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Club Sadowsky!!!

#56,961
I'm only 6'0" ;), but regularly carry one bass on my back, one bass in one hand, and other gear (usually a light duffel) in my other hand. No issues at all with Portabag or ProTec Contego on my back. Placement is slightly different for each, but that doesn't affect me in any way. I do keep an eye out for low ceilings, which is common sense.

Those two are my usual cases. Portabags are reserved for my Sadowskys because of the superior protection, but I feel the Contegos offer decent (though lesser) protection.
 
#56,962
a "load in" for my Zeppelin band, for example, includes the following, all on the largest RocknRoller cart I could find.

410 cab, 1-15 cab, QSCK10 monitor for keys, 2 mixer bags (one of which has amp head in it), cable bag, keyboard in case, keyboard stand and mic stands in a speaker stand bag, guitar stand. I place my Portabag on top of all that, or on my back back-pack-style. I look like the Clampets coming to Beverly Hills. But it's one trip (as long as there are not stairs).

Of that, feel that the bass is the safest of the bunch.
 
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#56,963
My Access 5 came in today. The Portabag definitely holds more stuff in the big pocket. But, the S5 is more plush inside and the neck pad position seems to hold the bass in place better. I do like the carry handle on the Portabag better than the S5 as well. The TSA lock is a nice feature. Subtle differences but same protection. So now I have the original Portabag, the newer Portabag and the Access Stage 5 protecting all my basses.
71CA5C1A-2C20-4379-BAF6-498098190BA7.jpeg

7B27D1BB-67A9-4411-9524-A5D26762242F.jpeg
 
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#56,965
scubaduba said:
To those with a Sadowsky PJ:

I’m curious. Do you have your P pickup set lower than your J? If so, by how much?
Click to expand...

I set mine to Roger’s specs on my PJ5:

P= 7/64 on the B, 8/64 on the A, 7/64 on the D and 6/64 on the G.

J= 6/64 on the B, 5/64 on the G

Sounds great to me this way, FWIW.
 
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#56,966
scubaduba said:
To those with a Sadowsky PJ:

I’m curious. Do you have your P pickup set lower than your J? If so, by how much?
Click to expand...
The NYC shop set-up instructions for PJs: "Set the bridge pickup to the suggested height. Then adjust the P until you are happy with the balance between the two. The P pickup will always have more output than the J pickup."
 
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#56,970
projectapollo said:
The NYC shop set-up instructions for PJs: "Set the bridge pickup to the suggested height. Then adjust the P until you are happy with the balance between the two. The P pickup will always have more output than the J pickup."
Click to expand...

Yes, this is exactly what I'm getting at. I'm wondering how high or low people here are setting the P pickup. The P definitely overpowers the J which is to be expected. I'm toying with lowering my P a fair amount and seeing what happens tonally.
 
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#56,971
Joeykun said:
My Access 5 came in today. The Portabag definitely holds more stuff in the big pocket. But, the S5 is more plush inside and the neck pad position seems to hold the bass in place better. I do like the carry handle on the Portabag better than the S5 as well. The TSA lock is a nice feature. Subtle differences but same protection. So now I have the original Portabag, the newer Portabag and the Access Stage 5 protecting all my basses.
View attachment 4407010
View attachment 4407011
Click to expand...

Nice to see them side by side. The Access is plush, indeed. But off the bat, the huge front pocket and lower placement of the front-side handle are practical wins for the Sadowsky. That front-side handle is a huge convenience in managing doorways and other transition points, and the high placement on the Access does not look comfortable. And is it my imagination, but are the Portabags over the last few years a bit more compact than bags from around 2010 or so? For many years I preferred a ProTec Contego on local stuff, for it's compact dimensions and ease of use, but my current portabag, which probably dates to 4-5 years ago, is darned good.
 
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#56,973
Bassdudeman said:
Are Sadowsky frets closer to 6150 or 6100??
I'm thinking 6150
Click to expand...

Standard for Sadowsky, per their website, is .090" x .048". So, out of those two, it's closer to 6150 (.100" x .044") than 6100 (.110" x .055"). I much prefer the smaller fretwire like the .080" x .043" found on my NYC Ultra Vintage. Heck, I wouldn't mind even smaller if/when it comes to a refret.
 
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#56,974
Joeykun said:
My Access 5 came in today. The Portabag definitely holds more stuff in the big pocket. But, the S5 is more plush inside and the neck pad position seems to hold the bass in place better. I do like the carry handle on the Portabag better than the S5 as well. The TSA lock is a nice feature. Subtle differences but same protection. So now I have the original Portabag, the newer Portabag and the Access Stage 5 protecting all my basses.
View attachment 4407010
View attachment 4407011
Click to expand...

The interiors of the Portabags that came with both my Sadowsky Masterbuilts are more plush like the picture of your Access bag.
 
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