Sadowsky Will Lee P/J

[MrDOS]

Now that I've been gigging with a MV4-WL, I've quickly become spoiled with the extra frets, and accustomed to the spacing and balance. Looking recently at getting a Rosewood, I thought if I'm going to get a RW board, I should check to see if Sadowsky could modify an existing WL to the P/J configuration.

After contacting Kevin, he said "Due to an agreement we made with Will, the WL Model is a J/J — no P/J.
... I do not recommend it, and we cannot do it."

A fresh NYC P/J to these specs would be quite a long wait (not to mention a bit outside the budget). Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Do I only want it now that I can't have it? LOL

[Chef]

My guess-and it's only a guess-is that either Will or Roger or both didn't like the WL mid-boost with the P pickup; or, with the single coil bridge pup (if it's single coil, I'm not sure on that)

all guesswork on my part.

[Musicfreak1988]

A WL can be ordered with humbuckers as well. Single coils are standard though. It's the form factor that's not customizable. Any other form factor (Big Singles, P-pickup, soap bars,...) is not possible to choose when configuring a WL.

[lowfreqgeek]

Here's my thought: the "Will Lee" model is made to Will Lee's personal specifications to meet Will Lee's personal needs. He has every right to determine what the "Will Lee" signature model is and isn't. Kinda like Anthony Jackson and his Fodera AJ Presentation; it is what he says it is.

Now, if you *really* need the P/J setup w/22 frets and that specific neck to fulfill your own musical goals, then order a Sadowsky P-style pickup and have it installed elsewhere. Or accept it for what it is and leave it alone. I can think of a million reasons to NOT modify it, but then again, the *only* reason to modify it is whether or not it meets your needs as a player.

That's my take, anyway.

[Musicfreak1988]

Or you could order a Sadowsky 24 fret P/J...

[pbass888]

seems kind of a pissy response... "yeah were a boutique builder but since your NOT will lee, we deem you unworthy of a pj model".
go with a john kallas bass (johnk_10) and save the extra hype and money for more gear later.

(fwiw ive gigged both.... YMMV)

[Musicfreak1988]

The OP can order a PJ from Sadowsky. Metro if he thinks 21 frets will suffice, or NYC if he wants 24.

It's just not possible for the OP - and for everyone else - to order a PJ Will Lee signature model. I think the point of a signature model is that it's something that the artist has co-created and has found his or her voice in. A PJ has a very different voice from a JJ, so to me, it makes kind of sense. Like someone else said: with Fodera's Anthony Jackson Presentation signature is't also the same, but they go even further: if you have an AJ Presentation WITH fancy electronics (preamp, EQ, piezo, ...), it's not even a AJ Presentation anymore, as a true - current - AJ Presentation has only a jack output.

Anyway, I don't think it has anything to do with Sadowsky finding anyone unworthy at all. They were very willing to build me a PJ with a custom color and something they normally don't do: a reverse headstock.

[MrDOS]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. You all are helpful and knowledgeable, as always.

My thought process is that I could have a bass readily available for modification. And of course, I don't want to wait to have one buiilt, Metro or NYC. The last time I ordered a custom built, the project was gone before the bass (which was configured for it) arrived!

[bikeplate]

Hi

You couldnt be more wrong with your response. Sadowsky will pretty much build you what you like within what they feel is part of their manufacturing. A Will Lee is a jazz bass, not a PJ. Thats why they wont do it. Other than that you can get it with single coils, hum canceling, any type of wood for the body or fretboard, vintage or standard, etc. If they did it in pj, it wouldnt be his signature bass

Id recommend a pj4 with 24 frets unless you like to slap. If your a slap player, get a 21 fret bass with the neck reshaped to WL specs, a d tuner, and the PJ. You'll love it. I have two pjs. My 4 string is a hybrid with the P body and upper fret access is a challenge. Other than that, Id also recommend a hybrid to you. Mine is killer!

Rob

[MrDOS]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

Hi

You couldnt be more wrong with your response. Sadowsky will pretty much build you what you like within what they feel is part of their manufacturing. A Will Lee is a jazz bass, not a PJ. Thats why they wont do it. Other than that you can get it with single coils, hum canceling, any type of wood for the body or fretboard, vintage or standard, etc. If they did it in pj, it wouldnt be his signature bass

Id recommend a pj4 with 24 frets unless you like to slap. If your a slap player, get a 21 fret bass with the neck reshaped to WL specs, a d tuner, and the PJ. You'll love it. I have two pjs. My 4 string is a hybrid with the P body and upper fret access is a challenge. Other than that, Id also recommend a hybrid to you. Mine is killer!

Rob

Thanks, Rob! I initially was going to go to the Hybrid, but I have become so accustomed to the 22 fret neck and smaller body. I'll figure something out here!

[Sadowsky]

Originally Posted by pbass888

seems kind of a pissy response... "yeah were a boutique builder but since your NOT will lee, we deem you unworthy of a pj model".

Whoa! Anyone who know us knows we would never cop an attitude like that. The Will Lee model is Will's bass! It is made to his specifications. We can build you a 21 fret bass with a PJ configuration with our standard preamp. But a Will Lee model with a P pickup is not an option on the Will Lee Model!!

Roger

[benthughes]

Kinda like wanting a Geddy bass with a P/J. When you change it up it's not really a Geddy anymore. I'd wager you can do a P/J with Will Lee style pre or buy a Will Lee and have it modded.

[mmbongo]

Get a Spector. That's how a P/J bass is supposed to sound!