So I was looking at this question several days ago. The Warwick site I saw just says dual-J. Seller sites on Reverb say they are humcancelling. Clarification would be welcome!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
So I was looking at this question several days ago. The Warwick site I saw just says dual-J. Seller sites on Reverb say they are humcancelling. Clarification would be welcome!
Will Lee model has always had singles. Unfortunately it seems that a lot of the dealers for the Warwick instruments have incomplete information. Not sure where that stems from but it appears to be a pattern.
iv'e been a single coil dude for many years, but have been wanting to try some modern HC jazz
pickups. i heard a Fender elite and thought the sound was good. it's interesting to me that Will Lee,
a dude that is in the studio a lot, specc'd single coils.
pickups. i heard a Fender elite and thought the sound was good. it's interesting to me that Will Lee,
a dude that is in the studio a lot, specc'd single coils.
I almost bought a Will Lee from Martin Music in Tennessee and it was advertised as having hum cancelling pickups. I asked the retailer to verify with Warwick and he confirmed via serial number with Warwick that the pickups were hum cancelling.
It is po
It is possible that Warwick have made a change then. I have one of the last of the Japan models and that is definitely single coil. I think it was Roger himself who confirmed it on this forum.
Anybody out there have a Sadowsky guitar? I really want to commission a purple Prince style Tele (one that doesn’t ejaculate of course lol). I think that would be a really awesome way to honor two legends at the same time. All to the specs Prince wanted in his Sadowsky Teles (not the Hohner copies).
What are your thoughts about which Sadowsky NYC spec to choose as a second Sadowsky 5 string?
I have one of the last Japanese Metro Express 5 strings(*Ash/maple) and it blows my mind. Exceptional bass. 8lbs. So nice!! I was contemplating the Walnut Sadowsky Ultra Vintage with Black FB blocks on the "In stock" page but it is 9lbs, 20 frets & larger body. I want to stick with the smaller Sadowsky streamlined body and lighter weight. The search continues. I could order what I want but I am not inclined to wait a year to 18 months.
My wish is for a Sadowsky 5 string bass that I love just as much as my Japanese ME5, but a NYC 5. I don't think the "modern" is the sound for me. I never owned PJ but I'm not sure if that's what I want without playing one. It is however intriguing. While I don't want replicate what I have, I don't want to lose the magic I enjoy. (Slap tone to die) Maybe I'm painting myself into a corner to get a sexy looking Ash/maple NYC bass? A great slap tone is part of my checklist. So whatever I get has to deliver that. I don't live there but when I want that killer slap tone, the bass needs to deliver.
I never liked the look of the lighter fingerboards (Morado etc). What about an ebony fingerboard over Alder or Ash? I love the feel and the look of the darker Ebony aesthetic versus lighter morado boards.
I could just go for looks and opt for a gucci looking roasted Maple with mastergrade flame and get a visually stunning Ash/Maple NYC. I would certainly enjoy the boutique look, feel and prestige of having a NYC version. But it makes sense to have something at least a bit more different? (Yet close enough to what I love)
How's that for clear? LOL Thoughts are welcome.
Should I just go for a great NYC spec? Maybe try a 24 fret? Or go Alder/Ebony? Ash/Ebony? Or???
I have one of the last Japanese Metro Express 5 strings(*Ash/maple) and it blows my mind. Exceptional bass. 8lbs. So nice!! I was contemplating the Walnut Sadowsky Ultra Vintage with Black FB blocks on the "In stock" page but it is 9lbs, 20 frets & larger body. I want to stick with the smaller Sadowsky streamlined body and lighter weight. The search continues. I could order what I want but I am not inclined to wait a year to 18 months.
My wish is for a Sadowsky 5 string bass that I love just as much as my Japanese ME5, but a NYC 5. I don't think the "modern" is the sound for me. I never owned PJ but I'm not sure if that's what I want without playing one. It is however intriguing. While I don't want replicate what I have, I don't want to lose the magic I enjoy. (Slap tone to die) Maybe I'm painting myself into a corner to get a sexy looking Ash/maple NYC bass? A great slap tone is part of my checklist. So whatever I get has to deliver that. I don't live there but when I want that killer slap tone, the bass needs to deliver.
I never liked the look of the lighter fingerboards (Morado etc). What about an ebony fingerboard over Alder or Ash? I love the feel and the look of the darker Ebony aesthetic versus lighter morado boards.
I could just go for looks and opt for a gucci looking roasted Maple with mastergrade flame and get a visually stunning Ash/Maple NYC. I would certainly enjoy the boutique look, feel and prestige of having a NYC version. But it makes sense to have something at least a bit more different? (Yet close enough to what I love)
How's that for clear? LOL Thoughts are welcome.
Should I just go for a great NYC spec? Maybe try a 24 fret? Or go Alder/Ebony? Ash/Ebony? Or???
Before dropping serious cash on a bass I highly suggest to make up your mind. If you do not know what you want, you can not make a meaningful decision. And we people here can only echo our own preferences.
As you are situated in the US, maybe a short holiday visit to NYC is in order to visit the man himself in his workshop? Maybe you find there that a PJ would be just right for you. Maybe a Modern, maybe a single-cut with super J and super P pickups?
If you love the bass you have now, you’ve crested a mountain many players spend years and thousands of dollars trying to do. Use it as your template for another bass to accompany or back up your #1.
If can hack the wait for your own NYC, ask Roger if he can essentially duplicate the bass you’re happy with now, with a few added tweaks. Mention any concerns and desires you have, along with any of the additions or deletions you’re interested in. He was of course deeply involved with the Japanese Metro and Metro Express lines and knows exactly what went into them. He’ll at least seriously entertain your requests, and would likely be able to work with you if the end product falls within the sphere of what he typically builds.
I’ve bought every Sadowsky I own sight- unseen and they are all at the “pry them from my cold dead hands” level. That approach might not work for everyone. What might look like risky purchases to someone else weren’t that way to me - any Sadowsky that I didn’t like that much was merely spectacular, just I’d second a visit to the shop if at all economically and geographically feasible. A bunch of words in the air, from myself or any other well-meaning longtime Sadowsky player like myself, aren’t as reliable as an in-hand real time audition.
If can hack the wait for your own NYC, ask Roger if he can essentially duplicate the bass you’re happy with now, with a few added tweaks. Mention any concerns and desires you have, along with any of the additions or deletions you’re interested in. He was of course deeply involved with the Japanese Metro and Metro Express lines and knows exactly what went into them. He’ll at least seriously entertain your requests, and would likely be able to work with you if the end product falls within the sphere of what he typically builds.
I’ve bought every Sadowsky I own sight- unseen and they are all at the “pry them from my cold dead hands” level. That approach might not work for everyone. What might look like risky purchases to someone else weren’t that way to me - any Sadowsky that I didn’t like that much was merely spectacular, just I’d second a visit to the shop if at all economically and geographically feasible. A bunch of words in the air, from myself or any other well-meaning longtime Sadowsky player like myself, aren’t as reliable as an in-hand real time audition.
Last edited:
Gary, THIS!!
sage advice. these are REALLY important decisions for a MAJOR expenditure. you can't ask other to tell you what to like. only you know that. and if you don't, then i think it's time to experiment more so you do. you've been playing long enough by now, with experience with a lot of high end basses. it's a little bit of a surprise to me that you don't have more self-awareness by now when it comes to specs. i don't say that to be a jerk, it just surprises me noting your experience level, and probably the thousands of times you've read the general tonal characteristics of woods for bodies and boards.
look inside, and think real hard. and if you still can't make up your mind, then maybe you're just so happy with what you already have, you don't need something else (hard to pick what to eat if you're not actually hungry). if that's the case, you're already winning, save your money.
think about it, and good luck bro!
A new stock update just came out, maybe something will tickle your fancy?
If this one was a 5er, I'd be thinking of excuses to the CFO already
And custom ordering from just about anyone these days is going to require a LONG wait... but if you get what you want... don't be hesitant to reach out to Roger either- he was VERY gracious with his time talking to me on the phone and answering emails (those took a bit, but he always replied), and answered all my questions (and got me to upgrade a few things $$$
), but I'm sure when I get my bass, it'll be amazing. And he has a satisfaction guarantee as well.
Last edited:
Any idea what is going on with the back of this custom shop Sadowsky mm/j? Is that 'squiggle' the finish or the wood? Pic taken from thomann website.
You could order an NYC Modern with standard JJ or PJ pickups. That way you could have extra frets along with a more traditional sound.
That said, you mentioned slap playing... I'm not much of a slapper, but some aren't as comfortable with the feel and tone when slapping a 24-fret bass. Just one more thing you'll have to consider... sorry.
Wow, super-cool! I never knew Prince and Wendy played Sadowsky Teles! Thanks for the nugget.
FINALLY: good clear pictures of the Teles Roger Sadowsky made for Prince.
FINALLY: good clear pictures of the Teles Roger Sadowsky made for Prince.
+1 on the Will Lee Jazz-style pickups being single-coils... although my NYC Will Lee came with soaps.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Stradi custom build commission thread - The Inception of Nightwing- Latest: Gopherbassist
-
