Club Sadowsky!!!

[Chasarms]

Do the Tokyo series Sadowsky's all come without the VTC? If one comes without it, is adding a VTC something I could have done? I do live about 3 hours from Roger's shop.

Adding the VTC is a pretty simple and straightforward process. The Sadowsky shop even sells the kit to add it on.

The VTC is a pretty simple device. The Sadowsky tone circuit places the volume and pan in front of the preamp. That is, pickups -> pan -> volume -> preamp (with bass?treble) -> output.

The VTC is a passive tone. It serves as a preamp bypass (active/passive) switch) via a push-pull and a tone knob in passive mode. It's not really any different than a tone knob on any passive bass.

That doesn't negate it's brilliance in any way though. It is good to have if you ever use passive mode, but IMO, the beauty of it is how the passive tone and the active treble boost interact. You can boost the active highs to get a really bright, articulate sound and - at the same time - use the passive tone to polish the shrill, harsh top off that bright tone. I am not explaining perfectly, but it is a very cool thing. One of my favorite things about the Sadowsky magic.

 

[Chef]

100% concur, and I do it that way all the time: boost active treble; mellow it with passive tone control.

 

[Vic]

I spent a few hours yesterday in the peace of my music room with the MV5.
...
I think I may have been inadvertently been shipped a bass that somehow was accidentally slipped from the Sadowsky secret stash. I think it may have been preserved for its historical significance or perhaps it was intended for scientific study.
...
I have to wonder if it was perhaps left soaking in the mojo tank overnight by accident.

I know it has been a while since I have played a Sadowsky. But, it hasn't been THAT long. This bass - at least at first blush - is everything I have ever loved about Sadowsky basses AND some.

Sounds like you got another "4098". Congrats!! I totally know where you're coming from.

It's a killer bass. I am very eager to get it in a band setting.

I fear for the fate of your Q5... truly.

 

[Chasarms]

. . . I fear for the fate of your Q5... truly.

No need to fear. It went off on the FedEx truck this morning!!

It was a hard choice, but after working this new bass for a while, I don't think there is a lot of doubt that it will get all of the opportunities for the foreseeable future. Even putting the tone issues aside (which is silly as they alone can tip the argument), the Sadowsky wins out.

It's a little over a pound lighter, the combination of how it hangs and the 34" scale makes it easier on my aging left wrist and the 19 mm spacing on the right hand is just more "normal" to me. Plus, this new bass as a B string that rivals anything. It is better than any other Sadowsky I have owned including the NYC basses except for perhaps that NYC Ambroya burl bass I had. They were all HIGHLY serviceable, but this one is a just a little better in terms out tonal balance, sustain and clarity. I just can'at imagine an outing I would have that this bass wouldn't fill plus some.

My plans are to take the proceeds from the sale and locate a backup/complement to this bass. My first instincts are another modern. I really loved mine. But, I am bit concerned that the mahogany/BRW combo I had may not be too easily replicated. I can definitely see how that bass could get a little "in your face" if there wasn't something to mellow it a bit. An ash/maple version might be too much. Maybe a R24-5 would fit the bill.

I have also considered an MV5 PJ. I had an RV5 PJ and it was "so so" for my taste. The NYC PJ5 I had was the shizz. I'd take it back in a heartbeat. It was the infamous "reversed P" config that often sparked debate. But, I am thinking even a maple board on a Metro might do me fine.

 

[Chef]

Chasarms: I had two or three Metro PJ's (one RV one MV and maybe a third? I'm old, I don't remember) before I got my current ash/maple MV5PJ.

The other ones totally didn't work; this one totally does.

 

[Vic]

No need to fear. It went off on the FedEx truck this morning!!

Not surprised at all.

the combination of how it hangs and the 34" scale makes it easier on my aging left wrist and the 19 mm spacing on the right hand is just more "normal" to me. Plus, this new bass as a B string that rivals anything.

Yep, another "4098". B string on that one is just plain deadly. Insanely powerful and focused, yet not overbearing. The other thing I really notice on it is the D and G strings don't tend to "disappear" on you without having to dig in a little harder on them. I notice that to varying extents on all types and quality levels of basses.

Does your MV5 have singles in it?

 

[JimS]

Yessir.
If I could only have one bass; this would be one of two I'd keep.

Chef,

I can see the lighting is dark but is that a natural or vintage tint finish on the body?
I ass/u/me the fingerboard is natural finish?

 

[Chef]

vintage tint on the body; can't remember on the neck
it's #4168, if you can find that on the Sadowsky website

 

[Vic]

vintage tint on the body; can't remember on the neck
it's #4168, if you can find that on the Sadowsky website

You have to remember to put the "m" in there for Metros.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[bikeplate]

All but positive there is no vintage tint available on any model metro neck

 

[Chef]

Ah, thanks!
Build doesn't specify whether vintage tint is on the neck;
and,
I had the shop swap in single coils and black pickguard before it left.

Rob; go read the specs.....

 

[bikeplate]

I'm talking necks. Your body obviously has the tint

 

[Vic]

All but positive there is no vintage tint available on any model metro neck

I'm pretty sure you're correct on that one.

 

[Chef]

Roger that.

 

[JimS]

Roger that.

Nice pun!

I know the Metro fingerboards and necks are not offered with the vintage tint.
I'm on the fence of ordering a Metro ash-maple. Just not sure how much tonal difference for the combined pickup setting regarding 60s vs 70s J pickup locations. I know I can search the forum and tap the good crew at Sadowsky for their opinions when the time comes.

 

[Chasarms]

. . .Does your MV5 have singles in it?

No. I think I am of the silent minority (sorry the pun was too easy) that prefer the HC pickups. I have only had the one NYC JJ with SCs, but I didn't really care for it at all. It was the only Sadowsky I just flat out didn't like.

First of all, the noise bugged the h3ll out of me. I have played a LOT of quiet stage (ampless) stuff with IEM only for the past few years. I am not a big tweaker, but being forced to keep the PUs on that bass at center detent was not for me. Otherwise the noise opened up quickly. Maybe mine was out of sorts, but it was noisy in my ears. It was such a distraction that it was unusable.

As for the tone, I did think they sounded different, but so overwhelmingly so that I can't get a perfectly acceptable facsimile in the context of live mix.

To my ears, you get a little more low-end extension out of the SCs, but my solution to that is a few more percentage points on the bass side of the preamp. The bass boost on the Sadowsky is excellent. You can almost dime it and still get a "musical" sound. I have never wanted for low end out of any of the Sadowskys I've had.

I also seem to get as much texture as I want on the HCs using the pan. I have found that about half way to the bridge, a little an extra bump of bass past my "base bass," a splash of active high with maybe a quarter VTC roll-off for a little "buffer", and I get a very respectable growly, gritty jazz bass honk.

I can respect the SC love, it just isn't worth the hassle to me.

If you recall I elected to use the HCs even in the MV5-24 I got from you. I could not have been happier with that bass. I think the HCs are excellent pickups and work very well with the Sadowsky pre.

 

[Ewo]

I dunno, something about that top....well. ...looks.....err....umm.....slightly....nevermind, I don't wanna get hit with an infraction or a temp ban!

As Si Robertson might say, it's got subliminial appeal, yeah...

 

[Vic]

No. I think I am of the silent minority (sorry the pun was too easy) that prefer the HC pickups...

Actually, I think that's just a perception thing from talkbass exclusively... due in large to more outspoken SC fans like me. I believe Roger will tell you (as I recall his posting on this previously) that his HC sales eclipse the SC sales on new instruments, which is why the HC are the "norm/standard".

 

[Chasarms]

Actually, I think that's just a perception thing from talkbass exclusively... due in large to more outspoken SC fans like me. I believe Roger will tell you (as I recall his posting on this previously) that his HC sales eclipse the SC sales on new instruments, which is why the HC are the "norm/standard".

With his stuff being so popular in the studio/production arenas, I can see that. As much as I loved aging those basses I had before live, the two recording sessions I did were the most impressed I've ever been with them.

 

[Antman3820]

No. I think I am of the silent minority (sorry the pun was too easy) that prefer the HC pickups. I have only had the one NYC JJ with SCs, but I didn't really care for it at all. It was the only Sadowsky I just flat out didn't like.

First of all, the noise bugged the h3ll out of me. I have played a LOT of quiet stage (ampless) stuff with IEM only for the past few years. I am not a big tweaker, but being forced to keep the PUs on that bass at center detent was not for me. Otherwise the noise opened up quickly. Maybe mine was out of sorts, but it was noisy in my ears. It was such a distraction that it was unusable.

As for the tone, I did think they sounded different, but so overwhelmingly so that I can't get a perfectly acceptable facsimile in the context of live mix.

To my ears, you get a little more low-end extension out of the SCs, but my solution to that is a few more percentage points on the bass side of the preamp. The bass boost on the Sadowsky is excellent. You can almost dime it and still get a "musical" sound. I have never wanted for low end out of any of the Sadowskys I've had.

I also seem to get as much texture as I want on the HCs using the pan. I have found that about half way to the bridge, a little an extra bump of bass past my "base bass," a splash of active high with maybe a quarter VTC roll-off for a little "buffer", and I get a very respectable growly, gritty jazz bass honk.

I can respect the SC love, it just isn't worth the hassle to me.

If you recall I elected to use the HCs even in the MV5-24 I got from you. I could not have been happier with that bass. I think the HCs are excellent pickups and work very well with the Sadowsky pre.

I ordered SC but have yet to install them. Never regretted the purchase. Love this bass.