Just a reminder—Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmidt coined the term “Parrot-head” during his stint playing with Buffett.
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Hey, now. I resemble that remark! I grew up in Linden, and my parents remained for another 30 or so years. LOL!
I remember when I went away to college, the question always was, "Oh, you're from NJ, what exit?". When I'd tell them NJ Tpk exit 13, they'd always follow with, "That's the exit that smells." I'd have to concur. (Thanks to the refineries.)
OK...I'd always seen the "Linden" tag on older Ampeg stuff, but having read more about the company and Jess Oliver, now know that the formative years were out on Long Island. As for olfactory delights, childhood years in Harrison and Kearny featured the aroma of "The Dumps" - miles of landfill and industrial waste lining the southwestern edge of the Meadowlands. Not pleasant, when the wind blew from the east. Exit 15E, for the record.
Hey everyone - quick question... I've played the crap out of my Verdine 5 since I got it a couple years ago, the neck went to gloss and now it's kind of got a sticky feeling to it. I've done the green scotchbrite pad thing on poly finished necks to get that satin feel back, but I'm not sure about doing that with nitro. Any suggestions?
Seeing that you still have it listed, I'll offer up what is only intended to be helpful advice. Also, knowing that you seem to prefer the Roscoe tone, and since I've had four Roscoe basses previously, I think I can speak somewhat intelligently about the subject. Plain and simple - I don't think the sound you're craving is ever going to be satisfied by a jazz bass from Sadowsky or anyone else. Tone goals and the sound in your head can certainly change, but the standard Roscoe Bart/Bart configuration is just such a different animal. Now I know you have branched out with some Nordy electronics and maybe others, but the inherent Roscoe tone is still there, largely IMHO, due to the pickup placement. I had a Roscoe with Bart/Bart and Roscoe that started out as Bart/Aggie OBP-3 that I modified to Nordstrand Big Singles with the Aggie OBP-3. I strongly preferred the setup with the Big Singles as it opened up the tone MUCH more than the very compressed sounding Bart/Bart tone.
So, with that said, I think if you're going to venture into Sadowsky territory, the Modern 5-24 basses would be worth taking a look at. There's still a good difference between a Roscoe and the Modern 5-24, but I feel they're more similar than different, yet different enough for them both to be relevant to a player owning both. The Sadowsky soapbars are not near as compressed sounding as the Roscoe Barts.
Ergonomics-wise, I think the the biggest difference is in the necks - with the Roscoe having a much flatter radius, not as wide, and not as thick front-to-back. So, if you're looking for a Sadowsky that feels similar, an NYC 5-24 with an optional 1.75" nut width (as opposed to the standard 1.875" nut width) would feel more in the same territory as your Roscoe basses, though still pretty different.
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
#0000 steel wool (masking tape the pickups) and Green scotchbrite pad both works on the nitro necks.
You are not buffing off the finish. You hand is simply polishing the finish. I have always felt that a broken in satin finish has a much better feel than starting off with a gloss nitro finish. I also love the feel of a vintage bass where the finish has completely worn off the back of the neck. If you want to maintain the satin feel, you need to lightly sand the finish with some very fine sandpaper, like 320 grit. But that will also accelerate wearing through the finish over time.
If you want to keep everything like new, don't play it!
Roger
Roger has even said sandpaper is fine, too (he's also mentioned 280 grit in other posts).
Ok! Thank you.
I'm totally cool doing the green pad but regarding the steel wool, what kind of pressure should one use? Same as when removing stubborn dirt from a dirty rosewood fretboard (very light pressure) or just a quick swipe down the length?
Just a little pressure until it feels right. With steel wool, or even the Scotch-brite pad, you're not going to hurt anything. I typically sand the finish completely off my necks, so I can attest that it takes quite a bit of work to even start to remove the finish with sandpaper, much less steel wool or a Scotch-brite pad.
Thank you as well! I've never flinched at a smoothing a poly neck but the nitro made me stop and go hmmm... I appreciate the reassurance.
EDIT: changed my mind on the steel wool - hahaha
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Here’s the difference between my completely sanded and VERY played WL-5 and a new-to-me, unsanded, Ultra Vintage 5-20. Might cause some gasps, but there’s no beating the feel of the neck on that WL-5. The 5-20 will get the same thing if i decide that I’m going to keep it
I think I would personally avoid the steel wool just because it makes a mess. Superfine 1200 grit sandpaper would clean it up. Dunk the paper in water and use a very light touch for a couple of passes. Dry it and check your work then go again as necessary
agree on the green scotch brite pad.
agree on the 1000 grit sandpaper
I've had great results with either, poly, nitro, either one.
I avoid the steel wool, for reasons already discussed.
agree on the 1000 grit sandpaper
I've had great results with either, poly, nitro, either one.
I avoid the steel wool, for reasons already discussed.
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
just do it with light pressure will do, because you don't really go to the wood that soon.
How is the ultimate test going? How is the Sadowsky satisfying you on the gigs?
I've had the green sadowsky in my avatar sanded in the shop by Ellis, and sanded my NYC 5 at home. I used the method of 800, 1000, 0000 steel wool, then a damp cloth and some light Howard Feed n Wax. Both now feel like my Lakland. Be careful going coarser than 800. The shop can also tell you the finer points of their method if you call.
I know this is a long shot, but I sold a Sadowsky NYC a few years ago that I'd like to buy back if anyone knows who has it. The TB'r I sold it to doesn't have it anymore. It's a black NYC with matching headstock and Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. I attached a pic of the bass. Thanks!
