I've played a Sadowsky at L.A. Bass Exchange, and I own Laklands. I'd say they're in the same league. In fact, the difference is going to end up being personal preference between these two brands.
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Are Sadowskys that awesome?
- Thread starter alexssandro
- Start date
I definitely don't agree with everything BP sez. I have yet to see an overall rating on ANY product at less than a 4 out of 5. But in this case, I think it was a fair appraisal.
I guess I mistook your definition of "pretty weak" as meaning the complete opposite of "immense." My bad.
- Feb 2, 2001
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- Builder: Valenti Basses
I have to disagree. It's not only how well a bass is, but customer suppot has to be there. I wanted a Lakland a few months ago & I emailed them, waited a week or two & emailed them again, waited another week or two & emailed them a 3rd time w/no response. What is the use of supplying an e-mail address on a website if you don't respond to it. Whenever I have e-amiled Stuart Spector or Roger Sadowsky, I've gotten responses from them!!!!
I've played a few Lakland's & I happen to think that they are just as well made as Sadowsky's. Because of this, I won't buy a Lakland. Might sound silly, but what's going to happenwhen I own a bass & try to e-mail him w/a problem/suggestion?
A friend of mine had the same problem with Lakland, he finaly went with a Lull that he had for a great price.
Unfortunatly Sadowsky are way to expensive in Canada over 5200$ for a standard 5
I'll take my Zon over a Sad any day....but that's personal preference. To each their own. My suggestion, play one, form your own opinion.
Your aproach is right:you say it is your personal opinion.
But ,in my opinion,you can't compare such two different basses like Sadowsky and Zon.
Your aproach is right:you say it is your personal opinion.
But ,in my opinion,you can't compare such two different basses like Sadowsky and Zon.
I'm surprized about your problem with Lakland.. I've always called and most times Dan or John answer the phone themselves... Theres been times when someone on the work floor has answered and have taken a message or paged Dan or John.. And when I've left messages, they were always returned quickly.. I own 2 Laklands and love them... Ive tried a Sadowsky and loved it, but there is a few thing I didn't like that someone mentioned earlier.. I probably will buy one though because it sounds and plays great.. I owned one of the new Lull M5V's and thought it was nice too.. They're also great to deal with.. Roger McGee at Lull Guitars just helped a friend of mine out with a bass.. I did trade my Lull for a Lakland Deluxe that I just was crazy about.. But I plan on getting another... I can't decide on the Sadowsky or Lull first though.. Also on another note Lakland will be coming out with a 5 string version on the Joe Osborne bass around Christmas time... Best of Luck fellow pluckers.... Steve.....
Well,
I own very good basses(Tobias,Laurus,Warwick),and tryed every other top brand.
But my Sadowsky standard 4 with maple neck and passive control,is something else.
While with any other bass I have played,I had to spend 5/10 minutes for adjusting the amp,all the tone controls etc.when I tryed a Sadowsky for the first time,it worked immediatly.
No mater what amp,strings,equalizations you use:a
Sadowsky will always give you good sounds.I think that this fact first of all is the product of the woods Roger uses;and then of the balanced combination of that woods with the electronic and the Pick-up.The final result is a bass with a huge,big,fat,crisp sound:if I have to plug my '91 Tobias classic 5 after the Sadowsky,I have to double the gain knob of my amp.And it is the same thing with many other high-end basses I have tryed.
I think that the only j-bass style that can compete with a Sadowsky,is just a real J-bass from the 60's.
So there are 2 reasons why not to buy a Sadowsky:
1)You already own a vintage jazz;but you must have the courage to install a preamp on it.....
2)you don't like j-style basses.
Sadowsky rules!
P.S
Hi Roger,it is Francesco from Tuscany speaking,hope you remember.
Stay well!
I own very good basses(Tobias,Laurus,Warwick),and tryed every other top brand.
But my Sadowsky standard 4 with maple neck and passive control,is something else.
While with any other bass I have played,I had to spend 5/10 minutes for adjusting the amp,all the tone controls etc.when I tryed a Sadowsky for the first time,it worked immediatly.
No mater what amp,strings,equalizations you use:a
Sadowsky will always give you good sounds.I think that this fact first of all is the product of the woods Roger uses;and then of the balanced combination of that woods with the electronic and the Pick-up.The final result is a bass with a huge,big,fat,crisp sound:if I have to plug my '91 Tobias classic 5 after the Sadowsky,I have to double the gain knob of my amp.And it is the same thing with many other high-end basses I have tryed.
I think that the only j-bass style that can compete with a Sadowsky,is just a real J-bass from the 60's.
So there are 2 reasons why not to buy a Sadowsky:
1)You already own a vintage jazz;but you must have the courage to install a preamp on it.....
2)you don't like j-style basses.
Sadowsky rules!
P.S
Hi Roger,it is Francesco from Tuscany speaking,hope you remember.
Stay well!
I've also had top notch service or responses from Dan's group and Roger. While email is the cheapest way to get in touch with them, I don't mind paying for a phone call. Whether I've called or emailed Lakland I got immediate responses.
What time of year was it, Nino? The reason I ask is, sometimes in the middle of crunches e-mail can fall to the wayside, like now with builders prepping for Summer NAMM. I also take into consideration that with some of these guys, the sheer volume of e-mail would require a full-time person to manage
What time of year was it, Nino? The reason I ask is, sometimes in the middle of crunches e-mail can fall to the wayside, like now with builders prepping for Summer NAMM. I also take into consideration that with some of these guys, the sheer volume of e-mail would require a full-time person to manage
I hate e-mail. Maybe the guys at Lakland aren't so fond of it either. I bought my Laklands through LABX, and their service is second to none. I called Lakland several times, and always got them on the phone. Maybe you need to bite the bullet and give them a call. I'd say you've got some weak reasons not to own one of the best basses out there, if you otherwise have the cash.
- Feb 2, 2001
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Then they shouldn't put it on their website.
I HATE talking on the phone. I get all nervous & lose my train of thought.
SInce my english is quite bad, I also prefer E-mail.
If they don't answer, like nino said, they should not make it available.
I know at least 2 people who considered buying a Lakland and didn't mostly because they didn't answered their E-mail.
Nino and bassboy
If they don't answer, like nino said, they should not make it available.
I know at least 2 people who considered buying a Lakland and didn't mostly because they didn't answered their E-mail.
Nino and bassboy
To answer the question, YES! Sadowsky instruments are THAT awesome! 
Don't judge a book by it's cover. The Vintage basses may look like Fender clones but they are a wolf in sheeps clothing. Play one and you'll realize that Roger Sadowsky and his crew put their brains, passion, and sweat into each intrument. Additionally, their attitude is a benchmark for which other manufacturers should strive.
I've been playing guitar for about 21 years and seriously began playing bass about 2 years ago. During many of those years I always dabbled on bass in my bands for one reason or another. Usually it was a Fender P or J, Carl Thompson fretless, and Stingray. When I went to buy a bass, I tried many brands. Many sounded good, some were awful. I spent months trying different brands including Fodera, Alembic, Fender, Modulus, Ernie Ball/Music Man, Lakland, G&L, Ken Smith, BC Rich, Yamaha, Warwick, Status, Peavey, Tobias, ESP.
The Sadowsky standard J bass was in a different league. I immediately plucked down the $ for a AAAAA quilt maple on swamp ash J bass with figured maple fingerboard with gold hardware. I was not disappointed. It is light, resonant, even sounding, gorgeous sounding, fat, crisp, warm... I could go on and on. IMHO it is worth every single penny I paid.
Since that time I've played more basses. I had a chance to hit Roger's shop in NY a while ago. I think Roger's a swell guy but I'm convinced he made a pact with the devil to get some of his insturments to sing and sound so fine. I played a sonic blue Vintage PJ5 that almost made me cry. I had to play it again at the end of my 'demo' session to believe it sounded that good. It did. When I walked out of the demo room even Sadowsky saw the look on my face and new I was smitten. Before the year is up I plan to order a similar Sadowsky: PJ4 figured maple on alder with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. The Vintage basses may look like Fender clones but they are a wolf in sheeps clothing. Play one and you'll realize that Roger Sadowsky and his crew put their brains, passion, and sweat into each intrument. Additionally, their attitude is a benchmark for which other manufacturers should strive.I've been playing guitar for about 21 years and seriously began playing bass about 2 years ago. During many of those years I always dabbled on bass in my bands for one reason or another. Usually it was a Fender P or J, Carl Thompson fretless, and Stingray. When I went to buy a bass, I tried many brands. Many sounded good, some were awful. I spent months trying different brands including Fodera, Alembic, Fender, Modulus, Ernie Ball/Music Man, Lakland, G&L, Ken Smith, BC Rich, Yamaha, Warwick, Status, Peavey, Tobias, ESP.
The Sadowsky standard J bass was in a different league. I immediately plucked down the $ for a AAAAA quilt maple on swamp ash J bass with figured maple fingerboard with gold hardware. I was not disappointed. It is light, resonant, even sounding, gorgeous sounding, fat, crisp, warm... I could go on and on. IMHO it is worth every single penny I paid.
Since that time I've played more basses. I had a chance to hit Roger's shop in NY a while ago. I think Roger's a swell guy but I'm convinced he made a pact with the devil to get some of his insturments to sing and sound so fine. I played a sonic blue Vintage PJ5 that almost made me cry. I had to play it again at the end of my 'demo' session to believe it sounded that good. It did. When I walked out of the demo room even Sadowsky saw the look on my face and new I was smitten. Before the year is up I plan to order a similar Sadowsky: PJ4 figured maple on alder with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.
Let me put it another way: I've bought 3 Sadowsky guitars, one Sadowsky bass, and plan to get a 2nd Sadowsky bass this year and possible another guitar who knows when. There's a reason I'm spending so much on these instruments.
1. I love Sadowsky basses. I've been lucky to play quite a few of them. IMO there is no better 4 string bass. I didn't like the fives as much because of the B string. I have only played three Sad. 5 strings but all of them have had the same problem- an unfocussed B string. Now keep in mind that may not have been the case if I had them set up by my repair guy with my playing style in mind and and my brand of strings. My Warwick FNA actually had a better Bstring feel and tone. (I think I got lucky with the Warwick, I haven't played one as nice since) This uncertainty coupled with the fact that a new 5er in Canada is about $5400CAN made me investigate other options. I settled on a Lull M5V and am extremely happy with it. The B string is tight and focussed,possibly due to the 35" scale. The guys there are great to deal with and have always returned messages within an hour.
2. I sent Lakland a few emails 1 1/2 years ago and received no response. If you make your email available and do not respond then you should not publish your address. This is bad customer service. If I am dealing with a company, especially if I am spending $3000+ I would expect a little more attention.
3. Yvon, I have spoken with you and your Anglais in fine.
When are we getting together to check out basses? Hopefully before you sell your Tung!
2. I sent Lakland a few emails 1 1/2 years ago and received no response. If you make your email available and do not respond then you should not publish your address. This is bad customer service. If I am dealing with a company, especially if I am spending $3000+ I would expect a little more attention.
3. Yvon, I have spoken with you and your Anglais in fine.
When are we getting together to check out basses? Hopefully before you sell your Tung!
WHen you want!
I am on vacation for the next 2 week!
woo-hoo
I have to go down town eat with some friend tuesday for luch, if you are available it could be tuesday afternoon
You can think a bass is too expensive, even if you CAN afford it
It's nice to play something before you come to that conclusion.
It's nice to play something before you come to that conclusion.
I disagree with this line of thinking for any product. I choose not to buy many things which I can afford because I believe they are overpriced. Eg: I can afford to buy an HD TV. I think they are absurdly overpriced. Many other examples could follow but I hope my point it made.
Getting in line behind Jim and Brad, I'll hammer Edgar's comment, too.
Last night, the bassist in the supporting band had just laid out considerable money on a custom Schecter to satiate his fairly overblown ego. I could find a dozen used MIA Precision Deluxes at a third of the cost, which could have given him the same results only less glamor.
Last fall, I could have bought anything I wanted, up to $5k, but I spent a lot less. If you have a handle on how little the raw materials cost for a bass, even with fancy woods and the like, you draw a line on just how much the luthier's/maker's unique skills are worth.....or if they are even unique at all.
But there is always a market that will pay for prestige over performance and situations where the name on the headstock, or the amp, will get your foot in the door.
- Feb 2, 2001
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I think that a Fender MIA Deluxe 5 Jazz bass for $1100+ is too expensive when I have played many MIM Deluxe 5 string Jazz basses for under $600 that IMO were just as good & sometimes better.
I have no problem buying bass for $3000+, if I feel I am getting what I pay for.
Let me re-phrase that: I have no problem selling a few basses to buy a bass for $3000+, if I feel I am getting what I pay for.
I have no problem buying bass for $3000+, if I feel I am getting what I pay for.
Let me re-phrase that: I have no problem selling a few basses to buy a bass for $3000+, if I feel I am getting what I pay for.
