Sadowsky Modern 5 vs. Cirrus 5

Dr. Cheese · #1 09-19-2010, 08:09 PM

This is just speculation for now because I don't see me dropping serious coin on a bsss before next March, but I have decided that I was happiest when I had my Ken Smith Six, so I should get a bass with that sort of tone. Smiths just cost too much for me any more, and a five will probably be enough bass for me instead of a six. I think the two best options would be a used Metro MS-5 24 or a Cirrus 5.

I've played both basses, and they certainly sound similar to me. Quality wise, I think they are a wash. I would probably prefer the Sadowsky neck and string spacing, but I know Cirrus' can take super low actions and are very comfortable. I also know that Cirruses are often half the price of comparable Sadowsky.

For those familiar with both, how do you rate them? Also what are some other options that are preferably $1,500 or less?

madbassplaya · #2 09-19-2010, 08:23 PM

I think both are great basses. There is no question that the Peavey is the best bang for your buck because Peavey resale value isn't that great. I am a big Peavey fan, but if you have the money, I would probably go Sadowsky. I am a fan of "Jazz" style basses and if I had the money that's what I would go with.

mindwell · #3 09-19-2010, 08:25 PM

Interesting to hear your reflections. I came to the same conclusion myself about Smith-style basses being what I wanted, after realizing that the Cirrus 5 which I had at the time takes Smith as its point of departure. Given what I was after, the Metro M5-24 was the logical go-to.

One difference was the scale length; the 35" Cirrus was causing issues in my left wrist. Other thing was the ergonomics of the bass, namely, the hang. The upper horn on the Cirrus sticks out pretty far, such that I couldn't wear it as high and tight in to the body as I like. I liked the Cirrus a lot, but it never quite fit my frame. The Sadowsky is very comfortable to wear, and balances very well. Mine is about 9.5 pounds.

What I did like about the Cirrus was the neck profile. All things being equal, I like the narrower radius and tighter spacing of the Cirrus neck over the Sadowsky. Sadowsky necks are pretty wide and have a large radius, and I've got small hands. It's been a bit of an adjustment. Still a very comfortable and playable neck, just not as fast for me as the Cirrus. Feels good, though, and even in a three set, four hour gig, I've enjoyed playing it the whole time.

Sound-wise, the Sadowsky wins. Everything sounds great on it. I will say that the Cirrus can get a bit more burp with the back pickup than the Sadowsky, but the Sadowsky is still plenty cutting. Obviously, no VTC on the Cirrus. My Cirrus only had shelving eq. If it had sweepable mid, that would be a different thing altogether. Oh, and though both basses are styled modern, palm-muting sounds great on both of them. The Cirrus really sounded great and was flexible, even if it was a both less refined and less aggressive than the Sadowsky.

That's my two bits. I think the Metro Modern 5 is the logical step up from the Cirrus. And maybe if I mind my p's and q's, I can someday go straight to the source and get my own Smith.

Zooberwerx · #4 09-19-2010, 08:28 PM

I've owned both...still have the Cirrus. Both are excellent choices but I don't consider them to be that close in the tone dept. In retrospect, if I was snagging another Sadowsky, I'd definitely opt for the VTC option. What's your budget? You can snag a Cirrus for ~$800 if the market is right; a Sadowsky will set you back $1700+. You'll be happy either way, trust me.

Riis

Dr. Cheese · #5 09-19-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindwell

Interesting to hear your reflections. I came to the same conclusion myself about Smith-style basses being what I wanted, after realizing that the Cirrus 5 which I had at the time takes Smith as its point of departure. Given what I was after, the Metro M5-24 was the logical go-to.

One difference was the scale length; the 35" Cirrus was causing issues in my left wrist. Other thing was the ergonomics of the bass, namely, the hang. The upper horn on the Cirrus sticks out pretty far, such that I couldn't wear it as high and tight in to the body as I like. I liked the Cirrus a lot, but it never quite fit my frame. The Sadowsky is very comfortable to wear, and balances very well. Mine is about 9.5 pounds.

What I did like about the Cirrus was the neck profile. All things being equal, I like the narrower radius and tighter spacing of the Cirrus neck over the Sadowsky. Sadowsky necks are pretty wide and have a large radius, and I've got small hands. It's been a bit of an adjustment. Still a very comfortable and playable neck, just not as fast for me as the Cirrus. Feels good, though, and even in a three set, four hour gig, I've enjoyed playing it the whole time.

Sound-wise, the Sadowsky wins. Everything sounds great on it. I will say that the Cirrus can get a bit more burp with the back pickup than the Sadowsky, but the Sadowsky is still plenty cutting. Obviously, no VTC on the Cirrus. My Cirrus only had shelving eq. If it had sweepable mid, that would be a different thing altogether. Oh, and though both basses are styled modern, palm-muting sounds great on both of them. The Cirrus really sounded great and was flexible, even if it was a both less refined and less aggressive than the Sadowsky.

That's my two bits. I think the Metro Modern 5 is the logical step up from the Cirrus. And maybe if I mind my p's and q's, I can someday go straight to the source and get my own Smith.

35" scale is not a biggie for me. I tend to only notice the inch when I play 35" four strings. I also have big hands, so the Sadowsky neck profile would not be an issue for me. My current main player has neck profile almost indentical to a Sadowsky, and I find it very comfy.

SteveC · #6 09-19-2010, 08:30 PM

Hey cheese, I'll probably still have a Sadowsky M5-24 for you at this rate. No one seems to want mine right now.

Dr. Cheese · #7 09-19-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I've owned both...still have the Cirrus. Both are excellent choices but I don't consider them to be that close in the tone dept. In retrospect, if I was snagging another Sadowsky, I'd definitely opt for the VTC option. What's your budget? You can snag a Cirrus for ~$800 if the market is right; a Sadowsky will set you back $1700+. You'll be happy either way, trust me.

Riis

I'm much more likely to have Cirrus money than Metro money, but I might get lucky since I have really tightened up my saving lately.

Dr. Cheese · #8 09-19-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Hey cheese, I'll probably still have a Sadowsky M5-24 for you at this rate. No one seems to want mine right now.

If you still have it when I get the money saved, I will certainly call you.

capnsandwich · #9 09-19-2010, 08:51 PM

I've played both and own a Cirrus 6'er. I'm totally convinced that for those who want a KS but don't want to fork over $5000+, a Cirrus will make them happy. The M5-24 is a nice bass with more of a modern tone but it still has a jazz bass vibe compared to a Cirrus. Yes, the Cirrus basses only come in 35" scale and you can't get 19mm spacing on their 5 or 6 stringers, but as far as doing the Ken Smith tone and feeling like a high end bass for medium range money, the Cirrus is what you want. To be honest, I played a Fodera Emperor 6 earlier this year but couldn't afford the price tag that was on it. So I went and started shopping for a 6 banger after getting an amazing case of GAS from that Fodera. I got the Cirrus for an AMAZING price ($800 brand new) and it fulfilled my taste for high end 6 stringers. I still want to own a Fodera one day but I'd still use the Cirrus as my main player. It gets most of the gigs.

MNAirHead · #10 09-20-2010, 04:03 AM

Doc.

I sold my Metro.. sold my Smith 6.. kept a Cirrus.. and have another option.

From what I know of what you're playing.. I'd bring up the Millenium Plus 5er..

Bolt on allows us to dial in the neck more than a Cirrus.. the preamp is botique quality (the cirrus upgrade).. hardware is often nicer than a Cirrus/Smith/Metro... action can be dialed into the same realm as a Roscoe... the colors/tops are custom shop quality.

95% of Milleniums have average at best setup.. they can be dialed in VERY close... they may be the best hidden deal out there right now.

Like always, I'm more than willing to set one of for a TB pal... have it sent here first.

Timmy

You may have a consideration for urban gospel that Smith is kind of the excellence expectation.... I've seen/played low use 6ers for under $1500

MNAirHead · #11 09-20-2010, 04:06 AM

IF you can find one, a USA Axcelerator has a premium Wilkinson bridge... space can go from 15-19mm (if I recall correctly).... really may not fit your visual vibe, the preamp is 1/2 way between active and passive tone.

MNAirHead · #12 09-20-2010, 04:10 AM

Cheese

Peavey Cirrus Six String (Alder & redwood)

------

For ERB, I'd also consider of a Conklin GT series vs a Smith.

Dr. Cheese · #13 09-20-2010, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Doc.

I sold my Metro.. sold my Smith 6.. kept a Cirrus.. and have another option.

From what I know of what you're playing.. I'd bring up the Millenium Plus 5er..

Bolt on allows us to dial in the neck more than a Cirrus.. the preamp is botique quality (the cirrus upgrade).. hardware is often nicer than a Cirrus/Smith/Metro... action can be dialed into the same realm as a Roscoe... the colors/tops are custom shop quality.

95% of Milleniums have average at best setup.. they can be dialed in VERY close... they may be the best hidden deal out there right now.

Like always, I'm more than willing to set one of for a TB pal... have it sent here first.

Timmy

You may have a consideration for urban gospel that Smith is kind of the excellence expectation.... I've seen/played low use 6ers for under $1500

I know Millenniums well.

I would not mind having another at all. I really want a Cirrus, but all the possible options sound good to me.

KJung · #14 09-20-2010, 06:24 AM

IME, the neck profiles and tone and feel and look of the Cirrus is much closer to the Smith thing than the Sadowsky M24. Tonewise, they are all in the same universe, but all have their own take on that 'tight burp and modern top end'.

Dr. Cheese · #15 09-20-2010, 06:28 AM

Guys, do any Zons get that Ken Smith sort of tone? I know Zons tend to have low resale value too.

KJung · #16 09-20-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Guys, do any Zons get that Ken Smith sort of tone? I know Zons tend to have low resale value too.

The primary tone driver of the Smith, M24 and Cirrus is the tight, close to the bridge pickup placement of those big soapbars.

I believe there is one Zon model (the Sonus special or something like that) with two J type pickups close to the bridge. That is in the same tone universe as these others, but IME not quite as fat. That model is quite expensive from what I remember, and is very popular with the fretless guys.

Dr. Cheese · #17 09-20-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

The primary tone driver of the Smith, M24 and Cirrus is the tight, close to the bridge pickup placement of those big soapbars.

I believe there is one Zon model (the Sonus special or something like that) with two J type pickups close to the bridge. That is in the same tone universe as these others, but IME not quite as fat. That model is quite expensive from what I remember, and is very popular with the fretless guys.

Thanks Ken!

StuartV · #18 09-20-2010, 08:03 AM

I upgraded my Cirrus V recently with a Millennium preamp and some nice gold knobs to match the rest of the hardware. As with my G-Bass and G-V, the Mill pre in the Cirrus makes a REALLY nice improvement in the sound of the bass.

As far as playability, feel of the neck, and sound, it is currently my favorite of my fleet of 13. If it were just a color I liked better, I think my GAS would be just about cured. It's a beautiful, natural flamed maple, but I really like the look of, for example, my translucent crimson TL-Five with the ebony board better. The never-ending quest....

Dr. Cheese · #19 09-20-2010, 09:57 AM

Although I don't think I will go this route, another way to get the nice modern tone is to find an old Foundation V with soapbars, and then run it through an outboard preamp like a Sadowsky.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Foundatio...90608646916529

Like all USA Peaveys, the Foundation Vs are quite well made and can take super low setups.

MNAirHead · #20 09-20-2010, 01:41 PM

Disagreeing with you on the Foundation V.. there are better options...

I've played many average Vs.