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Club Sadowsky!!!

#25,101
Jerry Ziarko said:
You must be talking about the one at Gelb Music. I was searching online for one, and came across that one. Just my opinion, but that is the strangest grain pattern I've ever see from a piece of ash. I'm kind of surprised they didn't make that one a solid finish. Then again, in time, I'm sure it would grow on me.:D
Click to expand...

Yes, it was at Gelb. I don't really recall the graining on that bass. I was mostly there to hear how the M5-24 sounded and played.
 
#25,102
P. Bass said:
@ gre107

I'm sure someone from the shop can handle this issue if you email them - but in advance I will say that Roger & crew take their neck pockets very seriously. That neck is IN there & if you mess with it I suspect you'll be affecting that Sadowsky tone adversely.
This is a pride issue w/Sadowsky basses & can't imagine a problem that can't be addressed otherwise than with a shim.
B.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated. I'll give them a call.
 
#25,103
Well, I gave Sadowsky a call and low and behold I talked to the man himself! He was very helpful and informative. After explaining to him my situation, Rodger actually did recommend that in the case of wanting extra low action that using a shim would be alright.
He even went into detail for the size etc... for one. Very cool!

I actually did put one in last night and it worked out very well. I'll be dialing it in even more tonight since the neck has had some time to adjust. The tone hasn't changed either, just in case some people worry about doing this. I've done it a few times to other basses in the past and have never had a tone problems.

Life is good!

Now for the 5 string! Ha!
 
#25,106
I won't ever need m action that low, but I am curious:
what/how did Roger tell you to do in regards to getting where you want to be?

gre107 said:
Well, I gave Sadowsky a call and low and behold I talked to the man himself! He was very helpful and informative. After explaining to him my situation, Rodger actually did recommend that in the case of wanting extra low action that using a shim would be alright.
He even went into detail for the size etc... for one. Very cool!

I actually did put one in last night and it worked out very well. I'll be dialing it in even more tonight since the neck has had some time to adjust. The tone hasn't changed either, just in case some people worry about doing this. I've done it a few times to other basses in the past and have never had a tone problems.

Life is good!

Now for the 5 string! Ha!
Click to expand...
 
#25,108
Chef said:
I won't ever need m action that low, but I am curious:
what/how did Roger tell you to do in regards to getting where you want to be?
Click to expand...

I told him that I used a business card folded it half and then traced the end of the neck onto it and then cut it out.

This is pretty old school but it works well... Now Rodger didn't comment whether or not that a business card was a good or bad idea (I imagine that he has better ideas for materials...) but he did point out that it should not be any more than 3/8ths of an inch wide when in the neck pocket so it only tilts the neck back and not covers the entire pocket lifting the whole neck.

Now once again, I like extremely low action. Most would cringe at how low I set it. I play with a very very light touch and have to admit that I think that this comes from being a fretless player originally.

Now when I first received the bass it's set up was superb and very playable. I imagine that 99% of the people would leave it just where it is with a possible slight adjustment. Also, as you all know that the fretwork and neck construction on these instruments are amazing and is what makes it possible for you to be very particular about how you set them up.

You can dial these in to whatever feel you want.

Hat's off to Rodger!
 
#25,110
gre107 said:
I like the idea of sandpaper. I've never done/thought of that before. What size grit paper do you use?
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I've used both, and honestly, I don't think it makes a difference, but if you do use sandpaper, just use any grit that's considered medium fine to fine... like 200-400.

Oh, and FWIW, it's "Roger", not "Rodger". :)
 
#25,115
I "had" this problem until today. Kind of strange to have a dead spot on E string but i had it. Since I do not go there often, it did not bother me too much but I knew it was there and that anoys me. I tried different string gage but did not help much. Then few days ago, on a whim, I put my guitar capo on the head stock and guess what, the dead spot is gone. Looks stupid but did the job. Jst a small mass difference changed the resonant frequency of the neck I guess - it was an aluminum capo.

So I figured if I install D-Tuner which has more mass than regular tuner, it would basically be the same as putting my guitar capo on the head stock. I ordered the D-tuner a week ago and just now finished installing.

And the dead spot is gone!!!
 
#25,116
hyoshim said:
I "had" this problem until today. Kind of strange to have a dead spot on E string but i had it. Since I do not go there often, it did not bother me too much but I knew it was there and that anoys me. I tried different string gage but did not help much. Then few days ago, on a whim, I put my guitar capo on the head stock and guess what, the dead spot is gone. Looks stupid but did the job. Jst a small mass difference changed the resonant frequency of the neck I guess - it was an aluminum capo.

So I figured if I install D-Tuner which has more mass than regular tuner, it would basically be the same as putting my guitar capo on the head stock. I ordered the D-tuner a week ago and just now finished installing.

And the dead spot is gone!!!
Click to expand...

I concur. I often have someone requesting Hipshot Ultralites on our four string basses and I always try to convince them otherwise....I did listening tests when they came out and we definitely heard an increase in dead spots with lighter tuners.
So I am a firm believer that extra mass on the headstock of a 4 string is a good thing. It is a real challenge to balance light weight with good balance and good tone.

We use them with pleasure on our 5 string basses, where the extra mass of the neck itself and the extra tuner compensates for the lighter weight of the tuners themselves.

Roger
 
#25,119
gre107 said:
So my question is: How many of you Sadowsky players have found to have the same problem? As well, let me know if you've found any better ways to shim the neck than a business card, guitar pick etc...? I'm always looking for new ideas!
Click to expand...

Glad your problem is solved.
Just FYI there's another solution for this - leveling the G string saddle from its bottom (requires taking it off the bass...) thus gaining a bit more room for lowering the saddle. It does take some of the saddle mass but nothing that you'll hear, IME.
 
#25,120
5951_full_lg.jpg


Is the new string guide serves as option or comes standard and replaced the string bar?
 

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