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Club Sadowsky!!!

#2,781
While I agree that how it sounds in the mix is what is important (and my 25th Anniversary Sadowsky is my reigning champ as the 'best in the mix' of all the basses I have played), and while I also agree that pickups/preamp/strings/setup/etc can greatly alter the 'natural' tone of an instrument, I do subscribe to the theory that you can tell something about how an electric bass will sound amplified by playing it un-amplified.

When I get a new (or new to me) bass, and I pick it up and play a few notes un-amplified, I can generally get a rough idea of what it's going to sound like (so long as those other factors don't screw things up). Likewise, I do believe that you can play two basses with similar pickups/preamps/strings/etc. side by side, acoustically, and get a feel for which one will best suit your needs in an amplified setting.

I do believe that specific wood choices do impact the sound of an instrument. But of course, this is just part of the equation. But I would think that from a luthier's perspective, your job has to be a ton easier if you start with great sounding wood. And my guess is that finding/choosing great sounding wood is one of the biggest challenges a luthier faces, and this is where experience is going to pay off, big time.

Tom.
 
#2,782
Here's what make sense to me:
The sound we eventually hear coming out of a bass is what the pickups capture, that's it.
The argument here, as I see it, is how much influence does the kind/quality of wood have on string vibration.
Considering the strings seat on two metal anchors (fret and saddle) or bone or whatever, I doubt how much it is influenced by the wood.
Obviously, on fretless bass the wood has a much greater effect and also when dealing with piezo pickups which directly capture the wood vibration.
 
#2,783
nenor said:
Here's what make sense to me:
The sound we eventually hear coming out of a bass is what the pickups capture, that's it.
The argument here, as I see it, is how much influence does the kind/quality of wood have on string vibration.
Considering the strings seat on two metal anchors (fret and saddle) or bone or whatever, I doubt how much it is influenced by the wood.
Click to expand...

I could not disagree with you more! I base my opinion on building 5000 instruments and repairing at least that many as well over 36 years.

Roger
 
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#2,785
Bass Boy said:
Gotta agree with Roger here.
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My firsthand experience would agree with Roger's statements, as well.

That being said, if you had a set of very colored pickups, then yes, I can see how they might work to minimize, or obscure the impact that the woods have upon the tone of the instrument. But with pickups, etc. that are not so highly colored, I do believe that different woods will contribute to different amplified tones.

Tom.
 
#2,786
Sadowsky said:
I could not disagree with you more! I base my opinion on building 5000 instruments and repairing at least that many as well over 36 years.

Roger
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No problem.
I base my opinion on what makes sense to me. I have a zero bass building experience.
I only tried to point out that the question is "how much influence does the wood have on string vibration". I hope you agree that this is the issue.
 
#2,787
Sadowsky said:
I could not disagree with you more! I base my opinion on building 5000 instruments and repairing at least that many as well over 36 years.

Roger
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nenor...
Even though I have NOWHERE near this experience level I completely agree with Roger on this. I have personally heard the difference the wood makes. I can also guarantee that there are multiple other highly respected builders/luthiers that will whole-heartedly agree with Roger.
 
#2,788
Vic said:
nenor...
Even though I have NOWHERE near this experience level I completely agree with Roger on this. I have personally heard the difference the wood makes. I can also guarantee that there are multiple other highly respected builders/luthiers that will whole-heartedly agree with Roger.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to be picky here. I really wonder, when I play a bass unplugged what exactly am I hearing?
Do I hear mostly the wood? the bridge and nut? the STRINGS?
How much of each do the pickups get?
 
#2,792
nenor said:
I'm not trying to be picky here. I really wonder, when I play a bass unplugged what exactly am I hearing?
Do I hear mostly the wood? the bridge and nut? the STRINGS?
How much of each do the pickups get?
Click to expand...
You hear the combination of the wood, strings, and all the hardware. Yes, the pickups, and electronics (if any) also play a role in the overall sound of the bass amplified, that's for sure. The part where we disagree is, you say the wood does not also play a significant role, and my experiences are opposite that.
 
#2,793
Vic said:
nenor...
Even though I have NOWHERE near this experience level I completely agree with Roger on this. I have personally heard the difference the wood makes. I can also guarantee that there are multiple other highly respected builders/luthiers that will whole-heartedly agree with Roger.
Click to expand...

Michael Tobias shares this opinion too and apparently his instruments can sound quite different depending on what kind of wood is used.
 
#2,795
Vic said:
methinks BluesyCat might be "busy" wtih a new arrival... she's been quiet for a bit... :)
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Yea, I was busy with work! But I didn't actually receive it until 1:15pm today. I was able to get a snapshot of me in my office with it....did you get it? And I was able to show it off to fellow co-workers. One guy (bassist) said: "OMG, Fenders are like 4x heavier than this!" He was in awe and happy for me.

Now I'm off to play! :hyper:
 
#2,798
Here's my new Metro. Membership # please!

Sadowsky005.jpg
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#2,799
GRoberts said:
Great news Bluesy!~ Can't wait to hear your full review, although I fully expect it to be glowing! And more pics! We want to see you and your new bass!
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Edit: Thanks Rob! A build well done!

Initial review is O-M-G! No really, I cannot even describe the feel and tone and EVERYTHING about my first Sadowsky NYC J bass. It sings. It rings. The notes just hang on and on and on through my SVT-VR. I stopped and it is still playing. It's flawless in every aspect. It's beyond perfect. I chose the right everything and it's everything I expected it to be and so much more. It is worth every penny and more. If I had to do it it over again, I wouldn't change a thing on it. Ahhhhhh, the color, is exactly what I wanted/hoped for and I was very particular about it from the get-go.

Absolutely impeccable...product and customer service. (bowing) I'm not worthy, I'm just not worthy...

Edit: YES! NOW I understand. NOW I get it. May I have another please? :D
 
#2,800
BluesyCat said:
Initial review is O-M-G! No really, I cannot even describe the feel and tone and EVERYTHING about my first Sadowsky NYC J bass. It sings. It rings. The notes just hang on and on and on through my SVT-VR. I stopped and it is still playing. It's flawless in every aspect. It's beyond perfect. I chose the right everything and it's everything I expected it to be and so much more. It is worth every penny and more. If I had to do it it over again, I wouldn't change a thing on it. Ahhhhhh, the color, is exactly what I wanted/hoped for and I was very particular about it from the get-go.

Absolutely impeccable...product and customer service. (bowing) I'm not worthy, I'm just not worthy...
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club and congratulations! Sounds like another "Now I get it moment" to me! Wait until you get it to a rehearsal or a gig....Then you will be happy! Give us the full scoop after your first gig!

Peace,

T
 

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