• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Club Sadowsky!!!

#21,161
Circumstances have saved me from myself. I was within a few hours of trading away my Metro PJ5 for a Lakland 55-94.

I think I would love to have another Lakland, and if the right one comes along, I might reconsider a deal. But, there are so many positives about Sadowsky that I am not sure that I would as pleased with something else.

I do like the PJ, but there are some issues that I don't really know how to address. My thoughts are this:

My Modern is SO much more enjoyable to play. I think some of it has to do with the weight, but more so, I think it is the neck profile. Once you acclimate to the modern neck, the PJ is very chunky by comparison. I very much prefer the feel of the Modern.

The modern has so much more going on for me tonally. I realize that it is a unique animal. But, the PJ tone is almost lacking that "third dimension" compared to the Modern. I find myself constantly trying to milk more out of the PJ.

So, I am absolutely content to settle with the fact that the Sadowsky Modern is really the best bass for me. I bought, sold or traded probably 20-25 basses over an 8-9 year period and during that time, my Modulus Q5 was ever once even considered to be available for any kind of deal. In my mind, it was simply off limits. My NYC easily found that same place in my head. It just seemed right from the beginning.

But, I do have somewhat of a "need" for a backup/alternate bass. The PJ5 makes some sense, but the fact is that comparatively, I have absolutely no desire to play it. And after this bass and two NYC Vintage style Sadowsky basses, I think I may have no desire to play those sorts at all!!

I'd love to have thoughts what would make for a nice "alternate" that would give me a somewhat different tone profile, but not stray too far away from the the feel of the modern. Some thoughts include:

  • A Metro M24-5 or another NYC Modern 24-5 and swap out the PUs for Big Singles.
  • A MV24-5. These intrigue me but I think Vic may have the only one in existence. (Vic, is yours an NYC or Metro?) I assume the neck feel is more like the Modern 24-5.
  • Custom another Modern 24-5 with a completely different PU config. This is probably best, but obviously the most expensive!!
Sorry to whine, but I know my TB brethren will offer good insight!!
 
#21,162
Chasarms,

I'd start for the cheapest solution: Sit down (so weight won't influence your perception) with your bass and see (hear) if you can get the tone/s that you want. You can try a different set of strings...maybe a lighter set, go nickel if you have SS or vice versa. Take your time, play long, easy notes and concentrate on tone. If you think that this is a good bass for you tonewise, then see why the Modern plays better; it can be a setup issue that you can easily fix. You can even take some measurements and compare the necks and maybe you can get them to feel closer just by having the neck shaved a little at the shop.



Chasarms said:
Circumstances have saved me from myself. I was within a few hours of trading away my Metro PJ5 for a Lakland 55-94.

I think I would love to have another Lakland, and if the right one comes along, I might reconsider a deal. But, there are so many positives about Sadowsky that I am not sure that I would as pleased with something else.

I do like the PJ, but there are some issues that I don't really know how to address. My thoughts are this:

My Modern is SO much more enjoyable to play. I think some of it has to do with the weight, but more so, I think it is the neck profile. Once you acclimate to the modern neck, the PJ is very chunky by comparison. I very much prefer the feel of the Modern.

The modern has so much more going on for me tonally. I realize that it is a unique animal. But, the PJ tone is almost lacking that "third dimension" compared to the Modern. I find myself constantly trying to milk more out of the PJ.

So, I am absolutely content to settle with the fact that the Sadowsky Modern is really the best bass for me. I bought, sold or traded probably 20-25 basses over an 8-9 year period and during that time, my Modulus Q5 was ever once even considered to be available for any kind of deal. In my mind, it was simply off limits. My NYC easily found that same place in my head. It just seemed right from the beginning.

But, I do have somewhat of a "need" for a backup/alternate bass. The PJ5 makes some sense, but the fact is that comparatively, I have absolutely no desire to play it. And after this bass and two NYC Vintage style Sadowsky basses, I think I may have no desire to play those sorts at all!!

I'd love to have thoughts what would make for a nice "alternate" that would give me a somewhat different tone profile, but not stray too far away from the the feel of the modern. Some thoughts include:

  • A Metro M24-5 or another NYC Modern 24-5 and swap out the PUs for Big Singles.
  • A MV24-5. These intrigue me but I think Vic may have the only one in existence. (Vic, is yours an NYC or Metro?) I assume the neck feel is more like the Modern 24-5.
  • Custom another Modern 24-5 with a completely different PU config. This is probably best, but obviously the most expensive!!
Sorry to whine, but I know my TB brethren will offer good insight!!
Click to expand...
 
#21,163
Chasarms said:
Circumstances...
...
  • A Metro M24-5 or another NYC Modern 24-5 and swap out the PUs for Big Singles.
  • A MV24-5. These intrigue me but I think Vic may have the only one in existence. (Vic, is yours an NYC or Metro?) I assume the neck feel is more like the Modern 24-5.
  • Custom another Modern 24-5 with a completely different PU config. This is probably best, but obviously the most expensive!!
Click to expand...
Mine (actually called an MV5-24) is a Metro. I'll double check the neck profile, and I don't own a 24-Fret 5 (NYC "Modern") to compare it with right now, but I have a feeling it's not quite as slender as that. I'm not sure if the Modern (Metro) is the same... don't own one of those, either.

Here's what I suggest...

First, keep in mind that Lakland is 35" scale, so even more reason why it won't really fill the alternate tone space if you really do need to have something a little closer to an actual Fender tone. Dunno if that's specifically your need or not, but just sayin'.

Order an NYC "Vintage" 5 string, and get it with the PJ pickup set, maybe reverse, maybe even the universal route if you want... maybe consider also getting it in a 24 Fret version if you want the same upper access as you have on that 24-Fret 5 that's currently making you all ga-ga. Get it with the slender profile neck to match what you have, and be happy.

So if the goal is to have a JJ/PJ config that has that sound, but "feels" like your 24-Fret 5, that's totally do-able. Just has to be an NYC to "get there".

IMHO anyway.
 
#21,164
Chasarms said:
... Some thoughts include:

  • A Metro M24-5 or another NYC Modern 24-5 and swap out the PUs for Big Singles.
  • A MV24-5. These intrigue me but I think Vic may have the only one in existence. (Vic, is yours an NYC or Metro?) I assume the neck feel is more like the Modern 24-5.
  • Custom another Modern 24-5 with a completely different PU config. This is probably best, but obviously the most expensive!!
Sorry to whine, but I know my TB brethren will offer good insight!!
Click to expand...

A BS M24-5 is great, but it is no PJ5!!!!
Actually in regard of fatness, I would range a "normal" MV5 or RV5 fatter than a M24-5 BS, the PJ5 being the "fattest" of the three.

That is why I sold my BS M24-5.
Although you are right, in terms of feel, the Modern is a class of its own.
 
#21,165
Chasarms said:
Circumstances have saved me from myself. I was within a few hours of trading away my Metro PJ5 for a Lakland 55-94.

I think I would love to have another Lakland, and if the right one comes along, I might reconsider a deal. But, there are so many positives about Sadowsky that I am not sure that I would as pleased with something else.

I do like the PJ, but there are some issues that I don't really know how to address. My thoughts are this:

My Modern is SO much more enjoyable to play. I think some of it has to do with the weight, but more so, I think it is the neck profile. Once you acclimate to the modern neck, the PJ is very chunky by comparison. I very much prefer the feel of the Modern.

The modern has so much more going on for me tonally. I realize that it is a unique animal. But, the PJ tone is almost lacking that "third dimension" compared to the Modern. I find myself constantly trying to milk more out of the PJ.

So, I am absolutely content to settle with the fact that the Sadowsky Modern is really the best bass for me. I bought, sold or traded probably 20-25 basses over an 8-9 year period and during that time, my Modulus Q5 was ever once even considered to be available for any kind of deal. In my mind, it was simply off limits. My NYC easily found that same place in my head. It just seemed right from the beginning.

But, I do have somewhat of a "need" for a backup/alternate bass. The PJ5 makes some sense, but the fact is that comparatively, I have absolutely no desire to play it. And after this bass and two NYC Vintage style Sadowsky basses, I think I may have no desire to play those sorts at all!!

I'd love to have thoughts what would make for a nice "alternate" that would give me a somewhat different tone profile, but not stray too far away from the the feel of the modern. Some thoughts include:

  • A Metro M24-5 or another NYC Modern 24-5 and swap out the PUs for Big Singles.
  • A MV24-5. These intrigue me but I think Vic may have the only one in existence. (Vic, is yours an NYC or Metro?) I assume the neck feel is more like the Modern 24-5.
  • Custom another Modern 24-5 with a completely different PU config. This is probably best, but obviously the most expensive!!
Sorry to whine, but I know my TB brethren will offer good insight!!
Click to expand...



Don't worry about it... I almost sold my Sadowsky the other day but my son made me reconsider... If I were you, I would get a Metro M24-5 or a NYC Modern 24-5 with Big Singles.

Good luck!!!
 
#21,166
Sadowsky said:
If the bass gets noisier when you are not touching the strings, then it was not shielded properly. A properly shielded instrument should be 95% as quiet with your hands touching "ground" as without. Is there a ground wire running under the bridge?

Roger
Click to expand...

Hi Roger...

Yes, it has ground wire under the bridge, I think it's the initial construction of the pickups, coz my friend built other basses, and they don't have this problem. But then, maybe he miss a spot, so I'll try to shield the cavities once more.

I saw on your site that you're moving to Queens... That's about 4 train stops from where I use to live. If I ever come to visit that old neighbourhood of mine again, I'll be sure to visit the new shop. Can't believe it's almost a year since I visit the Jay St. shop.

God Bless..
 
#21,167
Time to add some "non-modern, non single coil" action,

4802_full_lg.jpg


sadowsky2-1.jpg


IMG_1132.jpg


Sadowsky4.jpg


Love my stock, standard STANDARDS! :hyper:

:D:D:D:D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back