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Sadowsky modification: Good idea or sacrilege

JRBrown

JRBrown

Jun 21, 2000
1,840
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North Carolina
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#1
Has anyone ever chaged out the pups in a Sadowsky? :hiding:

A change in the overall construction would be a step in the wrong direction. But a tweak in the tone department could add pleasing variety. One could buy a used Metro and install some Fralins, Model-Js, Fender or Nordstrands for a less aggressive, more traditional tone? :hmm:


JB
 
#3
It seems to me the electronics seem to be the defining characteristic of the Sadowsky's. If you wanted different pickups I would sell the bass and get something cheaper with the electronics you want.
 
#4
Jared Morante said:
It seems to me the electronics seem to be the defining characteristic of the Sadowsky's. If you wanted different pickups I would sell the bass and get something cheaper with the electronics you want.
Click to expand...

:rollno:

Nooooo! I like my Sadowsky just the way it is. The construction and tone of my Sadowsky are first class.

For variety, I also like the Fender tone. Think a Metro with "Fenderish" pups would make a good Fender Custom Shop alternative? The Metro/Nordie combination could be cheaper.


JB
 
#6
I may have misread your first post. Do you intend to buy another sadowsky used and do this? Or do you have one now you want to do it on? A used metro probably wouldn't be as big of a deal than doing that to an NYC you bought new for example.
 
#7
Jared Morante said:
I may have misread your first post. Do you intend to buy another sadowsky used and do this? Or do you have one now you want to do it on? A used metro probably wouldn't be as big of a deal than doing that to an NYC you bought new for example.
Click to expand...

:hyper: :hyper: Yes! That's what I'm thinking!

There's a used Sad-Japan on E-Beigh and a Metro in the 4-sale forum. I've got the "Sadowsky tone" covered with my NYC bass. The Sadowsky/Nordie combo might be deadly.
 
#8
Roger's basses are a little more aggressive than a Fender by design. They have a bridge with a lot more mass, and a very rigid neck. They cut through a mix like crazy! I don't find them to be "nasty" though. The Sadowsky pickups have a great mix of J-like tone, with a modern roundness. I think you may find that other pickups don't compliment the bass in the same way. I had an older Standard 5 with Barts that never rocked....untill I put Roger's pickups in. Holy cow! :D
Corey
 
#9
JRBrown said:
Has anyone ever chaged out the pups in a Sadowsky? :hiding:

A change in the overall construction would be a step in the wrong direction. But a tweak in the tone department could add pleasing variety. One could buy a used Metro and install some Fralins, Model-Js, Fender or Nordstrands for a less aggressive, more traditional tone? :hmm:


JB
Click to expand...
I put an older set of EMG J's in my Vintage 4 for a little while but I liked the Sad's better so they went back in. I was hoping it would sound similar to my 24 fret 5 with the EMG 40J's but I guess the older EMG's preamp is voiced alittle differenty then the newer ones.

I have a newer set of EMG JV's that I've been meaning to put in the bass but I've been pretty busy, mostly on TB. :p
 
#12
It certainly won't be sacrilege to swap out the pickups in a Metro, and if you dig the result then cool. But I don't see the point in getting a Metro with the idea of making it sound more like a Fender Custom Shop 60's J bass.

I believe the Sadowsky "sound" has just as much, if not more, to do with the acoustic tone of the bass (the wood) than anything else. I personally find no reason at all to mess with the recipe.

Interestingly though, the best sounding (IMO) Nordstrand I played at last year's NAMM was a 5 string SC that had a Sadowsky pre with (I assume) Carey's own J pups. It didn't sound like a Sadowsky, but it did sound really good.
 
#14
Craig Garfinkel said:
But I don't see the point in getting a Metro with the idea of making it sound more like a Fender Custom Shop 60's J bass.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the end result would be the Fender tone in a better built/playing bass. Assuming the Metro is better made than Fender Custom Shop.


Craig Garfinkel said:
Interestingly though, the best sounding (IMO) Nordstrand I played at last year's NAMM was a 5 string SC that had a Sadowsky pre with (I assume) Carey's own J pups. It didn't sound like a Sadowsky, but it did sound really good.
Click to expand...

This is also what I'm thinking.
 
#16
Craig Garfinkel said:
I believe the Sadowsky "sound" has just as much, if not more, to do with the acoustic tone of the bass (the wood) than anything else. I personally find no reason at all to mess with the recipe.
Click to expand...

You think? The Ash/Maple combo doesn't seem to be too rare or that hard to duplicate tonally for example. But the Sadowsky electronics make a difference. Based on everything I've heard/seen/read it seems like the thing that sets them apart from other basses is the electronics. I mean ash/alder bodies with maple and morado etc fingerboards on maple necks is pretty typical for the most part isn't it?
 
#17
Jared Morante said:
You think? The Ash/Maple combo doesn't seem to be too rare or that hard to duplicate tonally for example. But the Sadowsky electronics make a difference. Based on everything I've heard/seen/read it seems like the thing that sets them apart from other basses is the electronics. I mean ash/alder bodies with maple and morado etc fingerboards on maple necks is pretty typical for the most part isn't it?
Click to expand...

Actually I do. I don't think all swamp ash or maple or alder is created equal. Even though Roger's unfinished bodies and necks are manufactured by a vendor, he's uber-meticulous about the wood quality. Also, the neck joint fit and finish are very important for tone and resonance, as are other factors not associated with electronics. Sure the electronics are important, but if that's all there was to it you could drop a Sadowsky pre and pickups into a Squier and voila.
 
#19
embellisher said:
One thing to keep in mind. If you do this modification, it will ruin the resale value of the Sadowsky, unless it is 100% reversible and involves no modification to the wood or finish.
Click to expand...

Agree - same for most basses. A simple pup swap is easily reversible. As stated before, my NYC Sadowsky will remain unchanged; it's fine just like it is. But a set of Dimarzio model Js or Fralins in a Metro [or other NYC] could add that Fendery mid thump that's not possible because of no mid freq adjust on a Sadowsky.

The Sadowsky tone is great, but its not the only killer tone out there.

- Maybe I'm just jonesing for a Sad PJ4. :bawl: That PJ5 I had was all that and more. One last pic:
 

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#20
I think if it's your bass, you can mod it in any way you like. You may like the results. You may not. That's the risk.

I agree with Jeff, though. Unless the mod is 100% reversable, you significantly reduce the resale value. A Sadowsky bass "upgraded" by JR Brown doen't improve the value (sorry!). :)

I also agree that that the Sadowsky sound is more than electronics. There is ash/alder that has the tonal properties of lead. Roger's basses are excellent because he pays attention to EVERY detail because EVERYTHING matters.

Jeff
 

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