CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I would also recommend checking out the new line of Roscoe basses called the Classic. I have the Classic Custom which is an amazing bass and built in Greensboro, NC. Here is a pic of mine.
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A stunning experience AKA first time playing a Sadowsky
- Thread starter monkeyland
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They're not groundbreaking or innovative, but they are good at what they're meant to do.
I bought my Nyc 4 used exactly a year ago,
my first impression was Wow what an amazing instrument,
its tone its articulation and what's most impressive is how defined and clear the E string is,
the fretwork and playability is top class,
my guitarist hates how punchy it is and is always trying to get me to use my passive P bass,
its my number one I love my Sadowsky.
I will buy another.
my first impression was Wow what an amazing instrument,
its tone its articulation and what's most impressive is how defined and clear the E string is,
the fretwork and playability is top class,
my guitarist hates how punchy it is and is always trying to get me to use my passive P bass,
its my number one I love my Sadowsky.
I will buy another.
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My first Sadowsky encounter came in about 94 when I nearly bought a late 80's NYC J-bass but, at the time car repairs (and two small daughters) kept that bass beyond my arms reach. But, my J-bass at the time was a very close second. The fellow who owned the NYC even welcomed a trade for my j-bass plus cash. ... Anyway, it didn't happen. ... Then around 2011, a local fellow had a 96 NYC for sale. I tried it and really liked it. I had a blues gig that evening and wanted to try it out live so, we agreed I'd buy it and I had 48-hours to change my mind. ... I took it to the gig and dug it but, I still liked my old fretless J-bass better and in the end decided that I was 20-years past that bass. I figured it would have spent more time sitting at home than at the gig so, I passed on her. ... Then, less than 3-months later, while in Florida, I pulled an all original 74 J-bass, (with original strings) from the FL swamp for less than half the price of the Sadowsky. ... But, honestly I'd seriously consider buying an NYC in a heartbeat.
I've had several Sadowskys and have played a bunch more. I think Roger has set up a great company and I'm a big fan of his work. Having said that, I think the best bass for you to play is the bass that makes you happiest playing it - so I don't have much use for any notions of "better" when it comes to Sadowskys vs other quality instruments. Also, not every Sadowsky jazz is the same just as not every Fender jazz is the same. I'll read comments by people to the effect of "I tried a Sadowsky once and I was underwhelmed". Well, it could be that the Sadowsky design overall (no Fender clone jokes, please 
) just isn't for that person but it could also be that that particular bass wasn't for that person - and that another Sadowsky would have been perfect. I've played Sadowskys that left me cold and others that made me want to keep playing for hours. Wood is what it is: a somewhat inconsistent material that is never fully predictable.
As a few others have pointed out, an option for obtaining the "Sadowsky sound" is to buy the preamp - either onboard or in pedal form. I dropped a Sadowsky preamp into my Lull and is sounds every bit as much like a Sadowsky as the Sadowskys I've owned.
) just isn't for that person but it could also be that that particular bass wasn't for that person - and that another Sadowsky would have been perfect. I've played Sadowskys that left me cold and others that made me want to keep playing for hours. Wood is what it is: a somewhat inconsistent material that is never fully predictable.As a few others have pointed out, an option for obtaining the "Sadowsky sound" is to buy the preamp - either onboard or in pedal form. I dropped a Sadowsky preamp into my Lull and is sounds every bit as much like a Sadowsky as the Sadowskys I've owned.
Sadowsky is a fine crafted instrument, however the preamp is a different story, cant say I cared for it much and in passive mode it seemed thin sounding
Does anyone know if Roger does 18mm string spacing?
I just recently made an Atelier Z m265 my main bass (after almost 20 yrs of Stingray5's ) - Anyway, after getting used to 18mm, I'm loving it!
But after playing a few Sadowsky 5's, 19mm just seems too much of a stretch for me to get comfy with.
NYC's are my goal - just hope I can get that 18mm spacimg.
I just recently made an Atelier Z m265 my main bass (after almost 20 yrs of Stingray5's ) - Anyway, after getting used to 18mm, I'm loving it!
But after playing a few Sadowsky 5's, 19mm just seems too much of a stretch for me to get comfy with.
NYC's are my goal - just hope I can get that 18mm spacimg.
Post same in 'Club Sadowsky' thread... you may even get an answer from the man, himself... I'm thinking they can work something up... great customer service, from top down... Good luck!
Both basses possess qualities that I like. The Sadowsky seems to have higher output and the trademark Sadowsky tone.
The Fender appears to have less output, but
has the much conveted Suhr era electronics and tone.
I would be proud to own both basses. IMO, the tones are so similar, I don't debate which is better!
Sadowsky Metro - The production is better on this video.
1997 Fender with Suhr era electronics
The Fender appears to have less output, but
has the much conveted Suhr era electronics and tone.
I would be proud to own both basses. IMO, the tones are so similar, I don't debate which is better!
Sadowsky Metro - The production is better on this video.
1997 Fender with Suhr era electronics
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So you mean the sadowsky preamp. Yes it can be bought separately and installed into a Fender if it's needed. As for sadowsky pickups, a lot of people tend to replace those with nordstrands or similar and even sadowsky himself offers those pickups at an additional cost.
Not trying to bash on those instruments but what you just described is the electronics part of the instrument which is widely available as an upgrade. I could easily upgrade my fender elite with sadowsky electronics and I would still prefer the feel and sound of it, mainly because of the string spacing.
As for frets quality, if there is any difference between them two, a good luthier will nullify it by a good fret leveling job for 100$.
Edit: now that I'm thinking... upgrading to sadowsky preamp as if the elites preamp is inferior... actually I really really dig my elites 18v preamp. Powerfull stuff.
Anyways, both are great instruments, I'm merely expressing my personal opinion on the matter, so as always, YMMV. It's just that I much more prefer the classic jazz bass sound as opossed to sadowskys more agressive sound. And for that, you have to go Fender.
And yes, I am a Fender fan, I admit it.
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Probably because the Lull are great intruments. I guess if you drop your preamp into a entry level instrument it wouldn't sound that good.
I think about doing the same in my Fender ADPV.
I'm a Fender fan as well. Have you actually gigged a Sadowsky?So you mean the sadowsky preamp. Yes it can be bought separately and installed into a Fender if it's needed. As for sadowsky pickups, a lot of people tend to replace those with nordstrands or similar and even sadowsky himself offers those pickups at an additional cost.
Not trying to bash on those instruments but what you just described is the electronics part of the instrument which is widely available as an upgrade. I could easily upgrade my fender elite with sadowsky electronics and I would still prefer the feel and sound of it, mainly because of the string spacing.
As for frets quality, if there is any difference between them two, a good luthier will nullify it by a good fret leveling job for 100$.
Edit: now that I'm thinking... upgrading to sadowsky preamp as if the elites preamp is inferior... actually I really really dig my elites 18v preamp. Powerfull stuff.
Anyways, both are great instruments, I'm merely expressing my personal opinion on the matter, so as always, YMMV. It's just that I much more prefer the classic jazz bass sound as opossed to sadowskys more agressive sound. And for that, you have to go Fender.
And yes, I am a Fender fan, I admit it.
TB is an addiction!Arghhhhh, why do I read threads like this?!?! It seems like every time I'm truly happy with my gear I open up a thread like this and that little GAS devil pops up on my shoulder ...
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I do. While my Fender ADPV is awesome, the Sadowsky is just the way to go. It sits in the mix just like nothing I've played before
