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They will have a bit of hum Sadowsky does a great job of shielding but they u will experience some hum, especially w a poor wired room or crazy stage lights
Regarding single coils in Sadowsky basses...
And since it's a Sadowsky, it will be one of the quietest basses in your stable... due to how particular Roger is about noise reduction methods... this gets into not only shielding, but also grounding.
For example, I have a bass that has dual humbuckers in it, and it is noisier in some venues than my Sadowsky is unless I move away from fully blended.
And when compared to other single coil equipped basses, the Sadowsky will be the quietest of them all... there's nothing you can do about single coil hum except reduce it as much as possible, and Sadwosky does that as well or better than anyone else. Just trust that, if the Sadowsky is noisy, other similarly configured basses would be no better, and most typically, even worse.
Just a bit of clarification.
They will ONLY hum more than a bass with hum cancelers in it IF you are favoring or solo'ing one of the pickups. Because when fully blended, just as with any dual single coil pickup instrument (wired correctly) it's hum canceling.
And since it's a Sadowsky, it will be one of the quietest basses in your stable... due to how particular Roger is about noise reduction methods... this gets into not only shielding, but also grounding.
For example, I have a bass that has dual humbuckers in it, and it is noisier in some venues than my Sadowsky is unless I move away from fully blended.
And when compared to other single coil equipped basses, the Sadowsky will be the quietest of them all... there's nothing you can do about single coil hum except reduce it as much as possible, and Sadwosky does that as well or better than anyone else. Just trust that, if the Sadowsky is noisy, other similarly configured basses would be no better, and most typically, even worse.
Just a bit of clarification.
Chef
In Memoriam
I'm almost always off center.
On the blend control!
Yessir, even the bestest of single coil basses will hum at points.
While I'm playing: no problem. Between songs: I snap the volume shut, or center the blend: no problem.
On the blend control!
Yessir, even the bestest of single coil basses will hum at points.
While I'm playing: no problem. Between songs: I snap the volume shut, or center the blend: no problem.
Chef
In Memoriam
I have single coils in my Standard 5 and they are remarkably quiet. In fact, I'd say they're on par with the HCs in my old Sadowsky.
I just noticed that the bridge pickup on my new RV5 is much higher/closer to the strings than the neck pickup. Finding this to "thin" the sound a bit. Is this normal for brand new Sadowsky's?
Higher but not closer to the strings. Bass boost at about 20%, and bliss will happen!
With the strung fretted at the last fret the pickups should be the same distance from the string. 3/32" bass side and 2/32" treble side.
Ummm... solo one of the pickups and see if you still say the same thing.
Again, in fully blended mode, even a bass with single coils, if properly wired, IS hum canceling!
Chef
In Memoriam
Pickup height is a pretty personal preference.
I pretty much always have the bridge pickup set a little higher so they come out more or less equal volume.
Different basses tend to like different setups, for me anyway.
I pretty much always have the bridge pickup set a little higher so they come out more or less equal volume.
Different basses tend to like different setups, for me anyway.
Ummm... solo one of the pickups and see if you still say the same thing.
Again, in fully blended mode, even a bass with single coils, if properly wired, IS hum canceling!
Yes. No real difference. Both have some hum but it's not really that bad on either. Of course, if I was in a room with a dimmer there might be more of an issue. I did have a Standard 5 with HCs once though and that one had a terrible hum - even with the pickups centred.
I also have singles in my Lull (with a Sadowsky preamp). It's pretty quiet for a singles set up (even with the pickups panned).
Just to be clear, I'm not saying these pickups are silent - there's some hum - but compared to my Fender (for example) it's really not that bad.
Just an observation on the hum question. I started playing my Will Lee with the pre engaged as most would. Just for fun I started running passive. The Sadowsky single coils are some of the best sounding pickups I've ever heard. Full range without the built in scoop is just sick 70s mid grind. Played a gig the other night and completely bypassed the Sansamp because the unaffected tone was surreal. That said, you could easily dial in your tone bias with your amp tone controls and keep the bass 50/50 hum cancelling. Obviously if you want straight bridge/etc that's different but for those who favor a subtle split all the tone is there to begin with. For the record I use a DB 659 with bass and treble at about 2 o'clock. 4X10 Berg
Topic has been covered many times, but for those who are not familiar with single coils and concerned about noise, it is literally a zero issue. As Vic points out, when the pickups are both dimed (blend at center), there is no difference between single coils and HC's regarding noise (I actually found the Sadowsky singles a bit less noisy).
Of course, if you totally solo a single coil pickup, it is going to be noisy, depending on the room and the rest of the signal chain. However, there is no reason to do that. It is a little tricky with the Sadowksy Blend control, since the impact of that particular design is 'almost' like an 'on/off' switch, with 90% of the blend impact within the first 5-10% of the blend travel. However, if you just work at it a little bit, you will find that there is a 'magic' spot that gives you 90% of the 'solo pickup sound', while keeping 75% of the humcancelling nature of having both pickups on.
You will find that taking that blend control JUST off center... I mean less than 5% of a turn, will result in a very legitimate 'solo' tone with virtually no hum. Once you get a feel for it, it is very easy mid song to do this if needed. And, the good news is, doing it this way gives your 'solo' bridge pickup tone just a bit more meat, and your 'solo' neck pickup tone a bit more definition.
Zero issue with noise with single coils if you know what you are doing, and that additional midrange complexity (especially with the Sadowsky J's) is worth it IMO.
Just FYI for those who don't have experience with the SC versus HC thing
PS Works the same with VV configurations, where in most cases you have the same 90% of the impact within the first 5% or so of the travel of each of the V pots.
Of course, if you totally solo a single coil pickup, it is going to be noisy, depending on the room and the rest of the signal chain. However, there is no reason to do that. It is a little tricky with the Sadowksy Blend control, since the impact of that particular design is 'almost' like an 'on/off' switch, with 90% of the blend impact within the first 5-10% of the blend travel. However, if you just work at it a little bit, you will find that there is a 'magic' spot that gives you 90% of the 'solo pickup sound', while keeping 75% of the humcancelling nature of having both pickups on.
You will find that taking that blend control JUST off center... I mean less than 5% of a turn, will result in a very legitimate 'solo' tone with virtually no hum. Once you get a feel for it, it is very easy mid song to do this if needed. And, the good news is, doing it this way gives your 'solo' bridge pickup tone just a bit more meat, and your 'solo' neck pickup tone a bit more definition.
Zero issue with noise with single coils if you know what you are doing, and that additional midrange complexity (especially with the Sadowsky J's) is worth it IMO.
Just FYI for those who don't have experience with the SC versus HC thing
PS Works the same with VV configurations, where in most cases you have the same 90% of the impact within the first 5% or so of the travel of each of the V pots.
Helpful input - thanks!Topic has been covered many times, but for those who are not familiar with single coils and concerned about noise, it is literally a zero issue. As Vic points out, when the pickups are both dimed (blend at center), there is no difference between single coils and HC's regarding noise (I actually found the Sadowsky singles a bit less noisy).
Of course, if you totally solo a single coil pickup, it is going to be noisy, depending on the room and the rest of the signal chain. However, there is no reason to do that. It is a little tricky with the Sadowksy Blend control, since the impact of that particular design is 'almost' like an 'on/off' switch, with 90% of the blend impact within the first 5-10% of the blend travel. However, if you just work at it a little bit, you will find that there is a 'magic' spot that gives you 90% of the 'solo pickup sound', while keeping 75% of the humcancelling nature of having both pickups on.
You will find that taking that blend control JUST off center... I mean less than 5% of a turn, will result in a very legitimate 'solo' tone with virtually no hum. Once you get a feel for it, it is very easy mid song to do this if needed. And, the good news is, doing it this way gives your 'solo' bridge pickup tone just a bit more meat, and your 'solo' neck pickup tone a bit more definition.
Zero issue with noise with single coils if you know what you are doing, and that additional midrange complexity (especially with the Sadowsky J's) is worth it IMO.
Just FYI for those who don't have experience with the SC versus HC thing
PS Works the same with VV configurations, where in most cases you have the same 90% of the impact within the first 5% or so of the travel of each of the V pots.
Knock knock... new member, first time Sadwosky owner, here!
RV4 Limited Edition with a swamp ash body with the VTC. Only had a few apartment jam sessions with it so far, but I'm ecstatic over this one, can't wait to gig it.
Not crazy about the stock strings, however. Any suggestions for lighter gauge flats that would sound good with the VTC cranked way up?
RV4 Limited Edition with a swamp ash body with the VTC. Only had a few apartment jam sessions with it so far, but I'm ecstatic over this one, can't wait to gig it.
Not crazy about the stock strings, however. Any suggestions for lighter gauge flats that would sound good with the VTC cranked way up?
Attachments
DR Hi-Beams/Sunbeams are very flexible. You might also like Thomastik-Infelds (especially the flats). Go over to the bassstringsonline thread and hit up Jason (username Slapinfunk) and he'll be able to give you some good suggestions.
