New (Used) Sadowsky Questions

[michricker]

Hi All Sadowsky experts

I just ordered a new to me used Sadowsky NYC Vintage 5

http://www.sadowsky.com/stock/stock_...88_full_lg.jpg

Should be coming in the mail next week.

Several questions:

1). I notice this one has a 1 3/4" nut width? How does that compare to the standard width? Easy to play? nice neck fast? or to thin?

2). The fingerboard mentioned on the site is just "rosewood". Is this Indian Rosewood?

Anyone have experience with this spec or simliar spec?

Thanks much!

[michricker]

Here is the other specs. Weight is 9.1lbs so I'm assuming this may be a chambered version

http://www.sadowsky.com/stock/view/4688.html

[Ronen]

Swamp Ash body with natural finish is usually solid, not chambered. The board is very dark but I think if it was Brazilian RW it would be mentioned.
Personally I prefer a 1.75" nut on a 5. They're more hard to find. One way or another it looks killer! Congrats.

[michricker]

Thanks! Ronen

Yeah the board to me looks dark to be Indian rosewood. I also heard roger has not used Indian rosewood in 30 years. Could it be brazillian?

[Ronen]

Could be, but Madagascar Rosewood can be as dark.

[GM60466]

You are going to love this bass!

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by Ronen

Could be, but Madagascar Rosewood can be as dark.

+1
So it's no Pau Ferro, but strange it's no Morado, not unusual on such Sadowskies

Dunno about its weight, but I too tend to think it to be light ash more than NYC's "expected-to-be-chambered"... BTW I definitely can be wrong

Very very good bass buddy anyway
only thing I find disappointin' (I just feel envy, don't get fooled) it's the Vintage Tone Control

Sadowsky has one of the very best, if not The Best, electronic out there, so powerful that's unbelievable how it sounds "true-to-passive"

Yet, once you disengage it, the bass, in its very passive mode, is way less excitin'.

Cheers,
Wallace

[Ronen]

Originally Posted by Wallace320

+1
So it's no Pau Ferro, but strange it's no Morado

Pau Ferro and Morado are the same.
Morado is lighter in color than Rosewood, has more red-brown flavor and more contrast in the grain.

[lou24d53]

That's one beautiful bass!!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lou24d53

That's one beautiful bass!!

+1 Great spec. I like the solid ash bodies (which this one probably has due to the natural body and the half pound heavier weight than the typical NYC Vintage weight spec).

Most of the RW NYC basses tend to be Madagascar RW, although that one looks quite a bit darker than the typical 'red/brown' board, so who knows. Roger doesn't use Indian RW as far as I know.

It will sound great. To the OP, IF you find the bass just a bit scooped and a bit sizzly up top for your tastes (and you most likely won't), swap out the standard HC pickups for the Sadowsky single coils. Those pickups are more mid present, and a bit more 'grindy' than sizzly up top, moving that bass to a touch more 'traditional' in voicing.

[michricker]

Thanks guys. What do you think about the 1 3/4" nut? Compared to the standard width?

I have tried the uber light chambered sadowskys and actually prefer something around 9lbs. Especially on a five so excited to try this one.

Really curious what type of rosewood this could be for the board?

[emart]

Why don't you call the shop and ask about the fingerboard? They're great people and should have more information. Regarding the 1.75 nut, I find them to be much more comfortable to play with my smaller hands, and since I switched away from the 1 7/8 I won't go back. I find them to be fast and the transition was easy.

That's a nice looking bass, enjoy.

[michricker]

Just called sadowsky. Found out this has a brazillian rosewood board. Always wanted to try that spec out. Kevin also mentioned that a chambered bass will have a small seam. So I'll look next week.

[Joebone]

I have two Sadowsky 5/24, one with 1.75, the other 1.87. I'm comfortable with each, but definitely prefer the 1.75. Also, I find the 5/24 neck quite different from the rest, and suspect that the benefit of the 1.75 is more significant there, then with the 5/24. Your new bass should be a blast.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by michricker

Just called sadowsky. Found out this has a brazillian rosewood board. Always wanted to try that spec out. Kevin also mentioned that a chambered bass will have a small seam. So I'll look next week.

Nice! That is quite an upgrade now. I would doubt it is chambered at that weight, but it isn't that big of a deal either way.

[Ronen]

Now, if for some reason you find this bass horrible, too heavy, too narrow, too anything (... it could happen) you send me PM right away, ok?

[michricker]

Thanks for all the feedback. From the sound of it this may be the exact spec I have been looking for.

I was really considering a Fodera Emperor Standard 5 which seems like it might be similar to this spec and tone?

[DaveAceofBass]

I have the 1.75" nut on my modern... Just curious: Is the 1.75" nut always paired with 18mm bridge spacing, or can you get it with 19mm as well?

[bass12]

Great specs - I'm sure you're going to love it!

[michricker]

Thanks. Kind of like a non chambered actually. 9lbs is my perfect target weight. Too light and the neck dive sets in IME. I seem to like the dynamics and tone better with the solid body IME/IMO

Not sure what the bridge spacing is on this one? good question. I was assuming 19mm