Club Sadowsky!!!

[peterpalmieri]

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?

It totally depends on your amp. Many amps the active input is simply a -10 or -15db pad and is interactive with your preamp gain knob. Somethings there is more to it. Ideally you set your gain different for either input and the bass you are using. If done properly what you do on your bass should not matter.

 

[narud]

for those with soapbar loaded basses. its looks like the 5's have a bart p2 case now? duncan makes them right, but whats under the cover? dual coil - but bars, pole pieces, alnico, ceramic, 4/2 conductor?

 

[Nomogram]

Well, it has been exactly one week since I received my Sadowsky MV4. It is my first ever Sadowsky, so I thought I'd post some One-Week Observations:

• The build quality is flawless. Seriously, I mean 100% perfect.
• The case was a pleasant surprise! I got the lightweight case w zipper. I love the storage compartments - enough space for two wireless packs, strap, batteries, you name it.
• The included trussrod tool is a nice touch. I'm used to that type truss wheel from my EBMM's. The little tool thingy is a cool bonus.
• The headstock really is thick. I think it contributes to an overall "solid" feel, in addition to the sonic qualities (ie. fighting deadspots, etc.).
• SUSTAIN! This bass sustains for days. Never had a bass with such long sustain. It's like the Nigel Tufnel scene with his guitar collection... LOL.
• Passive sound works perfectly for my live show. 100% happy. I pan slightly toward the neck pickup, reduce VTC a smidge, good to go.
• I love the design of the string tree on the headstock and also the massive bridge.
• I did change out the strap pins. I put on a set of what EBMM uses. I just like them a little better.
• I switched to nickel roundwounds, and I actually pulled the battery out of the bass. I'll go back to the pre-amp someday, but for now I'm loving passive and don't want battery drain concerns.

I'm totally happy and satisfied. This bass is just a perfect Jazz bass. Looking forward to many happy years together....

 

[AMJBASS]

Well, it has been exactly one week since I received my Sadowsky MV4. It is my first ever Sadowsky, so I thought I'd post some One-Week Observations:

• The build quality is flawless. Seriously, I mean 100% perfect.
• The case was a pleasant surprise! I got the lightweight case w zipper. I love the storage compartments - enough space for two wireless packs, strap, batteries, you name it.
• The included trussrod tool is a nice touch. I'm used to that type truss wheel from my EBMM's. The little tool thingy is a cool bonus.
• The headstock really is thick. I think it contributes to an overall "solid" feel, in addition to the sonic qualities (ie. fighting deadspots, etc.).
• SUSTAIN! This bass sustains for days. Never had a bass with such long sustain. It's like the Nigel Tufnel scene with his guitar collection... LOL.
• Passive sound works perfectly for my live show. 100% happy. I pan slightly toward the neck pickup, reduce VTC a smidge, good to go.
• I love the design of the string tree on the headstock and also the massive bridge.
• I did change out the strap pins. I put on a set of what EBMM uses. I just like them a little better.
• I switched to nickel roundwounds, and I actually pulled the battery out of the bass. I'll go back to the pre-amp someday, but for now I'm loving passive and don't want battery drain concerns.

I'm totally happy and satisfied. This bass is just a perfect Jazz bass. Looking forward to many happy years together....

View attachment 846228

I don't think you need to worry about battery drain. They last a long time in these basses. The preamp is part of the magic.

 

[TedH]

Gentle reminder to Roger and the crew to post more sample photos of Satin Series colors when they get a chance. I'm particularly interested in the black cherry metallic!

^^this. I have a BCM Metro and the color really grew on me. I asked for a photo of Satin, and Dan responded "just order one; we'll put up the photo".

I keep waffling between a full NYC with the city skyline neck and trains green top on quilted maple or just getting a BCM satin and save some coin and weight vs the metro.

 

[TedH]

Doing a Motown/Funk gig and just put Sadowsky flats on my MWL4. VTC up, bass @30%, treble @25%. Oohlala.

Schwing.

 

[gustobassman]

I don't think you need to worry about battery drain. They last a long time in these basses. The preamp is part of the magic.

Thanks for pointing that out, being a new Sadowsky owner I was curious about that.

Once I figured out the whole input gain thing between active and passive (nothing more than major brain fart on my end ), I was still getting some weird noises on the RV5 I just bought. So, it was then I remembered to swap out the battery. The one that was in the bass expired back in 2014! The result? Houston, we have liftoff!!! Just massive, round thump. I was loving the passive sound, but that preamp is just incredible. I'm digging the bass/treb flat and backed off on the VTC about 30%. Battery swap made a huge difference.

 

[AMJBASS]

Another setting you may want to try is backing off the VTC 50% and then bringing in some treble on the preamp. It essentially revoices the treble lower and sits really nice in a mix.

 

[BluesyCat]

Another setting you may want to try is backing off the VTC 50% and then bringing in some treble on the preamp. It essentially revoices the treble lower and sits really nice in a mix.

Yup, that's the way I play mine.

 

[Luckydog]

As far as battery use, just unplug from the jack when not playing. My Sadowsky's get daily use, and I change batteries about every 6 months. I put a strip of black gorilla tape on the electronics cover on the back, and when I change the battery, I write the date on the tape with a silver sharpie.

 

[Nomogram]

I don't think you need to worry about battery drain. They last a long time in these basses. The preamp is part of the magic.

As far as battery use, just unplug from the jack when not playing. My Sadowsky's get daily use, and I change batteries about every 6 months. I put a strip of black gorilla tape on the electronics cover on the back, and when I change the battery, I write the date on the tape with a silver sharpie.

You guys are correct about the batteries. They will last a long time, and the preamp is awesome.

My choice to pull the battery is first because I love the passive sound I'm getting. Second, because I've played MusicMan basses for 7 years straight and want a break from battery management... LOL. Third, because I want to leave my bass plugged in all the time when at home.

That third one is due to the only on-stage bass failure I've had to endure - an output jack fizzly/crackly that had me playing my backup bass all night one time (thankfully I had a backup along), so now I have an unnatural phobia of output jack wear and failure... LOL.

You guys are right on with the recommendations, and I will return to the preamp someday, but right now I'm enjoying a passive honeymoon!

 

[EagleMoon]

Any idea how to get the crackle out of my treble stacked knob on my Will Lee? I've tried twisting it back and forth a bunch of times and it helped a little, but it's still there. It's just the top treble part that's doing it. The bass boost bottom ring is fine.

 

[kulit17]

Any idea how to get the crackle out of my treble stacked knob on my Will Lee? I've tried twisting it back and forth a bunch of times and it helped a little, but it's still there. It's just the top treble part that's doing it. The bass boost bottom ring is fine.

Use contact cleaner. Lots of techs and DIY musicians typically use deoxit.

If that doesn't help, perhaps it's a cold solder joint at the pot.

 

[EagleMoon]

Use contact cleaner. Lots of techs and DIY musicians typically use deoxit.

If that doesn't help, perhaps it's a cold solder joint at the pot.

Where would I get something like that?

 

[Holdsg]

online for sure, amazon. maybe radio shack?

 

[kulit17]

Where would I get something like that?

Amazon, musicians friend, zsounds, Sam ash, radioshack, even a local guitar center might have it....

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Youtube has some nice instructional videos on how to use it properly too that you could check out.

 

[EagleMoon]

Yeah I was thinking in a local store rather than online. I can always call Guitar Center or a local shop here. Thanks.

 

[BassmusM6674]

Yeah I was thinking in a local store rather than online. I can always call Guitar Center or a local shop here. Thanks.

I use the DeoxIT Fader F5 spray. It works every time for me.

 

[Nenor]

... and I actually pulled the battery out of the bass. I'll go back to the pre-amp someday, but for now I'm loving passive and don't want battery drain concerns.
View attachment 846228

That's like getting a new car and take the passenger seat out because you don't have any plans to take anyone and the seat might catch some dust...
That's a beautiful MV4 you got there. Let her have the battery... You never know who you gonna meet. You might get lucky and wish you hadn't taken that seat out

 

[EagleMoon]

I use the DeoxIT Fader F5 spray. It works every time for me.

Thanks!