Club Sadowsky!!!

[KJung]

Yeah, I know your main thing right now is a pretty faithful 70's spec bass, but I'm currently more charmed by the 60's spaced Sadowsky as well as the pure 60's spec bass I currently have. I used to be the total opposite tho, so I totally know where you're coming from.

Actually, if I was only allowed to keep one bass, it would be the Sadowsky, per your point of it 'kind of doing everything well'. I can get a '70's-ish' aggressive, grindy tone that is in the same tone universe as my more '70's legit' instrument, but it barks and bites a bit more when needed.

All good stuff!

 

[Wilbyman]

I never post on this thread but this is worthy...schwing..

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[Vic]

Actually, if I was only allowed to keep one bass, it would be the Sadowsky, per your point of it 'kind of doing everything well'. I can get a '70's-ish' aggressive, grindy tone that is in the same tone universe as my more '70's legit' instrument, but it barks and bites a bit more when needed.

I can TOTALLY understand that.

 

[thisSNsucks]

Thanks for dropping some knowledge on me KJung and Vic!

I had a UV70 in ash/maple (with humcancelling pickups) and currently have a MS4 in ash/maple 60's spacing (humcancelling pickups as well)

I do find that I liked the 70's spacing a bit more for the bright and sizzley tone, especially for slap.

All in all I think for my needs the 60's spacing with the warmer Alder/Rosewood combo is where it's at, hence me going with that spec on my NYC order.

 

[BartmanPDX]

So would you guys agree that the Ash/Maple, Single Coils in 60's Spacing is the recipe for THE Sadowsky sound?

Fif so, why not 70's spacing to keep with the more traditional Fender theme. Does it change the tone that drastically?

I think there are more than one "Sadowsky sound." First off, most Sadowskys have the HCs, so I think most people associate them with Sadowskys.

Additionally, I think both my alder/BRW PJ and my ash/maple Will Lee both have a "Sadowsky sound" though there is considerable difference between the two.

If I could keep just one though, it'd be the Will Lee. I've mostly stopped taking my other basses to gigs.

 

[KJung]

I think there are more than one "Sadowsky sound." First off, most Sadowskys have the HCs, so I think most people associate them with Sadowskys.

Additionally, I think both my alder/BRW PJ and my ash/maple Will Lee both have a "Sadowsky sound" though there is considerable difference between the two.

If I could keep just one though, it'd be the Will Lee. I've mostly stopped taking my other basses to gigs.

Without the mid boost engaged, the Will Lee is just a vintage ash/maple with single coils

 

[Vic]

Without the mid boost engaged, the Will Lee is just a vintage ash/maple with single coils

Not quite. The neck profile is very different, the body shape is different, and it has an extra fret. I suppose you could say tonally it's pretty close unless you want to consider the potential effect on slap tone of the extra fret, but I don't know how big of a deal that is. But at least from an aesthetics and feel perspective, they're still fairly different.

 

[KJung]

Not quite. The neck profile is very different, the body shape is different, and it has an extra fret. I suppose you could say tonally it's pretty close unless you want to consider the potential effect on slap tone of the extra fret, but I don't know how big of a deal that is. But at least from an aesthetics and feel perspective, they're still fairly different.

Only talking about tone (reread the original post that prompted my response)... should be identical. Aesthetics and 'feel' are a different topic. An extra fret would have zero issue on a slap tone... you can position your thumb identically with both necks. 24 frets... maybe a touch different.

Most of the guys who define the Sadowsky tone for me (Tal, Will) seem to be 'ash maple single' guys, and of course, there were only single coils with the Sadowky basses 'back in the day'.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Only talking about tone... should be identical. Aesthetics and 'feel' are a different topic.

Most of the guys who define the Sadowsky tone for me (Tal, Will) seem to be 'ash maple single' guys.

As far as tone, I'd say you're right, Ken. That's one of the reasons I went for the WL -- everything I liked about a regular ash MV4 w/singles, but with the additional option of the mid boost (which I've dialed back considerably) which gives me two flavors of kickass with the flick of a switch, a feature which is actually useful on gigs, unlike (for me) most mid boost systems.

I also do like the neck and feel slightly better too, but that's separate.

My main point is that there are several great Sadowsky tones -- SC-equipped ash/maples, alder/RW PJs, and the moderns are pretty doggone cool too.

 

[KJung]

As far as tone, I'd say you're right, Ken. That's one of the reasons I went for the WL -- everything I liked about a regular ash MV4 w/singles, but with the additional option of the mid boost (which I've dialed back considerably) which gives me two flavors of kickass with the flick of a switch, a feature which is useful on gigs, unlike (for me) most mid boost systems.

I also do like the neck and feel slightly better too, but that's separate.

My main point is that there are several great Sadowsky tones -- SC-equipped ash/maples, alder/RW PJs, and the moderns are pretty doggone cool too.

+1 all the way. I guess the 4 string Will Lee is a little closer in feel to those old Fender J's with that super thin nut profile. I've been playing my big honkin' 5's for so many years, that the WL neck profile would feel like I'm playing a darn Telecastor (and not the bass version). Pretty cool though for those looking for that feel.

I get so much mid burp out of my Sadowsky with singles that I can't quite picture a need for the mid boost, but more mids are typically a good thing in the mix, and I guess Will kind of knows what he's doing when spec'ing a good bass tone

 

[Chasarms]

The finishing piece of my "mini monster" showed up today. I have spent about an hour with it and the Sadowsky. I can't get over the total package. I have never been more pleased with the way I sound in my life. It amazing how much you can get out of this little rig with that bass.

The photo is a cruddy iPhone shot, but the jist is my PJ into a Markbass F1 driving two Aguilar DB112s.

It sounds so good it is making me re-think my position on returning the PUs to the conventional configuration. Fortunately, knowing myself as I do, I ordered a tort PG in both conventional and reverse. That way, if I like the look, I still have both options. Of course, if I decide the parc looks the best and the conventional sounds the best, I guess I just order another one!!!

 

[KJung]

The finishing piece of my "mini monster" showed up today. I have spent about an hour with it and the Sadowsky. I can't get over the total package. I have never been more pleased with the way I sound in my life. It amazing how much you can get out of this little rig with that bass.

The photo is a cruddy iPhone shot, but the jist is my PJ into a Markbass F1 driving two Aguilar DB112s.

It sounds so good it is making me re-think my position on returning the PUs to the conventional configuration. Fortunately, knowing myself as I do, I ordered a tort PG in both conventional and reverse. That way, if I like the look, I still have both options. Of course, if I decide the parc looks the best and the conventional sounds the best, I guess I just order another one!!!

LOVE those DB112's, and the F1 just makes them sing, sing, sing. Beautiful! GREAT J Bass rig!

 

[BartmanPDX]

That is a very nice, extremely practical rig.

Nice job, ChasArms!

 

[Vic]

Only talking about tone (reread the original post that prompted my response)... should be identical. Aesthetics and 'feel' are a different topic. An extra fret would have zero issue on a slap tone... you can position your thumb identically with both necks. 24 frets... maybe a touch different.

Yeah, I was just allowing for the super persnickety on that subject. To my ears, my 21 fret and my 24 fret sound pretty much the same to me. Ash/maple/SC, baby!

 

[Jerry J]

So would you guys agree that the Ash/Maple, Single Coils in 60's Spacing is the recipe for THE Sadowsky sound?

I think that maybe if you took a poll, on this question, from the people involved in this Sadowsky thread that this may have some merit. But I think that this would be short sighted to think that to get "the Sadowsky sound" that this is the ONLY formula. I have a feeling that there are far more Sadowsky basses being played and enjoyed with an alder/rosewood and HC pickups. This is just IMHO.

We here on TB seem to focus in on the people that participate in the TB threads. And tend to dismiss that Roger has been building and selling basses for a long time and to many more bass players throughout the world than our very small group here.

I'm certain that if the ash/maple/SC/60's spacing was THE defining bass that that would be the most prevelant bass that Sadowsky builds. But looking at the "basses sold" pages on the Sadowsky site doesn't bear this out. It seems to be across the board on the different configuration. Plus you have to assume the basses listed there are just a small sampling of the basses that Roger has produced over the years.

 

[tombowlus]

Not quite. The neck profile is very different, the body shape is different, and it has an extra fret. I suppose you could say tonally it's pretty close unless you want to consider the potential effect on slap tone of the extra fret, but I don't know how big of a deal that is. But at least from an aesthetics and feel perspective, they're still fairly different.

You darned 5-string players keep forgetting one of the most important features (which, admittedly, could be added to just about any bass, but still, I like it!): the Hipshot D-tuner!!!

 

[Jerry J]

+1 all the way. I guess the 4 string Will Lee is a little closer in feel to those old Fender J's with that super thin nut profile. I've been playing my big honkin' 5's for so many years, that the WL neck profile would feel like I'm playing a darn Telecastor (and not the bass version). Pretty cool though for those looking for that feel.

I get so much mid burp out of my Sadowsky with singles that I can't quite picture a need for the mid boost, but more mids are typically a good thing in the mix, and I guess Will kind of knows what he's doing when spec'ing a good bass tone

This almost sounds kinda condescending. But I'm sure that you didn't mean it that way, right?

 

[Vic]

You darned 5-string players keep forgetting one of the most important features (which, admittedly, could be added to just about any bass, but still, I like it!): the Hipshot D-tuner!!!

Yeah, but I was only trying to deal with the stuff an owner couldn't address. Any blithering idiot can add a D-tuner.

 

[tombowlus]

Yeah, but I was only trying to deal with the stuff an owner couldn't address. Any blithering idiot can add a D-tuner.

True story! I recently added one to a Pedulla of mine.

 

[BluesyCat]

For someone who doesn't know, (like me) what is all the fuss over this Hipshot gizmo?