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A Non-Sadowsky Owner's Informed Opinion

#23
I heard that Sadowsky basses may be the much longed for solution to global warming!

But seriously... I think most folks will agree that Sadowsky makes a fine bass. In fact, the OP makes just that point.

That said, many folks offer that there are a lot of other builders who make fine basses, and some may even equal or surpass Sadowsky. And, whether a given bass does equal or exceed is a matter of subjective judgement. These are arguments that are explored (read: beaten to death) in many, many threads.

The rub is that we just don't typically see eleventy-leven new threads per week claiming that those other basses have magical powers making them by far *the best* electric bass guitar ever devised by man and that all people should recognize and acknowledge this as fact. I think that's why these threads always seem to go off topic and wind up spiraling toward the mods locking them...

:bassist:
 
#24
dunamis said:
I heard that Sadowsky basses may be the much longed for solution to global warming!

But seriously... I think most folks will agree that Sadowsky makes a fine bass. In fact, the OP makes just that point.

That said, many folks offer that there are a lot of other builders who make fine basses, and some may even equal or surpass Sadowsky. And, whether a given bass does equal or exceed is a matter of subjective judgement. These are arguments that are explored (read: beaten to death) in many, many threads.

The rub is that we just don't typically see eleventy-leven new threads per week claiming that those other basses have magical powers making them by far *the best* electric bass guitar ever devised by man and that all people should recognize and acknowledge this as fact. I think that's why these threads always seem to go off topic and wind up spiraling toward the mods locking them...

:bassist:
Click to expand...

In all fairness, no Sadowsky owners have come down on me since I started this thread. I made it pretty clear from the first post, that this is not a Sadowsky bashing thread.
 
#26
bikeplate said:
HI

Ive loved my first 20 Sadowsky's. Looking forward to the next 20

Rob
Click to expand...

Me 2! #20 is on the way now I hope! I took a page from your book and got the Black PJ4 #M2215 I haven't had the pleasure of playing one yet but I am really looking forward to it. It will go quite nicely with the MV5 and the NYC Ultra Vintage I have now....

:D

:hiding:






Peace,

T
 
#27
HI

Hybrid PJ T? Mine smokes!! ash body, maple board. LOVE IT!!

I understand what Cheese is saying. To each their own. You dont need a Porsche to get to work, most any vehicle will do including a Harley!! LOL

I endorse them because I love them. People endorse MTD 'cause they love em. Whatever works.

I will say one thing. I dont play Sadowsky for the name. As a matter of fact, no one knows its a Sadowsky. They assume its a Fender, I guess. Over the last 6 years using them, I've probably done near 1100 shows using one. I think 3 people in that time have commented "nice Sadowsky" LOL.
They are the perfect bass for ME!! Not for my neighbor, friend at the grocery store, or dentist. For ME!! LOL. Thats what matters. I could start a similar thread naming basses I paid close to double for what I pay for one of my basses. I dont because those may be what many consider "magic" instruments.

I could do a gig with any bass, I guess. Im happy with what I have

Rob
 
#28
bikeplate said:
HI

Hybrid PJ T? Mine smokes!! ash body, maple board. LOVE IT!!

I understand what Cheese is saying. To each their own. You dont need a Porsche to get to work, most any vehicle will do including a Harley!! LOL

I endorse them because I love them. People endorse MTD 'cause they love em. Whatever works.

I will say one thing. I dont play Sadowsky for the name. As a matter of fact, no one knows its a Sadowsky. They assume its a Fender, I guess. Over the last 6 years using them, I've probably done near 1100 shows using one. I think 3 people in that time have commented "nice Sadowsky" LOL.
They are the perfect bass for ME!! Not for my neighbor, friend at the grocery store, or dentist. For ME!! LOL. Thats what matters. I could start a similar thread naming basses I paid close to double for what I pay for one of my basses. I dont because those may be what many consider "magic" instruments.

I could do a gig with any bass, I guess. Im happy with what I have

Rob
Click to expand...

AMEN BRO! I have played Sadowskys for about 3 years or so and with the exception of most of my studio dates only ONE (bass player) person has ever come up to me and said hey man is THAT a Sadowsky? I was actually surprised he knew what it was. I let him play it and he has since bought one. Nuff said...

I am REALLY looking forward to the PJ after I have read you extoll the virtues of yours here for a while! I just picked up a SWEET Lakland US Glaub the other day to compare it with. Its a GREAT time to be a bass player!

BTW - You, Jason, and I need to start a 20+ Sadowsky club....

:hiding:

Peace,

T
 
#31
I bought my Sadowsky MS5 on a whim and am glad I did. For me it's not the feel, looks, or construction, which are great. It's the live TONE in the mix. I haven't found anything else that compares with a live band. The Sadowsky jazz's just put out the perfect frequencies in the mix.
 
#32
Dr. Cheese said:
I the know the neck of the NYC Modern I played on Saturday was sheer perfection, it was like Roger Sadowsky measured my hands in my sleep!

What also struck me was how close my Cort GB-75 was to a Sadowsky modern in terms of sound. As Al Caldwell mentioned, my Cort did not have the subtlety of a $3,000 bass, but a change of preamp would surely put it in the ballpark. In terms of output and balls, the Cort is already even with the modern. The modern was clearly much better constructed and felt more expensive, but we are talking $600 versus $2,500 for the Metro and $4,000 for the NYC. I think 95% of players could live with a less boutique feel.
Click to expand...

Great post!

The idea of someone measuring my hands in my sleep... scary! :eek:

Consider getting the Sadowsky outboard preamp for your Cort. It's cheaper than getting a Sadowsky, sounds great, and you can use it with your present and future basses (and we know there will be future basses;))

I checked out the Cort GB75 on their website. Nice looking!
 
#33
Bass Viking said:
Great post!

The idea of someone measuring my hands in my sleep... scary! :eek:

Consider getting the Sadowsky outboard preamp for your Cort. It's cheaper than getting a Sadowsky, sounds great, and you can use it with your present and future basses (and we know there will be future basses;))

I checked out the Cort GB75 on their website. Nice looking!
Click to expand...

The Sadowsky outboard is nice, but if I do anything with my Cort, it will be onboard. I really don't want an active bass going two separate preamps.
 
#36
Dr. Cheese said:
For a year or so, I have posted very little on Sadowsky threads simply because I did not own one, and had not played one enough to discuss them with any authority. Now that I have played three Sadowsky Moderns (one NYC, two Metros), a NYC fourstring, and a Metro five since 2006, I now feel that I can speak about them.

First, they are clearly very well made. Anyone who knows basses can sense the quality with a casual observation. I the know the neck of the NYC Modern I played on Saturday was sheer perfection, it was like Roger Sadowsky measured my hands in my sleep! In terms of sound, they are sweet basses. I really like the modern. I am surprised they aren't bigger among Gospel bassists because they deliver the modern tone in spades!:bassist: I also loved the slap tone on the moderns too. Personally, I felt that the MTD 535 delivered an even more powerful modern tone and was maybe a touch better constructed, but at the level of money that these basses run, the differences are more about personal taste than quality.

What also struck me was how close my Cort GB-75 was to a Sadowsky modern in terms of sound. As Al Caldwell mentioned, my Cort did not have the subtlety of a $3,000 bass, but a change of preamp would surely put it in the ballpark. In terms of output and balls, the Cort is already even with the modern. The modern was clearly much better constructed and felt more expensive, but we are talking $600 versus $2,500 for the Metro and $4,000 for the NYC. I think 95% of players could live with a less boutique feel.

For additional perspective, I went to my local GC Sunday, and a/b'ed my Cort with some other basses. The bass that came closest to feeling like the NYC was Stingray HH four string. The neck had pretty much the same buttery feel.

The bottom line is that I feel the best of the mass production basses like Ernie Ball/MusicMan, Peavey (Cirrus), and G&L, are neck and neck with Sadowsky in terms of build quality. If those companies would stop being so hard headed and make nice fives with 19mm spacing, they could do some serious damage to the boutique market. What I am saying is not a slam on Sadowsky. I believe that Roger Sadowsky is one of the most honorable, nice, and standup people making basses. It's just that a small shop cannot compete in terms of price with a major manufacturer; that is ECON 101. The advantage that Sadowsky has lies in customer service and the ability to make special orders more easily than a major shop.

My point is that Sadowsky owners are right to love their basses. They are well made, and sound great. I am also sure that everything they say about them shining in the mix is true also. (I know my Yamaha with Ultra Jazz DiMarzios killed with a choir!:eek:) What is also true, however, is that one can get very similar levels of performance without spending anywhere near Sadowsky money. This is important to know for people like me who probably could have bought two or three Metros with all the money I have spent buying inexpensive or mid priced basses!:hiding:

Once again, I am not out to put anyone's choice of bass down. We all love what we love, and do not have to answer to anyone else for what we buy.:cool: I just know that unless it is a Cirrus, I plan to hold off more purchases until I can afford a Modern Metro or a MTD 535.:bassist:

Oh yeah, I would add Warrior and Elrick to my short list of worth saving for boutiques also.:cool:
Click to expand...

Most of what you said, I'll agree with! It seems like everyone's kinda bombarding you! Which is a bummer. I, personally, just bought a Sadowsky RV4 a couple weeks ago which I absolutely love. I did a ton of research before I ordered it, and so far it meets my needs quite well! There are probably basses out there that sound just as good. As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." But something I HATE is when people are pushy or "snobby" about certain things. For instance, I'll be driving in a car, and someone in the car has THIS AMAZING CD and there's this song on there that, OH MAN YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT'S AMAZING. And they're really pushy about it and make it out to be something AMAZING. And that kinda attitude turns me off, and in that situation, I wouldn't enjoy the song nearly as much. I dunno haha I just get annoyed by elitests, snobs, etc etc. Not to say that anyone here is, but it can get quite close to it at times.
 
#37
I'm on Metro #3, and I understand perfectly what Doc is saying. I started with a Modern, which I liked a lot, but I've always been a jazz bass guy, so I traded it for an RV5. I was forced to move that one in my divorce, and when I was able, picked up another RV5.

For me, it's the whole package. It's the way they feel, the way they are put together, the sound in a band mix, the look, etc. I find a lot of people are not familiar with them. A salestard at GC asked me the other day what kind of bass I played. I said "A Sadowsky Metro" and he responded, "What's that?".
 
#38
dunamis said:
The rub is that we just don't typically see eleventy-leven new threads per week claiming that those other basses have magical powers making them by far *the best* electric bass guitar ever devised by man and that all people should recognize and acknowledge this as fact. I think that's why these threads always seem to go off topic and wind up spiraling toward the mods locking them...

:bassist:
Click to expand...

If one doesn't share that opinion, then one should move on to some other thread.
 

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