Club Sadowsky!!!

[BluesyCat]

I have had 2 instances where I ordered something custom and it wasn't right. Did I go slam the mfr on social media, heck NO. Both were ironed out and and I still have both of those guitars. But that's me....I'm a Cool Cat, like my Avatar depicts.




Let's get back to regular programming....

I am interested in a dedicated 4-string ALDER / Brazilian P bass.
But I have a Ash/Maple Metro PJ (far left in photo below) that I use as a P sometimes. Any thoughts /experience on a dedicated P vs using a PJ and turning down the J pickup??

 

[Spidey2112]

what's really irritating is that he has already thrown Sadowsky under the bus in the MTD Owner thread. That's NOT cool.

Wow, not cool at all... I hope maturity is included with his new purchase. Don't get me wrong... I'd also be a little less than satisfied paying mucho dinero for an item that didn't meet my satisfaction... I think we all would. I just would have handled the situation, much differently. What will be interesting is if he posts an 'NBD', for it... even if it comes in a body bag, covered in silt, neck half mangled, cracks in the finish...

... it will be the most spectacular, greatest sounding tone monster, trumpeting fanfare, all across the land, far and wide...

... now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to, 'The Jay Boogs After School Special'... it's tambourine Tuesday.

 

[phillipkregg]

what's really irritating is that he has already thrown Sadowsky under the bus in the MTD Owner thread. That's NOT cool.

The more he kept talking the harder it was to sympathize with him. And the more it seemed like there was more to the story that we weren't hearing.

Usually people's negativity will take care of itself.

 

[MattB88]

what's really irritating is that he has already thrown Sadowsky under the bus in the MTD Owner thread. That's NOT cool.

Good luck to Mr. Tobias.

 

[MattB88]

The more he kept talking the harder it was to sympathize with him. And the more it seemed like there was more to the story that we weren't hearing.

Usually people's negativity will take care of itself.

I thought the same thing. There’s two sides to every story.

 

[Fuzzbass]

what's really irritating is that he has already thrown Sadowsky under the bus in the MTD Owner thread. That's NOT cool.

I owned an MTD 535 for a little while. It had more serious issues than the Sadowsky in question. I am NOT saying this to throw MTD under the bus. MTD basses are amazing in their own way. Michael Tobias is an innovator, along with Sadowsky, Ken Smith, et al. His customer service is amazing: he personally e-mailed me a fix for one of the issues via e-mail, and apologized for the 1 day delay, explaining that he was currently in Europe. (And I didn't mind that I had to "roll up my sleeves" to implement that fix).

My only point is that no business has a 100% success rate. The important factor is what happens when something isn't right. Guys like Roger and Michael do everything they can to make it right. Matter of fact I would not hesitate to buy another MTD (aside from the fact that I came to realize it's too modern for my taste, looks-wise and tone-wise).

 

[MattB88]

I owned an MTD 535 for a little while. It had more serious issues than the Sadowsky in question. I am NOT saying this to throw MTD under the bus. MTD basses are amazing in their own way. Michael Tobias is an innovator, along with Sadowsky, Ken Smith, et al. His customer service is amazing: he personally e-mailed me a fix for one of the issues via e-mail, and apologized for the 1 day delay, explaining that he was currently in Europe. (And I didn't mind that I had to "roll up my sleeves" to implement that fix).

My only point is that no business has a 100% success rate. The important factor is what happens when something isn't right. Guys like Roger and Michael do everything they can to make it right. Matter of fact I would not hesitate to buy another MTD (aside from the fact that I came to realize it's too modern for my taste, looks-wise and tone-wise).

Spot on.

 

[jondiener]

Let's get back to regular programming....I am interested in a dedicated 4-string P bass. But I have a Metro PJ that I use as a P sometimes. Any thoughts on a dedicated P vs using a PJ and turning down the J pickup??

As an MV5-PJ owner (and lover), I occasionally solo the neck (P) pickup for certain applications. But as much as I love my Sadowsky and plan to buy another as soon as I am able, I also recently bought a used 2012 Fender American Standard Precision. It has its own sound. Period. No slam in the slightest to my Sadowsky, but it's just a different sound. Maybe the wood, or the pickups, or maybe all of it. Plus, I generally string my MV5-PJ with Blue Label Nickels and the Precision with flats. So even if the Sadowsky gets close to the P tone in terms of the electronics or pickups, most of the time I can't get where I want to go tone-wise (old school thumpy P - think Jamerson/Dunn) with roundwound strings.

A good used USA Fender P is under $1k, so for ME, it's a no-brainer.

That said, my MV5-PJ gets about 90% of the playing time on gigs these days (mostly pit orchestra gigs and occasional cover band fill-ins). Most gigs, I can get 'close enough' to what I need with just one bass - the Sadowsky PJ. But when I need something different and more specific (and conditions permit), then I reach for my Sterling, Precision, Mustang, or ESP fretless. All just different tools in the toolbox!

 

[Sadowsky]

I want to thank all of you for your support regarding MMiller. Of course I did the final set-up and inspection on his bass....something must have gotten jolted during shipping to affect either the pan pot or the pickup, but he refused to allow us to make it right. Mike is a close friend of mine. I have warned him already. Love to all of you here for your continued love and support of our work.....Thanks again.

 

[MattB88]

I want to thank all of you for your support regarding MMiller. Of course I did the final set-up and inspection on his bass....something must have gotten jolted during shipping to affect either the pan pot or the pickup, but he refused to allow us to make it right. Mike is a close friend of mine. I have warned him already. Love to all of you here for your continued love and support of our work.....Thanks again.

A solid display of professionalism.

 

[bucephylus]

Roger and Mike are both two of the Class acts in Bassdom. We are blessed to have them. This particular instance is nothing more than a head scratcher.

I JUST addressed an issue that my Alembic Series I had for the last 4 decades. And that’s after it had been back to Alembic for a complete refit three years ago. Yes, I had to “roll my sleeves up.” And that bass, cost-wise, is something like 3x an NYC build or an MTD build. But, did I think any less of the Wickershams, who are also some of our bass treasures? Absolutely not.

To me, making minor adjustments on an instrument is part of owning it. And, I’m pretty sure I would have had little trouble with this latest question, had it been in my hands. Still, anything is possible. But, I am 100% certain that if I couldn’t have addressed it, the shop would have. So, yes, seems like there is information missing.

 

[bucephylus]

A solid display of professionalism.

Careful. Both Roger and Mike absolutely ARE professionals. (Edit: of the HIGHEST standard)

 

[MattB88]

Careful. Both Roger and Mike absolutely ARE professionals.

@bucephylus Nowhere did I indicate any different of Michael. I love his basses. I own one... not sure how that was interpreted. I was merely saying that to how he’s handled the situation overall. My comment was solely in response to the handling of the situation between customer and owner.

 

[Spidey2112]

(And I didn't mind that I had to "roll up my sleeves" to implement that fix).

I feel ya', @Fuzzbass... there's a few in this world who expect perfection, from an imperfect world. The quicker they learn to assess, adapt, and I know this is shocking, but...

... maybe, think for themselves, 3-4 times out of the week (I know I'm asking a lot, here), the better off we all will be...

 

[kobass]

SADOWSKY IS THE BE ALL AND END ALL

 

[Antman3820]

I owned an MTD 535 for a little while. It had more serious issues than the Sadowsky in question. I am NOT saying this to throw MTD under the bus. MTD basses are amazing in their own way. Michael Tobias is an innovator, along with Sadowsky, Ken Smith, et al. His customer service is amazing: he personally e-mailed me a fix for one of the issues via e-mail, and apologized for the 1 day delay, explaining that he was currently in Europe. (And I didn't mind that I had to "roll up my sleeves" to implement that fix).

My only point is that no business has a 100% success rate. The important factor is what happens when something isn't right. Guys like Roger and Michael do everything they can to make it right. Matter of fact I would not hesitate to buy another MTD (aside from the fact that I came to realize it's too modern for my taste, looks-wise and tone-wise).

My MTD NS had an issue from the original owner... I believe he attempted to mod it.... Reached out to Mike.... he got the guys from Bartolini involved and shipped out the part that week. “Rolled up my sleeves” to fix it.

 

[Plutonium244]

It probably wasn't Roger that did it, but a 2011 Metro that I bought used had been sent by that owner to the Sadowsky shop in NYC for a set up, when that prior owner bought it. I have never experienced a more perfect set-up than what that bass had, even a couple of years after it was done. As for the bass itself I've never played a bass that was a even in tone across the fret board, pole pieces all height-adjusted... a work of art. I have a Smith also, which is truly an impressive bass that I enjoy and even prefer for certain applications, but being a Jazz player at heart, the Sadowsky is the best thing I've ever played. And it's not even a NYC. I have a friend who worked there in the 90's for quite a while... he's never had anything but great things to say about Mr. Sadowsky. Somebody is always going to be contrary (though I understand how disappointment can make people a little nuts)... if you polled people about whether they want world peace, at least 5% would be against it.

 

[BluesyCat]

As an MV5-PJ owner (and lover), I occasionally solo the neck (P) pickup for certain applications. But as much as I love my Sadowsky and plan to buy another as soon as I am able, I also recently bought a used 2012 Fender American Standard Precision. It has its own sound. Period. No slam in the slightest to my Sadowsky, but it's just a different sound. Maybe the wood, or the pickups, or maybe all of it. Plus, I generally string my MV5-PJ with Blue Label Nickels and the Precision with flats. So even if the Sadowsky gets close to the P tone in terms of the electronics or pickups, most of the time I can't get where I want to go tone-wise (old school thumpy P - think Jamerson/Dunn) with roundwound strings.

A good used USA Fender P is under $1k, so for ME, it's a no-brainer.

That said, my MV5-PJ gets about 90% of the playing time on gigs these days (mostly pit orchestra gigs and occasional cover band fill-ins). Most gigs, I can get 'close enough' to what I need with just one bass - the Sadowsky PJ. But when I need something different and more specific (and conditions permit), then I reach for my Sterling, Precision, Mustang, or ESP fretless. All just different tools in the toolbox!

Yep, I was thinking about my old Fender AVRI p bass. I miss it but..... it didn't have that Sadowsky fit and finish that I am used to now! So, hence the desire for another Sadowsky.

 

[Spidey2112]

if you polled people about whether they want world piece, at least 5% would be against it.

I guess it depends on a piece of what?

 

[Bass Viking]

I am interested in a dedicated 4-string ALDER / Brazilian P bass.
But I have a Ash/Maple Metro PJ (far left in photo below) that I use as a P sometimes. Any thoughts /experience on a dedicated P vs using a PJ and turning down the J pickup??

Here`s my thoughts: You know darn well the PJ is just fine for the job, you`re just looking for an excuse to get another Sadowsky! And I`m the wrong guy to talk you out of it!