Club Sadowsky!!!

[R&B]

wait. Baby Yoda is not cute? He’s stinkin’ cute.

Exactly.

 

[Nomogram]

This week, I ordered and received a Sadowsky SBP-2 Preamp Pedal from the Sadowsky shop. Shipping was fast and the pedal is fabulous, I love it!

Now, I haven't played anything but my two Satin Sadowsky basses for two years solid, so you may be wondering WHY I'd play a Sadowsky bass through a Sadowsky preamp pedal (that has the same preamp as is in the bass itself).

I've always loved active basses (I'm a prior EBMM guy) and hated batteries. And I was putting together a small pedalboard anyways, since I'm playing a couple of songs now that require an Octave pedal for one and Overdrive for another. So I figured I'd see if moving the preamp from the innards of the bass (figuratively) to the floor would make a difference. I'm happy to report that the sound is pretty much identical to my ears. Sounds awesome, and I like how easy it is to see where I am from 1 to 10 on the dials of the pedal (insert Spinal Tap quote from Nigel here). I guess it would be possible to move the preamp to a different point of the signal chain too if someone was adventurous, but I like it right at the front, as if it was in the bass.

Just sharing in case anyone else had been wondering how that would work. It sounds the same and I'm battery-free. I'm sure I'm not the first to try it this way, but I hadn't seen it here in this thread since I've been hanging around. It's a viable option if you are so inclined.

 

[R&B]

This week, I ordered and received a Sadowsky SBP-2 Preamp Pedal from the Sadowsky shop. Shipping was fast and the pedal is fabulous, I love it!

Now, I haven't played anything but my two Satin Sadowsky basses for two years solid, so you may be wondering WHY I'd play a Sadowsky bass through a Sadowsky preamp pedal (that has the same preamp as is in the bass itself).

I've always loved active basses (I'm a prior EBMM guy) and hated batteries. And I was putting together a small pedalboard anyways, since I'm playing a couple of songs now that require an Octave pedal for one and Overdrive for another. So I figured I'd see if moving the preamp from the innards of the bass (figuratively) to the floor would make a difference. I'm happy to report that the sound is pretty much identical to my ears. Sounds awesome, and I like how easy it is to see where I am from 1 to 10 on the dials of the pedal (insert Spinal Tap quote from Nigel here). I guess it would be possible to move the preamp to a different point of the signal chain too if someone was adventurous, but I like it right at the front, as if it was in the bass.

Just sharing in case anyone else had been wondering how that would work. It sounds the same and I'm battery-free. I'm sure I'm not the first to try it this way, but I hadn't seen it here in this thread since I've been hanging around. It's a viable option if you are so inclined.

You will know right away if you run a Sadowsky in active mode through an outboard preamp. The walls will crumble and law enforcement will respond.

Seriously, my main use for the pedal version of the preamp has been to make all of my passive basses sound like Sadowskys. I can play a passive F***er (as I did this past weekend at a gig) and have it sound HUGE. Thanks to the outboard preamp, I have been able to delay the necessary culling of the herd and to enjoy the Sadowsky sound at all times.

 

[bucephylus]

This week, I ordered and received a Sadowsky SBP-2 Preamp Pedal from the Sadowsky shop. Shipping was fast and the pedal is fabulous, I love it!

Now, I haven't played anything but my two Satin Sadowsky basses for two years solid, so you may be wondering WHY I'd play a Sadowsky bass through a Sadowsky preamp pedal (that has the same preamp as is in the bass itself).

I've always loved active basses (I'm a prior EBMM guy) and hated batteries. And I was putting together a small pedalboard anyways, since I'm playing a couple of songs now that require an Octave pedal for one and Overdrive for another. So I figured I'd see if moving the preamp from the innards of the bass (figuratively) to the floor would make a difference. I'm happy to report that the sound is pretty much identical to my ears. Sounds awesome, and I like how easy it is to see where I am from 1 to 10 on the dials of the pedal (insert Spinal Tap quote from Nigel here). I guess it would be possible to move the preamp to a different point of the signal chain too if someone was adventurous, but I like it right at the front, as if it was in the bass.

Just sharing in case anyone else had been wondering how that would work. It sounds the same and I'm battery-free. I'm sure I'm not the first to try it this way, but I hadn't seen it here in this thread since I've been hanging around. It's a viable option if you are so inclined.

There have recently been multiple threads, decrying the evils of batteries. Seems like there is a concerted action in progress by a significant fraction of players against batteries in basses.

This actually has me somewhat baffled. I just changed out the battery in one of my Sadowsky preamp loaded basses that sees regular action after 30 months of pretty regular use. The voltage was down to 8.3V; but, the preamp was still going strong. I don’t really consider that a major maintenance concern.

No offense intended; but, I am genuinely curious where the issue is? Of course, each to their own; and there are certainly multiple ways to get a useful signal chain. What is problematic about having a battery in a bass?

 

[Holdsg]

Weakest link, perhaps?

 

[Bassdudeman]

Weakest link, perhaps?

I have been playing active (battery-powered preamps) Bartolini, Lakland, Sadowsky since 1997.

I never had a problem with the battery, but it was always a comfort to know that I could bypass the pre and play passive mode though I never had to, unless I wanted to.

It also helps to have a battery checker, such as this...https://www.amazon.com/-Meter-Guita...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002Q0PPS4

 

[Doug Parent]

My second entry for club Sadowsky. An 8 pound 5 string its hard to believe and the satin finish is so smooth. I guess I thought the finish would have a chalky feel. So far I love it. Its my first white bass I was never to big on the white color in the past but I really like the look with the maple board. So far I am hitting home runs with Sadowsky. The tone on both of the basses is just killer. It must be the pre-amp.

I have a Sadowsky with the same body color and I think yours looks better with the maple fretboard. Nice score.

 

[vision]

Speaking of batteries, I have an ignorant question. For years I’ve only been playing my fully active MTD basses it fully passive Fenders, until getting my Deluxe Satin this week. With an active/passive bass like a Sadowsky, does the battery get drained any time the instrument cable is plugged in like it does on a fully active bass? If so, is there a difference if it’s switched to passive?

I know I used to know the answer to this but I don’t remember.

 

[jondiener]

Speaking of batteries, I have an ignorant question. For years I’ve only been playing my fully active MTD basses it fully passive Fenders, until getting my Deluxe Satin this week. With an active/passive bass like a Sadowsky, does the battery get drained any time the instrument cable is plugged in like it does on a fully active bass? If so, is there a difference if it’s switched to passive?

I know I used to know the answer to this but I don’t remember.

Battery is in use any time a 1/4" plug is inserted into the jack - passive or active mode, doesn't matter. That said, unless you forget and leave it plugged in for days at a time, the battery will last you a couple years or better.

MY 02¢.

 

[joeqpublic]

Speaking of batteries, I have an ignorant question. For years I’ve only been playing my fully active MTD basses it fully passive Fenders, until getting my Deluxe Satin this week. With an active/passive bass like a Sadowsky, does the battery get drained any time the instrument cable is plugged in like it does on a fully active bass? If so, is there a difference if it’s switched to passive?

I know I used to know the answer to this but I don’t remember.

Yes, the battery still gets drained when the cable is inserted. The active/passive switch allows you to bypass the active electronics if you so choose thereby giving you a different tone/sound.

 

[Fuzzbass]

There have recently been multiple threads, decrying the evils of batteries. Seems like there is a concerted action in progress by a significant fraction of players against batteries in basses.

This actually has me somewhat baffled.

"Baffling" is a far more polite word than I'd use. I suspect the motive comes from the fact that some people love to tell other people what gear they should use: "Jaco only needed four strings!" Or how they should play: "real bassists never use a pick!"

On the flip side, I came across a thread about "why play passive when you can have an active bass (with better fidelity)?" At least it was a question and not a command.

 

[Nomogram]

There have recently been multiple threads, decrying the evils of batteries. Seems like there is a concerted action in progress by a significant fraction of players against batteries in basses.

This actually has me somewhat baffled. I just changed out the battery in one of my Sadowsky preamp loaded basses that sees regular action after 30 months of pretty regular use. The voltage was down to 8.3V; but, the preamp was still going strong. I don’t really consider that a major maintenance concern.

No offense intended; but, I am genuinely curious where the issue is? Of course, each to their own; and there are certainly multiple ways to get a useful signal chain. What is problematic about having a battery in a bass?

There is nothing wrong with having a battery in a bass at all. My post was sharing my positive experience with using a Sadowsky pedal preamp to get the same sound without keeping a battery in my particular bass.

To answer your question of where the issue is, by getting the battery out of my bass and using a pedal as part of a wired pedalboard, I get the following changes that are positive for me:

• I don't have to unplug my bass every night
• My bass is one battery weight lighter
• My output jack gets a couple of hundred less engagements per year

I will grant that all three of those are likely no big deal to most users.

The only time I've had a bass fail onstage was a MusicMan Stingray when the output jack failed during the first set of a club gig. I had a crappy backup bass on hand and got through the gig, but it sucked and then I had to get it repaired, etc. In my mind, unplugging every night to save a battery might have had a small part in that moveable part failing. Maybe not, but if I can cut down on that thing, why not?

I have a bad back. Every ounce off the shoulders counts.

This idea is not for everyone or even maybe anyone else, but it worked for me and thus I shared it. That's all. No anti-battery conspiracy.

 

[bucephylus]

There is nothing wrong with having a battery in a bass at all. My post was sharing my positive experience with using a Sadowsky pedal preamp to get the same sound without keeping a battery in my particular bass.

To answer your question of where the issue is, by getting the battery out of my bass and using a pedal as part of a wired pedalboard, I get the following changes that are positive for me:

• I don't have to unplug my bass every night
• My bass is one battery weight lighter
• My output jack gets a couple of hundred less engagements per year

I will grant that all three of those are likely no big deal to most users.

The only time I've had a bass fail onstage was a MusicMan Stingray when the output jack failed during the first set of a club gig. I had a crappy backup bass on hand and got through the gig, but it sucked and then I had to get it repaired, etc. In my mind, unplugging every night to save a battery might have had a small part in that moveable part failing. Maybe not, but if I can cut down on that thing, why not?

I have a bad back. Every ounce off the shoulders counts.

This idea is not for everyone or even maybe anyone else, but it worked for me and thus I shared it. That's all. No anti-battery conspiracy.

Check; and REALLY didn’t intend to single you out. Just that some other threads had me curious.

Absolutely, the Sadowsky Outboard Preamp is a thing of beauty. I have two of them!

 

[Nenor]

@Nomogram, So using the bass passive with no battery installed means the VTC knob always pulled up? If you accidentally press it down you're muted?

 

[StayLow]

@Nomogram, So using the bass passive with no battery installed means the VTC knob always pulled up? If you accidentally press it down you're muted?

I was going to ask too. A Stingray won't work without a functional battery.

Just tried it: my Sadowsky works passive w/o battery, then it's muted if attempting to engage the preamp. And it seems to sound the same in passive w/o battery as it would passive with battery.

Most basses with active/passive switch will work in passive without a battery, however may not sound as good as they would in passive without a preamp installed.

I'm not going to rip the preamp out of my Sadowsky to compare passive no-batt vs. passive no preamp.... at least not today.

I recall an aftermarket preamp I had in a Fender sounded weak in passive mode with preamp installed vs the way it sounded originally (passive, no preamp installed). Asked the preamp manufacturer and was told there can be an impedance mismatch with some pickups in passive vs. active so passive was really only meant to get you out of trouble in case of battery/preamp failure.

 

[Nomogram]

@Nomogram, So using the bass passive with no battery installed means the VTC knob always pulled up? If you accidentally press it down you're muted?

Yes, and yes.

 

[jedicollector]

@Nomogram, So using the bass passive with no battery installed means the VTC knob always pulled up? If you accidentally press it down you're muted?

Yes, absolutely. But I love my MV5 in passive mode, no battery in my bass. I never „accidentally muted“ it- so no problem there.
I like the preamp, but to me it feels better to play without. I thought about taking it out, but I don‘t think I will. I changed from volume/balance to volume/volume for sound reason (balance is more convenient though). I have played this MV5 as my main bass since I got it in 2011, longer than any bass before- guess I really like it!
H

 

[R&B]

A little setup advice perhaps?

I wanted to lower the action on the new Lexus pearl white TYO Modern Edge 4 with roasted neck, so I checked the relief. Flat. I was thinking maybe 0.08" would be good. Went to loosen the truss rod a touch and found that it turned very freely in the counterclockwise direction. Managed to get just a hair of relief at the 7th fret (capo at 1st and fretted at 15th), with action height of 4/64" across the strings measured at the 12th fret. I prefer slightly lower. Is this as good as it gets?

This bass looks so great, sounds so fantastic, and even with medium-low action, plays itself. Heaven help me, I was a P bass guy through and through. I am starting to think this might be (almost) the only bass I need. So optimizing the setup would be good. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[soflbass]

A little setup advice perhaps?

I wanted to lower the action on the new Lexus pearl white TYO Modern Edge 4 with roasted neck, so I checked the relief. Flat. I was thinking maybe 0.08" would be good. Went to loosen the truss rod a touch and found that it turned very freely in the counterclockwise direction. Managed to get just a hair of relief at the 7th fret (capo at 1st and fretted at 15th), with action height of 4/64" across the strings measured at the 12th fret. I prefer slightly lower. Is this as good as it gets?

This bass looks so great, sounds so fantastic, and even with medium-low action, plays itself. Heaven help me, I was a P bass guy through and through. I am starting to think this might be (almost) the only bass I need. So optimizing the setup would be good. Any suggestions are appreciated.

There is an optimum relief setting for low action. To little relief will cause buzz on the lower frets and too much on the higher frets. It is a matter of experimenting with different relief settings to achieve the lowest height possible.

 

[R&B]

There is an optimum relief setting for low action. To little relief will cause buzz on the lower frets and too much on the higher frets. It is a matter of experimenting with different relief settings to achieve the lowest height possible.

Absolutely. The geometry is key. Yet my choices seem to be no relief, or just a tiny sliver. Guess I will go with the tiny sliver. May be that the roasted neck is stiffer and more resistant to string tension than the typical neck.