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Half naked Mango top 
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I prefer the wider, looser pattern of the non-exhibition quilt.
Just got my November 2006 24-5 back from my Luthier a few days ago.
What I had done:
I guess it's now a Sadowsky/Nordstrand Bass.
Nordstrand Big Split Pups
Nordstrand 3B-4B Pre Amp
The Controls are Vol/Tone stacked. Mid push pull freq. Bass/Treble Stacked. Blend. Toggle Preamp Bypass.
Also had much needed fret work done. This was and will be once again my main bass. I used this Bass for everything live from the day I got it in January 2007 to maybe 2015 which is why it needed fretwork. 8 years of constant touring, local gigs,TV work and sessions and about 8 years not playing it for need of the fret work.But I had many other Sadowsky's to use.
I even used this bass to "lip sync" play on the Luke Cage Netflix TV Series back in 2017 or 2018. I had a cable plugged in it which went nowhere LOL
Why I had it done:
I have four 24-5's and just wanted to make one different than the others besides just different pups.
It sounds great. I really like the Big Split Pups and the 3B Preamp. I may put Nordstrand Pups in my other Sadowsky's
This Bass is incredibly light which is one reasons it was my main Bass. I guessing maybe low 8lbs. It's a breeze to have it strapped on for 2 hour concerts.
My Mono Gig Bag that I take on the road feels heavier with no bass and just with cables and accessories than this Bass.
One thing I found interesting were the stacked pots Nordstrand uses. In that they are tall.
I was able to use the stacked knobs from my modded Bass and one of my other 24-5's.
My Sadowsky's are all early to mid 2000's. The bottom knob on the stacked treble bass on my Sadowsky's are taller than the knobs that can be had from Best Bass Gear or other places. The shorter bottom knobs that you can get from Best Bass Gear fit my stock Sadowsky's perfectly and what I'll call older Sadowsky stack knobs will fit Nordstrand stacked pots so there's no gap between knobs. I don't know if Sadowsky's newer than mine uses a short knob or a taller one like on my Basses.
Bottom Stacked Knobs:
Left from knob from Best Bass Gear. Right from a 2004 Sad 24-5. Both fit my Sadowsky's. The taller one works with Nordstrand pots so there's no gap between knobs.
Modded 2006 Sadowsky- 24-5 Norstrand Big Split Pups Norstrand 3B-4B Preamp
Luke Cage with bass pre mods
Random Gig Pics pre mods.
What I had done:
I guess it's now a Sadowsky/Nordstrand Bass.
Nordstrand Big Split Pups
Nordstrand 3B-4B Pre Amp
The Controls are Vol/Tone stacked. Mid push pull freq. Bass/Treble Stacked. Blend. Toggle Preamp Bypass.
Also had much needed fret work done. This was and will be once again my main bass. I used this Bass for everything live from the day I got it in January 2007 to maybe 2015 which is why it needed fretwork. 8 years of constant touring, local gigs,TV work and sessions and about 8 years not playing it for need of the fret work.But I had many other Sadowsky's to use.
I even used this bass to "lip sync" play on the Luke Cage Netflix TV Series back in 2017 or 2018. I had a cable plugged in it which went nowhere LOL
Why I had it done:
I have four 24-5's and just wanted to make one different than the others besides just different pups.
It sounds great. I really like the Big Split Pups and the 3B Preamp. I may put Nordstrand Pups in my other Sadowsky's
This Bass is incredibly light which is one reasons it was my main Bass. I guessing maybe low 8lbs. It's a breeze to have it strapped on for 2 hour concerts.
My Mono Gig Bag that I take on the road feels heavier with no bass and just with cables and accessories than this Bass.
One thing I found interesting were the stacked pots Nordstrand uses. In that they are tall.
I was able to use the stacked knobs from my modded Bass and one of my other 24-5's.
My Sadowsky's are all early to mid 2000's. The bottom knob on the stacked treble bass on my Sadowsky's are taller than the knobs that can be had from Best Bass Gear or other places. The shorter bottom knobs that you can get from Best Bass Gear fit my stock Sadowsky's perfectly and what I'll call older Sadowsky stack knobs will fit Nordstrand stacked pots so there's no gap between knobs. I don't know if Sadowsky's newer than mine uses a short knob or a taller one like on my Basses.
Bottom Stacked Knobs:
Left from knob from Best Bass Gear. Right from a 2004 Sad 24-5. Both fit my Sadowsky's. The taller one works with Nordstrand pots so there's no gap between knobs.
Modded 2006 Sadowsky- 24-5 Norstrand Big Split Pups Norstrand 3B-4B Preamp
Luke Cage with bass pre mods
Random Gig Pics pre mods.
Nice! There are some other interesting Nordstrand PU’s worth considering. In particular, the Zen Blades are pretty awesome.
I totally agree, although I have owned Sadowskys with exotic tops and modern look. To me, the ultimate Sadowsky is a Jazz style with figured top, and the color calls for Tort. I think the clear pickguards are the least attractive, but that’s just me, the guy who’s paying for the new bass.
Carey & Co offer so many options, one could spend a lot of time chasing tone there.
Those look like Norstrand Singles.
I've got a pair in a MIJ Metro.
Norstrand has rounded corners on the pickup cover...Seymour Duncan Singles, I believe, are more squared.
Just an update.
The 2 screws for the strap pin are different on my ML SC5. The screw near the neck (bottom) is slightly shorter and can fit through the dunlop strap pin. The screw near the bridge (middle) is slightly longer and has a larger/different head which do not fit through the dunlop strap pin. Not sure if the different screw was on purpose. The Dunlop screw (top) is definitely shorter.
the OP seemed to imply the Dunlop screws were longer than those they were replacing.
if shorter, the old "stuff with toothpicks and crazy glue" method might be helpful to ensure the shorter screw doesn't pull out.
if shorter, the old "stuff with toothpicks and crazy glue" method might be helpful to ensure the shorter screw doesn't pull out.
Yeah, if I had to choose between no guard or a clear guard, I'd choose no guard. I don't like the look of clear guards, especially when the bass also has the control plate.
I totally agree, although I have owned Sadowskys with exotic tops and modern look. To me, the ultimate Sadowsky is a Jazz style with figured top, and the color calls for Tort. I think the clear pickguards are the least attractive, but that’s just me, the guy who’s paying for the new bass.
I agree that the dunlop screw will be just fine. It is shorter and fit tight in the existing hole. We are cool.
Just want to point out that the factory (black) screws were different on mine.
Bass has some serious mojo on the fretboard!
Lot of gigs with this Bass. But that mojo is nothing compared to a OG 6 String Tobias I played from 1991-2004. There’s an area on that Bass where I would park my thumb that looks chewed on. LOL
For you cats talking about wanting an 18mm Sadowsky bridge… not mine, no affiliation
For Sale - Sadowsky Quick Release 5 String Bridge 18mm
For Sale - Sadowsky Quick Release 5 String Bridge 18mm
On recommendation from Carey Nordstrand and Mo Mina, I'm loving the big blades (clear/clean) in a Carl Pedigo build, and am contemplating installation in a MIJ Metro WL5. My prejudice against ceramic magnets has been smashed.
You usually only have to drill deeper on some of the regular strap buttons that Fender or Music Man uses, etc.
One thing I can tell you for certain - DO NOT use the German made screws with the Dunlop strap buttons.
Not sure how energetic you are on stage or if you jump around a lot like I do, but I used the original screws when I changed to Dunlop buttons and the screws bent and almost tore completely out of the wood.
More information and further discussion that relates to your question can be found starting here:
Club Sadowsky!!!
