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Club Sadowsky!!!

#59,681
One of the latches of the plastic control cover on my German made Sadowsky snapped with the slightest bit of force. I’ve had the happen to a Warwick years ago that I had. A little bit annoying! I really think it’s the biggest downside of the bass.

A good thing about it though is that Warwick responded and sent a free replacement in a matter of days. And I’ve always had great customer service from Warwick.

It had me thinking though. Has anyone replaced their plastic latch on cover to the more traditional screw on covers? I’m considering modifying mine.
 
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#59,686
Mark Ambler said:
Thanks, but that doesn't answer my question. If the MM pickup is split in single coil mode, which side is used?
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The one closest to the bridge is used. I have this same bass, 5-string. But I wouldn't say it is 70's. Distance from mid of the pole piece to the edge of the bridge is about 5.75 cm, same as bridge pu on my Will Lee or on my Japanese Metro express. And they are supposed to be in 60's position.
 
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#59,687
Loepie said:
The one closest to the bridge is used. I have this same bass, 5-string. But I wouldn't say it is 70's. Distance from mid of the pole piece to the edge of the bridge is about 5.75 cm, same as bridge pu on my Will Lee or on my Japanese Metro express. And they are supposed to be in 60's position.
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Thanks, I prefer the 60's bridge pickup position, so that's good. I think I read the string spacing is 18mm rather than the usual 19mm?
 
#59,688
Mark Ambler said:
Thanks, I prefer the 60's bridge pickup position, so that's good. I think I read the string spacing is 18mm rather than the usual 19mm?
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That's correct re: string spacing - it's 18mm on the MJ basses. Slimmer nut, too - I've seen both 1.77" and 1.75" specs posted and different neck taper due to the narrower string spacing. I might be in trouble when the limited editions starting hitting in stock status :D

Edit for clarification - post is re: 5-strings, I’m not sure about the 4-string MJ specs.
 
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#59,691
I received my new Sadowsky MetroLine Will Lee RW4 an hour ago. Very very sweet. Chambering, invisible frets, and Adjust-A-Nut I expected but to my surprise it also has a truss rod wheel I didn’t know about.

It’s going to take me some time to dial it in, but damn it is nice. And light at 8.2lbs.

The ONLY thing I don’t like are the rattling strap locks. What’s up with that? I’m taking them off and replacing them with standard posts and rubber washers. Works for me.
 
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#59,693
Regarding chambered basses, and that lighter basses tend to sound better (according to Roger Sadowsky), I'm curious as to the differences in sound of a 8lb solid bass and a Chambered 8lb bass. The 8lb chambered bass would've been made of heavier wood (obviously), so would the solid lighter wood bass be preferable or does chambering add something other than making the bass lighter, improved resonance, for example?
Not something that would be an issue for me, either way, just curiosity.

Also, comparing the new 24 fret Vintage to the Modern, is the body shape the same, just the styling, pickups, etc, different? TIA
 
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#59,694
Mark Ambler said:
Regarding chambered basses, and that lighter basses tend to sound better (according to Roger Sadowsky), I'm curious as to the differences in sound of a 8lb solid bass and a Chambered 8lb bass. The 8lb chambered bass would've been made of heavier wood (obviously), so would the solid lighter wood bass be preferable or does chambering add something other than making the bass lighter, improved resonance, for example?
Not something that would be an issue for me, either way, just curiosity...
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IMHO, you get a little more control/compression with a solid body, which is my preference. with the chambers, there's more of an acoustic interaction which results in a bit more, say, bloom, or whatever you want to call it. they're BOTH excellent. I own one chambered model and totally love its sound, I just have a slight preference for solid, which is what my other four are.

I should also say it's not like a massive difference.
 
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#59,697
FWIW, I haven't experienced "lighter is better" (for tone): I've owned and played featherweights that were meh, and heavyweights that sounded amazing.

As for chambering: the first Sadowskys I played were solid and convinced me to get one myself, but all 3 of mine are chambered and I love 'em all.
 
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#59,698
Curious as to whether consensus emerges on the solid/hollow question, as I've been on the cusp of commissioning an NYC build, and waffling on solid/chambered, as well as between the SuperP/SuperJ configuration, and standard Will Lee single coils. I've had several Sadowsky basses over the years, and of them all, my favorite is an alder/morado Japanese WL5 that is a total monster in rock idioms. I think Vic nails it with his control/compression riff, and I'm leaning that way.
 
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#59,700
Joebone said:
Curious as to whether consensus emerges on the solid/hollow question, as I've been on the cusp of commissioning an NYC build, and waffling on solid/chambered, as well as between the SuperP/SuperJ configuration, and standard Will Lee single coils. I've had several Sadowsky basses over the years, and of them all, my favorite is an alder/morado Japanese WL5 that is a total monster in rock idioms. I think Vic nails it with his control/compression riff, and I'm leaning that way.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of sceptical but I think high end builders legislate by using high quality lighter wood. This is expensive and no short cut there, imv.
Chambering is another method but offset by actives.

If there was no tangible evidence, then no creditable builder would claim it.

I would expect a lot of R&D on chambered against lighter wood samples.

Of course, you could also undersize the body too.

On another note, re sound, I far prefer Alder over Ash, but like the aesthetics of Ash more.
Put a high grade facing on and you are good..
or opt for solid colours.
 

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