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I’m just a hack in a room full of actual good players, but I’ve been really enjoying my new-to-me NYC WL-5. After playing EBMM basses for several years, 2019 brought on a search for a different tone. After cycling through different basses, I rediscovered how great jazz-style basses sound and fit in a mix.
The StingRay 5 basses I had been playing confirmed a definite preference for a 1.75” nut on a five-string and also got me comfortable with narrower bridge string spacing (I think I’d still prefer an 18mm bridge on the WL-5). When I saw the WL-5 pop up for sale, I wanted to give it a whirl.
It’s been about five years since I’ve had a Sadowsky bass in the stable, and I’m glad to have one again. This one sounds nice and thick, but articulate, with a great feel to the neck. Even though I don’t boost bass or treble typically, the Sadowsky pre is still a thing of beauty that keeps you in jazz bass territory with its own, unique voice.
Anyway, I play country music primarily and always though Billy Dean’s 1993 cover of “We Just Disagree” was a groovin’ tune. I fired up the Mac and GoPro to document the great sound of the WL-5 and some mediocre bass playing!
The StingRay 5 basses I had been playing confirmed a definite preference for a 1.75” nut on a five-string and also got me comfortable with narrower bridge string spacing (I think I’d still prefer an 18mm bridge on the WL-5). When I saw the WL-5 pop up for sale, I wanted to give it a whirl.
It’s been about five years since I’ve had a Sadowsky bass in the stable, and I’m glad to have one again. This one sounds nice and thick, but articulate, with a great feel to the neck. Even though I don’t boost bass or treble typically, the Sadowsky pre is still a thing of beauty that keeps you in jazz bass territory with its own, unique voice.
Anyway, I play country music primarily and always though Billy Dean’s 1993 cover of “We Just Disagree” was a groovin’ tune. I fired up the Mac and GoPro to document the great sound of the WL-5 and some mediocre bass playing!
Next time a TBer post some question about playing a five string and not playing the notes below low E (although you may have dropped a couple in there and I missed them) I am going to simply post a link to this video. Excellent demonstration of the benefits of a fiver for your left-hand approach.
Well done, sir.
Okay, Sadowsky posted my dream bass on social media. Now how to afford it...
I thought the B string was invented to accommodate the thumb in order to save the pickup from heavy sweating and corrosion.
I'll review my left hand playing style immediately.
Hijack a Stagecoach? Crafting handmade Lucky Rabbit Feet from freshly trimmed Llama fur? Get adopted into Royalty at age 44?
I'm looking for ideas myself... just throwing a few things out there.
That’s awesome. I wish they would get the strings centered over the poles that perfectly on their 4-string P pickups.
@Dave Hill
Here is a PJ 4 currently in their site, it looks centered to me. I see the one you post does not look centers on DG
Here is a PJ 4 currently in their site, it looks centered to me. I see the one you post does not look centers on DG
So are those super P/J pickups available now? I'd like to retrofit everything.
That angle makes it look a little worse than it is... Here’s straight on.
I’ve been told it doesn’t affect the sound, and the bass sounds awesome. All the Sadowsky Ps I’ve seen are similar. If it were me, I’d make adjustments.
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