• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

70s Fender, Sadowsky, or Lakland?

#21
I had a sadowsky metro 5 for years and it was a great bass. However, I always found myself reaching for my vintage fenders (which are amazing basses). The sadowsky will never sound like a fender. Its fender inspired but to my ears It was always mid scooped and clean. The fender sounded fuller and just had more character to it. I have no regrets about purchasing the sadowsky. It helped me learn more about the tone I had in my head. I suggest you you try one. They tend to hold their value. I think I only lost a couple hundred on my sadowsky and it was 6 or 7 years old when I sold it (here on talkbass)

You mentioned a Roadword P... IMO these are great basses and I would love to have one. Honestly, the ones I've played feel just as good as my 65 precision, and I love the maple fret board. You could buy one here for around $7-800 and sell it for the same if you don't like it.

Similarly, I think fender is making some of their best basses now. I've played some really nice 2008-2012 american fenders. If I were to buy a modern bass I'd probably buy one of these. As others have mentioned, just make sure you order it from a retailer with a good return policy.

goodluck! Start experimenting...
 
#22
Ok, I'll say it, American or even Squier VM P5 (I know, heresy). I've had them all and after 35+ basses (mostly boutiques) I have settled on P4s and P5s. In general I like Roscoe's over 55-94s by a very slim margin and both over Sadowsky. Both of my Sadowskys had HC coils and to my ear sounded modern and sterile, something SCs may have corrected, even the Passive mode disappointed.

The P5 on the other hand feels and sounds like home to me. Going from a P4 to a P5 takes little transition and I love both necks. The MIM Ps sound great although a PUP change may be needed (at least my Roadworn P felt and sounded great) so I wouldn't duplicate one with a 78 which will most likely be heavier. IMO, having a 4 and 5 is the way to go.
 
#25
I've tried all options mentioned. My go to bass and the one my band demands I bring believe it or not for a jazz funk type band I'm in is my mtd 635. Wenge/wengeneck with mahogany body. Best live and recorded bass tone I have ever heard. Even can do rock well. Just has such a nice deep power to the notes live, especially b string. I bring my 60s fender p, Rick, etc and I get dirty looks from band mates after they experienced it. Just sold a NYC sadowsky vintage 5 too. All good basses, just not as good as the super boutiques like mtd, fodera for live and recorded tone. I can make my mtd with a little eq sound just like an old 64 Motown p bass or like ultra modern victor Wooten tone. Can't emulate 70s jazz tone as well so I make be on lookout for a nice 75 fender avri jazz.
 
#27
You listed basses with different scales and string spacing. They are all great basses. I would suggest that you narrow it down to the geometry that feels right for YOU. I never could get comfortable with the string spacing and neck width of my Sadowsky Metro V. I also struggled with my 35" scale Lakland 5 string. That extra inch makes a big difference (That's what she said!) Very happy with the tone and feel of my Fender Custom Classic V. In my opinion, if you find the right Fender, it will have a little more character than a Sadowsky or Lakland. Once again, they are all great basses. Just my personal preference.
 
#28
70s P's are indeed a crapshoot. Have my '73, it stays in the case.
Sadowskys play incredibly well but to my ear, do not sound 'vintage'.
Laklands - USA v expensive. Have had 3 and remain underwhelmed for various reasons. Mostly price.
G&L L2000 is a super versatile tool and a marvellous one bass solution to modern and vintage. That said, I took the course and passed the exam on the controls! If you are not prepared to invest time, pass on by.
Have settled on Lull as being a great player with a firm nod to tradition. He makes what I want as he listens and does what you ask.
Good luck on that Australian price.
 
#29
michricker said:
I've tried all options mentioned. My go to bass and the one my band demands I bring believe it or not for a jazz funk type band I'm in is my mtd 635. Wenge/wengeneck with mahogany body. Best live and recorded bass tone I have ever heard. Even can do rock well. Just has such a nice deep power to the notes live, especially b string. I bring my 60s fender p, Rick, etc and I get dirty looks from band mates after they experienced it. Just sold a NYC sadowsky vintage 5 too. All good basses, just not as good as the super boutiques like mtd, fodera for live and recorded tone. I can make my mtd with a little eq sound just like an old 64 Motown p bass or like ultra modern victor Wooten tone. Can't emulate 70s jazz tone as well so I make be on lookout for a nice 75 fender avri jazz.
Click to expand...

I love my MTDs but I would never suggest that they are in any way better than a Sadowsky - for live or studio playing. I've had just as many compliments from sound guys, bandmates and recording engineers on my Sadowskys as I have for my MTDs. But regardless, the OP has already narrowed down his list of choices.
 
#30
bassdog said:
I think it comes down to how much variety of tone you want/need. P is a P. You may want more variety.
Click to expand...

Be careful of the search for tonal variety as this is the dead end road I went down. I tried to match the recorded tone of each song we covered, leading to multi-pickup basses for "versatility." Sometimes I got lucky and even had a good tone, but for the most part not so much. Come to find out what you really need is a great tone for the room, yet pleasing to the band. What the last three bands all liked were my one PUP basses which were a CS '59 NOS and a Zon 5/1 which is a P PUP in a soapbar shell. Coincidence? Probably not, just saying....
 
#31
Greetings from another fellow Aussie. I have owned or own some of the basses mentioned, except for a Sadowsky.

From what i have heard, the 'dowskys are a more modern sounding take on a traditional design and highly regarded as a great workhorse due to tone, feel and build quality. Something worth checking out.

I had a '78 Pbass. Loved the tone and feel. Hated the weight(10.56lbs). It definitely had sustain for days though. But sold it after i got the 50's Roadworn P. I felt it had all the tone and played better while being pretty lightweight(8.3lbs). Not gonna knock on a fellow ozbasser's sale so try it out and buy if it ticks all the boxes for you.

I currently own a Lakland 55-94 DLX and Skyline 55-64. The 55-94 is a jack of all trades. Very versatile and does sound really good. The neck feels amazing. The 55-64 is a fantastic 5-string option in a P style bass. Sounds traditional and easily does vintage rock tones and stuff. Both have B strings to die for and top notch feel and build quality.

Ultimately what matters is what you are looking for tonally and playability. More modern or vintage. Worn, satin or glossy necks. 4 or 5 string. A bass that has that signature sound with minimal eqing or something of a tonal chameleon.
 
#32
I have a bunch of basses, both boutique ones and serial production basses. I must say that while the boutique basses are usually better built and the palaybility tends to be better the old Fenders and Ibanez basses sound better for certain things. Just got a 79 Precision which has amazing sound, the wood is better than any of my boutique basses has. I also have an 80 Ibanez Roadster RS824 that has much better wood than the Fodera and three Sadowskys I had. I think there is no perfect bass in this world, every situation needs a special bass. And one more lesson I've learned - try before buying! :)
 
#33
The 5502 is versatile, but was not my thing. I sold it, bought a Lakland JO 5 and added an outboard sadowsky preamp. Can not beat the versatility of that.

I use the preamp on most of my sessions, but having the ability to have a true passive tone is worth a lot to me.
 
#34
Bass Centre had an excellent crop of Sadowskys last time I was there (they're my local so I go there for all my strings). I'd be heavily leaning towards that option. The guys also have some utterly butt kicking Sandbergs in stock at the moment which might be worth having a go at when you're there. They're not really my bag, but the boys describe them as 'Fenders on steroids' and they seem to move a lot of them.
 
#35
I've owned all three, Lakland, Sadowsky and 70's Fenders.

Lakland basses I was never impressed with. Not to say they don't make a nice product, they do. Just not for me.

Sadowsky basses, I've owned three. There is no such thing of getting a bad Sadowsky! The build quality is the best, the tone is great and their customer service is the best in the industry. If you are going in blind buying a bass, your odds are excellent you will like the Sadowsky.

Now I very much disagree with the comments that 70's Fender are nothing special. I have a '72 Sunburst Jazz bass that is to die for! Super light weight, great vintage tone (I also use a Sadowsky preamp box with it for a little extra bite) and plays like butter. It is actually my main player, sold off my Sadowsky basses. BUT, I do agree it can be a crapshoot finding a good one. I have been lucky, I've owned two amazing '72 Jazz basses

web_fender.jpg


I just have the sunburst one now.

I would highly recommend NOT buying a 70's Fender blind. Those you would need to get in your hands and try first. Which I realize might be hard in your case do to your location. But when you find a good one....:hyper: I think the early '70s ones are the "better" ones.

FYI, the first Sadowsky I purchased was a used one on-line. Never ever tried one. I was not disappointed! In fact my second Sadowsky (a Metro) I also bought on-line. Again very pleased.
 
#36
I too love the sadowksy sound and think they are great. However, the man question to ask is if you are ready to commit to an active bass. There is a misconception that you can just make an active bass passive with the flick of the knob, but that tone is almost always a safety valve for an emergency and not the ideal option. That is the case with Sadowsky as he has said that himself.

If you are full on committed to active basses, and like that hi fi jazz tone, then the Sadowsky is going to be very satisfying.

As for the feel. I demoed Metros and skylines and I found that the bound necks on both were excellent. I prefer the 35 inch skyline 5s for the low b and I like playing on that scale length (hands are not big). The 5 string Lakland skylines also have graphite rods in the neck like their premium counterparts. Just little details to consider.
 
#38
Unfortunately my bit of good news turned out to be a bit of bad news, and I've had to promptly 'reprioritise' the large chunk of money I have saved - long story short, I cannot afford to buy a new bass.

But, thank you all for your thoughts and comments - if/when the opportunity comes around again, I'll definitely revisit this thread and the advice you've all given me.

:)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back