Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Let me know how it sounds! Very similar specs to my custom order due next summer: 24-5, mahogany body, koa top, Amazon rosewood board, Nordy Big Singles at rear position. This will compliment my other two NYC Sados!
Quick question! Sadowsky soapbars in traditional position vs Sadowsky single coils. What is the finger and slap tone like between the two?
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
Single Coils - pretty much the tradition kind of JB tone with Sadowsky flavour expected.
Soap Bars - slightly more low/hi mid compare with SC and tighter Low for fingering, Slap tone, kinda like Ken Smith'ish tone to me.
My 0.2 cents
My experience is the soap bars in the rear position yield a Stingray-style tone, very bold with a lot of top end - hence the term modern. I opted for the Nordstrand Big Singles on my order to hopefully achieve more of a modern Jazz sound but with more low end than a standard single coil. (I studied as many videos as I could find on the pickups.) I am mostly a finger-style player so I don't want the percussive sound of the typical Sadowsky soapbars.
For comparison, I own a Will Lee 5, ash body, morado fretboard, with single coils in the 60s position. This provides a very versatile Jazz tone that still is responsive to slap especially with the preamp and treble cranked. The single coils have a nice "open" sound that provide a distinct growl that I really like, especially when you dig in fingerstyle. I enjoyed this bass so much I ordered a 24-5 last year with the same single coils (wound by Nordstrand I am told) in 70s position with an Alder body and morado board. I received it in August and have enjoyed it immensely. It has even more growl then the Will Lee, but a bit darker fundamental tone from the alder. The pick up placement gives it a little more zing and snap, so it's my go to bass for funk and hard rock, but it's still versatile enough to cover the variety of styles I play. I tend to grab my WL5 when I am playing top 40, country and blues. Both of them sit in the mix incredibly well, playability off the chart, and that's what has turned me into a diehard Sado fan!
Hope this helps...Shoot me a PM if you need more details and I might be able to get an audio sample to you as well.
This bass sounds awesome, cuts super nice. The highs are clear and perfect, the lows sounds punchy with a little bit of growl. This bass sounds so good, blown my mind every time I play with it.
What's up Sadowsky people? I recently pulled the trigger on this MV5 SOLD - Sadowsky MV 5 Electric Bass. Looking for a string recommendation. I'm usually a passive electronics, 4 string kind of guy, and while I have my preferences (DR Hi Beams, Lo Riders or D'Addario Flexsteels), I realize that the B String is a more fickle beast. I know Roger suggests a tapered B and am just wondering what you guys are stringing yours with and why you like them.
Chef
In Memoriam
I like Sadowsky Blue Steel for stainless
Dunlop Bright Nickles for nickle
I do not like flats
Dunlop Bright Nickles for nickle
I do not like flats
I had Sadowsky Black label stainless steel light rounds on my Fender P5, the B was as good as the 2 American Sadowsky J5s I had. I put TI flats on and while the tone improved (IMHO), the B took a step backwards.
I've had good success with Sadowsky Blue stainless steel as well as DR Highbeams. My current favs are Dunlop Super Bright stainless! With regard to flats, I like D'Addario Chromes and Sadowsky.
Cheers and enjoy your new MV5.
Any comparisons of the stainless black and blue labels to other strings I may have tried (various DR, Dunlop, D'Addario, and Rotos)?
You are correct, the B string is a fickle beast. I do have better luck with tapered B strings, but I've also gotten non-tapered to work. The only caveat: watch out for strings that have too much taper. I don't recall which brand (DR Longneck? Stupid of me not to remember, sorry!), but the taper was apparently designed for string-thru-body: when strung "top-load", the B had couple of inches of taper on the speaking portion of the string, and I couldn't get it to intonate properly. Maybe it was a bad string, but I suspect the excess taper was responsible.
As for which strings: I'd say start with strings you know you like! However I acknowledge that there's no guarantee that those will be the best choice for your Sadowsky (or any other new bass you get).
If you like flexible strings (such as the HiBeams -- I've never tried Flexsteels), then I'd suggest Sadowsky Blue Labels. They also have a warm tone.
Thanks for the feedback guys! I ordered a set of Blue Label steels, and they should arrive the same day as my bass. I noticed that the Sadowsky online shop has 5 sets for $124. Anyone know of a better deal than this anywhere? Pending that I like them of course!
Regarding my issue with a loose strap button - I'm thinking of having my tech put a dowel in and then re-installing the strap button (rather than using a toothpick). Looking at photos of the Sadowsky chambered bodies though, it looks as if there's not much wood between the outside of the body and the first "chamber" in the upper horn...
Really good question. I would definitely consult with the shop before doing anything.
Very excited to have bought this year-old Metro P/J from a fellow TBer yesterday. Should arrive Wednesday. I am a previous RV4 and MV4 owner -- sold both for whatever dumb GAS-related reason at the time. Never got over it. Very proud to be returning to the Sadowsky fold.
Attachments
Last edited:
That's a real beauty. Congrats. Like a cousin of my UV PJ4.
Last edited:
Very nice. My hybrid PJ is my number one. Change out those knobs for some knurled chrome ones, including push-pull for the preamp/vtc.
I am looking for some feedback, I am looking to replace the pick ups on my 5-24. I hear a lot of complement in the Nordstrand big singles, I want to get some feed backs if anyone has this pick ups installed in their 5-24.
