Club Sadowsky!!!

[Kevan Campbell]

I LOVE my Sadowskys... but that balance pot is backwards no matter how anyone spins it!

One solution would be to sell all of your other basses and to exclusively play Sadowsky basses!

Kinda kidding, I'm the guy that finds a great tone and adjusts by playing at different points along the strings between the bridge and 12th fret...my Sadowsky basses are the first ones where I actually will adjust levels and tone via the VTC and the mini-switches to get my desired sound for each song (occasionally for each section within A song!).

It is exactly the way that God and Roger Sadowsky intended it to be.

Yup! I adjust my Sadowsky controls so much it's weird when I go back to my other basses and forget which knob does what.

 

[monkeyland]

I had it reversed on my Reimer bass that has a sadowsky pre amp in it, I prefer it the old fashion way but never thought of it in the bass treble sense....

I just think that if I turn the knob toward the bridge pickup that it should select that pickup. The “old fashioned” way is opposite of that.

 

[Bassdudeman]

I LOVE my Sadowskys... but that balance pot is backwards no matter how anyone spins it!

I agree, I always resolder the pan pot. Forward for front PU, Back for Rear PU. That just makes more sense to me. YMMV.

 

[bucephylus]

IIRC, it’s just a matter of switching positions on the terminal block with the recent instruments. Pretty easy fix.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I just think that if I turn the knob toward the bridge pickup that it should select that pickup. The “old fashioned” way is opposite of that.

Depends on one's perspective. I use the set screws on the knobs for reference. So, turning clockwise, I see the set screw moving toward the neck pickup.

 

[number six]

The reasoning is that the blend knob acts like a tone knob. Turn it clockwise for a more treble focused sound, counterclockwise for more bass.

If you can solder, all you have to do on your other basses is switch the white “hot” leads on the center lugs of your blend pot. (edit: this should work on MOST other blend pots... obviously YMMV depending on the blend pot and that manufacturer's wiring plan).

Simple as that! Thanks for your help. "Clockwise for more treble" - like I said, "makes perfect sense".

 

[Holdsg]

or - when you hear it go trebly, go the other way...thats for me and my earsies.

 

[ElMon]

Seems to be the blend knob is my 'mid' knob, but hey, different strokes.

 

[tombowlus]

I just think that if I turn the knob toward the bridge pickup that it should select that pickup. The “old fashioned” way is opposite of that.

This is one more reason why I prefer to have my Sadowsky's (well, all of my two-pickup basses) wired vol/vol.

 

[danclaro]

Not to minimize any comments above, as this is really a personal preference conversation. I'll say that the blend knob works just fine for me. If I were building the bass I might wire the pan going the other way. But since it's one of the things Roger believes in and has a clear rationale for, I'm happy to keep it as is. 10 years after getting my first Sadowsky, never had a blend pot issue when playing. I will say that I don't tend to adjust the blend on my PJ mid-song. I keep it full P, then if I want a little more scoop I blend in some of the J pickup (soapbar). When I had a J bass, I'd keep the blend centered then add more neck pickup to taste.

 

[quindecima]

I finally bit the bullet and sanded (gasp) down the neck on my NYC, I couldn't stand the gloss finish any longer.
150, 220, 400 and 600 and the first coat of Tru-Oil is on. Then 1500 for 3 coats and 1 coat and 2000 and 1 coat and 4000 should do it.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Why you guys are fussing over the blend pot is beyond me. If you don’t like how they do it all you or your tech has to do is switch two wires. It’s a simple mod. Leave it alone if you like it the Sadowsky way, or get it reversed so it’s like the majority of basses on the market...in the end the player should make his or her own decision but it’s no big thing so if you want to change it, no problem! On my Sadowsky bass I had it reversed, so it’s more like my other instruments, and I like it better that way.

 

[Vic]

This is one more reason why I prefer to have my Sadowsky's (well, all of my two-pickup basses) wired vol/vol.

LOL!

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I first met Roger in 2002, shortly after the shop had moved to Jay St, Brooklyn. I was recently thinking of all the new features and models I've seen since I started playing Sadowsky basses in 2003. To the best of my recollection, here are some of my memories of the evolution of Sadowsky basses and gear:

In 2002 during my first visit to the shop, the only instruments being chambered at the time were those with alder bodies.

The experimental lightwave piezo bass. I think it was on a black modern bass.

I remember when the VTC became standard equipment on all of the NYC and Metro instruments as opposed to an upgrade.

The release of the Tokyo models in the USA. The Metro line came about 6-12 months after.

The introduction of graphite into the NYC and later the Metro necks, as well as added mass headstocks.

The day I picked up my first Sadowsky (Tokyo), the first Buckeye Burl Sadowsky bass (Jeff Rader) was on the bench having it's top evened out with filler. (December, 2003)

The Modern 24fret 5 string was still equipped with EMG soapbars.

Standard models included a mini toggle switch for active/passive bypass.

I think in about 03 after Jason Newsted ordered a Modern 24fret 5 string with 2 J pickups, all pickup combinations were available on the Modern model shortly after.

The 25th Anniversary model. I saw the beautiful Koa tops from Hawaii shortly after they arrived to the shop.

The expansion of wood options for figured tops.

Roger let me play the NAMM prototypes of the Modern 24fret 4 string before the show. This was also the introduction of the Modern model in vintage style. The 5string vintage style Modern came after that.

Nordstrand BIG Singles being used in NYC Sadowskys. Haven't seen much of that lately though.

The Sadowsky SA200 all tube bass amp.

Nitrovintiquity

The 6 string Sadowsky TYO Modern bass (one off)

LED lights being available as a neck upgrade.

The release of the Will Lee model.

Block inlays becoming available as an option for the NYC models.

The Sadowsky soapbar being modified into a narrower shell.

A Sadowsky with a paisley finish!

The blue label strings.

Roasted necks and bodies becoming an option.

Introduction of the Single Cut model.

The development of the Super J & P pickups.

The release of the Satin series.

 

[BluesyCat]

I missed out on a lot because I didn't become an owner of a NYC JJ4 until late 2008.

 

[masoncole]

Looking for some black hardware for 4 String Sadowsky NYC. I need bridge, tuners 4 screw style, string tree in black.

 

[Antman3820]

Looking for some black hardware for 4 String Sadowsky NYC. I need bridge, tuners 4 screw style, string tree in black.

Been there, except I had a metro. Took me a couple of years to get it together. IIRC I think you could call the shop and do a swap.

 

[burk48237]

Great post Major Metal, you certainly go back further than me. I remember playing Mikebass's MS5 and being blown away, the metro's were just announced and I ordered NAMM #3 of 5 metro an RV5, my first Sadowsky, ordered a VTC and had a local luthier install it. At the time, it was really hard to get your hands on one to try, much less find a deal on a used one. I've had 4 others since, mostly sold because of financial issues during a real personal economic crisis. My current Metro Will Lee MV5 is a keeper no doubt. I do remember that 25th Anniversary model, Tom Bowlus has one, that I've tried.

 

[Joeykun]

@burk48237 , I remember your red Standard 5. It was on eBay and I bidded on it too!

 

[Joeykun]

Looking for some black hardware for 4 String Sadowsky NYC. I need bridge, tuners 4 screw style, string tree in black.

Most of these can be purchased from Hipshot.