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Club Sadowsky!!!

#37,841
Odia said:
Yeah I hadn't considered string spacing. So the narrower nut can make the strings feel too close together?
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For me (and I have pretty long fingers) the narrower nut spacing can feel a bit close if I play the Sadowsky just after having played a bass with wider spacing (my Lull, for example). But I get used to the spacing pretty quickly. Again, my impression was that the neck profile felt a little better with the wider nut (who knows - I might change my mind when I receive that new bass). Then again, the first five string I owned was a Std 5 with 1 7/8 nut spacing and I found that bass difficult to adjust to after playing fours my whole life. But it's such a personal thing that it's difficult to say. Having said that, I would perhaps lean a little more towards recommending the narrower nut to you because, even if ultimately you prefer the wider spacing, the narrower spacing is something that you would probably be fine with.
 
#37,843
Speaking of the wonderful SR5 ... I've been playing with standard spacing at the nut and bridge for a very long time, splitting time equally between 5'ers and 6'ers for the most part and recently using 4's again a fair bit. Bought a SR5 late last year, began gigging and recording with it immediately, no real issue. The difference was noticeable, for about 15 minutes.

If I can do it, I'm sure anyone can. However, I do prefer the standard spacing as I pop and chord lot in one project, and not just on the outside strings. Outside of those techniques, it makes no difference if you give it a fair go. 35" neck, same thing although I find that more of a bother if you spend a lot of time down low. I think to what degree that's a bother depends in large part on the bass' overall ergonomics however, meaning one 35" might feel much more comfortable than another.
 
#37,847
Joebone said:
Too bad EBMM doesn't make the counter-move to 19mm bridge spacing on their 5-strings...
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You might recall the big dust-up with EBMM a couple years ago. Essentially they claimed that there was no demand for a wide-spaced MM fiver. That's outrageously false: I would buy one and so would some other bassists I know. They should have just been honest and said that they sell more than enough narrow-spaced fivers as is, so why should they bother with R&D/re-tooling to offer a wide option (a significant effort, to be sure).

There's a lot more to that wide-SR5 story, but it's off topic and I'd just start ranting. My point is that Roger and crew were kind enough to build me a Sadowsky P5 with a Nordstrand MM5.2 pickup. I realize that pearl white isn't to eveyrone's taste so it might not be the best ad image, but the bottom line is that I love this bass. It doesn't sound exactly like an MM (just as P and J Sadowskys don't sound exactly like their Fender counterparts), but it sounds fantastic, and plenty close enough. Best of all, I get the incredible Sadowsky playability and build quality. Of course Sadowsky costs significantly more than MM, but the quality makes it worth the $$$... and it also proves how badly I wanted a non-narrow MM style fiver.

IMG_20130817_185534_860_zps2c9472e2.jpg
 
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#37,849
Odia said:
Looking into ordering my first five string Sadowsky and my first five ever actually. Anyone prefer the narrower nut width option? Thinking about going with that since I've always been a four string player.
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I've always been a 4 player and have smallerish hands and can play both 1 7/8 and 1 3/4 but prefer the 1 3/4, it's more comfortable for me around the first fret on the B and E, everywhere else I don't notice it as much... But since I practically live on the first fret...
 
#37,851
I was coming from a '62 Fender P neck (1 7/8") when I bought my MV5 sight unseen. Not sure what the nut width and string spacing is, never checked. I love how it feels and have no complaints. I have average size hands I suppose. I find that the MV5 is so easy to play that string spacing never even came to mind. There's always an adjustment period. Too bad you can't get to Roger's shop and try a few. Like I said, I bought mine sight unseen and have no regrets. Maybe buy a less expensive Metro first and give it a go. You can resell it for basically what you bought it for very easily in the TB classifieds.
 
#37,854
I have a question for all you Sadowsky fans. I would love a real Sadowsky but don't have the funds at present. I have a MIM fender active Jazz and I would like to know if any of you have tried putting a Sadowsky pick ups and pre amp in a Fender if it will have the basic sound of a Sadowsky without the playability of a Sadowsky.
 
#37,857
I had a fender deluxe 5 that had a sad pre and aftermarket pickups (not sad, but something good) and that bass sounded great. It still didn't sound exactly like my sadowsky that I had at the time, but close.
I'd say it's a good alternative. That said I don't have that bass anymore and now play an NYC as my main bass.
 
#37,860
nucman said:
I have a question for all you Sadowsky fans. I would love a real Sadowsky but don't have the funds at present. I have a MIM fender active Jazz and I would like to know if any of you have tried putting a Sadowsky pick ups and pre amp in a Fender if it will have the basic sound of a Sadowsky without the playability of a Sadowsky.
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2146caf7-486e-4184-88b3-77ea601890d7_zpsa070c86c.jpg

Sadowsky Pickups, Pre, And Bridge on my Fendowsky. Sounds fabulous!
 
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