As I said in my first post, we all play what we like, and have to answer to no one for our choices (accept maybe a spouse). If I came off as jealous or petty, I apologize to anyone offended.
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A Non-Sadowsky Owner's Informed Opinion
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Not just in quality, but in sound and feel too. I think part of that is in something Rob touched on, choice of woods. Every Sadowsky neck I've seen has been very plain looking Maple, but with very even, straight grain, which I'm sure helps with the stability and stiffness of their necks. It's especially important with one piece necks. I bet they're equally careful about the body woods selected. That's one thing that mass producers can't afford to match. Obviously, there's more to the recipe than just wood choice, but it's an important starting point and one that the best builders pay careful attention to.
A friend once told me (in jest) that the trouble with kids is, once they're old enough for you to know how they're going to turn out, it's too late to sell them to a research lab.
But then, he's also the one who told me that if it wasn't for my wife, there'd be no adult supervision at my house.
I would actually like to address this.
In my 36 years of working on guitars, the worst necks I have ever seen have been figured maple. I am referring to warpage and sponginess. I agree they are beautiful. But several other colleagues of mine agree with me and do not make necks out of figured maple. I use the clearest straight grained flat sawn maple which happens to make, IMHO, the best neck. I feel I am giving you a superior neck this way. I do offer figured maple fingerboards, but I will never build a neck with figured maple for stability reasons.
Roger
HI
And there u have it. LOL
Other luthiers I have talked to feel the same. There are exceptions, though
Rob
And there u have it. LOL
Other luthiers I have talked to feel the same. There are exceptions, though
Rob
See the Sadowsky Gallery II thread for a gorgeous figured maple board that Roger put on one of my basses.
Ironically, I have seen figured maple necks on high end PRS Private Stock guitars that go for $7k and up. I'm not sure what to make of that. Regardless, I trust Roger Sadowsky unconditionally.
I did have another luthier make a neck out of figured maple and paint the whole thing magenta. I didn't turn out well.
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Ironically, I have seen figured maple necks on high end PRS Private Stock guitars that go for $7k and up. I'm not sure what to make of that. Regardless, I trust Roger Sadowsky unconditionally.
I did have another luthier make a neck out of figured maple and paint the whole thing magenta. I didn't turn out well.
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OK, My 2cents. I was there at the St Louis GTG along with Cheese and other TBers. Actually that was my MTD that Cheese was referring to in his original post, so I am not a stranger to high end gear (Vic can attest to the quality of that MTD as well).
This is also my first Sadowsky thread I have read and was unaware of any Sadowsky hype here on TB. I also had not played or seen a Sadowsky in person and would consider my opinion unbiased and objective to this point.
On Saturday I got a chance to play and compare a Metro Modern 5, A Metro Jazz 5 standard, and a NYC 5 (don't flame me for not using the right sadowsky models numbers). I compared the fit finish of the NYC to the Metro and I actually preferred the feel of the Metro Modern the best. When I played and compared each I personally preferred the sound of the Metro. I was really impressed with the Modern sound when soloing the bridge pickup (can you say burp) and thought I got to get me one of these. Well after spending Saturday and Sunday looking I purchased one on Monday.
So will it be as good as my MTD, my Skjolds, my roscoe... (maybe, maybe not) it will depend on the day and the application. Somedays it will be #1 other days not, but it is a great bass and look forward to adding to my collection to cover a range of tones. I would say the build quality and tonal possibilities could live up to hype hear on TB, but is it for everyone, probably not.
BTW, Cheese's Cort did sound good and upon inspection appeared to be built pretty good, but it didn't get me so gassed up that I had to get one.
This is also my first Sadowsky thread I have read and was unaware of any Sadowsky hype here on TB. I also had not played or seen a Sadowsky in person and would consider my opinion unbiased and objective to this point.
On Saturday I got a chance to play and compare a Metro Modern 5, A Metro Jazz 5 standard, and a NYC 5 (don't flame me for not using the right sadowsky models numbers). I compared the fit finish of the NYC to the Metro and I actually preferred the feel of the Metro Modern the best. When I played and compared each I personally preferred the sound of the Metro. I was really impressed with the Modern sound when soloing the bridge pickup (can you say burp) and thought I got to get me one of these. Well after spending Saturday and Sunday looking I purchased one on Monday.
So will it be as good as my MTD, my Skjolds, my roscoe... (maybe, maybe not) it will depend on the day and the application. Somedays it will be #1 other days not, but it is a great bass and look forward to adding to my collection to cover a range of tones. I would say the build quality and tonal possibilities could live up to hype hear on TB, but is it for everyone, probably not.
BTW, Cheese's Cort did sound good and upon inspection appeared to be built pretty good, but it didn't get me so gassed up that I had to get one.
Thanks for posting, Saluki. You assessment was just like mine. The Metro Modern smoked the NYC Modern. The only explanation I can come up with is that the NYC may have had a weak battery.
Also thanks for your assessment of my Cort too.
I wouldn't expect a guy with your kind of gear to be in a rush to get a Cort like mine, but I am glad that you felt it sounded good and was well constructed.
Cheese,
It was just my 2cents. If it sounds good, play it and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I sometimes prefer some of the more exotic tops that you normally can't get on mass produced basses. But on the other hand I am not a gear snob either. I have played and will eventually on a Squire Vintage Modified for a passive option.
It was just my 2cents. If it sounds good, play it and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I sometimes prefer some of the more exotic tops that you normally can't get on mass produced basses. But on the other hand I am not a gear snob either. I have played and will eventually on a Squire Vintage Modified for a passive option.
Exactly.
I just dropped large $$$ on a Metro 5er because it blew me away. I WISH i felt the same thing with a $400 bass!
I haven't read all of the posts in the thread but I will contribute my .02
I have had several Sadowsky basses and I have found each of them to be well made, super-high quality axes. I sold them to "cash in" my collection and generate some $$$.
That said, the single finest bass I have ever played was my Metro RV-4. That bass (with DR Hi-Beams) has become "the tone I hear in my head" when I think of a Jazz bass. The feel of the neck was a thing of beauty and the playability, fit, finish, and quality of that instrument were unmatched by anything I've played before or since. If I could get that bass in a 5-string but with a flatter neck profile, I'd probably marry it -- especially now that I am playing out regularly.
I agree that we all make choices on where to spend our money. Family commitments, personal budgets, and individual discretion all have to come into play. Even still, I personally believe that Roger is onto something and I still consider myself a big fan.
I personally believe that his basses are worth every penny.
I have had several Sadowsky basses and I have found each of them to be well made, super-high quality axes. I sold them to "cash in" my collection and generate some $$$.
That said, the single finest bass I have ever played was my Metro RV-4. That bass (with DR Hi-Beams) has become "the tone I hear in my head" when I think of a Jazz bass. The feel of the neck was a thing of beauty and the playability, fit, finish, and quality of that instrument were unmatched by anything I've played before or since. If I could get that bass in a 5-string but with a flatter neck profile, I'd probably marry it -- especially now that I am playing out regularly.
I agree that we all make choices on where to spend our money. Family commitments, personal budgets, and individual discretion all have to come into play. Even still, I personally believe that Roger is onto something and I still consider myself a big fan.
I personally believe that his basses are worth every penny.
Here's an exception. From the Warmoth site:
"There seems to be a recurring rumor that Birdseye maple is unstable and not suited to guitar necks. Having made tens of thousands of Birdseye necks, we can assure you that it is no different in stability than plain maple. AAA grade means the wood will be a bit more figured than our standard AA."
Warmoth can probably get away with it because they use those steel reinforcement bars.
HI
Yep. Warmoth is one. There necks have steel bars and are very heavy. Their profiles by comparison tend to be on the chunky side, also. These things lending themselves to perceived stability
EB is another
Rob
Yep. Warmoth is one. There necks have steel bars and are very heavy. Their profiles by comparison tend to be on the chunky side, also. These things lending themselves to perceived stability
EB is another
Rob
As I said in my first post, we all play what we like, and have to answer to no one for our choices (accept maybe a spouse). If I came off as jealous or petty, I apologize to anyone offended.
Hey, Doc. I don't know you, but from reading your various posts over the past several months, you always struck me as a straight shooter; but also as a very fair and considerate guy.
I know it's been said before, but I believe that it's very easy to come across in print in ways that were never intended. Readers don't get to hear the subtle voice inflections, etc. that benefit us in personal conversations. So I don't think you, or any of the other guys who have replied on this thread have anything to feel bad about. Hey, we're bass players! We ARE the voices of reason. So let's all just move on in friendship and brotherhood. As our Australian friends would say, "No worries, mate!"
Thanks for the kind words. I did have one misunderstanding come out of this thread, but that has been worked out, and I am fine.
I gave my opinion on Sadowskys in this thread, and for the immediate future, I have nothing more to add.
There are two kinds of people in the world...
Those who own Sadowsky basses, and those who aren't worth the air they breathe.
(...jk!!!!!!!...)
Those who own Sadowsky basses, and those who aren't worth the air they breathe.
(...jk!!!!!!!...)
