Club Sadowsky!!!

[jeff5311]

I guess another point of view. The last thing I would do if I had a $3,000 bass was 'learn how to do something with a soldering iron' with it. Practice on something else... fork over the $25 or whatever and have a tech who knows what he is doing take the 15 minutes and do it right

Ha! Yeah... I understand what your saying Ken. But I mean 2 solders, how difficult can it be? Famous last words, right?

I have taken basses to numerous "techs" in the past for setups, only to have to adjust the basses again after I get them back (especially with fretless basses). Over time, I've learned how to make the adjustments myself.

If I only knew a good BASS tech in the Atlanta area. Anyone else know of a great tech in my area? I'm sure I could have Jim at Atlanta Bass Gallery do this for me. However, by the time I drove down there I could have done it myself.

Regardless, thanks for the input guys. I try and be extra careful with the soldering iron...

 

[Vic]

I guess another point of view. The last thing I would do if I had a $3,000 bass was 'learn how to do something with a soldering iron' with it. Practice on something else... fork over the $25 or whatever and have a tech who knows what he is doing take the 15 minutes and do it right

I am pretty much with Ken on this one. Too many times I have seen basses where a simple soldering job was not done right and it sounded like crap. So, I leave this one to the techs. Get to know a good one locally and they will not charge you much to do it. If you plan on doing it often...invest in a good soldering iron maybe do your learning on an old radio or something like that.

Well, to put things in a realistic perspective here, we're not talking high tech at all. We're talking a couple wires on a couple pot lugs. If you have even the most basic soldering skills, you can do it, and do just fine. Now, if we were talking about fixing pickups, doing work on a preamp board, etc, I'd be a LOT less flip with my comments.

That said, I AM stating this from the TRUE perspective of "if you can (de)solder two wires". If someone literally didn't know how to do that, then my comment is null/void, and even tho there's NO risk of damaging the instrument here (absolute worst case, damage a $5 pot), I'd still recommend going with a tech rather than "learning" on the instrument.

Anyway, again, to keep my comments in the correct perspective.

 

[Chasarms]

So, the bass I bought showed up at the office a couple of hours ago. I'm pretty excited.

Specs are: '59 burst Flame maple on Ash w/ maple fb built in 2003. Single coil PUs with the VTC. Weighs 8.5 pounds. Exactly the same as my Cherryburst PJ.

I'm at the office, but I did mess around on it for 25-30 minutes. My initial reaction is that it plays better than my PJ. The action is a tiny touch high for me, but that will be dealt with before the evening ends. I am looking forward to plugging it in.

It's a little beat up, which is disappointing. There is some finish blems on it that will drive me nuts. (I have sold basses because I couldn't stand to look at a scratch another time.) I will certainly be looking in to the possibility of getting the finish repaired, if it is possible. Some can be buffed out, but some will need to be filled for sure.

This is a crappy photo taken with my iPhone, but it does avoid the "no pics, no bass" issue!!!

 

[Vic]

Specs are: '59 burst Flame maple on Ash w/ maple fb built in 2003. Single coil PUs with the VTC. Weighs 8.5 pounds.

Perfection!!

(except you need a clear or tort guard on it, of course)

It's a little beat up, which is disappointing. There is some finish blems on it that will drive me nuts. (I have sold basses because I couldn't stand to look at a scratch another time.) I will certainly be looking in to the possibility of getting the finish repaired, if it is possible. Some can be buffed out, but some will need to be filled for sure.

This may sound a little weird, but as long as you're not dealing with a worse problem, like having to undo or renegotiate the deal due to misrepresentation, I strongly urge you to leave it alone. Here's why...

Admittedly, my older NYC (ash/maple/SC/JJ5) isn't as "pretty" as this one with a burst and figured top, BUT, I can't tell you how cool it is to have a superb bass you just don't worry as much about... getting that first ding or scratch. It's a real freedom!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting you take worse care of your stuff, or even not try as hard to keep this one from getting any further blemishes, but just the simple fact that it's already got a few, really makes that bass one you feel more comfortable taking more places... meaning you could end up enjoying it just that much more... that's the freedom I'm talking about.

Trust me, I get the "pristine" thing... just ask anyone who's bought something from me... especially a high end bass... but man, if you can manage to adjust your attitude in cases like these, it's really empowering.

 

[narud]

Perfection!!

This may sound a little weird, but as long as you're not dealing with a worse problem, like having to undo or renegotiate the deal due to misrepresentation, I strongly urge you to leave it alone. Here's why...

Admittedly, my older NYC (ash/maple/SC/JJ5) isn't as "pretty" as this one with a burst and figured top, BUT, I can't tell you how cool it is to have a superb bass you just don't worry as much about... getting that first ding or scratch. It's a real freedom!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting you take worse care of your stuff, or even not try as hard to keep this one from getting any further blemishes, but just the simple fact that it's already got a few, really makes that bass one you feel more comfortable taking more places... meaning you could end up enjoying it just that much more... that's the freedom I'm talking about.

Trust me, I get the "pristine" thing... just ask anyone who's bought something from me... especially a high end bass... but man, if you can manage to adjust your attitude in cases like these, it's really empowering.

thats why i dont own a stand. i just lay em' on the ground

 

[Chef]

Vic: yeah, it's nice having one dinged up primo bass, kinda.
My AC "was pre-beat," and I can take it out to skankville with no reservations.

 

[Chasarms]

Trust me, I get the "pristine" thing... just ask anyone who's bought something from me... especially a high end bass... but man, if you can manage to adjust your attitude in cases like these, it's really empowering.

The ADPV was a tribute to your idea of pristine.

I don't know about the empowerment thing. I guess I am OCD or something. My wife asks me all the time why I haven't gotten rid of her as she is starting to show a little wear and tear (especially after 20 years of being married to me). There's a couple of places here in town that I can have look at it. If there's some chance of it looking mostly right for a reasonable amount of money, I will probably do it.

Although, I haven't played it yet. I would say there is at least a 75 percent chance that once I hear it, I won't care anymore.

Maybe it'll end up like my wife: a few blems here and there, but the overall package is well worth it.

 

[Vic]

My wife asks me all the time why I haven't gotten rid of her as she is starting to show a little wear and tear (especially after 20 years of being married to me).

LOL!! GHACK! Dude, don't do that to me when I have a mouth full of coffee, now I have to reprint that report...

There's a couple of places here in town that I can have look at it. If there's some chance of it looking mostly right for a reasonable amount of money, I will probably do it.

Your wife or the bass?

Although, I haven't played it yet. I would say there is at least a 75 percent chance that once I hear it, I won't care anymore.

Maybe it'll end up like my wife: a few blems here and there, but the overall package is well worth it.

Go with that. When I got mine, there were a few dings on it that were not disclosed to me, but in the end, I still got a stellar deal on it, and it just made it that much "better" for me in a way, 'cause they don't affect tone or playability, and they're only visible under relatively close scrutiny.

Anyway, FWIW.

 

[Hounddog]

So, the bass I bought showed up at the office a couple of hours ago. I'm pretty excited.

Specs are: '59 burst Flame maple on Ash w/ maple fb built in 2003. Single coil PUs with the VTC. Weighs 8.5 pounds. Exactly the same as my Cherryburst PJ.

I'm at the office, but I did mess around on it for 25-30 minutes. My initial reaction is that it plays better than my PJ. The action is a tiny touch high for me, but that will be dealt with before the evening ends. I am looking forward to plugging it in.

It's a little beat up, which is disappointing. There is some finish blems on it that will drive me nuts. (I have sold basses because I couldn't stand to look at a scratch another time.) I will certainly be looking in to the possibility of getting the finish repaired, if it is possible. Some can be buffed out, but some will need to be filled for sure.

This is a crappy photo taken with my iPhone, but it does avoid the "no pics, no bass" issue!!!

I agree with Vic. My UV70-5er has plenty of dings and you know what, Who cares. I bought it to play. I can drag it into any little dive I want to play @. This may sound crazy but I will be glad when my NYC gets its first ding. Cause I am buying it to play.

 

[jeff5311]

Perfection!!

(except you need a clear or tort guard on it, of course)

This may sound a little weird, but as long as you're not dealing with a worse problem, like having to undo or renegotiate the deal due to misrepresentation, I strongly urge you to leave it alone. Here's why...

Admittedly, my older NYC (ash/maple/SC/JJ5) isn't as "pretty" as this one with a burst and figured top, BUT, I can't tell you how cool it is to have a superb bass you just don't worry as much about... getting that first ding or scratch. It's a real freedom!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting you take worse care of your stuff, or even not try as hard to keep this one from getting any further blemishes, but just the simple fact that it's already got a few, really makes that bass one you feel more comfortable taking more places... meaning you could end up enjoying it just that much more... that's the freedom I'm talking about.

Trust me, I get the "pristine" thing... just ask anyone who's bought something from me... especially a high end bass... but man, if you can manage to adjust your attitude in cases like these, it's really empowering.

I'm with Vic on this one.

Within 4 days of getting my new MV5 from Sadowsky, it got kicked off its stand at a gig and splattered with paint.

The paint simply wiped off, but large gash was made at the back bottom of the body. Nothing I could do but say "Oh well, the relic process has started."

Roger told me I could send it to CA to get it refinished, but... I'm sure I'd get it back only to have something more disastrous happen.

Crazy thing is I own a mid-90's MIA Fender Jazz that doesn't have a scratch on it. It's a player -- but's it's no Sadowsky.

 

[Jerry J]

So, the bass I bought showed up at the office a couple of hours ago. I'm pretty excited.

Specs are: '59 burst Flame maple on Ash w/ maple fb built in 2003. Single coil PUs with the VTC. Weighs 8.5 pounds. Exactly the same as my Cherryburst PJ.

I'm at the office, but I did mess around on it for 25-30 minutes. My initial reaction is that it plays better than my PJ. The action is a tiny touch high for me, but that will be dealt with before the evening ends. I am looking forward to plugging it in.

It's a little beat up, which is disappointing. There is some finish blems on it that will drive me nuts. (I have sold basses because I couldn't stand to look at a scratch another time.) I will certainly be looking in to the possibility of getting the finish repaired, if it is possible. Some can be buffed out, but some will need to be filled for sure.

This is a crappy photo taken with my iPhone, but it does avoid the "no pics, no bass" issue!!!

Absolutely do NOT tolerate that. You need to send that bass to me, immediately....please?

 

[Chasarms]

I get the thing home last night and of course, I have to tinker with it. Quarter turn on the fancy little truss wheel and a few minutes with the allen wrench and the action is prefect for my taste. I have to say that for all of their other attributes, one that often gets over-looked is how well a Sadowsky takes a set up. Both of mine are second to nothing I have ever owned or worked on. It's not hard at all to get them exactly where you want them, and get great intonation and nice, ringing notes anywhere on the neck. Nice!!

Then, of course, OCD sets in, and I have to futz with the battle scars. I have a clear coat repair kit that I bought when I was dumb enough to buy a black car. Using this, I was able to wet sand and buff out several of the clear coat scuffs. Fortunately, nearly all of the deeper stuff is in the black around the edges, so a snag myself (insert Roger Sadowsky cringing here ) a black sharpie. Using this and a microfiber cloth, I was able to swipe with the sharpie, allow to dry for couple seconds and then buff the surplus ink off the surface, but allow it to soak into the whitened edges of the fractured clear. It disguised the blemishes quite nicely actually.

There are a couple of really deep chips. After blackening the bottom, I used a clear coat touch up bottle I had to put a drop in each. I'll add thin layers until I have it built up higher than the surface, then wet sand it smooth and buff it out. They will be hardly noticeable.

So, I think I am going to be able to placate myself. I stay sane, spend no money and still have a bass that don't have to worry TOO much about. One I could even let Vic borrow

Insert voice of the TB audience: "Who gives a *%$# how it looks! How does it sound!!!"

This bass an open quality to the tone that the PJ just doesn't have. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way it sounds. I don't want to get too out of bounds, but there is a very unique "depth", as in third dimension -- not low freq, that I have never experienced before. It's so musical. Further, it doesn't seem to have that excess high end that can be a challenge to tame.

It also plays better. Is there a variety of ways that Sadowsky treats necks? The PJ has a really white maple neck with a matte or satin finish. This one is a bit worn, but it appears slightly warmly tinted (maybe some time of "vintage" treatment) and is more of gloss. I definitely prefer the feel.

It may also have something to do with the strings. It's strung with DRs. I love you Sadowsky, but I am abandoning the Sadowsky strings on the PJ. I'm going back to DR.

 

[Chef]

I've done sharpie touch up before: don't feel bad

 

[Vic]

...Then, of course, OCD sets in, and I have to futz with the battle scars...

LOL!!!

Ok, I guess whatever it takes to keep you from going crazy and flipping the bass despite the likely amazing tone and playability.

So, I think I am going to be able to placate myself. I stay sane, spend no money and still have a bass that don't have to worry TOO much about. One I could even let Vic borrow

I know yer just kiddin', but just in case... ANY TIME!!!

This bass an open quality to the tone that the PJ just doesn't have. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way it sounds. I don't want to get too out of bounds, but there is a very unique "depth", as in third dimension -- not low freq, that I have never experienced before. It's so musical. Further, it doesn't seem to have that excess high end that can be a challenge to tame.

I totally love my PJ5, but it's VERY different from a JJ5. I know exactly what you're talking about. There's lots of diffs, but at least primarily, I think there's a presence in the upper mids that is stronger on a JJ5, especially with SC pickups, that's just undeniable. I think the slap tone is a bit "sweeter" on a PJ, and it's always just wonderful to solo the P for blues and classic rock, but it'll never ever sound much like a JJ5. That's one of the reasons I like to have both. There's really very little crossover.

Is there a variety of ways that Sadowsky treats necks? The PJ has a really white maple neck with a matte or satin finish. This one is a bit worn, but it appears slightly warmly tinted (maybe some time of "vintage" treatment) and is more of gloss. I definitely prefer the feel.

I've noticed this on the Metros (seems lighter colored) vs NYC (seems a bit darker), and I do think those are different neck finishes, but you have two NYC's, so I'm not sure how they could be that different unless it's just from play time... or maybe Roger did change the formula at some point?

It may also have something to do with the strings. It's strung with DRs. I love you Sadowsky, but I am abandoning the Sadowsky strings on the PJ. I'm going back to DR.

Which ones?

 

[narud]

I get the thing home last night and of course, I have to tinker with it. Quarter turn on the fancy little truss wheel and a few minutes with the allen wrench and the action is prefect for my taste. I have to say that for all of their other attributes, one that often gets over-looked is how well a Sadowsky takes a set up. Both of mine are second to nothing I have ever owned or worked on. It's not hard at all to get them exactly where you want them, and get great intonation and nice, ringing notes anywhere on the neck. Nice!!

Then, of course, OCD sets in, and I have to futz with the battle scars. I have a clear coat repair kit that I bought when I was dumb enough to buy a black car. Using this, I was able to wet sand and buff out several of the clear coat scuffs. Fortunately, nearly all of the deeper stuff is in the black around the edges, so a snag myself (insert Roger Sadowsky cringing here ) a black sharpie. Using this and a microfiber cloth, I was able to swipe with the sharpie, allow to dry for couple seconds and then buff the surplus ink off the surface, but allow it to soak into the whitened edges of the fractured clear. It disguised the blemishes quite nicely actually.

There are a couple of really deep chips. After blackening the bottom, I used a clear coat touch up bottle I had to put a drop in each. I'll add thin layers until I have it built up higher than the surface, then wet sand it smooth and buff it out. They will be hardly noticeable.

So, I think I am going to be able to placate myself. I stay sane, spend no money and still have a bass that don't have to worry TOO much about. One I could even let Vic borrow

Insert voice of the TB audience: "Who gives a *%$# how it looks! How does it sound!!!"

This bass an open quality to the tone that the PJ just doesn't have. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way it sounds. I don't want to get too out of bounds, but there is a very unique "depth", as in third dimension -- not low freq, that I have never experienced before. It's so musical. Further, it doesn't seem to have that excess high end that can be a challenge to tame.

It also plays better. Is there a variety of ways that Sadowsky treats necks? The PJ has a really white maple neck with a matte or satin finish. This one is a bit worn, but it appears slightly warmly tinted (maybe some time of "vintage" treatment) and is more of gloss. I definitely prefer the feel.

It may also have something to do with the strings. It's strung with DRs. I love you Sadowsky, but I am abandoning the Sadowsky strings on the PJ. I'm going back to DR.

the nitro on the back of the neck will gloss up the more you play it.

 

[Vic]

the nitro on the back of the neck will gloss up the more you play it.

Very true, and this is by design, but he also mentions a color diff... that's the part that kinda threw me.

 

[jebmd]

I told you once you were bitten by the Sadowsky bug you would never go back. I've owned 6 and the number will probably grow.

You were right, but the Sadowsky's I have seem to do everything I need at the moment, unless I have to get the fender p out.

 

[KJung]

Very true, and this is by design, but he also mentions a color diff... that's the part that kinda threw me.

IME, there is quite a variation in the nitro neck finishes across instruments/batches in color (even within tinted or not tinted), and especially 'gloss'. My current Sadowsky has a darker tint than most, and a very 'flat' and somewhat sticky nitro finish that is just starting to gloss up after a couple years of pretty hard playing. My previous Sadowsky (same tint option) was lighter in color, and was totally glossy and smooth from the day I took it out of the case.

I think Roger posted that this is due to variation across the nitro batches. I think they all eventually look and feel very similar, but it seems to take a while with some instruments. No big dea.

 

[Saluki]

I've done sharpie touch up before: don't feel bad

I use the black sharpie more than duct tape.

 

[Chasarms]

Which ones?

Hi-Beams.

I can't get into the stiff feel of the Sadowsky strings. I have Blue SS 45s on the PJ and just can't get into the feel of them. The DRs feel so much better to me.

Not sure about the neck. It may not be tinted. It may just be the nature of the wood, but the JJ is definitely darker, slicker and glossier than the PJ.