pointing this out. I just gave Kevin his 2 weeks notice!

Roger

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Vic

Given the boost-only nature, I would vote 300, or actually, even lower... maybe 250 or even 200.

I pretty much never boost the high mids like 1K and above. 800 is probably about as high as I'd ever boost personally, and honestly, I'd probably rarely even do that, but I love to boost low mids (200-300) if favoring or soloing the bridge and I want the burp to have more cohones, but still remain fairly tight sounding.

Just one question...

Currently, the 2-way switch goes from boost to "flat", with Q and Freq selected on the back.

If you move Freq to the 3-way, and all three positions represent a Freq, how do you get to "flat"? Does each Freq have a boost level on the back so you have to simply adjust one to be non-boosted and sacrifice that Freq?

+1 A slight boost (no more than 3db) at around 200 hz would quickly and easily add the 'meat' to a J bass tone that some feel is missing.

Also, per your upper mid point, that 800hz (or a bit higher depending on the built in voicing of the preamp and Sadowsky pickups) center point with narrow Q as a CUT would also be quite useful to many as a 'gank removal' switch for slappers. Can't imagine needing to boost up there with the Sadowsky inherent tone, and especially if you use the Sadowsky strings and/or single coils, which to my ear, have a bit of a rise there. Actually, that is one of the things I like most about the Sadowsky J's... that 'grind' at 1K or so. But, that is also what those peers of mine who try the Sadowsky J and don't a particularly dig it DISLIKE about the Sadowsky tone. A three way switch with 'flat, wide Q 3db bump around 200hz, and narrow Q 3db cut centered somewhere around 1K would be a pretty cool circuit.

That being said, I can also see a slight boost in the upper mids around 1K (with possibly just a bit of low passing above 5K or so) possibly working well to make the stock Sadowsky HC J pickups a bit more 'single coil' like, so lots of possibilities

Of course, Will Lee might not agree at all, and its his circuit

[KJung]

Per my above suggestions, just to be clear, I see no need for any additional switches, etc. on the basic Sadowsky preamp. It is voiced beautifully, and like many others, a slight bass boost, maybe a touch of upper treble rolled off with the passive tone control, and there you go!

I've read somewhere (in an interview with Will) that Will virtually never changes strings, and uses extreme EQ to muscle an even tone out of very old strings. That could explain a lot regarding his preference for additional EQ power on the preamp.... just guessing and musing there.

[Hounddog]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Thank you for pointing this out. I just gave Kevin his 2 weeks notice!

Roger

Kevin just sent me a message and laughingly said that about 7 hrs into the Sadowsky Holiday Party (Vodka, Whiskey Beer and Wine) you signed over 51% of SadowskyLTD to him. I think he is just waiting on the right time to remind you.

[pickles]

With the 200ish mid boost, what i was thinking would be cool is that combined with the scoop from the 2 band you'd get a mid-mids cut but keep the meaty lowest mids a little fuller, it'd be a little more "fenderey".

A 300 boost cold also be useful to just counteract the natural scoop of the 2 band, so your basic tone would be with some EQ rolled in and the switch on, then turn the switch off for insta scoop.

What about using different Q and level for each frequency if that's possible, each designed to create a specific interaction with the 2band and VTC.

[Sadowsky]

Originally Posted by Vic

Currently, the 2-way switch goes from boost to "flat", with Q and Freq selected on the back.

If you move Freq to the 3-way, and all three positions represent a Freq, how do you get to "flat"? Does each Freq have a boost level on the back so you have to simply adjust one to be non-boosted and sacrifice that Freq?

The frequency switch would be in addition to the on/off switch.
It would replace the switch on the circuit board.

Roger

[Sadowsky]

Originally Posted by KJung

I've read somewhere (in an interview with Will) that Will virtually never changes strings, and uses extreme EQ to muscle an even tone out of very old strings.

Will does not play with old strings.

Roger

[Sadowsky]

Originally Posted by pickles

What about using different Q and level for each frequency if that's possible, each designed to create a specific interaction with the 2band and VTC.

One of my goals has always been to design things to be "plug and play". There are a myriad of outboard EQ devices to enable one to dial in a very specific frequency and Q. I am actually still very happy with my original 2 band EQ. My original thought was just to move the frequency switch on the circuit board to a mini toggle and realized that a 3 way switch takes up the same space as a 2-way.

I appreciate everyone's input on a choice for a 3rd frequency.

Roger

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Will does not play with old strings.

Roger

Interesting... he specifically said he did in that interview, cranking the treble control more and more as the strings got older and older. There was even a discussion on this thread a while back about it. Who knows though, might be misremembering somehow.

In the spirit of just adding one extra frequency, I'd go with a low mid boost just above the top range of the bass boost.... 200hz or whatever.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

One of my goals has always been to design things to be "plug and play". There are a myriad of outboard EQ devices to enable one to dial in a very specific frequency and Q. I am actually still very happy with my original 2 band EQ. My original thought was just to move the frequency switch on the circuit board to a mini toggle and realized that a 3 way switch takes up the same space as a 2-way.

I appreciate everyone's input on a choice for a 3rd frequency.

Roger

That's exactly what I was thinking about. I didn't mean user-adjustable Q ... I meant each boost frequency's Q was chosen by roger to sound great.

[Hounddog]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

One of my goals has always been to design things to be "plug and play". There are a myriad of outboard EQ devices to enable one to dial in a very specific frequency and Q. I am actually still very happy with my original 2 band EQ. My original thought was just to move the frequency switch on the circuit board to a mini toggle and realized that a 3 way switch takes up the same space as a 2-way.

I appreciate everyone's input on a choice for a 3rd frequency.

Roger

Roger, You sure opened up a can of worms by asking a bunch of Bass players a question.

On a serious note: I love the simplicity of the 2 band EQ. (I realize I may be the minority ) I slightly pan my PUs on certain songs and adjust my VTC but other than that I plug and play. Im sure whatever Freq. you decide for the 3rd setting will be very useable.

[rulyongo]

Originally Posted by Hounddog

Roger, You sure opened up a can of worms by asking a bunch of Bass players a question.

On a serious note: I love the simplicity of the 2 band EQ. (I realize I may be the minority ) I slightly pan my PUs on certain songs and adjust my VTC but other than that I plug and play. Im sure whatever Freq. you decide for the 3rd setting will be very useable.

My thought exactly, there are a lot of sounds you can dial up by just working with the pick ups pan...

[NOLA Bass]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Thank you for pointing this out. I just gave Kevin his 2 weeks notice!

Roger

Ha! Hey Roger, it is indeed awesome you ask for our input on a potential modification! It is great to have your input on here regularly.

As someone completely responsible for the website at my job, I have never ever ever ever had a mistake on the site!!! I've also never posted the wrong date for a gig on my band's website/facebook/twitter!!!
I'm gonna let Kevin slide just this once!!! ; )

[roadkill2309]

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Thank you for pointing this out. I just gave Kevin his 2 weeks notice!

Roger

Tell him I'll hire him to drum up freelance business for me. It's a win-win situation!

[chris.gotfunk]

The real producer from last nights session...

[kevmoga]

I'm a little late to the party, but my vote goes for 300 hz. Sure hope you offer a retro-fit option!

[bikeplate]

Whatever you, think Roger. I have a WL 4 but seldom use the 3 band part of it. Still feel the traditional 2 band boost only preamp is a winner

[Chef]

With a Sadowsky single coil JJ, I've never felt a need for mid boost, so: no comment from me.