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Ash/Maple Boutique J Family

KJung

KJung

Supporting Member
Apr 9, 2005
44,589
1,595
Wisconsin
#1
I posted this pic in the Sadowsky thread, but I'm so jazzed (pardon the pun) on this collection that I thought I'd put up a thread.

Hopefully, some who are interested in these 'upscale J type' instruments will enjoy seeing them side by side for perusing body shape, headstock design, size, specs, etc.

On the left is the Alleva LM-5... about 8 pounds or so (harvest gold), full size body, Alleva single coils in 70
's position, and custom Alleva two band pre, 34" scale, relatively low radius 9.5" board. This is a very 'Fendery sounding' and feeling instrument, and even though it's active, it sounds very organic and passive. This is about as close as you are going to get to a late 60's, early 70's J bass that happens to be 5 string IMO. It has an active/passive switch and sounds GREAT in passive mode also.

In the middle, my shiny new NYC MV5... non-routed reduced size ash body (8.6 pounds, trans-orange), Sadowsky single coils in 60's position, 34" scale, relatively flat 12" radius. This bass is very aggressive (big mid punch, very raw, grindy upper mids and top end). This is kind of an 'updated J sound'... I wouldn't call it a 'J on steroids', but more a modern, active sounding version of a true J. It definitely has a lot of 'J character', but is not 'passive Fender sounding' at all, if that makes sense. It has a passive/active switch, but these basses are really meant to be used with the preamp IMO.

On the right, the mighty Celinder Update 5... just under 11 pounds, full size ash body (trans cobalt blue), custom Celinder split coil J pickups in 70's position, 35" scale, relatively flat radius (not sure of the exact measurement) and custom Celinder/Greengrove pre. This bass is the definition of that 'Marcus Miller' J bass on steroids thing.. HUGE low end, uber sizzly treble, very 'fast' slap response, and surprisingly single coil sounding given the HC J pickups. The birdseye neck/board is about as good as it gets, and the gloss neck finish really cops that 70's vibe. Due to the unique and wonderful 'active blend' type control, there is no passive operation option on this bass, but it's all about aggressive, active tone anyway.

All these basses have a passive tone control... a very nice option to have IMO.

AshMapleGang.gif
 
#3
Tony G said:
Nice stuff, Ken! You've got a great little family there!
Click to expand...


Thanks Tony! As you know, I've made quite a study of many of the boutique J-inspired instruments, and IMHO, these three each represent the best executions that I've found on the continuum of voicings and designs for J-Bass type instruments (vintage, updated/modern, and 'over the top on steroids active').

Each of these basses has pickups and preamps that were specifically designed/voiced to work together, and to work with the overall instrument design and vision of the builder. I really find this integrated approach really pays off, and gives each of these instrument a very personal and 'non generic' voice and feel.
 
#10
That is a great collection! Do you have any close up shots of the Sadowsky body? I'd love to see the trans orange close up.

I'm interested in your comment on passive tone control, and agree that it makes sense. My Markbass amp has a tone control that acts very similar to a passive tone knob, and it really adds a lot to the ease of getting just the right tone with my active basses. It would be great to have the option right on the bass. I guess I'd better keep savng my nickels and dimes for a Sadowsky with VTC! :D
 
#15
WoodyG3 said:
That is a great collection! Do you have any close up shots of the Sadowsky body? I'd love to see the trans orange close up.

I'm interested in your comment on passive tone control, and agree that it makes sense. My Markbass amp has a tone control that acts very similar to a passive tone knob, and it really adds a lot to the ease of getting just the right tone with my active basses. It would be great to have the option right on the bass. I guess I'd better keep savng my nickels and dimes for a Sadowsky with VTC! :D
Click to expand...

Hello and thanks. Yes, if you are using MB amplification, you have the equivalent of a passive tone control right on the amp. Nice!!! I love my MB heads!

A couple TBers have PM'd me about a close up shot of the Sadowsky finish, so I'll post one in a little bit. It's REALLY a beautiful finish.

K
 
#18
smperry said:
Very nice family of basses. I like them all! For some reason, I thought you had two Celinders. Think you're set with these bad boys for a while?

Marshall
Click to expand...

I did! My buddy Jason (TBer Vision) now has the other one I had. It's a beauty. I was in 'Celinder bliss' for quite sometime, and bought a second on for my 'road bass', which stays in a different city (I have a Sadowsky NYC RV5 at that location now). They just got too heavy for me, and I've totally moved back to the 34" scale thing.

I really could have been done with the Alleva, but that trans-orange just spoke to me, and after reading all the positive comments on the non-routed ash with single coil Sadowsky's, I thought, 'what the heck'! I had a little 'pocket money' from the sale/return of the Skjold, so I put it to good use.
 

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