• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Club Sadowsky!!!

@Sadowsky... I just installed 5 string single coils into my 2009 Metro Japan.
These single coils were taken out of a Metro Express (Chinese).

The Metro Express replaced Sadowsky singles made by Nordstrand.
The Metro Express singles sound great and just as quiet, even in front of my Mac DAW!
IMHO they sound more open and J bass like.
The Norstrands sounded darker to me, but were extremely quiet.

My question is who makes these pickups?
I know you have spec'ed your PUs thru Dimarzzio, Seymour Duncan and Nordstrand in the past.
Thanks in advance.
 
Hoping to get a JJ 5-21 ME (Japanese made) soon. Hum canceling. Suggestions? I usually go DR Hi Beans for SS strings.
Single coils, I prefer Black SS, they have a little less zing (vs Blue SS)…

HC’s, I like the Blue SS’s…I have a new set of Blue SS’s that I immediately took off my recently purchased WL5 (replaced with Black SS’s)…I’ll send them up to you at no cost, so you can try them…and, welcome back to the Sadowsky family! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred312b and SteveC
Single coils, I prefer Black SS, they have a little less zing (vs Blue SS)…

HC’s, I like the Blue SS’s…I have a new set of Blue SS’s that I immediately took off my recently purchased WL5 (replaced with Black SS’s)…I’ll send them up to you at no cost, so you can try them…and, welcome back to the Sadowsky family! :)
That’s awesome. Still waiting to take care of details but hopefully I’ll hear back tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk
So, SS or nickel rounds for my (hopefully) soon to be new to me MEJ5?

I don't like steels. Too zingy for my taste and too rough on the fingers (eventhough the Sadowsky steels aren't as rough as other steel strings). I got blue label nickels on both my MetroLine Modern 5er and my new MetroLine Will lee 5er.
They got enough highs for the occasional slappy part and are roundabout nice for fingerstyle and plek use.
 
?? I am trolling the group trying to make a decision on a new bass! Unfortunately I can't get my hands on a Sadowsky to try them out so I am flying blind! I am leaning towards the MetroLine Will Lee 5? I currently have a 77 Fender Jazz 4...Modulus Quantum 5...and just sold a Lakland DJ5 only because it weighed 12.8lbs. Played great though!
Would I dig the Sadowsky Will Lee?
I have read every thing I can about the Sadowsky brand and just need a push for or against?
Thanks for your thoughts!!
 
?? I am trolling the group trying to make a decision on a new bass! Unfortunately I can't get my hands on a Sadowsky to try them out so I am flying blind! I am leaning towards the MetroLine Will Lee 5? I currently have a 77 Fender Jazz 4...Modulus Quantum 5...and just sold a Lakland DJ5 only because it weighed 12.8lbs. Played great though!
Would I dig the Sadowsky Will Lee?
I have read every thing I can about the Sadowsky brand and just need a push for or against?
Thanks for your thoughts!!

Theres a Metroline Will Lee 5 in the classifieds. Very pretty and I'm sure will provide a great example of Warwicks handywork of the Sadowsky design. Very nice basses, and worth a try.
 
?? I am trolling the group trying to make a decision on a new bass! Unfortunately I can't get my hands on a Sadowsky to try them out so I am flying blind! I am leaning towards the MetroLine Will Lee 5? I currently have a 77 Fender Jazz 4...Modulus Quantum 5...and just sold a Lakland DJ5 only because it weighed 12.8lbs. Played great though!
Would I dig the Sadowsky Will Lee?
I have read every thing I can about the Sadowsky brand and just need a push for or against?
Thanks for your thoughts!!

I have a NYC Will Lee 5 and a Lakland DJ5. I like them both, but they're definitely different flavors of jazz bass.

My DJ5 - original passive controls and single coils - sounds more old school and raw, while the Sadowsky, even without any additions from the preamp, sounds more modern and refined. With the single coils, the Sadowsky can still have plenty of that jazz growl to it, but there's an unmistakably different sound to it if you're used to a stock DJ5 or a passive Fender. That said, there is something special going on the Sadowsky preamp that adds a certain presence to the tone that the DJ5 doesn't have.

I wanted the Will Lee 5 for the ergonomics and not the special mid-boost preamp. While I've toyed around with the mid-boost, I've never consistently used it and doubt I ever will. But, I'm not one to turn knobs and find the most useful control on both basses to be the tone control, rarely adding any preamp boost to the Sadowsky. The DJ5 and Will Lee 5 feel pretty similar to my hands, despite the DJ5's 35" scale and slightly larger nut width (1.81" vs 1.75"). I do prefer the smaller frets of the DJ5 and, when it comes time for a refret, will definitely have smaller frets put on the Sadowsky.

I think if your ears are going to expect and want the old school jazz tone only, the Sadowsky might not be for you. However, if you're looking for a jazz bass with a little of a modern spin, the Sadowsky will be a great choice. They're fantastically built, great playing, and sound wonderful in a mix! :bassist:
 
I have a NYC Will Lee 5 and a Lakland DJ5. I like them both, but they're definitely different flavors of jazz bass.

My DJ5 - original passive controls and single coils - sounds more old school and raw, while the Sadowsky, even without any additions from the preamp, sounds more modern and refined. With the single coils, the Sadowsky can still have plenty of that jazz growl to it, but there's an unmistakably different sound to it if you're used to a stock DJ5 or a passive Fender. That said, there is something special going on the Sadowsky preamp that adds a certain presence to the tone that the DJ5 doesn't have.

I wanted the Will Lee 5 for the ergonomics and not the special mid-boost preamp. While I've toyed around with the mid-boost, I've never consistently used it and doubt I ever will. But, I'm not one to turn knobs and find the most useful control on both basses to be the tone control, rarely adding any preamp boost to the Sadowsky. The DJ5 and Will Lee 5 feel pretty similar to my hands, despite the DJ5's 35" scale and slightly larger nut width (1.81" vs 1.75"). I do prefer the smaller frets of the DJ5 and, when it comes time for a refret, will definitely have smaller frets put on the Sadowsky.

I think if your ears are going to expect and want the old school jazz tone only, the Sadowsky might not be for you. However, if you're looking for a jazz bass with a little of a modern spin, the Sadowsky will be a great choice. They're fantastically built, great playing, and sound wonderful in a mix! :bassist:


Thanks for the info! Forget to say that my DJ5 had Nordstrand Split Coil Hum Canceling pickups with J-Retro Preamp! Great setup but just too heavy for me to enjoy anymore! I do tend to lean to a more modern sound and like you I don't mess with my settings much!
 
  • Like
Reactions: KaseOfBass