Club Sadowsky!!!

[LeonD]

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

Having both, here's how I'd break down the positives.

iGIG:
More comfortable on your back.
More storage space.
Slightly lighter.
More handles on bag (top and bottom).

Portabag:
Removable straps.
More comfortable main handle.
Better protection for bass.


I'd say if you have to store everything in one bag or you're going to have it on your back for a while, the iGIG is the bag. While I can fit my songbook or GB Shuttle 9 in the Portabag, I can easily fit both in the iGIG bag. And the straps are almost like a harness that fit on your back.

OTHO, if you carry the bag mostly by the handle or want the most protection for your bass, the Portabag is the way to go. The iGIG is truly a soft bag while there is a lot of rigidity built into the Portabag. And if you carry the bag only by the main handle, you can remove the straps so they're not hanging/dragging around.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jerry J]

Having both, here's how I'd break down the positives.

iGIG:
More comfortable on your back.
More storage space.
Slightly lighter.
More handles on bag (top and bottom).

Portabag:
Removable straps.
More comfortable main handle.
Better protection for bass.


I'd say if you have to store everything in one bag or you're going to have it on your back for a while, the iGIG is the bag. While I can fit my songbook or GB Shuttle 9 in the Portabag, I can easily fit both in the iGIG bag. And the straps are almost like a harness that fit on your back.

OTHO, if you carry the bag mostly by the handle or want the most protection for your bass, the Portabag is the way to go. The iGIG is truly a soft bag while there is a lot of rigidity built into the Portabag. And if you carry the bag only by the main handle, you can remove the straps so they're not hanging/dragging around.

Hope this helps.

I've never really liked the "shoe laces" on the outside of the iGig bags. Just something to hang up on something.

As much as I LOVE my Portabag my old Slim Bag fits better in the trunk of my Accord. The Slim Bag is about 2" shorter than the Portabag. But the Slim Bag is pretty spartan compared to the Portabag that's for sure.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Very nice, Blair! I still have yet to try flats on my PJ but I'm tempted.

 

[Vic]

iGIG:
Slightly lighter...

REALLY? I better recheck my facts... I was pretty sure it was heavier, per my earlier post.

I'll try to check it out tonight.

Which Portabag do you have? The one with the dual pocket that looks like one pocket (older), or the totally separate outside pockets (newer)?

 

[LeonD]

REALLY? I better recheck my facts... I was pretty sure it was heavier, per my earlier post.

I'll try to check it out tonight.

Which Portabag do you have? The one with the dual pocket that looks like one pocket (older), or the totally separate outside pockets (newer)?

I've got the newer one; it's two months old.

At first I thought the iGIG was heavier but I put them both on a scale. Granted it wasn't a huge difference. Maybe a pound or a little less.

If I had to decide between the two bags, it wouldn't be weight that would sway me one way or the other.

 

[Vic]

I've got the newer one; it's two months old.

At first I thought the iGIG was heavier but I put them both on a scale. Granted it wasn't a huge difference. Maybe a pound or a little less.

If I had to decide between the two bags, it wouldn't be weight that would sway me one way or the other.

Agreed... I seem to remember it being more noticeable. Given they are within a pound, it would be a non-issue.

Now I'm going to also weight the old Portabag tho, to complete the picture... maybe I'm just plain wrong.

 

[dragonbass]

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

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?

You have no idea! I'm the shop OCD Mascot. I'm Nuts..Really I am?

Yes, we use makeshift templates to wire some out of the Control Cavity, then install and finish the rest. It would be to cramped in there trying to get it just right.

Here a pic of my J bass wiring layout....

Yep....OCD, alright!

Robert

 

[LeonD]

Yep....OCD, alright!

Robert

And we all thank you for it.

 

[P. Bass]

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)!!!!

What I was expecting, Rob, is only a teaser for what I have here!!! This level of excellence is new to me & although I have some insight into Sadowsky basses, I just wasn't prepared for this astonishing discovery. There's a saying that states : "Belief systems only become Knowns through direct Experience.

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

SNAP OUT OF IT!!! You're scaring me!

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.

It's just that The SAD' VTC brings this process to another level altogether. It's like there's a computer program involved here! LOL. I mean HOW can this pot be so sonically consistent - all the way to the back end! Amazing!

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.

The 105-50 chromes are my comfort zone also. I used to leave 'em on for years on the Fender until I started recording my overdubs. Then I put on a new set & HELLO!
After what I witnessed last night with the brand new set on the PJ - It looks like I'll be winding the tuners fairly often.

Very nice, Blair! I still have yet to try flats on my PJ but I'm tempted.

Just remember what I suggested about the string gauge of flats, Bart. They're maybe a tad tighter than you like to start but you can always lower the action & pup ht a little. You can always take 'em off agin. You DO have 2 basses so it makes sense to me that you at least give 'em a go on the PJ.
ALSO for anyone else thinkin' flats - Rub 'em down good w/ alcohol BEFORE installing to get the "manufacturing residues" off & make 'em silky.

B.

 

[P. Bass]

......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? ..........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!.

I just can't help elaborating on my discovery about the preamp. Try it maybe.
Here's exactly what I did: With the preamp engaged & set flat, I hammered 8th notes at the D position on the open A string while slowly rolling on the bass boost with my right hand. You can hear when it initially takes effect but if you go a bit past that - there's a Sweet Spot that will wake you up before it is lost by going too far. It's exquisite. Then I did the same w/ the treble boost at the same D position. Just get to where there's a sparkle in that position. If you leave it there & hammer the C position on the G string, it'll sound almost too bright.
NOW is where the VTC will take that edge off the brightness & THICKEN the bottom end while allowing the clarity to remain on the top end. Oh I WONDER if I'm excited? LOL.
B.
PS: Always open to some suggestions people. Thanks.

 

[SpectorDetector]

I like to use the VTC when I use a pick, takes the edge of nicely!

 

[Ivan M]

Special THANK YOU to ROB over at the shop, i went over there yesterday and he took over an hour with me patiently explaining to me my different choices for my VINTAGE 5 build, the guy truly is a GEM, he made my decision so much easier for me after talking to him for a while and explaining to him what i had and what i was looking for in this new build. And of course to ROGER, i mean i was there before ROGER, He walks in and has not even removed his coat or put down his coffee or anything and quickly walks in to the sound room and greets you right away, class act all the way around. Now i will patiently wait, but again THANKS to the SADOWSKY crew, some how i feel as though 2 SADOWSKY'S will not be all for me....Tried the 5 WL.....OMG Scary sweet! So scary good i almost ordered one.

 

[KJung]

I just can't help elaborating on my discovery about the preamp. Try it maybe.
Here's exactly what I did: With the preamp engaged & set flat, I hammered 8th notes at the D position on the open A string while slowly rolling on the bass boost with my right hand. You can hear when it initially takes effect but if you go a bit past that - there's a Sweet Spot that will wake you up before it is lost by going too far. It's exquisite. Then I did the same w/ the treble boost at the same D position. Just get to where there's a sparkle in that position. If you leave it there & hammer the C position on the G string, it'll sound almost too bright.
NOW is where the VTC will take that edge off the brightness & THICKEN the bottom end while allowing the clarity to remain on the top end. Oh I WONDER if I'm excited? LOL.
B.
PS: Always open to some suggestions people. Thanks.

+1 Most of the Sadowsky players that I know (including me) pretty much just boost the bass control a very small amount (maybe 10%) and then just play (with a cut on the VTC for some tunes). That IMO is the classic 'flat' Sadowsky tone. For those of us who have full range rigs with tweeters, the treble control is not that useful, but that control sounds great with one way cabs where you want to push some treble out of the top of the driver.

Wonderful pre. This was posted up earlier in the thread, but here is a pretty detailed clip/review of the functions of the Sadowsky preamp (active, passive, VTC, bass, treble, blend) that I did a while ago, if anyone is interested or hasn't seen it before.

LOTS of tone in the blend control (toward the end of the clip, I demonstrate how to go from a very burpy tone to a somewhat P Bass tone using the blend control while still keeping the single coil pickups to be mostly hum cancelling)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[NOLA Bass]

I went in the studio recently and rolled the VTC bsck about half way. That was a tip from Kevin and it really worked out great. Should have the mastered tracks soon!

 

[NOLA Bass]

I also boost a little bass and adjust the vtc to the song. That really is the "sweet spot" I think.

 

[Ivan M]

+1 Most of the Sadowsky players that I know (including me) pretty much just boost the bass control a very small amount (maybe 10%) and then just play (with a cut on the VTC for some tunes). That IMO is the classic 'flat' Sadowsky tone. For those of us who have full range rigs with tweeters, the treble control is not that useful, but that control sounds great with one way cabs where you want to push some treble out of the top of the driver.

Wonderful pre. This was posted up earlier in the thread, but here is a pretty detailed clip/review of the functions of the Sadowsky preamp (active, passive, VTC, bass, treble, blend) that I did a while ago, if anyone is interested or hasn't seen it before.

LOTS of tone in the blend control (toward the end of the clip, I demonstrate how to go from a very burpy tone to a somewhat P Bass tone using the blend control while still keeping the single coil pickups to be mostly hum cancelling)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ken where were you i needed you a few post back, LOL anyhow what color is that you got? i put a VINTAGE 5 on order because of you and was wondering that awesome color you have in the video, i think it is translucent orange but i could be wrong.

 

[KJung]

Ken where were you i needed you a few post back, LOL anyhow what color is that you got? i put a VINTAGE 5 on order because of you and was wondering that awesome color you have in the video, i think it is translucent orange but i could be wrong.

It was listed as 'trans orange' on the site when I bought it. It looks just killer in person. Of course, I've yet to see a Sadowsky finish that doesn't look killer in person!

There is a certain beauty to a light colored trans finish with an ash body with some nice figuring. It is a nice way to keep the bass looking at least somewhat like a J bass (i.e., no fancy top), but still give it a bit of modern bling! IMO.

 

[sps500]

Tried the 5 WL.....OMG Scary sweet! So scary good i almost ordered one.

I wish I had your will power! That WL5 they have in the shop is really sweet!

 

[Joeykun]

You have no idea! I'm the shop OCD Mascot. I'm Nuts..Really I am?

Yes, we use makeshift templates to wire some out of the Control Cavity, then install and finish the rest. It would be to cramped in there trying to get it just right.

Here a pic of my J bass wiring layout....

Yep....OCD, alright!

Robert

Beautiful, Robert!! The control cavity is just as amazing as the rest of the basses out of Sadowsky.
From the looks of my latest bass built by Alex, I can see you are a great teacher of OCD as well!!!

 

[Ivan M]

It was listed as 'trans orange' on the site when I bought it. It looks just killer in person. Of course, I've yet to see a Sadowsky finish that doesn't look killer in person!

There is a certain beauty to a light colored trans finish with a maple body with some nice figuring. It is a nice way to keep the bass looking at least somewhat like a J bass (i.e., no fancy top), but still give it a bit of modern bling! IMO.

Ditto.