Club Sadowsky!!!

[jjk2007]

The VTC circuit is getting heavy use in my basses these days. My NYC, in particular, has the chambered body; and that bass is without any doubt the brightest Jazz Bass I have ever played. The VTC on that bass lives around the 85% engaged position.

Having the top end capability is nice. But, most musicians are accustomed to hearing bass guitars set to fill in the Bass part. The VTC in the Onboard preamp is a vital piece of that tech, for my purposes.

When I use the Outboard preamp with my passive Jazz Basses, the tone knob on the instrument provides essentially the same function. Got to have it.

I too have been enjoying the VTC after installing that pre on my SMX. Definitely takes some of the edge and bark off and really smooths things out. Running it mostly rolled back and some bass boost gives some nice, deep lows. Glad I payed the $$ and popped it in.

 

[Joebone]

The VTC circuit is getting heavy use in my basses these days. My NYC, in particular, has the chambered body; and that bass is without any doubt the brightest Jazz Bass I have ever played. The VTC on that bass lives around the 85% engaged position.

Having the top end capability is nice. But, most musicians are accustomed to hearing bass guitars set to fill in the Bass part. The VTC in the Onboard preamp is a vital piece of that tech, for my purposes.

When I use the Outboard preamp with my passive Jazz Basses, the tone knob on the instrument provides essentially the same function. Got to have it.

I'm not currently playing a Sadowsky, but was spoiled by that fabulous Sadowsky pre and insist on a passive tone control for any active bass. Some are better than others...I've had great results from John East and Nordstrand/LEH; Pope and Glockenklang, not so much.

 

[jjk2007]

A little fun on the SMX….

 

[Chrishi87]

Cheers guys. I´m very very close to buying my first Sadowsky.
Altough it will be only a MetroExpress first.

What exactly is the Pickup Position in the "normal" Basses? 60s, 70s, somewhere between? I couldn´t figure it out in the pictures. Does not look like 70s, but they mention that the Will Lee has the Pickups in a different position 60s style. So the normal ones are not in the 60s position?

 

[Treb]

Pickups are in 60's, even on the Will Lee. If you want a Sadowsky with 70's look for the 20 frets UV70 Ultra Vintage basses.

 

[pb9717]

I too have been enjoying the VTC after installing that pre on my SMX. Definitely takes some of the edge and bark off and really smooths things out. Running it mostly rolled back and some bass boost gives some nice, deep lows. Glad I payed the $$ and popped it in.

The Chinese metrexpress’ benefit greatly from the VTC plate upgrade. With them now coming with the metroline hardware, adding the full VTC plate will bring you closer to the Metroline experience. Personally, Ive found it a must have on any bass. VTC’s is better than a treble cut on a standard 2 band pre.

 

[pb9717]

Does anybody know if Sadowsky still makes the modern M5-24 MetroLine with an unlined fretless board and gloss finish? The only one I’ve seen is in the video below with Lars demoing. Think their may be some with the matte-like finish, but I'm not too fond of that look.
Perhaps it’s a special order situation through one of their dealers?
I love my Japanese RV5 PJ, but would love to get my hands on a modern 5 unlined fretless.

Thanks!

I’m sure you can get a German Metroline in that config. Their model range is pretty wide

 

[eee]

I too have been enjoying the VTC after installing that pre on my SMX. Definitely takes some of the edge and bark off and really smooths things out. Running it mostly rolled back and some bass boost gives some nice, deep lows. Glad I payed the $$ and popped it in.

I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t care for the VTC, I find it rolls off in a weird way compared to my passive basses. The usable range for the VTC is between fully maxxxed and rolled off just a hair. Anything more than that and it has this weird flubby quality to it. IME YMMV IMO etc

 

[kevk]

I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t care for the VTC, I find it rolls off in a weird way compared to my passive basses. The usable range for the VTC is between fully maxxxed and rolled off just a hair. Anything more than that and it has this weird flubby quality to it. IME YMMV IMO etc

Imo/e with multiple NYC’s (and one MIJ MX)…the Sadowsky active preamp ‘secret sauce’ comes from increasing the treble 20%, then roll off the vtc to taste. Magical, sweet top-end tones achieved, at several vtc roll-off points…

 

[jjk2007]

I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t care for the VTC, I find it rolls off in a weird way compared to my passive basses. The usable range for the VTC is between fully maxxxed and rolled off just a hair. Anything more than that and it has this weird flubby quality to it. IME YMMV IMO etc

I find the VTC has a very usable range….as always YMMV.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t care for the VTC, I find it rolls off in a weird way compared to my passive basses. The usable range for the VTC is between fully maxxxed and rolled off just a hair. Anything more than that and it has this weird flubby quality to it. IME YMMV IMO etc

If it doesn't work for you that's fine, and I'm sure you're not the only one. I use the VTC in a number of ways.

Top example: for hard rock I'll dial in an aggressive edgy tone using overdrive/distortion. For mellower songs, all I need to do is roll the VTC back to go from clang to purr. One knob solution, no need to switch EQ or distortion settings.

As kevk said, another great tone tweak is to boost active treble and roll back VTC. The two knobs behave differently, so one doesn't simply cancel the other. One result can be a high mid boost, but of course it depends on how each are set. This provides some nice tonal versatility by tweaking just two knobs on the bass.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I very rarely [ if ever ] used tone control playing P bass from 1975 to 2012[Ultra P [J] 2019-2023] didn't like its effect on tone especially Live
prefered to use right hand placement and how I struck strings and fretted

I am content now using same technique and treble control[if needed] on my Stingray Special

 

[Fuzzbass]

prefered to use right hand placement and how I struck strings and fretted

It should go without saying that tone controls are no substitute for technique. They are used in addition to technique.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

When people will learn that VTC is just a regular tone roll-off?

 

[eee]

When people will learn that VTC is just a regular tone roll-off?

It is. But it sounds different compared to other tone controls I’ve used on passive basses. It might just be my bass, but snarky comments aren’t fun to read.

 

[pb9717]

There can be an issue with the pot if you’re experiencing more of an on/off than a gradual blend with your VTC. And you can also swap out the cap for a more or less aggressive tone reduction. But +1 on the Treb boost 1/4 turn, then VTC roll off. Then I add about 1/2 turn boost on the bass boost and BOOM…. my modern is slammin’.

 

[Mark Ambler]

Is this correct?
Metroexpress 5 string bridges have 18mm (Modern, Vintage, MJ etc).
Metroline Japan and Warwick Modern & Vintage have 19mm spacing, Warwick MJ 18mm.
Metroexpress 5 nut width is 47.5mm except on the M & MJ which are 44.5mm.

The 5 string 18mm bridges can be directly replaced (no drilling) with the Sadowsky 19mm bridges. (Please confirm)

Apparently the Will Lee models are 22 frets instead of 24 to facilitate easier slapping, I guess the 24 frets aren't an issue on the Modern 24
as the neck pickup is further down, but as the 24 fret vintage has the regular Jazz pickup spacing, is it really an issue?

TIA

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

Is this correct?
Metroexpress 5 string bridges have 18mm (Modern, Vintage, MJ etc).
Metroline Japan and Warwick Modern & Vintage have 19mm spacing, Warwick MJ 18mm.
Metroexpress 5 nut width is 47.5mm except on the M & MJ which are 44.5mm.

The 5 string 18mm bridges can be directly replaced (no drilling) with the Sadowsky 19mm bridges. (Please confirm)

Apparently the Will Lee models are 22 frets instead of 24 to facilitate easier slapping, I guess the 24 frets aren't an issue on the Modern 24
as the neck pickup is further down, but as the 24 fret vintage has the regular Jazz pickup spacing, is it really an issue?

TIA

Some ME will come either with 18mm or 19mm. First batch were ALL 19mm. Newer SMX models are unclear, but I seen some with 19mm, and mine came with 18mm ( which I promptly replaced with the 19mm version, it its a direct replacement, no need to drill any holes )

Not sure about nut width on other models, but sure enough there are two options of the "Just-A-Nut" thing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I came across this 24 fret Metroline J at my local GC. It needs a set up, but at $2,950, it is a bit cheaper than a new one and it is in good shape. Please pardon my rambling playing.

 

[pb9717]

I came across this 24 fret Metroline J at my local GC. It needs a set up, but at $2,950, it is a bit cheaper than a new one and it is in good shape. Please pardon my rambling playing.

24 fret 4 string Sadowsky’s be my Jam brother. There’s somethin bout that 24 fret body thats sooo comfy. Strange what a little extra cutaway does for ergos all around. 24 FRETS RULE!!!!!