Club Sadowsky!!!

[Marcus Holbrook]

 

[mmbass21]

Ok guys I recently got the 2021 master built LE I posted a picture. When I crank my treble or bass I get a decent hum. Not that I want to play it with quite that setup but after paying that much for it- I’m a little surprised I can’t crank them just however I want without any noise. I’ve had it on 2 different rigs with the same results. Please let me know if I’m missing something - new Sadowsky owner - never had this issue with Pedulla

Personally all I add is a little treble and bass boost then use the VTC to brighten or darken my tone. The treble boost and bass boost on a Sadowsky is extremely powerful and I don't use them the same as any other bass. There could be an issue with yours but my NYC Satin gets some noise if the treble is really cranked but I've never had the need to leave it that way. I let the VTC do the work on mine.

 

[Holdsg]

Maybe you have single coils in that bass?

 

[Marcus Holbrook]

Yea I need to play with the vtc more and get some different strings on it as well. Thanks guys I just didn’t know if anyone else has this issue

 

[Tim1]

Maybe you have single coils in that bass?

My Japan Will Lee metroline with single coils has zero noise issues even with a decent boost. I would be returning the bass to be checked, assuming the issue is not elsewhere in the signal line such as cable. Certainly you should not expect such issues although as said the boosts are powerful. As an aside don't overlook the passive option which is quite magical imo.

 

[Marcus Holbrook]

The noise isn’t bad and it usually doesn’t hit till my treble is boosted I’d say between half and 3/4 but I can hear it (no one else probably can) it’s not bad but I can hear it lol- as said just a little bugsome I suppose. I’ll keep playing with it and see what I can come up with but maybe I should send it back to have it checked or at least call Sadowsky. From what I’ve seen on here customer service with them is top notch

 

[Fuzzbass]

Been awhile since I've done a DoubleDowsky gig.

 

[JLY]

Personally all I add is a little treble and bass boost then use the VTC to brighten or darken my tone. The treble boost and bass boost on a Sadowsky is extremely powerful and I don't use them the same as any other bass. There could be an issue with yours but my NYC Satin gets some noise if the teble is really cranked but I've never had the need to leave it that way. I let the VTC do the work on mine.

I agree. With my first Sadowsky. I used the pre-amp like a normal preamp and did not care for the sound. Now I only boost just a little and let the VTC do the rest

 

[SteveC]

Slight bass boost and then VTC.

 

[scubaduba]

Now I only boost just a little and let the VTC do the rest

+1. This is the way.

 

[Tim1]

+1. This is the way.

Or go passive

 

[Joeykun]

Verdine White killing it on American Idol Finale show with his signature VW Sadowsky!

 

[BluesyCat]

Verdine White killing it on American Idol Finale show with his VW Sadowsky!
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I was totally watching him!

 

[SteveC]

Sio a question for you all. I have a Metro Express (Japanese) 5JJ, VTC, etc. I have it strung with D'Addario nickel rounds. My settings are full volume, 50/50 blend, bass boost about 1/5 of a turn, treble flat and VTC reduced about 1/2 or so. It still seems really bright. Any thoughts? I don't think I want to do flats as I have my P bass strung with TI's. It seems counter intuitive but I have thought about stainless steel strings? More fundamental to balance out the highs? Let me know what you all think/do. Or maybe we like the brightness?

 

[Vic]

Sio a question for you all. I have a Metro Express (Japanese) 5JJ, VTC, etc. I have it strung with D'Addario nickel rounds. My settings are full volume, 50/50 blend, bass boost about 1/5 of a turn, treble flat and VTC reduced about 1/2 or so. It still seems really bright. Any thoughts? I don't think I want to do flats as I have my P bass strung with TI's. It seems counter intuitive but I have thought about stainless steel strings? More fundamental to balance out the highs? Let me know what you all think/do. Or maybe we like the brightness?

only two options i can think of is to back off the VTC even more, though I know that affects mids, which you could eq with a pedal/amp/di as (if?) needed. otherwise, it'd be just a matter of seeing if someone knows of a roundwound that's mellower than yours. i'm not aware, but that does not mean it doesn't exist.

for me personally, i pretty much just run everything flat. very rarely touch the VTC or the eq, tho i do like a fairly bright (tho not brittle) high end.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I'd probably look at panning a bit toward the neck pickup. The slightly "scooped" sound of the 50/50 blend can make the tone seem brighter. Also, don't hesitate to turn that VTC wherever you need to get the sound you are looking for at that particular moment--even all the way down, if needed.

My experience with the Da'Addarios is that they aren't exceptionally bright as far as round wound nickels go, so I don't know that you'd get closer to what you're looking for using different strings without going to a completely different string type (pressurewounds?)...

Sio a question for you all. I have a Metro Express (Japanese) 5JJ, VTC, etc. I have it strung with D'Addario nickel rounds. My settings are full volume, 50/50 blend, bass boost about 1/5 of a turn, treble flat and VTC reduced about 1/2 or so. It still seems really bright. Any thoughts? I don't think I want to do flats as I have my P bass strung with TI's. It seems counter intuitive but I have thought about stainless steel strings? More fundamental to balance out the highs? Let me know what you all think/do. Or maybe we like the brightness?

 

[soflbass]

Sio a question for you all. I have a Metro Express (Japanese) 5JJ, VTC, etc. I have it strung with D'Addario nickel rounds. My settings are full volume, 50/50 blend, bass boost about 1/5 of a turn, treble flat and VTC reduced about 1/2 or so. It still seems really bright. Any thoughts? I don't think I want to do flats as I have my P bass strung with TI's. It seems counter intuitive but I have thought about stainless steel strings? More fundamental to balance out the highs? Let me know what you all think/do. Or maybe we like the brightness?

I have DR Lo Rider SS 45-105 on mine, and it's bright. These are similar to the stock Sadowsky blue label strings. But you have a point there. I notice that with the VTC rolled off, the sound seems to balance out a bit. Often this things are very subjective.

Possibly GHS balanced nickel strings? On another overly bright bass, I use those in medium thickness set, to tame it and it works pretty well. YMMV

 

[Vic]

I have DR Lo Rider SS 45-105 on mine, and it's bright. These are similar to the stock Sadowsky blue label strings.

FWIW, i agree with this, and to me, that's a good thing.

 

[davidak]

Sio a question for you all. I have a Metro Express (Japanese) 5JJ, VTC, etc. I have it strung with D'Addario nickel rounds. My settings are full volume, 50/50 blend, bass boost about 1/5 of a turn, treble flat and VTC reduced about 1/2 or so. It still seems really bright. Any thoughts? I don't think I want to do flats as I have my P bass strung with TI's. It seems counter intuitive but I have thought about stainless steel strings? More fundamental to balance out the highs? Let me know what you all think/do. Or maybe we like the brightness?

In my experience, pickup height is also something to consider, you should experiment in this area, too - at least to hear the affect.

I play Sado Blue Nickels on my Sadowskys and once they settle, they are not harsh at all - but don't expect flats mellow tone neither.

Anyway, Sadowsky flats are great choice, too.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Been awhile since I've done a DoubleDowsky gig.

View attachment 4697347

That Sadowsky “Stingray” is awesome. It really reminds me of a nice American Music Man SUB I used to have.