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Club Sadowsky!!!

#65,441
Q for those using the mid boost preamp.

While messing with the DIP’s and trim pots today, the one thing which seemed to stand out was that engaging the mid boost circuit not only boosts whichever mid setting is selected, but seems to do so at the expense of the low end structure. Is this correct operation?

If that is correct, then I continue to be unimpressed with the circuit. The result does produce more cut when both pickups are equally engaged. But, I often solo the pickups, particularly the neck pickup to get some facsimile of P bass vibe. This mid-boost somewhat curiously doesn’t help that tone out at all; mainly due to the apparent cut in lows. I think the circuit would be far more useful if the boost were added to the unaffected tone, and maintained the lows. IMHO.
 
#65,442
Still trying to find an older Sadowsky Modern 5 like the ‘93 I used to have.
Is anyone looking to sell an older one?
Color and cosmetic condition isn’t a big concern as long as there are no neck issues, etc.
Thanks.
 
#65,443
berklee46 said:
Still trying to find an older Sadowsky Modern 5 like the ‘93 I used to have.
Is anyone looking to sell an older one?
Color and cosmetic condition isn’t a big concern as long as there are no neck issues, etc.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'm not selling... But I am curious, what are the differences between the old and new ones? I have a 2004 that I really like (a keeper!), is that similar to '93?
 
#65,444
bucephylus said:
Q for those using the mid boost preamp.

While messing with the DIP’s and trim pots today, the one thing which seemed to stand out was that engaging the mid boost circuit not only boosts whichever mid setting is selected, but seems to do so at the expense of the low end structure. Is this correct operation?

If that is correct, then I continue to be unimpressed with the circuit. The result does produce more cut when both pickups are equally engaged. But, I often solo the pickups, particularly the neck pickup to get some facsimile of P bass vibe. This mid-boost somewhat curiously doesn’t help that tone out at all; mainly due to the apparent cut in lows. I think the circuit would be far more useful if the boost were added to the unaffected tone, and maintained the lows. IMHO.
Click to expand...
Not the case with my mij Will Lee. You might have a faulty preamp. It happens.
 
#65,445
Tim1 said:
Not the case with my mij Will Lee. You might have a faulty preamp. It happens.
Click to expand...
Hmmm….thanks.

Other than just using my ears, is there any definitive test to know for sure whether the preamp is bad?

Edit: scrap that. The narrower Q on DIP 1 seems more well behaved. Don’t think the preamp is bad; DIP 2 just a bit too broad for my prefs.
 
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#65,447
IMG_1783.jpeg


My humble Metro Express basses, I love the way they sound and play.
 
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#65,448
If I remember correctly Roger said the Will Lee Mid circuit is totally independent of his 2 band preamp

There is a Video explaining the design by Roger

Maybe when engaging Mid Boost you are hearing more Mids which gives Ears perception of less bass but bass is unaffected in reality

If it seems to much mids at all settings can add a bit of bass to your liking
 
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#65,450
MikeBass said:
Wow, love that PBass
Did Sadowsky do the slight relic?
Click to expand...
Yeah, story says there was a time when JW Black did slight relic to some ultra vintage models, nitro, cca around 2005. I would rate it as closet classic relic at Fender CS. Unfortunately, there are only few around, afaik. They called it Vintiquity.
 

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#65,451
davidak said:
Yeah, story says there was a time when JW Black did slight relic to some ultra vintage models, nitro, cca around 2005. I would rate it as closet classic relic at Fender CS. Unfortunately, there are only few around, afaik. They called it Vintiquity.
Click to expand...
Looks great!
Dibs if you ever want to sell
LoL
 
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#65,452
There is a NYC sliding my way. In the meantime, here's a rehearsal recording of my Church Worship team doing a tune called "Made for More" which kind of has a country Blues feel. I'm a bit buried (recording was thru the board). I'm running my MIJ Will Lee MV5 into a Cali76 to a Capo as DI.
 
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#65,453
GIBrat51 said:
Hey, Club Sadowsky members; got a question for you...
I'm currently in talks with Roger about building me an NYC Custom 20 fret Ultra Vintage P-Bass. He's been on vacation, so I was wondering; what are Sadowsky bass necks like? Narrow - or wide? Thick - or thin? Or, can I just tell him what I want? What are your necks like? Please let me know...
Click to expand...
Having two Ultra Vintage P(J) basses, I might have some insight here. Both of mine are very similar in terms of neck profile; the only difference is the fretboard radius (9" vs 11"). Since all of this is quite subjective, I like to use some well‑known profiles as reference — all of them 44 mm nuts (sorry for the metrics 🙂).

Compared to the Lakland Bob Glaub’s flat P profile, the Sadowsky is noticeably beefier. Still, it’s not as chunky as the Pino profile or the “baseball bat” necks on ’50s Fenders. To me, the closest comparison would be the Fender Custom Shop ’60s Oval C neck.

Overall, it’s super comfortable — rounded fretboard edges, enough meat in the neck, it just fits my hand perfectly.

And I guess Roger can make a custom neck as well, if needed. Even a J neck (but I prefer full P necks on P body :) ).

IMG_1563.jpeg
 
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#65,456
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#65,457
 
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#65,458
Sadowsky said:
The German MetroLine production will have hum cancelling pickups with the exception of the Will Lee model, which has single coil pickups. Same as I have always done.
Click to expand...
Does the 2020 german split coil JJ have scoop sound (Ultrajazz) or more growlly with good mids and less treble( Area) ? Thanks i'm waiting a 20202 JJ German black satin and morado 21-4. :-)
 

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#65,459
bucephylus said:
View attachment 7410731
View attachment 7410732

NUBD - 2023 Sadowsky Metroline Will Lee Standard 4.

I had purchased my NYC from Roger & Co in 2017. It is an exceptional bass.

But, I generally prefer not to take it to various outdoor gigs / County Fair stages etc. So, have been using a very nice Fender parts bass I assembled for that purpose.

Well, the gear lust got the better of me; I had been watching used WL4’s on the web; and this example dropped to a price point that I could digest.

Warwick did a nice job with this rendition in several respects; though I will definitely be changing strap locks, pickups, tuning gears (including Extender); possibly pickguard. And, either the factory or previous user installed 13mm grub screws in the saddles for unknown reasons; and they stick out like porcupine quills. Still need to figure out if the truss rod is healthy.

LOL on the Schaller strap locks. I tried using those on my basses 30 years ago. I like the design and went whole hog on all my basses. Found that they tended to bind and unscrew the button from the bass while playing. Removed them and stuck them in a drawer where they have collected dust. Hauled two of them out, put them on a strap only to find that Schaller redesigned the buttons for deeper cups. My older strap cups no longer fit. Ordered some Dunlop hybrids, and these buttons will go back in the drawer.

The plastic control plate cover, courtesy of Warwick, is a disaster area; but, I can probably live with it. Still don’t care for Uncle Will’s mids controls; but, need to play with the trim controls to see whether I can get something useful other than honk out of them.

Oh, and this bass weighs about 1 1/4 pounds less than my Fender. Going to keep the parts Fender and let go of my P, which never leaves the house.

TL;DR: now have TWO Sadowsky’s in the house!
Click to expand...
Super pleased with the ML WL4.

I believe this one has the solid alder body?

Replaced the E tuner with a HipShot American Lightweight Extender. Not a Will Lee without it (HaHa); and I’ve actually gotten so I NEED that extender on the 4 to play my gig fare. I got the lollipop version and have three matching lollipop tuners inbound. Got to have the right cosmetics.

I also have a Quickguards Black Crackle Silver Sparkle guard on order, just for a bit of bling.

Here’s the hilarious geeze part: I was having issues trying to get P-ish sounds out of the stock neck pickup; and the pickups in general were not sounding right. So, I ordered a set of my preferred Delano JMVC pickups, thinking that would solve things. Come to find out I had forgotten that the stock pan control is backwards from the way I wire the preamps. I know, Duh; me = idiot. Switched the pickup leads, and all is right in the world.

Will post up once cosmetics are updated. Great bass.
 
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