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Club Sadowsky!!!

#7,301
Well I finally did it. I've always looked at high end basses but didn't really think I would ever own one. First of all, I'm a lefty so you don't see too many lefties for sale. Secondly, I switched from 4 string to 5'ers about a year ago and really like the 5 string instrument. A few days ago I happened to see a 5 string Sadowsky NYC up for sale on the bay. Now, there is no way I could afford to call Sadowsky and order a new instrument. I am retired and live on a very fixed income. I just don't have the money to spend. I contacted the seller on Ebay and we came to an agreement on the purchase price.

My oh my. I am a happy camper. It's number 4284 which I think was made about Feb. of 2005. It's light, it feels right, and is far better than anything I've every owned before. I put a new set of D'Addario XL Chromes on it and love the sound. I will have to sell off some of my basses to help offset the cost but I think it is worth it. I have a G&L L-2500, Yamaha TRB-II 5'er, and a couple of MIM Fender Jazz basses. I may keep the G&L, but the others will have to go.

May I join the club? Here is a couple of pics.
 

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#7,302
It's funny you guys are talking about Laklands vs. Sadowskys, every time I saved and planned to buy a Lakland I've ended up with a Sadowsky! Wups! While I think USA Laklands are great passive basses, to me there is no beating a Sadowsky for a P or J bass.
 
#7,306
Thanks for the compliments guys. I believe the finish is called cherry sunburst. Since it was a used instrument I expected a ding or two. There was only one moderate scuff which was located on the very top of the body just about straight up from the bridge pickup. The neck and headstock was very clean.

The bass did arrive strung right hand. I replaced the nut which was plastic with a real bone nut and restrung the bass back to left hand. That was followed by a complete set up for intonation, neck relief, and string height. I am extremely pleased. There is no fret buzz anywhere and the action is moderately low where I prefer it.

One thing I hope one of you guys can help me with. The bass has the VTC circuit. I cannot hear any tonal change when turning the upper control knob. I do hear a change turning the lower knob. I have a serious hearing loss and that may be the reason I don't hear any difference. What change of sound am I supposed to hear when changing the upper knob.

Thanks to Mr. Sadowsky for making such fine basses. I am proud to own one of his creations.

Mike
 
#7,310
Hi Mike.

The VTC control acts like a standard passive tone control and can darken or lighten the tone in both passive and active modes. It should be the 3rd control from the volume control (which should be closest to the pickup). The last series of controls (closest to the input jack and the ones you are referring to) should be the stacked bass/treble control, with the bass on the bottom and treble on the top. If you are not hearing any difference in the over-all tone when you have the treble (or top) control fully open, you might want to check where the VTC control is positioned. In my experience, if the VTC is fully closed (counter clock-wise on a right-hand bass and should be the same on a lefty) then the treble control will not provide much of a difference. Also make sure that the VTC pot is not pulled up, as this will put the bass in passive mode, thus making any changes with the bass/treble control in-active.

Congrats on your new Sadowsky - they make wonderful instruments!!

David
 
#7,311
Vic

I don't know what the body wood is but I can see it through the finish. It has striations running the length of the body and a few speckles here and there. I just put it on my digital bathroom scale and it reads 8.7 pounds. Does that info help identify the wood? Maybe I could call the company and ask if they keep records of each build. I do know the number of the the bass which is 4284 and is located on the back side of the headstock at the top. I don't want to unscrew the neck from the body just to see what information might by stamped in the pocket or on the end of the neck.

Mike
 
#7,312
HeyMikey said:
Vic

I don't know what the body wood is but I can see it through the finish. It has striations running the length of the body and a few speckles here and there. I just put it on my digital bathroom scale and it reads 8.7 pounds. Does that info help identify the wood? Maybe I could call the company and ask if they keep records of each build. I do know the number of the the bass which is 4284 and is located on the back side of the headstock at the top. I don't want to unscrew the neck from the body just to see what information might by stamped in the pocket or on the end of the neck.

Mike
Click to expand...
A close up well focused picture of the body would do it, otherwise, yes, definitely Sadowsky could tell you over the phone in a few minutes.
 
#7,313
Limeman

Thank you for that explanation. I pulled out the VTC knob to see what difference it made in sound and noticed the volume level went way down with the bass in passive mode. It was simple enough to either turn up the volume pot on the bass or add volume from the amp to the get level back up. My ear is just not picking up any change when adjusting the upper part of the stacked knob. I am 61 years old and have severe hearing loss. If that knob only makes subtle tone changes, I may not be able to hear it.

Cheers Mike
 
#7,314
Vic

I've tried to take a couple of closeups. Can you identify the wood? Photo on left is front side next to neck pickup. Photo on right is back side of body

Cheers Mike
 

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#7,317
Hey Mike - the Sadowsky treble control (top stacked knob) has a tremendous amount of gain (+13db @ 4Khz) so it very well might be your hearing. If that is the case, I'd hedge towards subtlety, and only boost it 15 - 20% max, otherwise your sweet bass might sound like glass breaking for those of us who can hear a tad better. Remember also that the active circuit is a boost-only type, so flat is fully counter-clockwise.

Here is a link to the Sadowsky Pre-amp PDF: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I believe that your knob setup is no. B.

Cheers,
David
 
#7,318
HeyMikey said:
Well I finally did it. I've always looked at high end basses but didn't really think I would ever own one. First of all, I'm a lefty so you don't see too many lefties for sale. Secondly, I switched from 4 string to 5'ers about a year ago and really like the 5 string instrument. A few days ago I happened to see a 5 string Sadowsky NYC up for sale on the bay. Now, there is no way I could afford to call Sadowsky and order a new instrument. I am retired and live on a very fixed income. I just don't have the money to spend. I contacted the seller on Ebay and we came to an agreement on the purchase price.

My oh my. I am a happy camper. It's number 4284 which I think was made about Feb. of 2005. It's light, it feels right, and is far better than anything I've every owned before. I put a new set of D'Addario XL Chromes on it and love the sound. I will have to sell off some of my basses to help offset the cost but I think it is worth it. I have a G&L L-2500, Yamaha TRB-II 5'er, and a couple of MIM Fender Jazz basses. I may keep the G&L, but the others will have to go.

May I join the club? Here is a couple of pics.
Click to expand...

welcome aboard. You're #199...nice number! :)
 
#7,320
mstott25 said:
I ditched a 55-94 in the process of picking up my Sadowsky. Good riddance. Great bass, but I liked it a lot more before I played my Sadowsky. There was no hope for it once I played my bass, even though the Lakland did a lot of things well, the Sadowsky did what I wanted it to much better. I also noticed a big difference between 35" and 34". Welcome to the enlightenment.
Click to expand...

No photo means no bass which means no number, but Sadowsky owners are so cool and honest that I believe you own one and will give you your number: #198 :D:D

welcome aboard and post some photos and specs whenever you can. :)
 

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