Club Sadowsky!!!

[Fran Diaz]

P. S. I first heard of Sadowsky via Uncle Will, but didn't put one on my wish list until I played a friend's PJ4, and didn't pull the trigger until 2004 when Nino V tipped me that a P-body Sadowsky was definitely going to be a thing.

I didn't know that P bodied Sadowskys weren't available before 2004.
Mine is a 2005 but I got it in 2009

 

[Fuzzbass]

I didn't know that P bodied Sadowskys weren't available before 2004.
Mine is a 2005 but I got it in 2009

I bought a Mike Lull P5 in 2002 because there was no Sadowsky P5 (not sure about P4 TBH, but I don't think so). The Lull was nice... no disrespect, but it was sold shortly after I got the Sadowsky, partly (but not completely) because I didn't care for 18mm spacing and 35" scale.

 

[ElMon]

Roger's PJ5 is, as evidenced by @gustobassman (great clips!) is just an absolutely outstanding bass tone.

Cuts through the mix while sitting underneath the other instruments in a very P-Bass way (duh) and yet you have the two pickup, more compressed sound and that JPickup when the mood strikes you. Between that pickup setup, the VTC, and whether you sling it with flats/rounds, there's very little you can't do. Straight up 'Marcus Slap Tone' is the only thing it lacks. OK for me, because I think a PBass Slaptone puts the 'fun' in FUNK.

My love affair with Big Daddy P has made it impossible for me to fall in love with anything else. Check my past FS threads as proof.

 

[SzunaP]

My first experience: 4 years ago, in a big music plaza, during a tour in Germany. That was a Metro MV5
But I heard Will playing first time on a Ralph McDonald album from '78 - I think before Sadowsky era It could be a Fender JB definitely...
With Steve Gadd they had unbeatable groove. Years later I played this song with my band, we loved it all:

 

[ArodBass]

Hey SUPER-J Pickup owners: I know there are a few of you here with this beast:


View attachment 4018392

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on having one installed. I've heard the two Alex Rodriguez examples on YT, which do a good job of showing the differences. Any rants or raves? What version of the neck pickup do you have installed, and did you pick one that you thought blended the best? I have the non-stacked HCs installed at the moment.

I doubt I would regret the change in the look of the bass, cause my finish is Dark Lake Placid, and it would mostly fade into the background. Would love a testimonial from anyone who has a bass with one of these in, of any kind. Thank you in advance!

Thanks for the love man
I use that bass a lot in the studio , it tracks so well and It’s so versatile.
I’d say , go for it. You won’t regret it!!

 

[600 Ohms]

Thanks for the love man
I use that bass a lot in the studio , it tracks so well and It’s so versatile.
I’d say , go for it. You won’t regret it!!

Right on. What is your neck pickup?

 

[gustobassman]

Roger's PJ5 is, as evidenced by @gustobassman (great clips!) is just an absolutely outstanding bass tone.

Cuts through the mix while sitting underneath the other instruments in a very P-Bass way (duh) and yet you have the two pickup, more compressed sound and that JPickup when the mood strikes you. Between that pickup setup, the VTC, and whether you sling it with flats/rounds, there's very little you can't do. Straight up 'Marcus Slap Tone' is the only thing it lacks. OK for me, because I think a PBass Slaptone puts the 'fun' in FUNK.

My love affair with Big Daddy P has made it impossible for me to fall in love with anything else. Check my past FS threads as proof.

View attachment 4018755

Thanks man! I agree, about the only thing I can't get is that Marcus "zing".. but I rarely if ever need that sort of tone. You forgot to add that it sounds burly with a pick while just slightly favoring the P pickup too. I noticed you have the angled poles - does yours have the Nordstrand wound pickups? When I ordered mine I had requested the Duncans and I'm pretty sure thats what I have. Its definitely a sweeter, less aggressive tone than the Nordy's in my old Metro PJ5. Either way, you can't go wrong. Roger's PJ setup is super versatile.

 

[ElMon]

Thanks man! I agree, about the only thing I can't get is that Marcus "zing".. but I rarely if ever need that sort of tone. You forgot to add that it sounds burly with a pick while just slightly favoring the P pickup too. I noticed you have the angled poles - does yours have the Nordstrand wound pickups? When I ordered mine I had requested the Duncans and I'm pretty sure thats what I have. Its definitely a sweeter, less aggressive tone than the Nordy's in my old Metro PJ5. Either way, you can't go wrong. Roger's PJ setup is super versatile.

I think mine are the Nordstrands. I would have to compare them side-by-side with the Duncans but you can definitely get aggressive when I put round wounds on it. Which I rarely if ever do because I’m a gentleman ;-)

 

[ElMon]

Thanks man! I agree, about the only thing I can't get is that Marcus "zing".. but I rarely if ever need that sort of tone. You forgot to add that it sounds burly with a pick while just slightly favoring the P pickup too. I noticed you have the angled poles - does yours have the Nordstrand wound pickups? When I ordered mine I had requested the Duncans and I'm pretty sure thats what I have. Its definitely a sweeter, less aggressive tone than the Nordy's in my old Metro PJ5. Either way, you can't go wrong. Roger's PJ setup is super versatile.

I’m contemplating pulling a ‘neener-neener, suck on THAT’ move with your clip.

There’s an OKC guy who is a great Reggae bass player, and he and I got into an argument about how a P-Bass just doesn’t go deep enough for the genre, like a J-Bass does. I disagreed vehemently, but didn’t have a whole lot of data to back me up. UNTIL NOW!!!! MWAHAHAAAAA!!! EAT MY GRITS!!!

 

[cxcxcx]

I’m contemplating pulling a ‘neener-neener, suck on THAT’ move with your clip.

There’s an OKC guy who is a great Reggae bass player, and he and I got into an argument about how a P-Bass just doesn’t go deep enough for the genre, like a J-Bass does. I disagreed vehemently, but didn’t have a whole lot of data to back me up. UNTIL NOW!!!! MWAHAHAAAAA!!! EAT MY GRITS!!!

Odd argument - Jamerson preferred Precisions because he felt that the Jazz didn't provide enough heft on the low end. I've seen Reggae successfully performed on many brands and styles of instruments to the requirements that music needs, and I'm of the opinion that it doesn't matter much. Most Reggae specialists I've encountered played Jazzes or Steinbergers in disproportionate numbers because Family Man and Robbie Shakespeare did.

Anyway, to stay on topic, do Sadowskys work for Reggae? You figure it out!

 

[gustobassman]

I’m contemplating pulling a ‘neener-neener, suck on THAT’ move with your clip.

There’s an OKC guy who is a great Reggae bass player, and he and I got into an argument about how a P-Bass just doesn’t go deep enough for the genre, like a J-Bass does. I disagreed vehemently, but didn’t have a whole lot of data to back me up. UNTIL NOW!!!! MWAHAHAAAAA!!! EAT MY GRITS!!!

Oh we've got data...

 

[Vic]

Thanks man! I agree, about the only thing I can't get is that Marcus "zing".. but I rarely if ever need that sort of tone. You forgot to add that it sounds burly with a pick while just slightly favoring the P pickup too. I noticed you have the angled poles - does yours have the Nordstrand wound pickups? When I ordered mine I had requested the Duncans and I'm pretty sure thats what I have. Its definitely a sweeter, less aggressive tone than the Nordy's in my old Metro PJ5. Either way, you can't go wrong. Roger's PJ setup is super versatile.

FWIW, i had the same tonal prefs. i love carey to death and thinks he makes all killer products, but his nj5/5s's are just a bit too mid forward for me. i definitley preferred the SD based singles Roger uses for a bit less aggressive and slightly sweeter tone, which also helps for getting a marcus-ish sound. it also helps if you boost both bass and treble, and then drop gain to compensate. that essentially cuts mids.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

Roger's PJ5 is, as evidenced by @gustobassman (great clips!) is just an absolutely outstanding bass tone.

Cuts through the mix while sitting underneath the other instruments in a very P-Bass way (duh) and yet you have the two pickup, more compressed sound and that JPickup when the mood strikes you. Between that pickup setup, the VTC, and whether you sling it with flats/rounds, there's very little you can't do. Straight up 'Marcus Slap Tone' is the only thing it lacks. OK for me, because I think a PBass Slaptone puts the 'fun' in FUNK.

My love affair with Big Daddy P has made it impossible for me to fall in love with anything else. Check my past FS threads as proof.

View attachment 4018755

I really like the white covers on that bass,

I have a very similar custom PJ 5, surf green Alder/Pau Ferro, with Nordstrand NP5 and a Big Split, with Sadowsky Pre-amp.

 

[gwangi]

Roger's PJ5 is, as evidenced by @gustobassman (great clips!) is just an absolutely outstanding bass tone.

Cuts through the mix while sitting underneath the other instruments in a very P-Bass way (duh) and yet you have the two pickup, more compressed sound and that JPickup when the mood strikes you. Between that pickup setup, the VTC, and whether you sling it with flats/rounds, there's very little you can't do. Straight up 'Marcus Slap Tone' is the only thing it lacks. OK for me, because I think a PBass Slaptone puts the 'fun' in FUNK.

My love affair with Big Daddy P has made it impossible for me to fall in love with anything else. Check my past FS threads as proof.

View attachment 4018755

WOW!!!!Centerfold for the upcoming PB magazine (Play Bass) magazine, that's a STUNNER!!!!

 

[Bergerman]

ElMon...I seem to recall that you painted those pickup covers yourself...how is the finish holding up on them?

As a former painter, I’m naturally curious!

 

[ElMon]

ElMon...I seem to recall that you painted those pickup covers yourself...how is the finish holding up on them?

As a former painter, I’m naturally curious!

Here’s the thing,
It all looked great when I popped the plastic casing off and painted it. I let it dry for several hours and thought I was good to go. What I didn’t factor in was the amount of pressure I would need to push the pick up in the place before I screwed in the setscrew to get it at its normal level. If you zoom in really close to that picture you can see the indention my thumb made into the paint. So, not the most professional job because of that. But from a glance… Or from a distance if you’re out in the audience ... it still looks pretty bad ass. Time will tell, and I’m ready to do a second coat. This time around I will let it dry for a day or two.

 

[Bassworship1]

Does anyone know or have a picture of the gigbag that comes with the NYC model basses? Are they really good quality?

 

[Littlewing6283]

Does anyone know or have a picture of the gigbag that comes with the NYC model basses? Are they really good quality?

my satin nyc came with the gator hard/soft shell case

 

[kevk]

Does anyone know or have a picture of the gigbag that comes with the NYC model basses? Are they really good quality?

Seriously, the NYC Portabag is the best I’ve come across...extremely protective!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[mmbass21]

Seriously, the NYC Portabag is the best I’ve come across...extremely protective!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I second this, best case in the business.

 

[Wild_Bill_57]

The Portabag case is the best case I have used, They are made by Access Case, They are the Stage 5 model case without the TSA lock and with a Sadowsky logo.

I actually have a new Stage 5 that I'm going to list classifieds, I ordered it for another bass, I sold because I liked the Portabag so much.