Club Sadowsky!!!

[Vic]

If I had one slight criticism, it’s so light weight I am experiencing a little neck dive on the strap. Any suggestions to counter that?

maybe not much help, but the short answer is, i never had that problem... including with the new superlight ME (under 8 pounds... VERY light). maybe it's because my old padded levy's straps are so broken in they just don't slide very easy on my shoulder. maybe it's because of how i position the bass against myself, dunno, but i've never felt the need to have to "grab the neck".

 

[R&B]

Thanks again for your help answering my questions before I pulled the trigger on this one Vic. You were absolutely correct. I can’t wait to gig this bass. It is incredible. I am a amazed at how light it is.

If I had one slight criticism, it’s so light weight I am experiencing a little neck dive on the strap. Any suggestions to counter that?

1. Try a suede-lined or neoprene strap.
2. Embrace the more horizontal playing position—it looks cool.

 

[Vic]

2. Embrace the more horizontal playing position—it looks cool.

...but it's kinda' bad for the left wrist... at least for me at my age. ironically, a more upright position counteracts neck dive and is better for your left wrist, but may not be personal pref. i knew a lot of warwick thumb players who did that, 'cuz those basses were the WORST for neck dive, as well as being notoriously heavy... bad combo for me.

 

[GRoberts]

maybe not much help, but the short answer is, i never had that problem... including with the new superlight ME (under 8 pounds... VERY light). maybe it's because my old padded levy's straps are so broken in they just don't slide very easy on my shoulder. maybe it's because of how i position the bass against myself, dunno, but i've never felt the need to have to "grab the neck".

The strap I used last night is a very smooth leather strap on the inside. I’ll try one of my stickier straps. Thx

 

[jondiener]

The strap I used last night is a very smooth leather strap on the inside. I’ll try one of my stickier straps. Thx

There was a series of posts on this topic about a month ago, including one from Roger Sadowsky.

Club Sadowsky!!!

 

[SadowskySteve]

There was a series of posts on this topic about a month ago, including one from Roger Sadowsky.

Club Sadowsky!!!

To That point when I bought my satin Deluxe I had them send me a Sadowsky Neo strap as well. Match made in Heaven and no neck dive at all.

 

[Vic]

To That point when I bought my satin Deluxe I had them send me a Sadowsky Neo strap as well. Match made in Heaven and no neck dive at all.

i tried the neo straps for a while and decided i couldn't quite get along with the stretchy nature. but there are plenty of strap options out there that offer comfort and non-slick... woven, suede, or like in my case, a very well worn in leather strap... it's technically a "smooth" strap, but it's so worn in it doesn't slide unless i want it to (i sometimes ham it up on stage and strike a pose... lol).

 

[mmbass21]

I'm not touching this one with a 10ft pole...

 

[Ewo]

My .02:

I wouldn't say that lightweight, chambered NYCs neck dive, quite--but I have a strong personal preference for the bass to settle on the strap with the headstock angled up a little. My feeling is what @Vic mentioned a couple posts earlier: the angle of my wrist is straighter that way in first position, rather than when the neck is horizontal. I like the way my good ol' Metro sits on the strap; the lighter NYC, not so much.

IME the neoprene straps don't really help this. I've used a couple, and they just tug my shirt. The bass wants to balance the way it wants to.

What did help greatly is that Ellis made me a short extension for the upper strap button. If you want to see pix, search my posts in this thread. Worked like a charm, and she finished the item beautifully and emailed me detailed instructions on installing it. (Like, I wouldn't have thought of widening the countersink just a little or putting a drop of carpenter's glue in the hole. Little things that a skilled tech such as she would know to do.)

 

[Vic]

...the bass to settle on the strap with the headstock angled up a little. My feeling is what @Vic mentioned a couple posts earlier: the angle of my wrist is straighter that way in first position, rather than when the neck is horizontal.

Exactly right.

FWIW/IMHO, I feel the "sweet spot" for a typical wood constructed 34/35" scale J style bass, balancing overall weight and weight distribution, is around 9 pounds. However, as I've said before, even my sub-8lb MetroExpress doesn't cause me any concern on a strap at all. I'm not exactly sure why, despite the good science behind many comments here somewhat to the contrary.

 

[ElMon]

In my latest edition of 'Can He Survive off of Bottom-Shelf Kibble, Cheap Beer and Sell Off Enough Gear to Beat the 6-Month Financing':


I did a thing ...


View attachment 3477424 View attachment 3477425

Rosewood, ziracote (not a finish upgrade at the car dealership) and sweet, rich, supple mahogany.

View attachment 3506085


Here at ElMon's Home for Wayward Sadowskii


Traded away my Sadowsky pre/Aguilar PUP-loaded MTD 634. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

WL-pre
Humcancelling instead of single-coils
Alder/Ebony, which I have never had experience with.

I suspect my mahogany/madagascar RW M5 will win out, but I plan on making clips regardless.
This will make five in the ol' Casa De Elmon.

There's a good crime novel here somewhere.
Mild-mannered (OK, not so mild) purchasing agent 'breaks bad' so that he can afford to keep five Sadowsky.
Sadowsky basses are addictive like Meth, so I'll probably stay away from that angle. I'm thinking something in the A/C, like money-laundering. Seems like a lot of ironing and fabric softener, but I'll manage.

Somewhat self-serving, but I have a point post:


Been a banner year for scooping up awesome NYC's, but I have a bit of a dilemma ...

1) I have to sell one or two of the NYC's/Metro I have for sale. Gotta pay for the fun I've already had.

2) The Ebony/Alder WL5 is cool, but I definitely will be moving it.

3) The big 'issue' is comparing the Mahogany/RW Modern and the ash/maple Metro.

I absolutely love the total package you get with the Modern design. Like a warmer, more Fender-inspired Ken Smith, and this one is the best I've played, hands-down.

But ...

The slap tone is lean, surgical, and more ... 'modern' ... but the Metro MV5 just has 'that sound' in spades. A lot of it is, IMO, due to the solid ash body and overall heavier weight/feel. It just has a bigger set flat than the Modern. I'm not really a 'J Guy', but I kind of like having that sound in my arsenal.

I imagine I'll end up keeping the mahogany/RW modern, just so that I can roll up to a Jazz-oriented gig with a fretted and fretless Modern, but still ...

Can't I just keep all of them and stay in debt?

Oh, and here's a pic of my fretless NYC, not-going-anywhere Modern fretless, just cause:

 

[tombowlus]

Many of us Sadowsky owners use another trick: boosting active treble while also rolling back VTC. This is NOT the same as adding 5 to negative 5... or matter to antimatter. The end result is a warmer tone that can have more definition than just rolling back the passive tone.

+1 I have done this, and I love it.

 

[GRoberts]

+1 I have done this, and I love it.

I tried this at home last night. It is super cool and offers a different tonal palette. Wow. Also was very surprised how incredibly effective the VTC is all on its own.

 

[Dave Hill]

Exactly right.

FWIW/IMHO, I feel the "sweet spot" for a typical wood constructed 34/35" scale J style bass, balancing overall weight and weight distribution, is around 9 pounds. However, as I've said before, even my sub-8lb MetroExpress doesn't cause me any concern on a strap at all. I'm not exactly sure why, despite the good science behind many comments here somewhat to the contrary.

+1 on the ideal weight for the balance of a 5-string Fender-ly designed instrument. My NYC PJ4 is 7.6 lbs and it’s fine on a strap, but I feel that any more weight on the headstock (say, non ultra light tuners) and it’d be tugging a little. Always trade-offs, it seems...another being the really light/chambered bodies are so resonant that certain frequencies “jump out” more. A little more weight seems to add a slight bit of compression which helps with evenness and balance of notes.

 

[leavetheconnoli]

Can someone point me to a chart or plot for the VTC?
Does the VTC give that mid bump (ala Precision) when turned to 0%?

Alo is the VTC last in the chain on the onboard preamp?

Thanks

 

[BluesyCat]

A while back, I hoped/planned to have a Sadowsky in my stable "someday". I now have three. smh lol.

3 and also only because I could use another one. Well not really, but a girl has to shop!

 

[BluesyCat]

I was blind but now I see? ...I get it. As I said, I am screwed.
LOL

I already want the next Sadowsky. I would love to get a NYC 5-string Alder/RW. Maybe a PJ? Wow. I'm off to the races. Maybe a Satin deluxe. Dunno, I kinda like gloss tops. For now, this MetroExpress 5 is going to see a lot of stage time.

My fiancé listened as I played each bass tonight. She really has no attachment and does not speak 'musician lingo' in terms of tone, but she has great ears. She ranked my three basses like this (and I agree, although the Nordy is magical in the mix):

1. Sadowsky
2. Nordy
3. MM Stingray Special 5

Dannnng @GRoberts you were always drooling over my 3 Sadowsky's! What took you soo long??

 

[HeavyJazz]

Somewhat self-serving, but I have a point post:


Been a banner year for scooping up awesome NYC's, but I have a bit of a dilemma ...

1) I have to sell one or two of the NYC's/Metro I have for sale. Gotta pay for the fun I've already had.

2) The Ebony/Alder WL5 is cool, but I definitely will be moving it.

3) The big 'issue' is comparing the Mahogany/RW Modern and the ash/maple Metro.

I absolutely love the total package you get with the Modern design. Like a warmer, more Fender-inspired Ken Smith, and this one is the best I've played, hands-down.

But ...

The slap tone is lean, surgical, and more ... 'modern' ... but the Metro MV5 just has 'that sound' in spades. A lot of it is, IMO, due to the solid ash body and overall heavier weight/feel. It just has a bigger set flat than the Modern. I'm not really a 'J Guy', but I kind of like having that sound in my arsenal.

I imagine I'll end up keeping the mahogany/RW modern, just so that I can roll up to a Jazz-oriented gig with a fretted and fretless Modern, but still ...

Can't I just keep all of them and stay in debt?

Oh, and here's a pic of my fretless NYC, not-going-anywhere Modern fretless, just cause:

View attachment 3517376 View attachment 3517377

Please adjust your stand. My OCD is acting up.

 

[GRoberts]

Dannnng @GRoberts you were always drooling over my 3 Sadowsky's! What took you soo long??

I am a late bloomer it would seem. And now, I am spec’ing another in my head and my eyes are open. You have great taste in basses Lee!

 

[OnederTone]

Back in May I had a business trip to NYC and decided to stop by the shop on my way back to the airport, spent about an hour and a half there, and was absolutely smitten by a candy apple red satin series 4-21. A few months of waiting, and scheming and “oh wow, the bonus was that much?!” later I Ordered the (I think different) CAR 4-21 that was up on the site on Friday... i’m Absolutely stoked!

I’ve been in awe of Sadowsky since working at Premier Bass Guitars in Denver (when it was in business, RIP DB) and almost picked up an ultra vintage then but couldn’t justify the scratch... i’m Glad I waited because the satin colors especially the CAR is one of the most beautiful finishes i’ve ever seen!