Club Sadowsky!!!

[bikeplate]

HI

Rob has built my last few NYC's. Always gets the setups super low for me. Not bad for a wacky Italian!!

Rob

 

[Kitsapbass]

That control cavity...has to be one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Really. That's really nice.

 

[lowB_2277]

How on earth do you guys handle ghe long wait!!!!!

Hibernate for 9 months

 

[SpectorDetector]

That's the killer for me, the waiting is the hardest part as Mr Petty would say! I think I'm a Metro guy at this point anyway. I feel like I got the deal of the century with my used Hybrid, I have put some TLC into it, a D Tuner and a new pickguard and it really feels like my bass now.

 

[P. Bass]

That's the killer for me, the waiting is the hardest part as Mr Petty would say! I think I'm a Metro guy at this point anyway. I feel like I got the deal of the century with my used Hybrid, I have put some TLC into it, a D Tuner and a new pickguard and it really feels like my bass now.

Man - You have got one fine P-Bass! When life grants you some more of it you can maybe trade that puppy in on a few dollars more. But you got ALL you need right now bro!
It's a tone machine. Wear it with pride. You got a SADOWSKY
B.

 

[P. Bass]

HI

Rob has built my last few NYC's. Always gets the setups super low for me. Not bad for a wacky Italian!!

Rob

Bingo! I just wrapped up a plug-in session w/ mine thru my overdub setup with Hd Ph. so I could get a feel for the bass.
I'm afraid to start talkin' about it - I may never stop.
Don't mind me - this is just for the record.

Re setup: I requested that my action be set with open strings (like I've always done it myself) to keep it same ol'.
After measuring it yesterday I found it to be about 1/64" higher all round than what I asked for. (I suspect maybe he set it at spec but w/ strings fretted at the 1st - as per reg.) I found the flats a tad "tight" tonite as a result but by the time I finished the 2-1/2 hr session I couldn't be paid enough to lower the setup. MAN!!! I have been playing P/flats for a LONG time & thought I knew sompin 'bout it.
Well guess what. I ain't NEVER heard flats 'til tonite.
I messed a bit w/ pup mix & preamp/ VTC blending but played all nite w/ only the P pup so I could do some equating w/ my Fender P.
I really like a bit of a bass boost - just to hear it "come on" when hammering a note on the open A string while adjusting w/ right hand. Then the same w/ the treble boost. Rolling off the VTC in variation(w/ that preamp set left constant) provided anything I wanted. Have you ever heard a grown man weep?

1. The preamp signal is a lot hotter (even flat) than running a passive P thru a Sad' o/b pre. This provided more note definition & edge typical of what I have grown to recognize as the "Sadowsky tone". (not evident to me w/ the Fender & o/b pre) Mind you - the passive mode was equally impressive but not as hot, naturally.
2. This one is very interesting to me: Some good amps, especially separate power amps, are very "fast". That is- the transient response is perceived as "being ahead of the note" so to speak. My Avalon U5 is like that also. Well - the Sadowsky preamp is RIGHT THERE! Blew me away!
This facilitates greater freedom in constructing passages & improv becomes effortless. It does away with any "hanging" bloom & gives phrases a clarity that I have not heard before.
3. That VTC is WORTH the price of admission! There is no part of it that doesn't provide an exceptional useable tone palette. I was on that thing ALL nite. That's where the money is!

Just to wrap for now - That Sad' P pup IS in my pocket.
Another tidbit for those unaware - Using the strap lock at the top horn DOES indeed diminish the tendency for the headstock to drop due to extending the lift point towards the headstock. Nice!
B.

 

[kobass]

Rob did my M24-5. He's got some skills.

+1. Yeah, he's OK. He built my last three...

 

[Chasarms]

. . .

. . .

In looking the wiring in the cavities of the NYC Sadowskys, I think you must have to take a test for OCD when applying there, and test POSITIVE!!!

I just don't know that I have ever seen anything like that from anyone else!!

Do you think they have a "template" that positions the pots so the can solder up the bulk of the circuit before installing in the cavity? It just seems like it would make it easier. Although, after seeing them fitting a neck on a video somewhere, I don't know if "easy" is something they are worried about. They seem to be more into 'excellent."

 

[NOLA Bass]

Bingo! I just wrapped up a plug-in session w/ mine thru my overdub setup with Hd Ph. so I could get a feel for the bass.
I'm afraid to start talkin' about it - I may never stop.
Don't mind me - this is just for the record.

Re setup: I requested that my action be set with open strings (like I've always done it myself) to keep it same ol'.
After measuring it yesterday I found it to be about 1/64" higher all round than what I asked for. (I suspect maybe he set it at spec but w/ strings fretted at the 1st - as per reg.) I found the flats a tad "tight" tonite as a result but by the time I finished the 2-1/2 hr session I couldn't be paid enough to lower the setup. MAN!!! I have been playing P/flats for a LONG time & thought I knew sompin 'bout it.
Well guess what. I ain't NEVER heard flats 'til tonite.
I messed a bit w/ pup mix & preamp/ VTC blending but played all nite w/ only the P pup so I could do some equating w/ my Fender P.
I really like a bit of a bass boost - just to hear it "come on" when hammering a note on the open A string while adjusting w/ right hand. Then the same w/ the treble boost. Rolling off the VTC in variation(w/ that preamp set left constant) provided anything I wanted. Have you ever heard a grown man weep?

1. The preamp signal is a lot hotter (even flat) than running a passive P thru a Sad' o/b pre. This provided more note definition & edge typical of what I have grown to recognize as the "Sadowsky tone". (not evident to me w/ the Fender & o/b pre) Mind you - the passive mode was equally impressive but not as hot, naturally.
2. This one is very interesting to me: Some good amps, especially separate power amps, are very "fast". That is- the transient response is perceived as "being ahead of the note" so to speak. My Avalon U5 is like that also. Well - the Sadowsky preamp is RIGHT THERE! Blew me away!
This facilitates greater freedom in constructing passages & improv becomes effortless. It does away with any "hanging" bloom & gives phrases a clarity that I have not heard before.
3. That VTC is WORTH the price of admission! There is no part of it that doesn't provide an exceptional useable tone palette. I was on that thing ALL nite. That's where the money is!

Just to wrap for now - That Sad' P pup IS in my pocket.
Another tidbit for those unaware - Using the strap lock at the top horn DOES indeed diminish the tendency for the headstock to drop due to extending the lift point towards the headstock. Nice!
B.

Awesome, Blair! It is great when something lives up to high expectations! How often have all of us have been dissapointed by other gear. Never seems to be the case with Sadowsky! Enjoy it (and stop giving me gas for a Sad P)!!!!

 

[SpectorDetector]

Man - You have got one fine P-Bass! When life grants you some more of it you can maybe trade that puppy in on a few dollars more. But you got ALL you need right now bro!
It's a tone machine. Wear it with pride. You got a SADOWSKY
B.

Oh yeah, I'm not dis-satisfied in any way.

It's nice to hear you talk about your new bass, I'd love to see it with a black pick guard like mine!

 

[Russell Bergum]

Has anyone compared the Sadowsky Portabag to an iGIG G515 or G525 bag?

 

[Chasarms]

. . . After measuring it yesterday I found it to be about 1/64" higher all round than what I asked for. . . .

That is completely unacceptable. I would return immediately and demand that Roger and company built you a new one. Perhaps in Sparkleflake indigo with a chromed PG!!!

It may just be the environment change. Every Sadowsky I have brought into the house is a little fickle for a few weeks then settles in to be VERY stable.

. . . MAN!!! I have been playing P/flats for a LONG time & thought I knew sompin 'bout it.
Well guess what. I ain't NEVER heard flats 'til tonite. . . .

Careful. You may compel me to try flats on the PJ5.

I have actually been contemplating it. I have been listening to a lot of recordings lately that have a GREAT flatwound bass sound. I also am so smitten with the modern that the flats might give the PJ a unique voice that helps it win more playing time. (If I can now only figure out how to make it 1.5 lbs lighter!!!)

Although, I have tried flats a few times in the past on the same compulsion. It's an experiment that usually ends up lasting a few weeks, tops.

. . . I messed a bit w/ pup mix & preamp/ VTC blending . . .

I think that is pretty common when you first get a Sadowsky. The range of truly musical, "usable" tones is pretty impressive. Although, I found that after a while, I end up settling in a few that speak to me. The tweaking fades for the most part.

. . . I really like a bit of a bass boost . . .

That seems to be common to the Sadowsky formula. There are a bunch of players, myself included, that run the preamps with a bit of bass boost. I actually like that the basses are voiced with some give and take in this area. With them being boost only, it makes sense. If a touch of boost is the "base", you, in effect, end up with boost/cut functionality.

. . . That VTC is WORTH the price of admission! There is no part of it that doesn't provide an exceptional usable tone palette. . . .

The VTC is an amazingly simple and equally amazingly functional concept. I use it a great deal on my Modern. I use it less on my PJ5. Although, I do enjoy my PJ in passive mode, so having some tone flexibility even with the preamp kicked out is nice.

 

[Jerry J]

(edited for the specific topic)
That seems to be common to the Sadowsky formula. There are a bunch of players, myself included, that run the preamps with a bit of bass boost. I actually like that the basses are voiced with some give and take in this area. With them being boost only, it makes sense. If a touch of boost is the "base", you, in effect, end up with boost/cut functionality.

This really is profound. I never thought of the bass boost this way but you are correct!

 

[Fran Diaz]

Although, I have tried flats a few times in the past on the same compulsion. It's an experiment that usually ends up lasting a few weeks, tops.

That was my experience for almost twenty years, tried flats several times only to let them go after a few weeks...or even days! until two years ago when I tried the Sadowsky flats in my first PJ. I was sold and since then my experience has been exactly the same but with rounds...I've tried rounds again on my PJ at least 3 or 4 times in the last year and a half...I won't waste another 30 minutes swaping strings again.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I really like a bit of a bass boost - just to hear it "come on" when hammering a note on the open A string while adjusting w/ right hand. Then the same w/ the treble boost. Rolling off the VTC in variation(w/ that preamp set left constant) provided anything I wanted. Have you ever heard a grown man weep?

I've now got D'Addario Chromes flats on "Red". I often use passive mode, but in active mode I'll bump bass a tad. And either way, I roll the VTC back 20-50%. Wonderfulness!

Congrats again, Blair.

 

[Fuzzbass]

That was my experience for almost twenty years, tried flats several times only to let them go after a few weeks...or even days! until two years ago when I tried the Sadowsky flats in my first PJ. I was sold and since then my experience has been exactly the same but with rounds...I've tried rounds again on my PJ at least 3 or 4 times in the last year and a half...I won't waste another 30 minutes swaping strings again.

Flats wouldn't work for most of my gigs (hard rock), but I recently upped my Sadowsky collection so I can keep flats on one, rounds on the others.

 

[Vic]

Do you think they have a "template" that positions the pots so the can solder up the bulk of the circuit before installing in the cavity? It just seems like it would make it easier. Although, after seeing them fitting a neck on a video somewhere, I don't know if "easy" is something they are worried about. They seem to be more into 'excellent."

Believe it or not, I think they do.

I think I've seen where they have some sort of object to screw the pots into and wire everything up with full access and then set it into the cavity, hook up the pickups, stick the module, screw in the jack and ground lug, and add the battery.

My current understanding anyway... could be wrong... Roger, feel free to correct.

 

[ReBass]

Has anyone compared the Sadowsky Portabag to an iGIG G515 or G525 bag?

I can't speak to the Portabag, but I've been using the G515 for the past couple of years and I love it. Lots of storage space, is very durable, and seems to hold the bass in very well. If I lost it, I'd replace it immediately. I've thought about getting a G525, but I haven't seen one available in some time. My very limited observation is that the iGig has more storage space than the Portabag.

 

[Vic]

Has anyone compared the Sadowsky Portabag to an iGIG G515 or G525 bag?

I have basically both versions of the Portabag (the original, which I have a LOT of miles on, and the newer Access Stage 5, which I think is identical to the Sadowsky branded model) and the 515.

I prefer the Portabag, but ONLY because it's lighter weight and offers me as much storage as I'd need in such a bag. However, I do agree the 515 is just as good at protection, and that it does have more features (which is also where the added weight comes from... all those added zippers and material).

Both are top quality "soft cases" IMHO and you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Slaine01]

Nice little mini rig for my Sadowsky - sounds amazing,
The new Eden EX112 and Eden 210XST with RH450 Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm