Club Sadowsky!!!

[Joelc73]

Yes, and if it's got a 250K pot, I'm dropping the 500K in right away.

Cool - let me know how you like the 500K pot if you do it. Good luck with the bass.

 

[Cory]

Thanks. They are super basses. I still "need" 2 more: an ash/maple and a fretless. I'm trying to pace myself though

That's cool! I've got several of Roger's instruments and am actually wanting to pick up a P exactly like yours and an alder/rosewood 5 string J. If you ever decide to sell that P..........let me know!! Richardson isn't too far from where I live!

WAY cool color on the 24 4!

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

What ever happened to this one? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It sold some time ago on Talkbass, but it has never turned up since. I kick myself daily for passing on it.

 

[Joeykun]

Ok, I have a few gigs under my belt since I upgraded my NYC Standard 5 w/ HC pickups volume pot from 250K to the 500K pot that Roger suggested. I used a Bourns Premium 93 Series pot for my upgrade. Lets start with some before and after shots:

BEFORE

AFTER

First of all I noticed how much more theses pickups opened up. The treble response has slightly increased. By no means did this make the treble sound harsh. I would describe it more like clearer with more definition. I always thought my 5'er was a bit darker in tone than my Standard 4 probably due to the mass of the 5 string. But now, this volume pot upgrade really changed that and the 2 basses sound more alike.

You may also notice in the pictures that I changed the capacitor on the VTC. I upgraded it to a Luxe vintage capacitor. Now there is alot of discussions on the sound difference between a $1. cap and a $12. cap and most people say there is none. All I can say is that the roll off of the treble with this cap seems (to my ears) a tad smoother. I was not to keen on the idea of this upgrade. But, my guy (Scott @ Mad Creations Unltd.) was pretty passionate about it so I went ahead with that. I only use the VTC occassionally and probably use it more during recording. So, I will keep the Luxe in there. Again, not a big difference to the overall tone of the VTC IMHO.

So, in conclusion I also recommend the 500K volume pot upgrade if you want more out of your HC pups. It made a difference to my Standard 5.

Here is the bass again (because it is a Club Sadowsky thread, right! )

 

[mponthier]

Nope, not gonna sell it. Ever! But you are welcome to jam on it anytime you are in the area.

That's cool! I've got several of Roger's instruments and am actually wanting to pick up a P exactly like yours and an alder/rosewood 5 string J. If you ever decide to sell that P..........let me know!! Richardson isn't too far from where I live!

WAY cool color on the 24 4!

 

[KJung]

Ok, I have a few gigs under my belt since I upgraded my NYC Standard 5 w/ HC pickups volume pot from 250K to the 500K pot that Roger suggested. Lets start with some before and after shots:

First of all I noticed how much more theses pickups opened up. The treble response has slightly increased. By no means did this make the treble sound harsh. I would describe it more like clearer with more definition. I always thought my 5'er was a bit darker in tone than my Standard 4 probably due to the mass of the 5 string. But now, this volume pot upgrade really changed that and the 2 basses sound more alike.

You may also notice in the pictures that I changed the capacitor on the VTC. I upgraded it to a Luxe vintage capacitor. Now there is alot of discussions on the sound difference between a $1. cap and a $12. cap and most people say there is none. All I can say is that the roll off of the treble with this cap seems (to my ears) a tad smoother. I was not to keen on the idea of this upgrade. But, my guy (Scott @ Mad Creations Unltd.) was pretty passionate about it so I went ahead with that. I only use the VTC occassionally and probably use it more during recording. So, I will keep the Luxe in there. Again, not a big difference to the overall tone of the VTC IMHO.

So, in conclusion I also recommend the 500K volume pot upgrade if you want more out of your HC pups. It made a difference to my Standard 5.

Here is the bass again (because it is a Club Sadowsky thread, right! )

Cool.

I was a bit confused about Roger's comment of that pot making the HC's sound closer to the singles. My understanding is that the impact would be similar to what you describe... an actually widening of the tone slightly, especially in the treble region. This, IMO, would move those pickups further away from the singles, since the Sadowsky singles actually have much less upper treble, and a much more growly lower treble/upper mid response, and if anything, a bit tighter low end (i.e., the classic 'single versus split coil' tone difference that many hear across any brand of pickup).

So, +1 on the change in tone, and your description fits with what the 'technical stuff' I've read would suggest. Just confused about why this would bring the already 'wider and upper treble' voicing of the HC's closer to the more rough, lower treble, mid present, tighter single coil tone.

It all sounds good though!

 

[Chef]

The results sound like something I'd like. Thx for the report.

 

[Vic]

I was a bit confused about Roger's comment of that pot making the HC's sound closer to the singles. My understanding is that the impact would be similar to what you describe... an actually widening of the tone slightly, especially in the treble region. This, IMO, would move those pickups further away from the singles, since the Sadowsky singles actually have much less upper treble, and a much more growly lower treble/upper mid response, and if anything, a bit tighter low end (i.e., the classic 'single versus split coil' tone difference that many hear across any brand of pickup).

You read the post differently than I did.

I read it to say it just made the treble response clearer... not that it made the pickups sound "wider". In fact, he also said it did sound a bit closer to his 4 after the fact, and I'm going to assume he said that because his 4 does have SC's in it, which is kinda' contradictory to your take on his comments.

IMHO "opening up" doesn't necessarily mean "widening". It can just mean emphasis or enhancement or clarification in a pre-existing area.

 

[KJung]

You read the post differently than I did.

I read it to say it just made the treble response clearer... not that it made the pickups sound "wider". In fact, he also said it did sound a bit closer to his 4 after the fact, and I'm going to assume he said that because his 4 does have SC's in it, which is kinda' contradictory to your take on his comments.

IMHO "opening up" doesn't necessarily mean "widening". It can just mean emphasis or enhancement or clarification in a pre-existing area.

I guess we will have to let him clarify. I believe he has HC's in both of his basses, but can't remember. His comments fit exactly what you would expect a higher impedance volume pot to do to my ear... especially up top. However, I guess I really don't know what 'clearer' means, so +1. I surely wouldn't define the Sadowsky single coil as having 'clearer' treble than the HC's, hence my confusion on Roger's initial comment.


Again, I'm sure it sounds different... but closer to single coils... that would be strange to me. Of course, there is nothing that will make an HC sound like a single coil anyway, so it is a bit of a moot point.

I would assume you hear the singles versus HC similar to me, since you've had similarly spec'd Sadowsky basses with each pickup type?

 

[Joeykun]

I'm going to assume he said that because his 4 does have SC's in it, .

Nope, my Standard 4 has HC as well and still has the 250K volume pot in it. I love the sound of the 4 banger alot where I dont think I will do the upgrade just yet. But my 5 string was a little darker in tone. The upgrade cleaned that up hence the clearer and defined remark. What I am saying in "Opening up" is it made the pickups shine more in the treble response. Again not harsher just more response than before.

I have no experience with the singles other than tone clips from here and other posts. I was going to upgrade my 5'er with the SC but this small upgrade made enough difference where I am happy with the HC in it.

 

[svtb15]

that bass is beautiful! and i always admired Rogers Wring jobs.. since ths first time i saw the guts a few decades ago.

just out of curiosity though.. has anyone ever tried EMGs in a sadowsky? I remember way back in the 80s some of the JJs shipping with EMG pups...
Just wondering... I have been on an EMG revelation lately on a 60s P bass and find they sound pretty good... once again...

Ok, I have a few gigs under my belt since I upgraded my NYC Standard 5 w/ HC pickups volume pot from 250K to the 500K pot that Roger suggested. Lets start with some before and after shots:

BEFORE

AFTER

First of all I noticed how much more theses pickups opened up. The treble response has slightly increased. By no means did this make the treble sound harsh. I would describe it more like clearer with more definition. I always thought my 5'er was a bit darker in tone than my Standard 4 probably due to the mass of the 5 string. But now, this volume pot upgrade really changed that and the 2 basses sound more alike.

You may also notice in the pictures that I changed the capacitor on the VTC. I upgraded it to a Luxe vintage capacitor. Now there is alot of discussions on the sound difference between a $1. cap and a $12. cap and most people say there is none. All I can say is that the roll off of the treble with this cap seems (to my ears) a tad smoother. I was not to keen on the idea of this upgrade. But, my guy (Scott @ Mad Creations Unltd.) was pretty passionate about it so I went ahead with that. I only use the VTC occassionally and probably use it more during recording. So, I will keep the Luxe in there. Again, not a big difference to the overall tone of the VTC IMHO.

So, in conclusion I also recommend the 500K volume pot upgrade if you want more out of your HC pups. It made a difference to my Standard 5.

Here is the bass again (because it is a Club Sadowsky thread, right! )

 

[Sadowsky]

that bass is beautiful! and i always admired Rogers Wring jobs.. since ths first time i saw the guts a few decades ago.

just out of curiosity though.. has anyone ever tried EMGs in a sadowsky? I remember way back in the 80s some of the JJs shipping with EMG pups...
Just wondering... I have been on an EMG revelation lately on a 60s P bass and find they sound pretty good... once again...

We always had good success with EMG J pickups. Less so with their soapbars (noise problems). But I moved away from them because I am committed to offering a true active/passive bass and you cannot do that with EMGs.

Roger

 

[KJung]

Nope, my Standard 4 has HC as well and still has the 250K volume pot in it. I love the sound of the 4 banger alot where I dont think I will do the upgrade just yet. But my 5 string was a little darker in tone. The upgrade cleaned that up hence the clearer and defined remark. What I am saying in "Opening up" is it made the pickups shine more in the treble response. Again not harsher just more response than before.

I have no experience with the singles other than tone clips from here and other posts. I was going to upgrade my 5'er with the SC but this small upgrade made enough difference where I am happy with the HC in it.

Cool Joey. That's how I read your post. Sounds like the pot change can be a positive in some instruments.

 

[gillento]

that bass is beautiful! and i always admired Rogers Wring jobs.. since ths first time i saw the guts a few decades ago.

The wiring jobs have even improved.
Mine's fom 2009 and is even cleaner than Joeykun's

 

[svtb15]

Thank you Roger.... Yeah ,my friend Danny Miranda had a black JJ EMG bass of yours back then. I used to borrow it from him way too often.. great bass!!! then you put your pickups in it,, and he stuck with those...

I will see you at NAMM too..

We always had good success with EMG J pickups. Less so with their soapbars (noise problems). But I moved away from them because I am committed to offering a true active/passive bass and you cannot do that with EMGs.

Roger

 

[svtb15]

Yeah i have a 94 and 2003-04 (i have to look inside)and they just look so clean inside... Sadowsky was the first bass company that i remember to really do nice clean wire wraps and routing and star grounding....
I used to love to show it (the guts) off to folks....

So many hi dollar basses back then looked like spaghetti inside while the Sads were finely detailed...

Then i became jaded and dont notice anymore..

The wiring jobs have even improved.
Mine's fom 2009 and is even cleaner than Joeykun's

 

[Vic]

Nope, my Standard 4 has HC as well and still has the 250K volume pot in it. I love the sound of the 4 banger alot where I dont think I will do the upgrade just yet. But my 5 string was a little darker in tone. The upgrade cleaned that up hence the clearer and defined remark. What I am saying in "Opening up" is it made the pickups shine more in the treble response. Again not harsher just more response than before.

Ok, so KJung and I were both partially right. You do have HC's in both, but it also didn't move the sound farther away from anything (e.g. "widening"), just added some clarity to the existing treble response. That's what I took Roger to say as well, so that makes sense.

 

[KJung]

Ok, so KJung and I were both partially right. You do have HC's in both, but it also didn't move the sound farther away from anything (e.g. "widening"), just added some clarity to the existing treble response. That's what I took Roger to say as well, so that makes sense.

Ah... I thought Roger stated that it brought the HC sound closer to the singles, which again didn't make any sense to me. I guess I'm misremembering his post.

More treble.... yes.... (widening, clarity, call it what you want)... that's what a higher impedance volume pot will do from what I understand, which could be a positive to some, but IMO, not those who want to 'organic up' the HC's.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Awesome!

My new one has a flame board. It's on the truck. The waiting is killing me!!

 

[Sadowsky]

Ah... I thought Roger stated that it brought the HC sound closer to the singles, which again didn't make any sense to me. I guess I'm misremembering his post.

That is what I said. I have always heard single coils to be more "open" sounding than the HCs. I am not looking to increase any high end on my basses---they already have plenty of highs. So in our listening tests, the 500K volume pot brought the HCs closer to the single coils----which has always been my goal.

roger