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Club Sadowsky!!!

#10,801
bikeplate said:
HI

For me, the biggest allure of a Sadowsky bass is the wide open, unique tone it gets. Also, when I started using them, VTC was not standard equipement. Ive always have the loved the tone of my JJ's and have never even thought about vtc until some of my later ones had it standard. As Ive talked to the staff, they tell me many players and Sadowsky artists feel the same as me. Different strokes, I guess

Rob
Click to expand...

Again, depends on the rig and tone. I still chuckle over Nino feeling the same way, and then when I heard his clips (which smoke in their own way), he was playing out of a totally overdriven Aguilar DB359 and a DB cab:hiding: I would totally agree, the VTC would not have much use for that type of tone, rig, and player:p

Again, I would think most who play a Sadowsky JJ in most situations keep the VTC wide open. However, just like on the zillion Fenders out there, a passive tone control can be extremely useful in certain playing contexts. On the Modern, IMO, it is a necessity.

Of course, that doesn't mean that many players don't use them. And of course, they would be more useful for some on a brighter ash/maple spec than a warmer alder/RW, and also more useful with the sizzlier stock HC pickups than the more meaty, lower treble oriented singles.

However, +1, if you don't use it, then you don't use it!
 
#10,802
bikeplate said:
HI

Also, when I played old Fenders, I never used it then either

Rob
Click to expand...

I would have guessed that was the case:D

Seriously though, I can see that many would never touch it. However, if you are one who gets lots of front of house support (i.e., playing through full range systems with big horns), and/or really likes a set-up that has the capability for serious slap/sizzle, then the VTC can help tame that sort of profile for situations where it is not appropriate or where pure technique isn't enough to tame that upper treble sizzle.

It's kind of a moot point, since all the new ones have this option. It's an easy decision to make on an older model... if you find that the top end is a bit too much in some situations, it might be worth installing. Of course, turning it up all the way is the same (virtually) as not having it at all, so no downside.

Also, seriously, if you have churned 20 Sadowsky's, you might not like the tone as much as you think (since obviously you dumped a ton of them). You might try some different tone and EQ strategies versus constantly churning instruments, which is expensive and must be quite frustrating, especially given that there is a lot of consistency in the tone of a Sadowsky from one instrument to another. Why are you selling so many instruments? Maybe the guys on the site can help diagnose the issue for you!
 
#10,803
KJung said:
I would have guessed that was the case:D

Seriously though, I can see that many would never touch it. However, if you are one who gets lots of front of house support (i.e., playing through full range systems with big horns), and/or really likes a set-up that has the capability for serious slap/sizzle, then the VTC can help tame that sort of profile for situations where it is not appropriate or where pure technique isn't enough to tame that upper treble sizzle.

It's kind of a moot point, since all the new ones have this option. It's an easy decision to make on an older model... if you find that the top end is a bit too much in some situations, it might be worth installing.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more.
 
#10,804
KJung said:
I still chuckle over Nino feeling the same way, and then when I heard his clips (which smoke in their own way), he was playing out of a totally overdriven Aguilar DB359 and a DB cab:hiding: I would totally agree, the VTC would not have much use for that type of tone, rig, and player:p
Click to expand...
There you go reminding me I don't have that amp any longer. :spit:




:D Loving my AG500DC.
 
#10,806
Nino Valenti said:
There you go reminding me I don't have that amp any longer. :spit:




:D Loving my AG500DC.
Click to expand...

That was a killer rig for the vibe you are going for! I dug those clips... grindy mahem!!! I bet the DC gets you 90% there though, in a MUCH ligher package. I tried to pick up that 359 that was at LDS for a while, and it felt it was bolted to the cab!

Hey, check out the 'Can anyone beat Tom's bass for the most beautiful bass' thread... one of yours made the cut!
 
#10,807
bikeplate said:
HI

Nope. The reason Ive had some many is because I can. I like trying a new model when RS comes out with one not to mention I always have at least 3 in my possession at a time, sometimes 5. Its a perk of being one of his artists

Rob
Click to expand...

Ah. cool! Again, I totally agree that the VTC would be relatively useless for quite a few players. I personally dig it in the few situations that I really need to 'tame the sizzle' and fatten the tone a bit.
 
#10,809
bikeplate said:
Hi

My point was that not everyone loves vtc. Thats why I posted. It isnt what makes a Sadowsky a Sadowsky. Ask Will Lee and many others. And I dont have a problem and dont need help from people Ive never met over the internet

Rob
Click to expand...

Ok then:p And, while I totally dig Will Lee, his personal tone goals and the way he gets them have very little meaning to me also.

I again find that a passive tone control very much is part of what makes a J style instrument a J style instrument, and would never buy a J style (or P style) instrument without one;)
 
#10,811
bikeplate said:
HI

Good for u.

Guess no one elses opinion matters

Rob
Click to expand...

Ah, OK, you are right. The VTC is useless. I get it. Roger is an idiot to include it as a standard option. What a tin ear:D

Just kidding.... I thought it was an interesting discussion... nothing personal... your opinion, my opinion... just trying to peel back the onion on why some totally dig it, and others find it useless. Just saying 'I find it useless' or on the other had, 'I can't live without it' has very little meaning without explaining why.
 
#10,816
I gigged a Sadowsky for the first time the other day (a rosewood alder 4), and I thought the VTC was one of the smoothest "tone control" circuits I have encountered. If I was going to pick up a Sadowsky, I would most definitely get the VTC, it made the bass capable of a far wider range of versatility. That to me, is a good thing. ;)

I mean if you don't use it, thats cool, but I understand the value of that versatility for many of us....
 

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