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+1
The top end response of those two wood combinations are interesting, and it really is a matter of semantics (i.e., how do you define 'bright').
The alder/RW (especially the NYC 'true rosewood' models) actually seem to have a bit of dip in the upper mids, resulting in some 'space' between the mids and the treble (like some bass cabs). This results in the basses not sounding 'bright' through the upper mids and lower treble, but rather full and fat down low, and a bit sizzly up top, with that upper treble sitting out there by its lonesome (especially with the somewhat scooped voicing of the stock HC pickups).
Ash/maple has a real bump in that 'ganky' 1K to 2K area to my ear, making those basses sound 'bright' (i.e., grindy and very present in the upper mids), which masks the sizzle a bit.
So, depending on how you define 'bright' (i.e., aggressive upper mids, or extended high treble), they both can be!
My alder/Madagascar RW Sadowksy JJ was among the sizzliest basses I've ever owned. My ash/maple with Sadowsky singles is much more punchy, and the combination of the punchier singles through the mids and that maple board make it growl and snarl versus the 'warm, smooth with sizzle' voicing of the alder/RW.
IMO... hard to talk about this stuff in general terms sometimes
As we both know there's tonal variation even within the same species of wood, but generalizations can be made and I agree with yours.
Most of the basses I've owned over the past 30+ years have been alder because it's my preference, but I've owned many in swamp ash: even recently I've had a Fender '57 RI, Lull P5, and the Sadowsky PJ5 I acquired just a few months ago. I definitely agree that the brightness of ash comes from the mids and high mids... my words for it are "sweet" and "singing", but whatever.
To my ears alder has more brightness in the 3-5kHz treble range, which works wonderfully with the tweeterless arrays of 10" speakers I've frequently used. Also, alder has more growl in the low mids, versus the mid-mid snarl you mentioned for ash.These differences are true for my two Sadowskys: the alder/maple P5 that has been my #1 bass for five years, and my newer ash/maple PJ5. Both are amazing instruments, but the alder one has my preferred tone, so I'm trading the ash one in on an alder/Brazilian P5. Some say that fingerboard wood makes a bigger difference in tone than body wood on a Sadowsky, but I respectfully disagree: a friend of mine has an alder/Brazilian PJ4 that has as much magic as (though slightly different than) my alder/maple PJ5. I don't expect my upcoming alder/Braz P5 to sound exactly like my alder/maple P5, but I am confident as can be that I will like it much better than the ash/maple PJ5 I'm trading in. Nothing wrong with the latter, it's just that my ears are attuned to alder... and it sux to have that handicap, because ash is much prettier!
Yipee
Gonna have a smokin NYC JJ5 on the way to Texas soon! Can't wait for the little brown truck to show up!
Don't get all those Sadowskys to close together. They might start breeding then you will be overrun with 'em.
Don't get all those Sadowskys to close together. They might start breeding then you will be overrun with 'em.
I've been trying really hard to do that but it didn't work so far. Maybe I only have males or only females Sadowskys.
I'm not into the club thing per se, but here are some pics of my awesome PJ4 NYC that I've had for the last couple of years. Its strung with Sadowsky flats.
Sadowsky NYC PJ4
Alder Body
Brazilian Rosewood FB
Daphne Blue finish
Matching headstock
Hip-shot D-Tuner
Factory installed Nordstrand NP4/NJ4SV
Routed for JJ w/Sadowsky single coils
With its Daddy:
With its siblings:
Sadowsky NYC PJ4
Alder Body
Brazilian Rosewood FB
Daphne Blue finish
Matching headstock
Hip-shot D-Tuner
Factory installed Nordstrand NP4/NJ4SV
Routed for JJ w/Sadowsky single coils
With its Daddy:
With its siblings:
Gorgeous PJ.
Which photo more truly shows the color? The brighter ones up top or the more subdued beautiful blue where Papa Roger is looking down the bass?
,
,
Which photo more truly shows the color? The brighter ones up top or the more subdued beautiful blue where Papa Roger is looking down the bass?
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,
Would someone who owns one of these Basses PLEASE sale one to me.
#5459
#5249
#5253
#5201
#5181
#5122
#4511
#5459
#5249
#5253
#5201
#5181
#5122
#4511
The true colour you see depends on the light (natural vs flourecent vs normal indoor), its a bit brigther than the pale blue in the photo with Roger but not quite as vibrant as on the photos (which have a longer exposure time) unless its bright light.
With the picture with Roger it really look like seafoam green.
Your bass is a beauty. Sell it to me please.
Mark, that looks fabulous. I love a matching headstock (with rosewood anyway).
Neil.
This one is mine, and there ain't no friggin' way I'm selling it. Sorry.
HOWEVER, if I'm ever down there when you have a gig, I'll be sure to bring it and you can do a set with it. I also plan on bringing it to the STL GTG.
Now you mention it - I don't think I have seen that on a Sadowsky. Lakland definitely do the Daryl Jones bass with maple and matching headstock. Doesn't look quite right though to me.
I quite fancy a teal green 4 string Ultra Vintage P Bass with tort guard and matching teal green headstock.
Neil
Yes there is such a thing.
But it's not popular and some folks I know (cough, cough) have a strong feeling about this.
I have a question. When colored Sadowsky headstocks are done is it always only on the face and if so, why is that? I assume the WL in the photo below has natural-color (non-matching) maple on the hand-side of the neck. Is that correct? One can see the maple on the side of the headstock near the company logo.
I've tried to find pics of Fender or Sad with Maple board and matching headstock and could not find any. If you know where i could see one, I would love to see it.
