A Sadowsky P is going to sound almost exactly the same as your Sadowsky PJs. If you want a P get a passive bass. I’d either go with a vintage fender or EBMM Caprice.
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.
A Sadowsky P is going to sound almost exactly the same as your Sadowsky PJs. If you want a P get a passive bass. I’d either go with a vintage fender or EBMM Caprice.
I can't wait to get my sadowsky out of the shop. I sent it in to have single coils put in as thats the sound I hear. It's always felt great but the sound just wasn't quite there (totally a personal preference). I'm crossing my fingers hoping this will do the trick.
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,150
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Usually does. Many of us in here put singles in with great results. I do like the HC pups in my 4 Bangers. But, loved the Singles in the 5 stringers!
I've had Mike go out of his way for me on more than one occasion. He's a genuinely good guy. I've also had stellar service from the people at Sadowsky every time I thought I might have an issue (on each occasion it ended up being nothing). When I drop a few thousand dollars on a bass I don't expect perfection. I know that things can go wrong and, as inconvenient as that can be, it's simply a part of life. A high price tag never guarantees perfection. Not on a bass and not on a luxury car; not on a wedding and not on a home. What I DO expect when I spend several thousand dollars on a bass is great customer service should I need it. I want to feel secure in the knowledge that, should something go wrong, the people behind the product will be there to help. With people like Roger and Mike I feel that I don't have to worry.
Last edited:
Or You could do like I did on this one. I swapped the Sadowsky pre for a passive setup with a GZR pickup. Blasphemy you say? Not for me anyway. To me it is the best of both worlds. Super high quality build with passive electronics. I really didn’t touch the bass or treble controls and only used vtc for cutting highs and I never have to unplug in my living room. I’ve had so many compliments on this Ultra Vintage P, both for tone and how nice it feels.
Last edited:
I just received this Vintage 5 PJ with a soapbar pickup yesterday. I've been collecting my thoughts for a thank you email to Roger and his crew, but I'll say that I couldn't ask for an easier or better experience. Peter was great. The bass came in a day, was packed beautifully, and arrived still in tune. There was a nice note from Roger and a NYC subway token. Sadowsky is a class act.
This is a gorgeous bass and an absolute pleasure to play. I've played bass since the late 80s and have owned a number of Sadowsky basses over the past 9 or so years, including a few Metros and a NYC. All of them were awesome in their own way but this one is particularly special to me because I finally realized that a P-bass has been the ideal voice for every band I've been in over the past several years. This instrument has the vintage feel I like with its 20 smaller frets, full size lightweight body, and classic look, combined with the killer preamp and the soapbox at the bridge. Coming from a Standard PJ4, which is great, I really like the soapy tone combined with the P. I'll get some sound samples up soon, but I wanted to share this photo (taken by Peter I think) and say how happy I am with my new Sadowsky.
This is a gorgeous bass and an absolute pleasure to play. I've played bass since the late 80s and have owned a number of Sadowsky basses over the past 9 or so years, including a few Metros and a NYC. All of them were awesome in their own way but this one is particularly special to me because I finally realized that a P-bass has been the ideal voice for every band I've been in over the past several years. This instrument has the vintage feel I like with its 20 smaller frets, full size lightweight body, and classic look, combined with the killer preamp and the soapbox at the bridge. Coming from a Standard PJ4, which is great, I really like the soapy tone combined with the P. I'll get some sound samples up soon, but I wanted to share this photo (taken by Peter I think) and say how happy I am with my new Sadowsky.
Last edited:
I'm not normally a p bass kind of guy, but that bass is absolutely gorgeous!!!
If I ever end up with one I want it to look exactly like that.
I nearly bought this when it was available on the Sadowsky site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Careful there - I believe it was a spot on that started this whole mess.
I count seven bodies and eight necks. Was your guitar stand designed by MC Escher?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!
View attachment 2874537
- Sep 11, 2016
- 1,199
- 2,148
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: LowEnd basses, DR Strings, Warm Audio, Shaw Audio
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
To my understanding... You can choose whether Duncan or Nordstrand made when you place your NYC order.
Ha! Good eye for detail!
Between the basses and guitars, there’s a 1920s Slingerland tenor banjo that was my grandfather’s. The body is obscured by the bass in front of it.
I don’t play it, really. But since I don’t have any kind of case for it, I just keep it there to protect it from damage.
does one know what kind of pickups are in the 24 fret modern series basses? Are these also duncan or nordstrand?
This is my Sadowsky PJ; it’s my main player. I love her!
Attachments
Yes, I have a Metro with a transparent red finish. Looks great!
I have always admired your Sadowsky P bass, Lex. One of my dream basses still.
About time I added my new Sadowsky RV4-WL. I bought her used (but in perfect condition) late last year; I had a Metro MV5 before but sold her with the intention of getting a 4 string. Anyway, over a year later my wishes were fulfilled. I had no intention of getting a Will Lee but the mid boost is fun in the right circumstances. Plays like butter, sounds amazing, quality is supreme. I've got LaBella 760FLs on it which work very well (I normally like TIs on a Jazz but these seemed to work better); if Roger brings back the Black label flats I may try them again (they were great on the MV5).
