Circuit-wise, they are identical. But, the NYC preamp is MUCH easier to work with when changing pickups, due to the fact that it has a solderless terminal block. FWIW
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.
I completely forgot about the actual “TYO” models when originally responding, and yes, some (all?) did have that different preamp with treble boost and cut. Never played or even heard one, but now I get why it might sound different. I think your plan to keep your eyes peeled for one of the “normal” Sadowsky preamps is a good one.
Anybody here have any Sadowsky guitar stand protectors they are not using? The black fuzzy ones.
Check your cases under the bed.
It’s a shame they are discontinued.
would like another for a different stand.
Check your cases under the bed.
It’s a shame they are discontinued.
would like another for a different stand.
i think i do. pm me after next week, i'm leaving today for a ski trip
Yes, it’s an early one. The S/N is on the neck plate. Here are some pics, it was recently on the classifieds.
I get confused with this Tokyo label. So what is the difference between a Japan Tokyo and a Japan metroline? Is the Tokyo like masterbuilt or custom options and when was it discontinued?
An update about my Will Lee - Sold the preamp, sold the single coils and its place installed a regular sadowsky preamp and split coil Pickups.....the bass now sounds amazing to my ears, to what I like to hear from a Jazz bass.....and I get the Will Lee 22 frets, body shape and neck profile....I am happy
I think, though not absolutely sure, the TYO predates the metro line. I’ve read on here that those were NYC necks & bodies shipped to Japan to be finished. The preamps were different in so far as they had the treble boost cut. Most if not all came w a BadAss II, which mine has, as well as single coils.
I don’t think this bass has the phat bottom I get w my Modern but those are distinctly different pickups.
i don't know exactly what you've seen before, but i don't think that's possible. the preamp itself has to support boost/cut, you can't convert a boost only circuit to boost/cut by just changing the pots.
Last edited:
I acquired this gem in May 2020 and the bridge soapbar configuration has really been good, but the L. Ellis Hahn PJ5 pictured below and sold earlier this year caught my eye because adding a Big Rig neck pickup to my G&L Kiloton 5 brought the tone to a whole new level.
I didn't have the cash lying around to buy it, so I did the next best thing and ordered a bridge Big Rig from Nordstrand and had it installed in the bridge position of my PS5 (wired series):
The Big Rig has a bit higher output than the Sadowsky soapbar and provides a better volume match with the P pickup. It also adds more harmonics and edge and blends very well tone-wise with the P. I didn't think it was possible, but the mojo on this bass just took a step up. Thrilled with this minor mod! Might I suggest this be available as a standard configuration option?
I didn't have the cash lying around to buy it, so I did the next best thing and ordered a bridge Big Rig from Nordstrand and had it installed in the bridge position of my PS5 (wired series):
The Big Rig has a bit higher output than the Sadowsky soapbar and provides a better volume match with the P pickup. It also adds more harmonics and edge and blends very well tone-wise with the P. I didn't think it was possible, but the mojo on this bass just took a step up. Thrilled with this minor mod! Might I suggest this be available as a standard configuration option?
Last edited:
Played a fun gig last night. Got a couple good pics, so I thought I’d show off the “facelift” I gave to my lefty Inca silver satin NYC.
Went from satin Inca silver to high gloss silver sparkle and, for what I do, I couldn’t be happier.
Special shout-out to Pat Wilkins for his amazing work. I’d tag him, but not sure what his username is.
Edit: Pat also did the F#@% Cancer pink sparkle on my buddy EZ’s Les Paul.
Went from satin Inca silver to high gloss silver sparkle and, for what I do, I couldn’t be happier.
Special shout-out to Pat Wilkins for his amazing work. I’d tag him, but not sure what his username is.
Edit: Pat also did the F#@% Cancer pink sparkle on my buddy EZ’s Les Paul.
Last edited:
Looks awesome!
Does Pat actually do the sparkle finishes now? I had talked to him about one several years back and, at that time, he outsourced the flake part of the finish if it was the larger style flake finish. He still did the prep and final finish work, but had to have a boat painter do the actual flake.
Honestly, I’m not sure and I guess it doesn’t matter to me, as long as the work is good and the price is fair, both of which are true.
He is incredibly easy to work with and very, very nice … and it only took about 4 weeks, so, if the large flake was done by a third party vendor, it didn’t affect my experience at all. I’d still go back to him in a heartbeat.
Another of my favorites … the smile is at least 40% the bass.
Honestly, I’m not sure and I guess it doesn’t matter to me, as long as the work is good and the price is fair, both of which are true.
He is incredibly easy to work with and very, very nice … and it only took about 4 weeks, so, if the large flake was done by a third party vendor, it didn’t affect my experience at all. I’d still go back to him in a heartbeat.
Another of my favorites … the smile is at least 40% the bass.
View attachment 4893658
Reminds me of the one Roger did for the late Nashville bassist Anthony Joyner. His was a modern 5 with matching headstock.
Honestly, I’m not sure and I guess it doesn’t matter to me, as long as the work is good and the price is fair, both of which are true.
He is incredibly easy to work with and very, very nice … and it only took about 4 weeks, so, if the large flake was done by a third party vendor, it didn’t affect my experience at all. I’d still go back to him in a heartbeat.
Another of my favorites … the smile is at least 40% the bass.
View attachment 4893658
Was just a curiosity as, back then at least, it almost doubled the price because of the outsourcing. I opted to not do it then, but had been entertaining it again recently. So, I wasn’t implying anything, just wondering if he did it all now as I’d assume it’d cut the costs if he did. It was one of the first things he told me when I inquired then, so I figured it would have been discussed for your job if that’s still the case now.
What is the right material to use for these? My daughter wants to crochet me something for Christmas and I was thinking she could make a bunch of these protectors in colors to match my basses, but I want to make sure she gets the right kind of yarn.
The Sadowsky sleeves are made of a synthetic material of some kind. I don't know exactly what, but I would think that many fabrics would work. I believe the threat to nitro finishes came from old stands with the wrong kind of rubber or surgical tubing. You won't have a problem with modern stands, at least not from quality manufacturers (Hercules, etc).
