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Club Sadowsky!!!

#38,963
Lichtaffen said:
I wasn't crazy about the sound of a flatwound B either. I know I've felt that way about other 5 strings as well, so I don't think it's a Sadowsky thing per se.
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Flats for 5 string has been a struggle for me too. So far my favorite set is still Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats. DR Legend flats were amazingly balanced from B to G, but their overall tone didn't thrill me. I've liked the tone of other sets, Sadowsky included, but had trouble getting the B string to balance. Full disclosure: the Sadowsky set I got was slightly used (had been on a friend's Sadowsky), so I should revisit them.
 
#38,965
I always loved TI's on my passive P bass. The cost for a 5 string set is just too high for me to "try" them. I find I'm pretty damn happy with my Blue Label Nickels and feel like I don't want to fix what isn't broken. I think my tastes in strings changed after I got my MV5. I used to favor flats, but on the MV5 it seemed to limit the tonal possibilities of the pre amp. Which reminds me, I need to get a new set of Blue Labels.
 
#38,966
sadowsky%205_zpskx9szasf.jpg


So new Sadowsky in tha house! :) Same as my 4-string (Vint. tint/single coils) only with black hardware (except chrome control plate (black is in the case so I can switch if I want)) Weight is 8 lbs/ 3.6 kg which I specified and they nailed. First 5'er in my life which I'll keep forever. I love it and couldn't be happier. The guys at Sadowsky are crazy good at what they do!
For those interested; the guitar behind me (Yeah, I'm a "guitard" too! ;) ) is a Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Sounds good, but does NOT have Sadowsky build quality! ;)
 
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#38,968
Lichtaffen said:
I always loved TI's on my passive P bass. The cost for a 5 string set is just too high for me to "try" them.
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I hear ya.

I got a set of 5 string TI Jazz Flats over a decade ago. They were expensive then, and a lot more expensive now. I originally put them on my old Fender RB5, and they've been off and on my CAR Sadowsky P5 as I've auditioned various flatwound sets (both basses have 4+1 headstocks, of course). This year I realized the B string was wonky. The replacement B string alone cost significantly more than a full 5 string set of domestic origin. Now that I've replaced the B it balances with the EADG that still sound great, so at least I didn't waste the money.

Anyway... I give TI's props for longevity, but that's generally true for any set of flatwounds! And though TIs remain my favorites of all the flats I've tried, I'm not sure they're worth the extra money, especially these days. I haven't tried them all, and I'm not sure I gave some sets enough time to break in (I need to revisit Sadowsky flats, and D'Addario Chromes).

P.S. I'm primarily a roundwound guy, but I always keep flats on one of my 5 string P-basses -- because I WANT to, not because of "the rule". ;)
 
#38,969
AngelCrusher said:
8 lbs is just incredible for a bass of that caliber. Can't say enough good things about Sadowsky basses.
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Yeah, it is. I looked at my correspondence with Dan from when I ordered the bass; and the body is the ultra light option. What i wrote to him was that my 4-string which is 3,6kg or as I wrote "pretty much bang on 8 lbs", and asked if we could aim for that? And he said that
"On a 5 str we couldn't guarantee it weighs under 8.5 pounds, unless you go with a lightweight body. (Then) Under 8.5 would be no problem at all."
And that's what we went for. And when I got the bass at work yesterday, I weighed it at the post office at my job and in the display it said: 3.60 kg. !!! :)
My jaw just went PLUMP! I mean; that's just out of this world! ;) It's like: who are these people? Some bass building aliens from another galaxy; with superior intellects and skills?!?!? ;)
I
 
#38,970
Yeah the chambered builds with high quality wood are just the best.

For contrast, I played a Ken Smith 6 that was awesome, but weighed 12 pounds and was over $5k. I then played a $6k MTD 635 that was insanely light to me, and it was 9 pounds. To me, if you get a 5 or 6 under 10 pounds, you are doing something right. To have it at 8 is just feather light. Amazing.
 
#38,971
Fuzzbass said:
Aesthetics: along with the cloverleaf tuning keys, it gives the headstock more of the Fender vibe. As I said, it's a tiny detail and I'm sure it doesn't matter to many bassists (and exactly zero audience members) -- but Sadowsky made the change, so I assume there were enough of us who have commented.

Yes, we are using internet bandwidth to discuss a 1/8" difference in tuning post size. I'm OK with that!
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Oh heck, I've seen loads of bandwidth used on TB to discuss a one millimeter difference in string spacing.;)
 
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#38,974
Have Sadowsky neck profiles changed over the years, and\or do they vary depending on the application? It definitely feels like my NY Vintage 4 (J) built in 1998 is thinner front to back then my Sadowsky P built in 2010 despite both being 1.5 at the nut. Also, what about the taper from the nut down? The only other variables are that the Vintage J is rosewood, and the P is roasted maple neck and board.
 

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