Club Sadowsky!!!

[nemo]

Any particular Sadowsky pickups I should try? There are Sadowsky nordstrand and Duncan hum canceling still right?

What tonal change you want to achieve?

 

[Alistair R]

View attachment 4058238 View attachment 4058239 View attachment 4058240 Look what fedex dropped off today:

Wow! Didn't know you could order fretless versions! Sweet!

 

[Joeykun]

I haven’t had a 5er in a while but I do remember the HC pups are more scooped than the singles. I believe the Duncans are the ones most prefer.

 

[scubaduba]

What tonal change you want to achieve?

To some degree I’d just like to experiment. I live how raw and open the single coils are but I’d like to experiment with something a bit warmer.

 

[Luckydog]

I think with the HC, you’ll get more glassy highs and deep lows, more than the warmth you are seeking. However, eq can change a lot of things. Also, you may not like the hc tone as much in passive mode, but then again, you might!

 

[WorktheWood]

The stacked coils are a bit darker/warmer than single coils, and much warmer than the split coil HC's Sadowsky has used. They have more mid range content than the HC's and a bit less treble. I believe Roger is also offering a switch that cuts the bottom coil on the stacked pickups to produce tone closer to a true single coil as, with the bottom coil tapped, it is effectively a single coil.

 

[Bassdudeman]

^^^ That sounds like the best of both worlds^^^

 

[scubaduba]

The stacked coils are a bit darker/warmer than single coils, and much warmer than the split coil HC's Sadowsky has used. They have more mid range content than the HC's and a bit less treble. I believe Roger is also offering a switch that cuts the bottom coil on the stacked pickups to produce tone closer to a true single coil as, with the bottom coil tapped, it is effectively a single coil.

That sounds great. But I’d guess I’d have to have my bass routed deeper. Maybe the switch could be located in the electronics cavity.

 

[WorktheWood]

You would but that is a very simple mod for any tech with a bit of skill. Plus, you can still switch back to the original pickups as the deeper slots wouldn't interfere with that; might need some thicker foam under the pickups but that's no big deal. I think the most complicated thing about doing the swap is getting the pickups. I don't think Roger has them available for sale currently but I believe he intends to. It might be worth sending the bass to Sadowsky and having them do the work but not necessary if you can get the pickups. The switch should fit in the existing cavity no problem.

That sounds great. But I’d guess I’d have to have my bass routed deeper. Maybe the switch could be located in the electronics cavity.

 

[bucephylus]

I haven’t had a 5er in a while but I do remember the HC pups are more scooped than the singles. I believe the Duncans are the ones most prefer.

+1, except that Roger has improved his humcancelling sets in the past 6 months or so. I haven’t tried them; but they are supposed to be better. I think that’s the stacked coil discussion.

As you stated, back in the day, I vastly preferred the Duncan SC’s. But, after significant time spent with 4 strings, and then revisiting the 5, I’ve just been struck by something missing in nearly every 5 string J profile pickup I’ve tried vs the 4 counterpart. Best I’ve found FWIW are the Delano JMVC’s; but, even those just aren’t as awesome as their 4 counterparts. There is just something about the added coil length etc.... Possibly the Coppollo 5’s get around this? Dunno. I’ve kind of gone to J profiles in my 4’s and prefer some kind of Nordy soap bar for my 5’s. Not a perfect world. Maybe the new stacked coils solve the issue.

 

[WorktheWood]

+1, except that Roger has improved his humcancelling sets in the past 6 months or so. I haven’t tried them; but they are supposed to be better.

Yes, this is what we're talking about. He's gone from a split coil design to a stacked coil. I think this may only apply to the 5 strings, though.

 

[scubaduba]

Well I’ve emailed Roger.

 

[monkeyland]

Current NYC 5s get the stacked pickup made by Nordstrand. It’s been that way for a couple of years. There are none available to purchase right now. I’ve been looking for a set since November of 2019. Once the Sadowsky accessories are available through Warwick they are supposed to be available from what I’ve heard.

the older split 5 pickups sound good but can get some noise which is why I swapped mine for singles. With the singles I’m at least able to put the blend in the middle and have it be quiet

 

[WorktheWood]

Current NYC 5s get the stacked pickup made by Nordstrand. It’s been that way for a couple of years. There are none available to purchase right now. I’ve been looking for a set since November of 2019. Once the Sadowsky accessories are available through Warwick they are supposed to be available from what I’ve heard.

the older split 5 pickups sound good but can get some noise which is why I swapped mine for singles. With the singles I’m at least able to put the blend in the middle and have it be quiet

I thought the current stacks were made by SD?

 

[staccatogrowl]

Well I’ve emailed Roger.

Likely the best and smartest move to keep your great bass great

 

[Joebone]

Is anyone in a position to comment on any sonic resemblance between these new stacked coils and the old Nordstrand Fat Stacks?

 

[monkeyland]

I thought the current stacks were made by SD?

the singles are Duncan. Stacked HC are nordstrand. You can’t get them direct from nordstrand, I already tried to make that end run in a moment of weakness over the summer

 

[Bassdudeman]

I have Norstrand Sadowsky singles in one of my 2 Metros.
Super quiet, but seriously shielded, so they don't sound like a typical SC.
A little less high end because of the shielding, but quiet, even when soloing one PU...unusual for SC...you usually get the 60 cycle hum. These are the quietest SC I've ever heard, but provide mids missing in split HC's.

I believe the stacked HC Roger uses now are made by Duncan...not split-coil, but 2 full coils stacked one above the other. Nice choice to split coils, single coil to full humbucker...genius.

The split old HC was made by Dimarzio. Very scooped, lots of highs and lows IMHO. Still sounded good IMHO, but I prefer the SC for less polite mids.

 

[WorktheWood]

I have Norstrand Sadowsky singles in one of my 2 Metros.
Super quiet, but seriously shielded, so they don't sound like a typical SC.
A little less high end because of the shielding, but quiet, even when soloing one PU...unusual for SC...you usually get the 60 cycle hum. These are the quietest SC I've ever heard, but provide mids missing in split HC's.

I believe the stacked HC Roger uses now are made by Duncan...not split-coil, but 2 full coils stacked one above the other. Nice choice to split coils, single coil to full humbucker...genius.

The split old HC was made by Dimarzio. Very scooped, lots of highs and lows IMHO. Still sounded good IMHO, but I prefer the SC for less polite mids.

I thought I remembered Roger saying the new stacks are made by SD. I'm a firm believer in the stacked design being the best for HC jazz style pickups if executed properly.

 

[R&B]

Reading all of this, I am now thoroughly confused about pickups! (Especially since all my Sadowskys are MIJ Metros and TYOs.) The single coil Teppei model and the two HPJs are especially badass. The Verdine 4, the MV4 and the Modern Edge 4 are no slouches either. Whatever is the secret sauce, it is tasty.