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The Sadowsky bridge is 'quick release'.... it is accomplished through the back of the bridge versus top slots. WONDERFUL bridge... solid, high quality, easy to deal with. I guess the only slight negative is that if you are using a non tapered B string, you have to be a bit careful with the finish back there, since it is a tight fit through the back of the bridge. Minor deal.
+1 Those little plastic battery boxes are surely not built to take a beating. I dig the functionality though, but actually prefer the MTD design of a small, separate compartment with two threaded screws.
Minor deal... on further review, I increase your grade to a solid A
I always put a piece of "blue" painters tape across the back of the bass behind the bridge when I change strings, protects the finish and comes right off!
+2. I agree it's a nice hunk of wood, but the "floating" control plate and the screws give it a very unfinished look.
FWIW, I really like the shell pg on it. But, I like shell guards on almost any bass.
Chas
Agreed. That's how my American Deluxe Fender was made as well. Two screws is faster than six. I know it's quibbling, but that's about the only chance you get to complain with these basses.
+1 And there is something nice about never opening up the compartment with all the wires, etc. Again, minor deal/nitpick!
And, as long as I'm posting, I am still totally GAS free.. my orange Vintage continues to just play and sound great to me, sound persons, band mates, and hopefully audiences. Grindy, aggressive, punchy and fat all at the same time... light weight, small body, perfect fretwork, and single coils that seem more quiet than some of the HC's I've had through the years.
And... it's ORANGE
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
That's a great idea! I generally use a cloth of some kind, but the painter's tape would be sure to stay in place
Chef
In Memoriam
Some manufacturers have a small, separate compartment, the panel of which is secured by magnets. Nice.
I haven't opened my Sadowsky yet....I like the "hours left" battery meter Roger carries now.
I haven't opened my Sadowsky yet....I like the "hours left" battery meter Roger carries now.
Our buddy Burk had this done to his Sadowsky at the shop.... not a big deal from what I remember. +1 He should just contact Kevin and get a price. Not sure if I would bother, since I adjust my Sadowsky neck every other year or so
As you know, that is one of Ken's rules that should be required by law for all luthiers...
- spoke and wheel truss rod adjuster knob
- Separate easy access battery compartment
- Quick release bridge
- Preamp bypass if the bass is active
- Passive tone knob
Those pop-up battery boxes are the worst... They always, always fail. I've repaired so many of those over time I don't even use them on basses that have them. I've retrofit a battery clip and some foam into the electronics cavity.
Luckily, none of the Sadowsky's I currently own have those.
Agreed on the other points though -- whole heartedly.
EDIT: Just saw your second post.... Yes, the MTD approach is a good one.
Nope. Just any design that doesn't require you feed the string through a hole to get it in/out.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
+1 And there is something nice about never opening up the compartment with all the wires, etc. Again, minor deal/nitpick!
And, as long as I'm posting, I am still totally GAS free.. my orange Vintage continues to just play and sound great to me, sound persons, band mates, and hopefully audiences. Grindy, aggressive, punchy and fat all at the same time... light weight, small body, perfect fretwork, and single coils that seem more quiet than some of the HC's I've had through the years.
And... it's ORANGE
Roger I will give a nod to Ken here, I saw/heard one of his videos (on youtube?) demo'ing some cabs with his orange Sad, and that did it for me. I tried searching youtube for more sound clips of your basses and found very little posted by individually players, except for maybe 3 or 4 playing a MV5. Lots of 4 string basses though.
I think yanking the PG helped me realize that I like the MS5 look over the vintage, but only slightly. Oh well, more GAS.
I echo Kens comment, a small battery compartment with machine screws would be nice though. Am I going to sell over that? Not at chance.
By the way, anyone wanting to sell some single coils for a 5'er feel free to PM me, I wanna try 'em!
+1 Those little plastic battery boxes are surely not built to take a beating. I dig the functionality though, but actually prefer the MTD design of a small, separate compartment with two threaded screws.
Minor deal... on further review, I increase your grade to a solid A
Battery change is a pretty rare event, and with passive bypass you can get through the gig if it dies. Easier access is a non-issue for me.
I want a motorized battery door that opens when you press a button. Oh, wait, if the batteries need to be changed because they're dead... ok, back to the drawing board... 
That's a great idea! I generally use a cloth of some kind, but the painter's tape would be sure to stay in place
That's what the stiff paper branding sheet that comes in the string pack is for. Just wedge it under the ball end while you wind up, does a great job. I'd be careful with the painters tape and try it on the back of the bass first, depending on what your finish is I can see there being trouble with goo.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I want a motorized battery door that opens when you press a button. Oh, wait, if the batteries need to be changed because they're dead... ok, back to the drawing board...
LOL. one more comment, I love the tone of this bass with the pre-amp bypassed. Nice work Roger on those pickups, it's obvious you have put a lot of attention on getting your instruments to where they are tonally.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
blue painters tape leaves no goo. I use it all the time, as you can see. And I use it at work on my mixing console as well. Now if they only made it white......
Chef
In Memoriam
tone nazi;
we have white tape here i use on my mixing consoles all the time.
i think it's a 3M product.
we have white tape here i use on my mixing consoles all the time.
i think it's a 3M product.
+1!
I know there are those who strongly feel that passive mode in these basses is really only for emergency/contingency use, but I've definitely made use of passive mode and enjoyed it a LOT. I've done this on my JJ basses, but where I personally think it's coolest is on my PJ5 when soloing the P pickup. At some point, I'm gonna' throw flats on that bass and see just exactly how Motown I can get it to sound in "passive P" mode.
