For trade Sadowsky SA200

Here’s the manual for everyone to check out

My dream amp......

I had number 50, still the coolest amp ever!

USD or CAD?

princeout said:

USD or CAD?

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USD

These are amazing and if I wasn't already set with my Glockenklang/Demeter combo, I'd jump on it. Best of luck with the sale. If anyone wants the matching Sadowsky Cab, hit me up, as I have one that I'd consider letting go.

How do these compare tone wise?

looper said:

How do these compare tone wise?

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Comparing to what specifically?
Any bass amp? Solid state, all-tube, etc?

It’s a bass amp that needs to be experienced with such limited supply...not many have played them.

Youtube has some great sound samples...maybe I can make a video too...

Sorry, to each other. I am pretty familiar with Monique. I know it’s often difficult to describe tone in a meaningful way.

looper said:

Sorry, to each other. I am pretty familiar with Monique. I know it’s often difficult to describe tone in a meaningful way.

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No problem at all. Tone is very subjective so it gets tough to describe.
The definite difference is the character the Demeter 800D provides versus the power section in the SA200.
The Demeter is almost a little more open sounding (even ads a little more grind but by no means grit to the tone). The power section in my SA200 has a very ear pleasing, beautiful natural compression. These are original EL34's, could be slight difference if went with 6550's.

The Monique Preamp versus the SA200 Preamp are fairly different too. I find the Monique a little more true to the sound of your bass but the SA200 is definitely not far off as very pleasing the ears. Remember the Monique is based off the Ampeg B15 and the SA200 is based off the Fender Tone Stack, so both from great classic designs of the past. The SA200 can also act as an amazing all tube power amp for any preamp section you'd like, including the Monique.

The main reason why I bought the De-Monique was I was downsizing from all my rack gear but wanted to have the option of using a rack preamp if I wanted too. So I sold my QSC power amp and got the De-Monique modified in case I got another standalone rack preamp in the future.

Preamps to me are the real flavour changer for most amplification.
Class D power vs tube power section also offer a slightly different flavour of ice cream too. It's really fun owning both. My 1971 SVT is jealous right now!

bassballs27 said:

the SA200 is based off the Fender Tone Stack

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I thought it was based on the Eden VT-300B all tube amp made by Koch in the Netherlands?

baxter_x said:

I thought it was based on the Eden VT-300B all tube amp made by Koch in the Netherlands?

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The basic design of it comes from the Fender tone stack.
If you turn all the EQ dials counterclockwise back, you get no tone out of the amp.
Alembic's F1-X has a similiar setup......as does the Kern IP777.
The Aguilar DB750 as well. Mesa is all Fender tone stack too.

The Eden VT-300B isn't the same design, but it's built by Koch.
It has a footswitch and a high and low dampening switch. I think it may have an overdrive circuit too.
The SA200 is made by Koch too but designed in collaboration of Roger Sadowsky.

Good to know.

bassballs27 said:

If you turn all the EQ dials counterclockwise back, you get no tone out of the amp.

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Isn't it the case with any amps?

baxter_x said:

Good to know.


Isn't it the case with any amps?

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No. Some bass amps will still let a signal through even if the EQ knobs are dialled back or counterclockwise. The DB751 is an example. Very different from the DB750.

bassballs27 said:

No. Some bass amps will still let a signal through even if the EQ knobs are dialled back or counterclockwise. The DB751 is an example. Very different from the DB750.

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Actually the Monique with all controls turned counterclockwise still lets tone through!

LOL! This kind of situations happened to me so many times! Last it was with a Mesa Titan V12

baxter_x said:

LOL! This kind of situations happened to me so many times! Last it was with a Mesa Titan V12

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I’ve owned one of those too!

What a great amp. How does it compare to the SA200?

baxter_x said:

What a great amp. How does it compare to the SA200?

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Very different amps. The Mesa seems to have a baked in tone that many of the Mesa heads have (Bass 750, M9, etc). It's a good sound, but it wasn't my thing. The SA200 is more my thing.