Club Sadowsky!!!

[Smallequestrian]

Interesting. I think I get what you're saying. And yeah, another one that's outa' my price range, but then again, I don't do that much recording, so that's ok.

I totally get what you mean, but I always find it slightly humorous when a guy with quite a stable of nice basses calls a related piece of equipment out of his price range

And no, I'm not suggesting you sell any your basses to get one...let's not go crazy!

 

[Vic]

As a time filler I'd like to have a bit of a say about these 2 comments...

First of all, at least in my case, while a P w/flats is not my main thing, IMHO I LOVE that classic tone. LOVE it. I even dig them on J basses, but there's something special about flats on a P. So no explanation necessary there. Lots of amazing tracks cut with that combo!

Secondly, regarding savoring the moment, I'm already all about that, and always have been. I've been lucky enough to always have a decent job, so when it comes to gigs, all I have to care about is equal treatment when it came to money... not the actual amount. I'm thankful I've never been forced to make it a matter of sustenance. That means I can pass on the crappy band that makes great money, and play with the awesome band that plays for the door. A luxury I savor and count as a blessing. It also allows me to play worship music and make it all about the subject. Even in churches that aren't my "home" church who are used to paying players from "outside" to cover services.

In short, I'm lucky enough to say every time I strap on a bass, it's to play something I want to play, and it can be from the most well known over-played classic tune to some really cool original stuff, and I have fun with all of it.

Art Tatum once said "There's no such thing as a wrong note.". Others have expanded on that quote, such as Miles Davis, saying "There are no wrong notes in jazz: only notes in the wrong places.". In my mind, that can be extended to simply say, there is no poor music, only music played poorly. Or, if I'm not having fun playing a tune, it's my fault... not the tune's fault.

Carpe diem. Wise words.

 

[Vic]

I totally get what you mean, but I always find it slightly humorous when a guy with quite a stable of nice basses calls a related piece of equipment out of his price range

And no, I'm not suggesting you sell any your basses to get one...let's not go crazy!

Well, if I cared about how a DI felt on my shoulder and in my hands, the story might be different.

 

[thehurlatron]

In case nobody here ever ventures into the WTB section.... I'm on the hunt for a NYC vintage 5. ;-)

 

[b2tf]

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Absolutely LOVE the one on the left. Welcome in my house anyday. Only thing I would change is a pearloid pickguard.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

As a time filler I'd like to have a bit of a say about these 2 comments.
1st of all, I was born w/a P-Bass & flats already strapped on. That ain't EVER gonna change. So yeah in that respect, the Vintage Sadowsky P4 w/PJs IS essentially a Leo's P. I was there listening to the start of R&R (more or less) & have followed it's growth for a long time. I'm 67 years old / closing on 68 REAL fast (29 from the neck up as G.L. would say ) & my days of gigging are all but toast so my overdub hobby is more than a little bit meaningful to me. It's a satisfaction - BUT it's intended to be a PERSONAL satisfaction only. Sighting my preference for flats it must be hard to imagine how passionate I feel about tone but THAT is a huge aspect of the hobby that justifies a Sadowsky bass & pricey preamps. NOTHING on my overdub recordings will ever capture the emotion I feel when playing my bass. If you can understand that I want to give y'all a little free advice here while you're still gigging. Someday all you Sadowsky players will be sitting where I am right now wondering where your years went. It's not an option. I don't have a $hit load of gig photos & gig recordings (or otherwise) from my younger days because, not only was there no cell phone captures & digital cameras & recorders then, it just never registered that someday I'd love to have some memories to look at & listen to. DO IT !
B.

Possibly the best post I've ever read on TB!!!!!

 

[BluesyCat]

As a time filler I'd like to have a bit of a say about these 2 comments.
1st of all, I was born w/a P-Bass & flats already strapped on. That ain't EVER gonna change. So yeah in that respect, the Vintage Sadowsky P4 w/PJs IS essentially a Leo's P. I was there listening to the start of R&R (more or less) & have followed it's growth for a long time. I'm 67 years old / closing on 68 REAL fast (29 from the neck up as G.L. would say ) & my days of gigging are all but toast so my overdub hobby is more than a little bit meaningful to me. It's a satisfaction - BUT it's intended to be a PERSONAL satisfaction only. Sighting my preference for flats it must be hard to imagine how passionate I feel about tone but THAT is a huge aspect of the hobby that justifies a Sadowsky bass & pricey preamps. NOTHING on my overdub recordings will ever capture the emotion I feel when playing my bass. If you can understand that I want to give y'all a little free advice here while you're still gigging. Someday all you Sadowsky players will be sitting where I am right now wondering where your years went. It's not an option. I don't have a $hit load of gig photos & gig recordings (or otherwise) from my younger days because, not only was there no cell phone captures & digital cameras & recorders then, it just never registered that someday I'd love to have some memories to look at & listen to. DO IT !
B.

Great post Blair.
I too play/record for my own personal satisfaction and I'm fortunate to have a great guitar player who accepts my skill level, which is nowhere in the league of the members in this club. I am grateful that ya'll accept me in with you.

I wish I could get my recordings to sound so tight like yours Blair!!!!

FYI: I've cut off my soundcloud public access. I might delete the account and switch to another site.

 

[roadkill2309]

Thank you for that. I'm not so sure it sounds anything like my Fender P but that's really the point isn't it IMO.
RE CanCon, this is my fav of his. Pretty much sums it up. A timeless story. Not your run o' the mill R&R tune.
B.
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I see what you mean, but what I meant was that the essential character of the split P pup in the usual spot is kept, even though the Sadowsky version is... more present? More fiery?

Blargh, you know what I mean...

Personally, I love the P with rounds. I think that might be because my own musical awakening happened in the era of Siouxie and the Banshees and The Cure. And of course, the mighty Clash. I only discovered (by which I mean really learnt about) the P with flats when I started to really explore the old Motown sound and similar acts. Now I really like it. I don't think it'd work with the sound of my band, but it's got a nice, warm sound that one just can't hate on.

And another fine song selection, I see...

 

[BluesyCat]

@ all you who gig...I soooo envy you! I'm 49 and don't think I'll ever get good enough (even tho I keep trying to improve every time I play) or comfortable enough to gig.

I can tell you one thing, I've never been so in love with a bass guitar as I feel for my Sadowsky J/J and now P/J. They both give me a rush I've never felt with previous gear. It's completely orgasmic.

 

[roadkill2309]

@ all you who gig...I soooo envy you! I'm 49 and don't think I'll ever get good enough (even tho I keep trying to improve every time I play) or comfortable enough to gig.

I can tell you one thing, I've never been so in love with a bass guitar as I feel for my Sadowsky J/J and now P/J. They both give me a rush I've never felt with previous gear. It's completely orgasmic.

I think you're good enough to gig. I'd point to specifics, but you've gone and ended your soundcloud. I gig, though my skills are median at best, and I've heard plenty of guys worse than us who get out there and turn their meagre skills into money. If you want to be gigging, then I think you deserve to get out there and rock out. There *has* to be call for the kind of stuff you had up on that site.

EDIT: Oh yeah--The comfort is something I had to fight towards through sheer bloody-mindedness. It comes.

 

[BluesyCat]

I think you're good enough to gig. I'd point to specifics, but you've gone and ended your soundcloud. I gig, though my skills are median at best, and I've heard plenty of guys worse than us who get out there and turn their meagre skills into money. If you want to be gigging, then I think you deserve to get out there and rock out. There *has* to be call for the kind of stuff you had up on that site.

It is still there, I can share "secret links" as soundcloud calls it. And Thanks btw.

 

[KPO2000]

Ahhh, someone who shares some of my favorite music!!! Banshees....Christine!! All of The Cure!

Ok, whew, pulled it back together. Carry on!

Haha! I learned my first non Zed Lep and Black Sabbath songs by playing along with Sioxsie's "Halloween" and "Scream" albums and Echo and the Bunnymen's "Crocodiles.". My daughter loves the Cure....worships Robert Smith and Magazine.

 

[bucephylus]

Going back to Rogers's earlier question about the mid circuitry; I don't get the specs for the WL mid circuit. Ok, boosting 500 Hz maybe useful. Boosting 800 Hz sounds like total honk to me. Each to their own, I guess. A trimpot to adjust the mid boost from say 250 Hz to 500 Hz would seem like the ticket. IMO.

 

[Chef]

Comfort: this primarily comes from just doing it.
After the first few, you'll hardly notice nerves.
so, just do it

Good enough:
You are!
So, just do it!

Plus:
gig money turns into new basses really well....heheh....

@ all you who gig...I soooo envy you! I'm 49 and don't think I'll ever get good enough (even tho I keep trying to improve every time I play) or comfortable enough to gig.

I can tell you one thing, I've never been so in love with a bass guitar as I feel for my Sadowsky J/J and now P/J. They both give me a rush I've never felt with previous gear. It's completely orgasmic.

 

[Firesalt]

Comfort: this primarily comes from just doing it.
After the first few, you'll hardly notice nerves.
so, just do it

Good enough:
You are!
So, just do it!

Plus:
gig money turns into new basses really well....heheh....

I agree with Chef, you can do it.
If you can make your own recordings you can play out. After all you're only playing one note at a time anyway, right?
I played out Saturday for the first time in over a dozen years. It was awkward and weird and I felt that I was lacking... but no one else felt that way. In the end after I relaxed a little it was a very enjoyable experience.
If I can do it you can too, Lee.

 

[jumbodbassman]

Comfort: this primarily comes from just doing it.
After the first few, you'll hardly notice nerves.
so, just do it

Good enough:
You are!
So, just do it!

Plus:
gig money turns into new basses really well....heheh....

perfectly said. Been gigging for 39 years (started at 16) and as i look at it, a big part of my life will have ended when i hang em up.... Just go and do it. It is a blast...

 

[Chef]

Yeah: drag.
I've always admired his work.

I'm bummed because Levon Helm is dying of cancer. I'm playing his music today @ work.

 

[roadkill2309]

Comfort: this primarily comes from just doing it.
After the first few, you'll hardly notice nerves.
so, just do it

Good enough:
You are!
So, just do it!

Plus:
gig money turns into new basses really well....heheh....

Another thing that really helped my band get at ease (believe it or not) was several freakjn' dismal gigs. Once you've figured out how to get through a crap night without just packing it in, you've got a skill that will help you out even during an amazing show.

 

[Fran Diaz]

Thanks guys. I'm starting to practice playing standing up - feels weird.

On another note: I'm bummed because Levon Helm is dying of cancer. I'm playing his music today @ work.

Sorry for going off topic.

I love The Band (one of my all time favs) and Levon also recorded some great albums on his own. IMO he's one of the greats and I'm really sad about the news.

 

[Vic]

@ all you who gig...I soooo envy you! I'm 49 and don't think I'll ever get good enough (even tho I keep trying to improve every time I play) or comfortable enough to gig.

BAHHH! I'm sick of hearing you say this kinda' stuff. You're a perfectly fine bassist, and VERY gig-worthy!! TRUST ME!

I can tell you one thing, I've never been so in love with a bass guitar as I feel for my Sadowsky J/J and now P/J. They both give me a rush I've never felt with previous gear. It's completely orgasmic.

Right now I'm not sure whether I should envy your husband or simply dwell on this factoid.