Club Sadowsky!!!

[GRoberts]

Not an NYC, but I have a Metro Japan Ultra Vintage 5, 70s pickup location, and it’s a completely different voice, tone and vibe to my MS4. The body is standard size, and yes the end of the neck and fingerboard is rounded like a traditional Fender.

Thanks Mark. Looks amazing but maybe I should hold out for a 21-fret. I have a Japanese MetroExpress 5 that is exceptional. Was really wanting a more exotic looking NYC Sadowsky 5 string as a sort of retirement gift to myself. Not quite there but close. Once retired I hope to gig even more often than I am now.

 

[Dave Hill]

The standard-21 incorporates more of Roger’s “improvements” to the classic (Fender) designs. Personally… if I want a Sadowsky, that’s what I’m getting. Even more personally… I’d get a PJ.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I need to save this and use it as a reply every time someone says Roger Sadowsky installed a Sadowsky preamp in Marcus Miller’s Fender Jazz.

 

[rmayer]

I need to save this and use it as a reply every time someone says Roger Sadowsky installed a Sadowsky preamp in Marcus Miller’s Fender Jazz.

I guess the theory that the heavier a bass is (especially those old Fenders) doesn’t mean it will sound better. Ha. All my Sadowskys are in the 7 1/2 pound range and sound fabulous.

 

[Vic]

I guess the theory that the heavier a bass is (especially those old Fenders) doesn’t mean it will sound better. Ha. All my Sadowskys are in the 7 1/2 pound range and sound fabulous.

remember, "better" is subjective in this case.

 

[HeavyJazz]

I need to save this and use it as a reply every time someone says Roger Sadowsky installed a Sadowsky preamp in Marcus Miller’s Fender Jazz.

The final point made there is a critical one. And one the "It's the same as a NYC model, just with fewer options" need to hear.

 

[KaseOfBass]

How is the NYC Sadowsky 20-fret 'Vintage' 5-string model different from a non-vintage Sadowsky other than 20 frets versus "more frets?" It also looks like the end of the fingerboard is rounded instead of flat.'

Do the Vintage models have a different shaped larger / standard sized body? Do you guys think the voice and tone is any different from a standard NYC? I am considering 8969!

View attachment 4791615

Vintage has the pick guard and control plate but the same undersized body. Ultra vintage has the full size body.

That’s a nice bass! Looks to me like an Ultra Vintage(?)

NYC Ultra Vintage typically also has smaller fret wire according to the website (and I know mine does, too).

 

[scubaduba]

I’m having a hard time removing a chorus type warble on my A, E and B strings on a Sadowsky with super P and super J pickups. I emailed Roger and he said to lower the pickups which I’ve done to the point of lowering them so the plastic tops are nearly flush b with the body. Yes, that low. They can’t go any lower. Still a chorus effect further up the neck. I’m using Sadowsky Blue Label strings.

Any ideas? Maybe a bum set of strings? The G and D strings are fine but A, E and B all warble after the 10th fret or so.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

Strings

 

[mmbass21]

I’m having a hard time removing a chorus type warble on my A, E and B strings on a Sadowsky with super P and super J pickups. I emailed Roger and he said to lower the pickups which I’ve done to the point of lowering them so the plastic tops are nearly flush b with the body. Yes, that low. They can’t go any lower. Still a chorus effect further up the neck. I’m using Sadowsky Blue Label strings.

Any ideas? Maybe a bum set of strings? The G and D strings are fine but A, E and B all warble after the 10th fret or so.

Take off the strings and reseat them in the bridge. They could've twisted slightly when you installed them. Hopefully that helps it.

 

[scubaduba]

Take off the strings and reseat them in the bridge. They could've twisted slightly when you installed them. Hopefully that helps it.

Thanks. Good suggestion and I did try that to no avail. I think I'm going to put some DR High Beams on and see if I can narrow down to a bum set of Blue Label strings.

 

[mmbass21]

Thanks. Good suggestion and I did try that to no avail. I think I'm going to put some DR High Beams on and see if I can narrow down to a bum set of Blue Label strings.

Bummer, that's my go to fix. Definitely try a different set of strings. I had this happen before, nothing worked until I changed the strings.

 

[nickpc]

After church a few weeks ago a former bassist from our Praise band rotation was in town and took a look at my German Metroline PJ 5-21, which I had bought from the Sadowsky website (so it went through the NYC shop). He went on to compliment how well it felt and played, and then he asked me who did the setup. I got a big smile on my face and said "Roger. Sadowsky."

Sadowsky Basses - making you smile even when someone else is playing them!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I’m having a hard time removing a chorus type warble on my A, E and B strings on a Sadowsky with super P and super J pickups. I emailed Roger and he said to lower the pickups which I’ve done to the point of lowering them so the plastic tops are nearly flush b with the body. Yes, that low. They can’t go any lower. Still a chorus effect further up the neck. I’m using Sadowsky Blue Label strings.

Any ideas? Maybe a bum set of strings? The G and D strings are fine but A, E and B all warble after the 10th fret or so.

That’s a bummer. My MTD Super 5 did that on the B string past the 12 fret. I lowered the pickups and raised the B string and got rid of most it although it still does just a bit a few spots high up on the B string.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I bet a MetroExpress version of the Modern would sell well. The pickups are humbuckers do there would be no hum issues. I would certainly buy one to keep my fretless company.

 

[roller]

Thanks for posting, Doc.

Yes, fretboard wood makes a waaaaay bigger difference in tone than body wood. Funny how everyone still agonizes between alder and ash.

I need to save this and use it as a reply every time someone says Roger Sadowsky installed a Sadowsky preamp in Marcus Miller’s Fender Jazz.

 

[57pbass]

Just curious.. Has Roger ever used a brass nut on any of his basses ?

 

[pepj]

Just curious.. Has Roger ever used a brass nut on any of his basses ?

Do not know but I'd offer with the sound of the Moderns, it wouldnt be needed.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Just curious.. Has Roger ever used a brass nut on any of his basses ?

Not that I'm aware of. I've never been a fan, because IME it makes open notes sound/sustain more different than fretted notes. That might be my imagination, but the bottom line is that a nut only affects the open strings.

 

[scubaduba]

I personally really like brass nuts and would love to see it offered. My warwicks have brass nuts and to my ear it makes open strings sound much like a fret note. My last Warwick had a plastic nut and I swapped it to a brass nut right away and liked the result.