Have you ever added another battery to a Sadowsky preamp? I have done it 4 times and there is definitely more output/volume/headroom, I know it from experience. I currently own 3 Sadowsky basses (had 5 at one point) and they all have different output
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.
Have you ever added another battery to a Sadowsky preamp? I have done it 4 times and there is definitely more output/volume/headroom, I know it from experience. I currently own 3 Sadowsky basses (had 5 at one point) and they all have different output
How much different? My Will Lee has much lower output than my PJ. Both are Japanese Metro with Sadowsky spec pickup height.
Just thought I would share this THE RALPHE ARMSTRONG of Mahivishnu Orchastra, Jean Luc Ponty, Aretha Franklin, Larry Corryell Fame has announced on Facebook he is joining the Sadowsky Family. He's been a Warwick endorser for years and just added a Metro Express to the arsenal. Here's a shot the night Ralphe introduced me to Larry Coryell.
Has anyone in the group reached out to the Sadowsky/Framus/Warwick USA team about a German Customshop build? Just curious of your experience, if so. FWIW, I'm going that route rather than the NYC shop because the bass I'm wanting built is part of the new MM/J line that's not built by the NYC shop.
I emailed over a month ago regarding a build, asking what the process was (I wasn't sure if I could go direct or had to utilize a dealer), was answered quickly, and told they could start the process for me. I replied that evening with my specs and was told I'd be contacted with a quote. Yesterday marked a month past my last contact so I reached out again. I was told they'd follow up with the German shop to see what was going on.
I'm a patient fella, but it's a bit off-putting to have to poke and prod on folks to just get a quote.
I emailed over a month ago regarding a build, asking what the process was (I wasn't sure if I could go direct or had to utilize a dealer), was answered quickly, and told they could start the process for me. I replied that evening with my specs and was told I'd be contacted with a quote. Yesterday marked a month past my last contact so I reached out again. I was told they'd follow up with the German shop to see what was going on.
I'm a patient fella, but it's a bit off-putting to have to poke and prod on folks to just get a quote.
This is particularly interesting to me as well; because the Warwick side of building includes 18mm neck profiles, which Roger has dismissed.
When I last snooped around, I was unable to find any communication linkage to evaluate that kind of interaction. So, wait and see for me. GL
I have a Japanese PJ, a Japanese Will Lee, a NYC with Soapbars and a German Metroline with HCs.
The PJ is the loudest, but is very closely followed by the Will Lee; the difference is marginal.
The NYC with Soaps is next and the German Metroline has the lowest output.
Does the Will Lee preamp not have various pot adjustments on the backplate, including output level?
no, there is no trim pot for output levels on his preamp like there is on many other preamps like bart and aggie.
I don't mean to dispute Joe's experience, but I have worked with 3 electronic designers over
the last 30 years and they all say the 18V increase in headroom only applies to op-amp circuits, not JFET circuits. I really don't see where anyone would need more output than the preamp currently has. Many people with mid-boost preamps forget that one of the trim pots attenuates the output, so make sure that is maxed out. I just cannot, from my experience, recommend adding a second battery.
Also, what is the point of setting your volume at 75% and then saying you need more output???
Roger
On the Will Lee/mid boost preamp there are two trim pots on the rear control plate. One sets the amount of mid boost, and the other adjusts the output of the bass when the mid boost is engaged. Lately, I have been setting them both to "10". If the output is too hot with the mid boost engaged, you can back it off a bit.
But the signal is only attenuated when the mid boost is engaged, correct?
EDIT: The GOAT literally answered my question in the post above mine before I even asked
But the signal is only attenuated when the mid boost is engaged, correct?
EDIT: The GOAT literally answered my question in the post above mine before I even asked
YES.
The Soapbars are hotter and can be set closer to the strings than J bass pickups.
These are the rear control plate settings for the Will Lee/Mid Boost preamp.
To summarize, different pickups and their placement all affect output. P pickups are louder than J. Soapbars are hotter, but modern locations attenuate some of that. Neck pickups are hotter than bridge locations. Distance from the strings has a significant effect on output. However, pole piece pickups need more distance from the strings as the magnets affect the string vibration (double tones, bad intonation) if too close to the strings. You can equalize outputs between your basses by adjusting pickup heights.
Because of greater string excursion in the neck location, correct?
Similarly: can't it be said that a pickup in bridge location will effectively be more "compressed" than one in neck position? Because less string excursion results in less dynamic range? It's always seemed that way to my ears.
