Thanks, interesting interview... but I think it's not up to date despite the date (?). You know, the Japanese Metroline mentioned f.e.
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Thanks, interesting interview... but I think it's not up to date despite the date (?). You know, the Japanese Metroline mentioned f.e.
1kinal
Supporting Member
- Jan 18, 2006
- 1,068
- 445
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: SIT strings
After searching for more than a year for the perfect HPJ, I finally took a chance on one that’s been on reverb in Madrid (Spain) for about three years. About 16 hours later (and $600 of custom fees!) it was on my doorstep!
I received it in pretty bad condition as it needed a string change, full setup, deep cleaning including tarnished hardware and fret cleaning and polishing. After all that work (which I LOVE to do, call me crazy), it was instant Sadowsky perfect tone and playability! Those Japan HPJ are really incredible instrument.
That said, it is a fact that the J pickup on a PJ bass is always weaker that the P pickup. While I love the tone it gives, I generally alternate only between 100% P pickup or 80% P, 20% J. Basically, the J pickup is thin and nasal sounding compared to the richness of the P.
It’s making me wonder if I should replace the J pickup with a soapbar style like the Nordstrand’s Big Split (which Nordstrand recommends) or Big Rig (which L. Ellis Hahn use on her LEH basses). Anybody have compared both PJ and P+soap?
I received it in pretty bad condition as it needed a string change, full setup, deep cleaning including tarnished hardware and fret cleaning and polishing. After all that work (which I LOVE to do, call me crazy), it was instant Sadowsky perfect tone and playability! Those Japan HPJ are really incredible instrument.
That said, it is a fact that the J pickup on a PJ bass is always weaker that the P pickup. While I love the tone it gives, I generally alternate only between 100% P pickup or 80% P, 20% J. Basically, the J pickup is thin and nasal sounding compared to the richness of the P.
It’s making me wonder if I should replace the J pickup with a soapbar style like the Nordstrand’s Big Split (which Nordstrand recommends) or Big Rig (which L. Ellis Hahn use on her LEH basses). Anybody have compared both PJ and P+soap?
not on a Sadowsky.
But I once owned one of the Fender P/J Anniversary editions that had a hum bucker soapbar in the J position. That was a fun bass, because the J could keep up with the P. I really like the P plus J soapbar. YMMV as always.
But I once owned one of the Fender P/J Anniversary editions that had a hum bucker soapbar in the J position. That was a fun bass, because the J could keep up with the P. I really like the P plus J soapbar. YMMV as always.
I installed a Nordstrand Big Split to convert a Fender P5 to a PJ5 and, comparing to other PJ5s I've had, simply being a larger pickup did not make a dramatic impact. It still sounded like a PJ to me though the Big Split kept up with the P slightly better than a typical J pickup. With that, I think some of the magic to the sound of a PJ is that the P does overpower the J with the J just there to tighten up the sound a tad. Results in a quasi J tone, but richer and thicker because of the P.
I’ve got a EBMM Caprice and it has a large-pole humbucker in the J spot and is designed to have a better balance between P & J than a traditional PJ. With both volumes 100%, there is a difference that I would call “better” than a traditional PJ, it plays more like a “fuller” Jazz bass, with the P pickup still in the forefront but “softened” by the humbucker. The humbucker solo is also a “better” tone to me than a bridge J pickup on a traditional PJ and has the benefit of no 60Hz hum.
But, to my ear, anytime the volume of P or J is reduced more than about 5-10% (where you hear that “wah” as you turn the dial) I lose the sound of the quieter pickup and it pretty much sounds like a solo P or a solo bridge pickup from that point on. Id say the same for any PJ I’ve tried. The bolder, more balanced humbucker at the bridge does not overcome this to my ear.
My ears do not allow me to hear any benefit of one pickup at full and one at 50%. Maybe if I was playing at gig volumes I’d feel differently, but at “home” volumes, no.
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Congrats! I was tempted many times by that one but didn’t want to be greedy. Already have 2 Metro HPJs and a TYO Verdine. (Plus the 3 JJs.)
Glad it found a loving home.To my mind, the J pickup on a PJ is just flavoring. The main course is the P. I blend 50/50 for convenience and consistency. Cuts *and* thumps. I wouldn’t change a thing. JMHO, YMMV.
It's your choice, your ears, and your preference, but FWIW, I would not do his.
Even beyond the issues of having to re-route the body, to me, there's a specific magic that happens with the traditional PJ combo. If I felt the J in the PJ was weak, AND, I was pretty sure it was not simply a pickup with problems, I'd just replace it with a hotter J pickup. That would still change the the overall PJ character, but not enough to be concerned about. On the other hand, if it's just a pickup with problems, just replace the pickup.
IMHO/YMMV
IIRC, Ellis is a fan of the P/Soap.
Either way, I think I’d dial it to all P.
Either way, I think I’d dial it to all P.
I had also level issues at my Modern 5-24 soapbars, despite using them 50-50% occasionally. Sometimes full 100% neck PU, and very rarely the 100% bridge, just for effect things. Because the bridge PU was to thin, so I lifted upper it closer to the strings, and the neck PU lowered into the body to compensate the difference.
And one more trick was boosting the bass/treble. for bridge PU.
And one more trick was boosting the bass/treble. for bridge PU.
I have a 2007 Metro that needs new pots(they are super scratchy ... already had it worked on.) It's a 3 knob control plate layout = Vol -Push/Pull Active Passive w/VTC - Bass/Treble. I know the Active/Passive/VTC/Push Pull needs replacing and probably the Vol. Not sure where to find a good replacement or what kind to buy. Any ideas? Thanks, Cojo
Was that from the German site? I just got one from Framus/Warwick and it was only $234.89 shipped. It's very close to the old Portabags in comparison.
Is there a chart or thread somewhere that identifies the different Sadowsky strings by silk color? I currently use the black label nickels which have black silk. My Will Lee came with purple silk. Curious what that string was. Thanks.
Blue labels most likely, unless they were Ken Smith strings…he makes some with purple silks.
Hi 1kinal - here's an improvised clip of my Sadowsky P-Soap 5-string played as 50/50, Soap, P, then 60/40 favoring the P. I did this about a year ago and it's very informal so please forgive the sloppy playing!
1kinal
Supporting Member
- Jan 18, 2006
- 1,068
- 445
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: SIT strings
Thanks for this clip! Very interesting.
The soap does sound a little bigger than a solo J bridge pickup. Still, I think we both use the bridge pickup as flavoring to add definition to the already great P sound.
Again, I would not use the bridge pickup by itself. In fact I think most bridge pickups are placed too close to the bridge to be solo’d, at least for the sound I’m after.
MM+P is another interesting combo I’d like to try on a Sadowsky.
Interesting you had to buy from Spain... But anyway, there is one similar HPJ for sale in Germany,very nice condition:
Sadowsky Metro Line Hybrid PJ RV4 HPJ NT Bass
Question: Did Sadowsky change the silk colors on the Blue Label strings? I just replaced my old SS light gauge set with a new set (that I’ve had for a few months but never installed)…the silk is more of a royal blue, whereas the old strings they replaced had navy blue silks. They seem to be the same strings, but just curious since the color is a little bit different.
I noticed that as well. I think they sound slightly different from the older royal blue ones but I still prefer them over other strings.
