Pretty sure you'll love the bass. The problem with it is that it's almost too pretty to take out of the house.
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Pretty sure you'll love the bass. The problem with it is that it's almost too pretty to take out of the house.
Haha, i just picked up guy's RV5. Quick question for ya'll: I know that the 5-string HC pickups changed around 2010 per the Sadowsky Forum. Anyone know if the new ones are the ones to get (i.e., are they even closer to the SC's compared to the previous gen of HC's?). Let me know! It has SC's right now, but I might want to swap out for some silent HCs. I can gig with a 98% SC sound minus the hum
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
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- 16,150
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- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
ac3320 said:Haha, i just picked up guy's RV5. It has SC's right now, but I might want to swap out for some silent HCs. I can gig with a 98% SC sound minus the hum
I would leave the SC in there. You will not notice hum. They are very quite. Especially at 100% blended. I prefer the SC in 5ers. But, the HC rock in the 4 bangers!
I haven't actually tried 5 string SC's before. I thought the 4 string HC vs SC was a pretty close comparison. Not sure if it is the same story for the 5-string counterparts or not. I suppose one plus to running SC's is that with a 250K pot and passive, it should sound pretty stinkin' old school Fender! But with 500K pots for volume, and HCs, not sure if playing a Sadowsky passive is even something to consider? (e.g., what is the point of playing an HC'd Sadowsky passive?) Lots of questions!
I actually think stock rv5s sound great passive. A little softer attack, and with some comp, it's a nice round trad sound. I think the HCs on the 5s sound a bit scooped, and moreso with the preamp on. SCs have more snarl and less shine. It's all good, play the SCs and see if you think you want more gloss and less mids ... Or if you don't mind the hum after all.
Results depend a lot on the amp too.
Results depend a lot on the amp too.
I wanted to get some input from some of you Sadowsky owners out there. I'm in the market for a Fretless 4 string Modern 24-fret NYC, I've had a NYC 5-string Sadowsky in the past and I told myself that if I ever get another it would be a fretless model-(Love that tone from those soap bar pups). What body and fretboard woods would you suggest? my choice would either be swamp ash or mahogany for the body, and maybe Koa, Buckeye Burl or Spalt with a gallery top, roasted maple neck, and black hardware. Also, either a Rosewood or Ebony fingerboard. I'm pulling out all the stops for this one!!! let me know what you think, I'm thinking of tone first, cosmetics second here. Thanks
FWIW I've found the 4 & 5 String HC's to sound the same. They have a slight scoop to em'.
The Singles Coils have a more vintage, mid forward sound.
The Singles Coils have a more vintage, mid forward sound.
Were you able to play the HC's after the 2010 redesign? Or with the 500K pot in place?
To my knowledge, Sadowsky has been using the Dimarzio winds (no secret, look at Sadowsky's youtube video ) for their HC's for a long, long time. I don't believe any "change" was made 2 years ago for their HC's. I could be wrong though.
But this is the type of question you should ask the guys at the shop. Why not just call Roger or Kevin?
Yeah the change was around the time area Js were introduced so I always figured they were a variant of that design, the old ones were a variant of ultra Js. In both cases somewhat customized. There is a meaningful difference between ultra jazz and area j, with the areas being closer to a single IMO. I have not tried the new sadowsky HCs.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you are.
Roger now has at least three different sources for the SC's and HC's at least on the J5 pickups, and one source that supplies both HC's and SC's is relatively recent, maybe even right at that two year mark. And if not, very close.
I don't know about the 4's.
I will say this, tho, seems to me I've read a lot of posts where folks who've tried HC's on 4's and 5's both feel like the HC's on the 4's are more aggressive/cutting. I don't have any personal experience on that, but that seems to be what I've read most, FWIW.
I have, and they definitely seem more aggressive than the previous ones to me. Not as scooped.
The new vs older SC's I think are closer tonally. I don't hear as much of a diff in those.
Disclaimer, I'm only talking about J5's, and area is not the other vendor.
IMHO/IME anyway.
Hi all,
Here's a question for the Sadowksy owners: do you find the lightweight 5-string basses (i.e. a sub-8 lb. NYC Vintage 5-string) to be neck heavy/neck dive?
I had a 7.15 lb Sadowsky 4 string and it had the worst neck dive of any bass I've ever owned. Despite the light weight, it was so uncomfortable to play (IME... the bass sounded great, just a poor ergonomic experience)
However, the 4-strings have the heavy vintage-style tuners whereas the 5-strings have the Hipshot Ultralites. I'm thinking that the 5-strings might balance better?
Thanks
Here's a question for the Sadowksy owners: do you find the lightweight 5-string basses (i.e. a sub-8 lb. NYC Vintage 5-string) to be neck heavy/neck dive?
I had a 7.15 lb Sadowsky 4 string and it had the worst neck dive of any bass I've ever owned. Despite the light weight, it was so uncomfortable to play (IME... the bass sounded great, just a poor ergonomic experience)
However, the 4-strings have the heavy vintage-style tuners whereas the 5-strings have the Hipshot Ultralites. I'm thinking that the 5-strings might balance better?
Thanks
The SC'a are flat out great, and if you are Not going into high noise lighting situations they are fantastic. I am currently using HC's in a ca 2011 Metro (no idea which source those would be). They are a little less interesting for me in solo spots but totally great in any typical mix. So safer and more brain dead for great sound with just a tad of tonal give up. From that perspective the HC's are a little bit better all round working tool, IMO. All great stuff
BTW the Metros are so good that to me a player really needs something special in mind to go NYC. I do have some ideas there, of course, but it would pretty much be for luxury features. Metros are great working instruments. IMO
BTW the Metros are so good that to me a player really needs something special in mind to go NYC. I do have some ideas there, of course, but it would pretty much be for luxury features. Metros are great working instruments. IMO
I prefer my instruments in the 8.5 to 9 pound slot. Gives good physical and tonal balance. IMO/E
My 24 fret JJ5 is under 8 pounds, and I don't notice any neck dive on it, so it either doesn't have any, or it's so mild I don't notice, and I'm also pretty particular about that, because I do not "grab" my necks when I play.
Anyway, either way, definitely not an issue IME. I'd think the longer neck and shorter body would make it an especially high risk case, too.
FWIW.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you are.
Roger now has at least three different sources for the SC's and HC's at least on the J5 pickups, and one source that supplies both HC's and SC's is relatively recent, maybe even right at that two year mark. And if not, very close.
I don't know about the 4's.
I will say this, tho, seems to me I've read a lot of posts where folks who've tried HC's on 4's and 5's both feel like the HC's on the 4's are more aggressive/cutting. I don't have any personal experience on that, but that seems to be what I've read most, FWIW.
There you go - see how "in the know" I am.
Bottom line to me is it doesn't really matter. I know deep down that whatever Roger & Co. are using, change, no change, whatever... chances are I'll like it. I'm a single coil guy. So as long as I get a J bass w/ singles - I know it'll sound great.
I think some get caught up in the little things.
Overall – does the bass sound great? Yup. So who cares who made what.
This comment isn't directed at you Vic - or anyone in specific. Just speaking in general.
