Club Sadowsky!!!

[kjones]

Do you have the new one? Are they out yet? Yeah, I knew i'd get that answer(lol) but I'm wondering--if he were having his bass demo'd for the first time--I wonder what cab or combination he'd choose.

I have the old one and have been playing it for ten years. Pretty sure Sadowsky was using one of the new ones at this year's NAMM show in his booth.

My understanding is that they're starting up the lists for pre-orders right now. I would just say to anybody who hasn't heard one, yes it's as good as people are saying. Grab one while you can, or hold out for another ten years!

 

[Nomogram]

Can I get a number, please?

I'm in love, this bass is perfect.

It's a MetroLine MV4. I ordered it last November because I loved the look of the T-Blue finish but couldn't find one available at the time. So it was a long wait for my first Sadowsky, but very worth it!

It came in late Friday afternoon, this is the first chance I've had to make a post. I played it a couple of hours on Friday night, then yesterday I took it and played a 4-hour gig with my band (we're a cover band, Modern Country & Classic Rock).

The sound is amazing. I wanted to try the passive sound first, to get a good feel for it. The setting with the pickup panned a little toward the neck and the VTC rolled off just a smidge is exactly what I was looking for, it is just right on the mark. I tried the active preamp a bit too, and found that this bass is really an amazing chameleon, capable of so many different tones.

My main bass for the last few years has been a Musicman Sterling 4 HS. It has been a great bass, with a superb neck and great build quality. But the tone wasn't fitting my current band. Holy smokes, the MV4 just fits so right. I played the gig last night just on the passive setting I like, straight to the board (I use IEM's), and the feedback I heard from my bandmates, sound guys, friends, etc. was universal surprise at how great it sounded. I like that it is so perfect for me just in passive mode; I feel like I still have a whole arsenal of modern, active tones available for future uses, recordings, etc.

This bass is a lifelong keeper. I'm going to play the snot out of it and try to wear it out. My band gigs 5-8 times a month and I play a lot at home too, so my #1 sees a ton of time. I'm very happy and thank Roger and crew for offering the MetroLine so a working bassist can afford such a nice bass.

 

[kobass]

^^^^

Awesome bass! Love the Trans Blue!

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[FunkSheep08]

@Nomogram , Trans Blue for the win! Have fun getting to learn all of the tones your bass can dish out...I've finally started "experimenting" myself and so far I've not found a bottom to the bag of tricks.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

Yeah once you start playing with the vtc a whole new side of the instrument opens up

 

[kjones]

I just think the grain with that blue is unbelievably gorgeous. Congrats!

 

[BartmanPDX]

You have 1 too many basses! Sell me that pj!

LOL.

I nearly sold the PJ about a month or two ago but discovered that CITES applied to it, and decided I liked it better than the Roscoe anyway and decided to keep it. It really is a nice bass and I just got a set of flats for it.

 

[Lex P.]

I've owned quite a few Sadowskys over the years; I've had the one in my avatar for over ten and currently own five. That P Bass was simply awesome. I felt bad because it wasn't getting used in my musical situation at the time so I decided to let it go even though I loved playing it. Probably the best P Bass I've ever played. On a happier note, the MV4-HPJ that I got in the trade deal ended up becoming my #1 four string.

When the Ultra Vintage P first arrived I was a bit beside myself after initially plugging in and playing it. I was wondering why I traded a wonderful sounding bass that I was very happy with. Granted when I first opened the case and gazed upon it I was blown away, but once I plugged it in I was a bit dismayed. Thinking "what have I done?" I kept comparing the sound to the one I traded. I tried a SD SCPB-1 pickup I had lying around and thought...mmmNo. I then ordered an Aguilar AG 4P-60 and felt much better about the deal. It sounded real good. With all the talk on the EMG GZR pickup I succumbed to GAS and ordered one. Wow! Now that's what I'm talking about! It not only looks awesome it sounds wonderful!

The MV4-HPJ you have is one awesome sounding bass and not to shabby looking either. I think we both came out OK.

 

[Fran Diaz]

Can I get a number, please?

View attachment 842509 View attachment 842510 View attachment 842511

I'm in love, this bass is perfect.

It's a MetroLine MV4. I ordered it last November because I loved the look of the T-Blue finish but couldn't find one available at the time. So it was a long wait for my first Sadowsky, but very worth it!

It came in late Friday afternoon, this is the first chance I've had to make a post. I played it a couple of hours on Friday night, then yesterday I took it and played a 4-hour gig with my band (we're a cover band, Modern Country & Classic Rock).

The sound is amazing. I wanted to try the passive sound first, to get a good feel for it. The setting with the pickup panned a little toward the neck and the VTC rolled off just a smidge is exactly what I was looking for, it is just right on the mark. I tried the active preamp a bit too, and found that this bass is really an amazing chameleon, capable of so many different tones.

My main bass for the last few years has been a Musicman Sterling 4 HS. It has been a great bass, with a superb neck and great build quality. But the tone wasn't fitting my current band. Holy smokes, the MV4 just fits so right. I played the gig last night just on the passive setting I like, straight to the board (I use IEM's), and the feedback I heard from my bandmates, sound guys, friends, etc. was universal surprise at how great it sounded. I like that it is so perfect for me just in passive mode; I feel like I still have a whole arsenal of modern, active tones available for future uses, recordings, etc.

This bass is a lifelong keeper. I'm going to play the snot out of it and try to wear it out. My band gigs 5-8 times a month and I play a lot at home too, so my #1 sees a ton of time. I'm very happy and thank Roger and crew for offering the MetroLine so a working bassist can afford such a nice bass.

Great looking bass. By the way, the grain on that body is outstanding.

you are #502. Welcome to the club.

 

[Thank You Leo]

When the Ultra Vintage P first arrived I was a bit beside myself after initially plugging in and playing it. I was wondering why I traded a wonderful sounding bass that I was very happy with. Granted when I first opened the case and gazed upon it I was blown away, but once I plugged it in I was a bit dismayed. Thinking "what have I done?" I kept comparing the sound to the one I traded. I tried a SD SCPB-1 pickup I had lying around and thought...mmmNo. I then ordered an Aguilar AG 4P-60 and felt much better about the deal. It sounded real good. With all the talk on the EMG GZR pickup I succumbed to GAS and ordered one. Wow! Now that's what I'm talking about! It not only looks awesome it sounds wonderful!

The MV4-HPJ you have is one awesome sounding bass and not to shabby looking either. I think we both came out OK.

Interesting that you didn't care for the stock pickup. I had just the opposite experience as I totally dug the way it sounded. But that's what's great about having so many options, because what works great for one player doesn't always work for another.

Yes, the PJ has worked out great. It has become my favorite configuration. If I weren't so impatient I would order a 5 string version from the shop and would be pretty much set. I assume that would be considered an Ultra Vintage, but not really sure.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Hey, anyone know what amp (cab) Roger likes/uses?

Others have mentioned the SA200 tube amp. Roger collaborated with Jim Bergantino on the SA210 and SA410 cabinets that were offered with that head. I owned the SA410 for awhile -- marvelous cab, but I eventually sold it because I prefer a pair of 2x10 cabs (modular; can be vertically stacked) to the 4x10 box.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Hey, anyone know what amp (cab) Roger likes/uses?

I haven't been to the shop since they moved, but on Jay street he had a few amps including his own and a B15. A couple other commonly used amps but I don't remember. I think the idea was to represent amps that players coming in would have experience with or be comfortable with.

 

[kjones]

Others have mentioned the SA200 tube amp. Roger collaborated with Jim Bergantino on the SA210 and SA410 cabinets that were offered with that head. I owned the SA410 for awhile -- marvelous cab, but I eventually sold it because I prefer a pair of 2x10 cabs (modular; can be vertically stacked) to the 4x10 box.

You're such a conundrum.

You prefer the pair of 210s to the 410 because they're modular, which I totally get, and yet you still tote that monster of a 610 around.

'tis a puzzlement!

Yeah, I know, the 610 sounds like the voice of the archangel announcing the end times. It's still one heavy dude. At my age, for them to get me to lug the SA200+410 instead of my B|Amp and Bergies, the cabbage has to be darn attractive!

 

[Fuzzbass]

I have the old one and have been playing it for ten years. Pretty sure Sadowsky was using one of the new ones at this year's NAMM show in his booth.

My understanding is that they're starting up the lists for pre-orders right now. I would just say to anybody who hasn't heard one, yes it's as good as people are saying. Grab one while you can, or hold out for another ten years!

First I've heard of this. Cool!

You're such a conundrum.

You prefer the pair of 210s to the 410 because they're modular, which I totally get, and yet you still tote that monster of a 610 around.
'tis a puzzlement!

Yeah, I know, the 610 sounds like the voice of the archangel announcing the end times. It's still one heavy dude. At my age, for them to get me to lug the SA200+410 instead of my B|Amp and Bergies, the cabbage has to be darn attractive!

Ha, you got me there. Answer is that the older I get, the less I haul out my beloved NV610! Loved my Berg HS210s, which were very similar to the SA210s, but I recently traded them in on neo CN210s. I still haven't heard a neo cab that I've liked as much as ceramic, but the CN210s sound good enough, and are a breeze to carry which is the more important factor.

 

[liveburning274]

So here's a question for all you Sadowsky owners...

What has been your observations on the Sad P/J combination vs the infamous Jazz's Roger has started with?

Not meaning to start a P/J vs Jazz bass discussion, but I'm thinking more in terms with the preamp. So much of Sadowsky name I feel, started with Jazz basses and the beauty the preamp has brought to that pickup setup. But I'm wondering with the experiences are with the folks with the P pickups?

Questions from a curious on-looker...

 

[Fuzzbass]

What has been your observations on the Sad P/J combination vs the infamous Jazz's Roger has started with?

Not meaning to start a P/J vs Jazz bass discussion, but I'm thinking more in terms with the preamp. So much of Sadowsky name I feel, started with Jazz basses and the beauty the preamp has brought to that pickup setup. But I'm wondering with the experiences are with the folks with the P pickups?

My Sadowsky P-basses sound amazing, in fact they give me the P-bass tone I've always wanted: just a bit more modern than traditional Fender. I've been similarly impressed with the Sadowsky P/Js that I've played.

I suppose it's possible that someone could like the Sadowsky J but not Sadowsky P or PJ. I just think it's more likely that those who like the Sadowsky vibe will like it across the board.

 

[kjones]

I think he's completely correct.

I love my PJ, and I typically play it with both pickups going full bore. I like the flexibility of not having to switch basses when I want a J sound, then I just roll it to the bridge. I have the standard Sadowsky HC pickups, and I find that with the VTC pulled out or not, I get a very nice selection of tones among the choices of P, PJ, or J.

 

[danclaro]

When I have the P soloed, I don't usually feel like it needs any additional eq... although I will a bit of treble and bass if I'm slapping. I use the preamp mostly when I have both pickups full on. The PJ sound benefits from a bit of bass and treble on the pre, combined with a bit of roll-off using the VTC. The D-G strings don't quite sound - to me - like a J, but in a band context it works very well. I love my Sadowsky PJ. It's magic.

 

[gustobassman]

Quick question.... I've been hunting through this thread and others for some other players' settings regarding the VTC and the preamp. I'm primarily a passive player (the sad single coils just sound sick in passive mode), but I'm really digging the way the VTC interacts with the preamp. Do you guys use an active pad when you run active or do you use the same input you would a passive bass? For example some players mention only using a 10% bass/treble boost in active mode- that sounds perfectly normal when I'm using the passive input. When I switch to active input (the pad on the amp) I can get away with more like 30-40% boost as others seem to suggest. The tone becomes rounder, smoother, more pillowy almost. The preamp seems very aggressive when I use the passive input and a 10% boost seems like more than enough. Combined with a little more boost and the same VTC rolloff, I get a less aggressive and smoother tone when I use the active input. It sounds great both ways, regardless.

What's the method to your madness?

 

[BassmusM6674]

Quick question.... I've been hunting through this thread and others for some other players' settings regarding the VTC and the preamp. I'm primarily a passive player (the sad single coils just sound sick in passive mode), but I'm really digging the way the VTC interacts with the preamp. Do you guys use an active pad when you run active or do you use the same input you would a passive bass? For example some players mention only using a 10% bass/treble boost in active mode- that sounds perfectly normal when I'm using the passive input. When I switch to active input (the pad on the amp) I can get away with more like 30-40% boost as others seem to suggest. The tone becomes rounder, smoother, more pillowy almost. The preamp seems very aggressive when I use the passive input and a 10% boost seems like more than enough. Combined with a little more boost and the same VTC rolloff, I get a less aggressive and smoother tone when I use the active input. It sounds great both ways, regardless.

What's the method to your madness?

I use the active input pad on my amp (Aguilar TH500) regardless of the bass/treble boost settings. It might depend on what amp you are using. Some can handle a hot input better than others. I never use the passive mode, but maybe I should try it on my 4 string with singles coils in it.