Club Sadowsky!!!

[Chrishi87]

Hello!

Can I get a replacement pcb circuit board for Sadowsky Onboard Bass Preamp (4-Knob System)?

On the Internet, I can find
Sadowsky Standard Electronic Replacement for PCB Board and
Sadowsky Will Lee Electronic Replacement for PCB Board,

but the standard pcb board looks different from the circuit in the 4-nob vtc preamp.

Cheers, I googled the Replacement, and it´s exactly the PCB I have in my VTC and MetroExpress Electronic.
Or do you mean the big PCB which is wired on the pot itself?

 

[tw731]

Hello!

Can I get a replacement pcb circuit board for Sadowsky Onboard Bass Preamp (4-Knob System)?


After installing the preamp, I got noise in EQ pot.
(Dust generated during work seems to have had a bad effect)

Fortunately, I had the same preamp, so I changed it again.
I thought it was a problem in the stacked eq pot at first of all.
But when I changed the parts except the pcb board, the problem remained the same, and when I changed the pcb board to a new one, the problem disappeared.

I asked Warwick shop that sells parts, but there are no answer yet.

On the Internet, I can find
Sadowsky Standard Electronic Replacement for PCB Board and
Sadowsky Will Lee Electronic Replacement for PCB Board,

but the standard pcb board looks different from the circuit in the 4-nob vtc preamp.

Can I use Standard replacement pcb board or
Is there any way to get the replacement pcb board of Sadowsky Onboard Bass Prep (4-Knob System)?

I will be grateful for any help you can provide!

hey,

I have also had a pcb problem, when I use active mode the output signal is increadibly low and passive mode works fine.

my bass is j/j metroline made in 2022, so I contacted warwick and was informed that my pcb model is old and suggested to replace the whole set.

so I guess you have to check with warwick if they can offer you the compatible pcb model with your rest of set.

hope this helps you.

 

[trendkill0083]

Cheers, I googled the Replacement, and it´s exactly the PCB I have in my VTC and MetroExpress Electronic.
Or do you mean the big PCB which is wired on the pot itself?

Sadowsky Standard Electronic Replacement for PCB Board
https://shopwarwick.cstatic.io/media/image/b8/3f/1d/SP_S_PCB_STD_01a_600x600.jpg
It looks like it's compatible, but the shape is different


Mine is this one.
https://shopwarwick.cstatic.io/media/image/74/e0/9f/SAC_ELE_ONBOARD_BP4K_03bscEXYZl9iNHp.jpg

I should ask Warwick again.

Thank you!

 

[trendkill0083]

hey,

I have also had a pcb problem, when I use active mode the output signal is increadibly low and passive mode works fine.

my bass is j/j metroline made in 2022, so I contacted warwick and was informed that my pcb model is old and suggested to replace the whole set.

so I guess you have to check with warwick if they can offer you the compatible pcb model with your rest of set.

hope this helps you.

In my preamp, I confirmed that only pcb board is a problem, so I think it will be a solution if I just replace the circuit board.

It's the best way to get an answer from Warwick, so I'll try it again!

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[Chrishi87]

It´s just another revision. Same size.

 

[HeavyJazz]

I’m all in when it comes to the Modern. I find its tone helps my sound present as more articulate, with less overtones, and a stronger fundamental. It’s just so clear. Yea, the pickup position obviously helps, but the pickup design and the pre has a huge hand in creating that sound too.

I play at a local weekly Jam with a bunch of working players here in Cincinatti. There’s usually 3-6 different bass players with their bass of choice. When I plug that modern into the house rig, heads turn as suddenly, the bass is so clear. Not boomy, not brittle. Just full and crisp, and clear. It’s so refreshing.

Heres just some of the moderns I’ve owned……the maple board 4 is my current weapon of choice. It feels like home.

I dig the Moderns too. But being more accustomed to the single coil sound, I installed Nordy Big-Singles. Slays!!

 

[Mark Ambler]

I need a 2nd 5 string and am considering the Will Lee Metroexpress 5 string. It appears to have a 19mm bridge and the 44.5mm nut, so I would only need to add the VTC. Anyone know how the fretwork and weight is, compared to the MetroLine?
My main basses are the Japan MetroLine 5 and Japan Metroexpress 4, indistinguishable in quality. I also have a Yoshi 3 dots Jazz Bass, which is like a passive Sadowsky imo. Any insights re the Will Lee ME most appreciated TIA.

 

[pb9717]

hey,

I have also had a pcb problem, when I use active mode the output signal is increadibly low and passive mode works fine.

my bass is j/j metroline made in 2022, so I contacted warwick and was informed that my pcb model is old and suggested to replace the whole set.

so I guess you have to check with warwick if they can offer you the compatible pcb model with your rest of set.

hope this helps you.

Warwick told you you need to replace the entire pre on a 2 year old bass? At your cost? On a German Metroline?

Am I hearing that right?

 

[pb9717]

I need a 2nd 5 string and am considering the Will Lee Metroexpress 5 string. It appears to have a 19mm bridge and the 44.5mm nut, so I would only need to add the VTC. Anyone know how the fretwork and weight is, compared to the MetroLine?
My main basses are the Japan MetroLine 5 and Japan Metroexpress 4, indistinguishable in quality. I also have a Yoshi 3 dots Jazz Bass, which is like a passive Sadowsky imo. Any insights re the Will Lee ME most appreciated TIA.

The SMX will lee is a 22 fret version of the standard J/J. No will lee pre, no VTC, and all SMX’s come with standard single coil pups already, so that too will be akin to a WL. You cannot add a VTC to the current line of SMX basses. (The current SMX pre can’t be modded) You’ll need to purchase an entire new plate/assembly. If you really wanna emulate a Will Lee’s electrics, you can purchase a Will Lee pre and install that. That, with the 22 fret neck will give you a closer experience to a Metroline, but with an Okoume body and a roasted neck vs the Ash bodies your using now.

Regarding your question about the fretwork and weight of an SMX bass vs your current japan made models: . The SMX line now has the semihemispherical fret ends vs standard beveled fret ends like on your Japan models. The difference in feel is negligible. The weight of most of my Japan basses came in around 8.5- 9lbs for a 4 string, just over 9lbs for a 5. The SMX’s that I’ve worked on can be as low as 7lbs 14oz or up to 8 3/4 on 4 strings,to just over 9lbs for a fiver.

If you’ve become accustomed to Japan models, and you have the additional budget, you may want to consider a Japan unit. it’ll require no mods, and the build quality will be top notch, IMHO.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Agreed. Nothing is saved by buying a Chinese model and "upgrading" it. It's a net loss; especially on the resale side. Save a couple extra bucks and get it right the first time.

 

[nickpc]

Save a couple extra bucks and get it right the first time.

The price difference between the SMX and the SML is over $2300:
SMX JJ Vintage 4-string: $1025
SML JJ Vintage 4-string: $3450
(From Sweetwater)

You can swap the pickups (if you feel that you need to) and add the VTC control in a SMX for $500 for the parts. Call it $200 for the install labor (if you need to hire it out) and you're coming out $1600 ahead (which I'm sure is why Warwick isn't using the VTC and split/stack coil pickups in the SMX). Yes, the SML finishes are nicer, and the workmanship isn't quite the same on the SMX (but it sure isn't bad, either), so if you're so inclined and you find a good SMX then bringing it up to SML specs can be a big savings.

I have a NYC Deluxe Satin 4-21, a SML PJ 5-21 and a SMX JJ 5-21. Yes, the SMX is the "worst" of them but it certainly isn't bad.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I am just wondering if any other Sadowsky players can weigh in about an Alder/Maple bass versus Ash/Maple?

Most of the basses I've owned have been alder/maple, nuff said. I've tried a few ash/maple, including a Sadowsky... I didn't dislike them, but didn't love them as much as alder, so I let them go.

All that said, I agree that the differences were subtle. But hey: my collection, I get to be as fussy as I want!

 

[Chris Chong]

Most of the basses I've owned have been alder/maple, nuff said. I've tried a few ash/maple, including a Sadowsky... I didn't dislike them, but didn't love them as much as alder, so I let them go.

All that said, I agree that the differences were subtle. But hey: my collection, I get to be as fussy as I want!

Yes, I prefer alder too. Just didn’t expect myself to adore Morado before owning one. The only alder/maple I tried was a dingwall NG3, which sounds great with a focus mids.

 

[Joebone]

Yes, I prefer alder too. Just didn’t expect myself to adore Morado before owning one. The only alder/maple I tried was a dingwall NG3, which sounds great with a focus mids.

Amen on Morado. Had it on my last Sadowsky (Japanese Metro WL5), and on my Fender Roscoe Beck. I still prefer ebony, but not by much! The lighter-colored ones often look sunbleached to me, but the darker ones can be gorgeous.

 

[Mark Ambler]

The SMX will lee is a 22 fret version of the standard J/J. No will lee pre, no VTC, and all SMX’s come with standard single coil pups already, so that too will be akin to a WL. You cannot add a VTC to the current line of SMX basses. (The current SMX pre can’t be modded) You’ll need to purchase an entire new plate/assembly. If you really wanna emulate a Will Lee’s electrics, you can purchase a Will Lee pre and install that. That, with the 22 fret neck will give you a closer experience to a Metroline, but with an Okoume body and a roasted neck vs the Ash bodies your using now.

Regarding your question about the fretwork and weight of an SMX bass vs your current japan made models: . The SMX line now has the semihemispherical fret ends vs standard beveled fret ends like on your Japan models. The difference in feel is negligible. The weight of most of my Japan basses came in around 8.5- 9lbs for a 4 string, just over 9lbs for a 5. The SMX’s that I’ve worked on can be as low as 7lbs 14oz or up to 8 3/4 on 4 strings,to just over 9lbs for a fiver.

If you’ve become accustomed to Japan models, and you have the additional budget, you may want to consider a Japan unit. it’ll require no mods, and the build quality will be top notch, IMHO.

That’s for the detailed reply. If only the Japan models weren’t so scarce.

 

[pb9717]

That’s for the detailed reply. If only the Japan models weren’t so scarce.

I understand but , they can be had. Gotta hunt a little. But yea, not like you can order one.

 

[Mark Ambler]

I understand but , they can be had. Gotta hunt a little. But yea, not like you can order one.

I need to confirm the regular Sadowsky preamp (VTC and control plate) would fit the SMX Will Lee 5 string, that would end up about half the price of a Metroline. I don’t want to spend too much on this bass as it’s for practice when I’m abroad, 3x a year, so lots of plane journeys. I guess I could just get a cheap Squier for this purpose, undecided atm.

 

[Smokas]

[...] You cannot add a VTC to the current line of SMX basses. (The current SMX pre can’t be modded) You’ll need to purchase an entire new plate/assembly. [...]

Why not? What have changed?

 

[pb9717]

Why not? What have changed?

The latest iteration of the preamp uses no. Solderable connection points between the components. Fixed harness and pin row connectors only. They are not configured for the partial disassembly the VTC standalone kit requires. This is a new situation, in that, in the history of Sadowsky guitars, you could always simply upgrade the existing Preamp with a single VTC add on kit. Warwick has created a non-modifiable non-VTC preamp for the Chinese metro Xpress line that requires a full gut. Mandating an entire replacement with their MEC loaded Sadowsky Preamp plate. One of the benefits is the newer VTC includes much higher quality potentiometers, and input jack . It also makes the swap fairly quick. It has doubled the cost of the upgrade. Although you do have the ability to sell the non-VTC plate to recover some of the cost of the more expensive preconfigured fully featured model. The earlier versions of the Chinese metro Xpress line permitted the swap in of a single VTC kit in. The removal of that ability is only in the 2022 and later versions I believe

 

[pb9717]

I need to confirm the regular Sadowsky preamp (VTC and control plate) would fit the SMX Will Lee 5 string, that would end up about half the price of a Metroline. I don’t want to spend too much on this bass as it’s for practice when I’m abroad, 3x a year, so lots of plane journeys. I guess I could just get a cheap Squier for this purpose, undecided atm.

I put a Sadowsky pre in a squier vintage modified jazz bass with Duncan design pickups and it KILLED. Absolutely fantastic sounding under $500 bass.

And regarding the plate fitting into the Will Lee? ….. It’ll fit.