Fender CS 64 NOS Jazz or Sadowsky RV4 - Thoughts?

neadams · #1 07-08-2011, 03:40 PM

I know this topic has been brought up a few times before...but, I am really at a crossroads with these 2, so I figured I would bring it up again.

I recently sold a Modulus Flea 5 in order to go to a 4 string, more of a wooden neck sound, instead of the Modulus HiFi sound. I initially was leaning towards the Fender CS, mostly because I played one back in 07' and loved the tone, I just didn't have the funds then. Since then I have saved the money, sold gear, and did lots of research on basses. I played a Sadowsky RV4 a few months back, but again wasn't in the market for a bass and didn't have the funds, but I remember it playing and sounding really good, I just didn't analyze it very much. I like a more aggressive sound at times when the sound calls for it, but also a nice warm, full laid back sound at times. I mostly play modern rock and some blues. Right now, I'm playing a EBMM SR5, I really like the tone it gives, but looking for something different from that.

I thought I would ask for some input because of know a lot of you have played or owned both. The sadowsky seems like it would be a great choice because of the versatility, but the Fender CS seem good because of the classic jazz sound, anyways....thoughts?

derridiandrift · #2 07-08-2011, 03:51 PM

I envy your dilemma.

I don't think I'd be able to decide between the two without playing and comparing two specific basses. My gut feeling is that the Fender would tug at my heart because of its authentic vibe, and Sadowsky would probably play better right out of the gate.

Of course, I've never owned instruments that expensive, so I'm going from experience playing them in shops.

neadams · #3 07-08-2011, 04:09 PM

Yea, I really do like the authentic sound of the Fender Jazz's. I am also curious about the necks also. The Sadowsky has a flatter radius, but I'm not sure about the neck itself. I like the feel of the Fender Jazz necks I've played.

alembicbones · #4 07-08-2011, 04:10 PM

I think both are really solid choices and you'd be happy with either bass. I think I would lean towards the Sadowsky but more specifically if it has the Vintage Tone Control (VTC) installed. With this, you can achieve the passive tone similar to the standard Fender Jazz configuration. Then top it off with the added feature of the ability to boost Bass and Treble to your desire. One caveat is what your preference in pickups might be. I like the Sadowsky pickups but you might prefer the Fender Single Coils.

Again, two very fine basses and I don't think you'll be disappointed with either.

Happy Hunting,

Bones

allexcosta · #5 07-08-2011, 04:21 PM

Fender CS gets my vote. Love the feel and sound of it...

Gord_oh · #6 07-08-2011, 04:29 PM

thats a tricky one. play them both if you can and let the bass speak for itself.
id go toward the Fender CS.

neadams · #7 07-08-2011, 04:54 PM

yea, i wish i could play them

in my case now, the sadowsky has been sold as the nearest sadowsky dealer (raleigh) and there isn't a place within 500 miles (that i know of) that has a CS

Does anyone own a sadowsky now that knows about the necks....chunkier or smaller than a fender? How is the low end on the Sadowsky compared to that of a CS?

Lennard III. · #8 07-08-2011, 05:08 PM

all a question of taste but IMO

and that's also the way I do it :

I play my Fender CS Jazz Bass with the Sadowsky DI/Preamp pedal - because I could choose if I would go with the Sadowsky touch or if I would go with the great passiv tone of the Fender

and this is the point (also I have some friends who made the same experience) - a Sadowsky lives from it's electronic not from it's passive tone - the Fender has the better passive tone and sounds incredible with the Sadowsky Preamp

neadams · #9 07-09-2011, 08:35 AM

what about putting the single coil pups in the sadowsky? does this come closer to more of a vintage fender type sound?

tdizzle · #10 07-09-2011, 08:46 AM

Check out this video and the others posted by this guy.

YouTube - ‪Bass Club Chicago Demos - Sadowsky Metro MV4 Will Lee Trans White‬&rlm;

By watching the Sadowsky and Fender reviews, you will get a feel for the difference in sound. I posted the Will Lee Bass clip because it has single coils in it. I find that Sadowsky's sound like Sadowsky's and Fenders sound like Fenders, no matter what kind of pickups are in them.

allexcosta · #11 07-09-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdizzle

I find that Sadowsky's sound like Sadowsky's and Fenders sound like Fenders, no matter what kind of pickups are in them.

Some Sadowsky's sound more like Fenders than others...

YouTube - ‪Juraj Griglak bass solo‬&rlm;

EagleMoon · #12 07-09-2011, 12:50 PM

Personally I'd got with the RV4 because of the smaller body. Never played a Sadowsky that I didn't like and didn't feel like home. And yes you can get a Fender sound on a Sad in passive mode, which is the way I play mine most of the time.

Bass Club Mark · #13 07-12-2011, 05:41 PM

I think you've got a real dilemma on your hands. A Sadowsky is very versatile - push/pull active or passive, VTC roll-off to trim highs off in the active mode to warm things up. Or Fender Custom Shop with added active pre (Sadowsky, Aguilar, Glockenklang, even Nordstrand, etc.) will give you an endless variety of tones, PLUS the classic Fender passive tone. The quality is pretty dead even with these two. I think the Fender is going to give you a slightly better mid presence, more chunk in the middle. The Sadowsky will have a little more natural brightness. Best of luck!

neadams · #14 08-05-2011, 07:25 PM

well,

i bought the Fender 64 CS today, so i guess that got the win....lol. pretty excited about it, it will be here at the first part of the week.

Bass Club Mark · #15 08-11-2011, 05:48 PM

Congrats on the Fender CS. I agree they're great instruments. Fender really seems to have ironed out their past inconsisencies.

EagleMoon · #16 08-11-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neadams

well,

i bought the Fender 64 CS today, so i guess that got the win....lol. pretty excited about it, it will be here at the first part of the week.

So did you get it yet?

**pacojas** · #17 08-11-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neadams

well,

i bought the Fender 64 CS today, so i guess that got the win....lol. pretty excited about it, it will be here at the first part of the week.

neadams · #18 08-13-2011, 08:53 AM

yes! the bass came in last Tuesday and I haven't put it down since....lol. It came with a perfect setup. Action, intonation, pickup height, all were spot on. And it sounds like a dream too. Definitely a great buy. Here is a pic, I've taken the bell covers off already.

rayzak · #19 08-13-2011, 09:52 AM

Congrats!!! That's a beautiful bass. I think you made a wise choice... even though i'm also a BIG Sadowsky fan.

EagleMoon · #20 08-13-2011, 11:56 AM

Yeah I agree. Though I love Sadowsky's I don't think you could make a bad choice with either one.