What you could try on your Modern is 1) different strings and / or 2) raise or lower the pickups on the treble side a bit.
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Yes I could, but I don't think this will change much. I think the typical highs that I miss a little bit on the Modern are just the tone of the instrument. The Modern won't sound like the V5 and vice versa. It's just two different instrument, the only thing I want is a fusion of both 
The difference in sound is mainly effected by pickup type and placement. I'm not familiar with the Sadowsky soapbars, but, if they have 4 wires (+ground) they could probably be wired parallel/series/single. A 3way switch with those options would get you closer to you what you're looking for. Actually two switches, one for each pickup.Yes I could, but I don't think this will change much. I think the typical highs that I miss a little bit on the Modern are just the tone of the instrument. The Modern won't sound like the V5 and vice versa. It's just two different instrument, the only thing I want is a fusion of both
Last edited:
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
I have a Standard 4 and a Modern 4. The tones between the 2 are totally different. I hear what you are saying. However, I enjoy the different tones from each of these models. The Modern can take you places a JJ can’t and vice versa. Variety is a good thing!
True. After all, I might just have to pick the one that fits my needs of the moment
I wonder if a different set of soap bars would help get some more air into the sound of that modern? If not it’s an easy switch back to stock. You probably don’t even need to solder anything.
Some people put Nordstrand Big Singles or Splits in moderns for this reason. Panning to the neck pickup is also a strong move when you want a more old school sound.
I know Roger started to load the Modern with EMG pickups. Maybe those are still a direct replacement on the Modern. Or maybe the Sadowsky soap bars just sound exactly like the EMG.
You might try some different pickups. I had a Big Split set in mine and the highs were more than I needed, so I later swapped the bridge pup for a series DC5 and that’s what still have. The Big Splits have lots of highs with clear lows and no buzzing.
The thing is I don't see making ANY modification on the Modern5.
Yeah, i have no interest in altering either of my Sadowsky basses.
FWIW, I don't believe a straight pickup swap (no routing) falls under "modification". It's like swapping tubes in an amp, or heck, changing strings (though slightly more involved). Point is, you're not changing the instrument: if you don't care for the new components you can just go back to the old ones, or try others.
I ended up getting rid of all the Modern5's I owned, but hands down my favorite version was an alder/indian RW model. Those warmer tone woods with that pickup configuration is absolutely fantastic, and to my ears can cop some old school tones a bit better than the ash/maple variants.
That being said, whereas Sadowsky in general gets that 'Fender on Steroids' descriptor (or at least used to), I think the ash/maple Modern 5's sound like 'Ken Smith Basses on Human Growth Hormone'.
That being said, whereas Sadowsky in general gets that 'Fender on Steroids' descriptor (or at least used to), I think the ash/maple Modern 5's sound like 'Ken Smith Basses on Human Growth Hormone'.
I tend to think Roger know way better than I what's the best pickups for his basses. Still, your point of view is very interesting.
I totally agree the Modern models are nothing like any Fender models that I've tried. However I only tried a Ken Smith once. Don't really remember how it was sounding though
Man, you got me jonesing for an alder/morado Modern 5 with the narrow nut width... Sure would be a nice stablemate for my beloved WL 5.
Speaking of mods...
A few months ago I was wishing my chambered WL hung on the strap with the neck pointed up a little more--like my (heavier) unchambered Metro. It came into my fevered brain that maybe a short extension on the upper strap button might do that.
So I pinged JR, who referred me to Lisa. We talked on the phone, and when she understood I wasn't looking for any kind of wacky gizmo--just something that hung the Schaller strap button a bit off the body like the unrecessed Dunlops--she cooked something up for me. Fabulous customer service, for a nobody like me. Mailed it to me, with detailed instructions on doing a clean install. (The screw hole necessarily had to be enlarged a little, and the countersink widened.)
How does it work? Perfectamundo!
A few months ago I was wishing my chambered WL hung on the strap with the neck pointed up a little more--like my (heavier) unchambered Metro. It came into my fevered brain that maybe a short extension on the upper strap button might do that.
So I pinged JR, who referred me to Lisa. We talked on the phone, and when she understood I wasn't looking for any kind of wacky gizmo--just something that hung the Schaller strap button a bit off the body like the unrecessed Dunlops--she cooked something up for me. Fabulous customer service, for a nobody like me. Mailed it to me, with detailed instructions on doing a clean install. (The screw hole necessarily had to be enlarged a little, and the countersink widened.)
How does it work? Perfectamundo!
That's a very good point, but there might be more than one Roger-recommended pickup in the particular size you need for your build. So, you could leave the current pickups in place because they are good enough, or inquire with Roger & co. about other options (if any) that might have the response you prefer. Either choice makes sense to me.
I never understood this quasi-sacred view of pickups and preamps. I get that the originator of the design has some obvious points in their favor about which design achieves their vision, but man, if it ain't cutting it on the bandstand, it ain't cutting it.
Pickups in particular seem like an easy experiment.
This coming from a 'bass apostate' who gutted his MTD 634 and put a Sadowsky Pre and Aguilar 'Big Singles'. Mike Tobias made, IMO/IME the most playable 6-string bass I've ever had the pleasure to own/play. He is a Picasso of wood. Bartolini pickups/pre? Not so much.
My MTD-owsky could whip all 6 of the MTD's I owned/dumped.
That’s brilliant! Not surprised that it was Lisa who came up with that, she’s absolutely brilliant at those kind of outside-the-box solutions and is great to work with.
