Club Sadowsky!!!

[gillento]

A strange thing happend yesterday at the studio. Maybe someone can explain this to me:

My MV5 with SCs (ash/maple, obviously) sounded fuller and less scoopd than my PJ5 (newer Nordies wound PUs) (alder/brz), especially on the "neck" PU.

I was expecting the exact opposite to be true.

This has confused me rather a lot

 

[Bass Collector]

Sure, I'm in with a bit more figured top action

 

[sok monkee]

I love all the pictures

my new to me Metro off getting SC,s at this moment!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675710

 

[P. Bass]

Sure, I'm in with a bit more figured top action

Every time I see this top I wanna ski down the ridges on that quilt.
Unreal!

 

[TimothyGroovy]

I'm in!

 

[Fran Diaz]

1 - Roger Sadowsky
2 - MikeBass
3 - AJ Brown
4 - kobass
5 - thehurlatron
6 - dragonbass
7 - 5stringwonder
8 - JRBrown
9 - Nino Valenti
10 - Alexander
11 - Jim Carr
12 - Shelly
13 - Munjibunga
14 - Steve
15 - rob2966
16 - ric426
17 - Big Red Bass
18 - Chunk-O-Funk
19 - burk48237
20 - Marcus
21 - bikeplate
22 - ogyen
23 - grooveguru
24 - Joeykun
25 - MAJOR METAL
26 - tommixx
27 - albass111
28 - JansenW
29 - Drucocu
30 - Steve Clark
31 - Rhythm5
32 - Fender32
33 - jazzbo58
34 - KPO2000
35 - FbassDave
36 - abngourmet
37 - HiFi
38 - Fran Diaz
39 - PocketGroove82
40 - Alistair R
41 - Jeff Rader
42 - Baird6869
43 – 76Dub
44 - Russell Bergum
45 - KJung
46 - deceased
47 - steve9000gi
48 - Dirty Dave
49 - Big String
50 - Jerry J
51 - OpaqueBass
52 - phatbass30
53 - bmc
54 - Sean Baumann
55 - tombowlus
56 - Mr_Dave
57 - mlowe
58 - pedroferreira
59 - AxtoOx
60 - maconbass
61 - jokerjkny
62 - simongpaez
63 - BassSlave
64 - JimS
65 - Squish
66 - Craig Garfinkel
67 - BOOTZY
68 - thewanderer24
69 – Bass Boy
70 - McHack
71 - chingas
72 – Bass Collector
73 - bugbass
74 - Cory
75 - Cheesewiz
76 - svtb15
77 - coelho
78 - gillento
79 - mero
80 - justabass
81 - Jeff K
82 - Vic
83 - mrDOS
84 - pstyle
85 - jediBass5
86 - HMan!!!!!! (Luck duck!!! Enjoy her!!)
87 - ricardex
88 - polo515
89 - T-MOST
90 - jzbass6
91 - Blake Bass
92 - Saluki
93 - Fuzzbass
94 - Pako
95 - VinatgeBT6
96 - BartmanBDX
97 - LesFunk
98 - thefatherssong
99 - Marcin Łatko
100 - pinchdawg
101 - cavemusic
102 - Alexander
103 - Woolysock
104 - Loudarama
105 - Lizzy D
106 - jdwinva
107 - Wadge
108 - KevinLane
109 - specs
110 - Nenor
111 - noisetree
112 - RockBoxBass
113 - Blues Infidel
114 - Pickles
115 - GDCX
116 - MAISKESO
117 - Hyperba55
118 - DrSmaggs
119 - alembicbones
120 - pan_of_qld
121 - lgrankin
122 - Giterdone
123 - ClassicJazz
124 - Rusty the Scoob
125 - Andy Hill
126 - rdmjazz
127 - lowB_2277
128 - dean82
129 - Funnyfreddie
130 - TheWotan
131 - ssommer
132 - johnpaulbass
133 - BASSKADET
134 - pedroims
135 - Visirale
136 - gflowers
137 - Margus Alviste
138 - rodneyat
139 - etinsley
140 – Stampede
141 – BluesyCat
142 – thisSNsucks
143 – Bass Viking
144 – boriology101
145 – smeet
146 – cachao is god
147 – James C
148 – rushphile
149 – drgregn
150 - BassShifter21
151 - jonno1707
152 – mikeluch
153 – Nitkin
154 – Modern Growl
155 – BIGREDSIX
156 – HELLOCCTV
157 - rayzak
158 –available NOS
159- lowdownwalt
160 - BuffaloBob4343
161 - groov'ster
162 – barks
163 – rulyøngo
164 - mrbassman_de
165 – Laklandlover
166 – flewis
167 – CHRISDABASS
168 – JeanBG
169 - jacojazz156
170 - Indigo_blues
171 - mponthier
172 – Rockies
173 - p0k
174 – olistorck
175 – A_E_A
176 - sneha1965
177 - deceased
178 - duckman999
179 - PauBass
180 – KUNGfuSHERIFF
181 – EagleMoon
182 – Santraginus
183 - The Butler
184 - SCT1422
185 - G-MonRV5
186 - dex
187 - pedulla-2007
188 - dooft11
189 – davidjbass
190 - Slaine01
191 – psax
192 – fcoda
193 – Michele
194 – Usedtoplaymore
195 – jonotronic
196 – Joelc73
197 – bassdr
198 - deceased
199 – HeyMikey
200 – Hawkeye
201 - Phillip Jordan
202 – johnnydi
203 – Aussiephoenix
204 – SteveC
205 – tomshepp
206 - bassam0222
207 – MindlessInside
208 – moorebass
209 – Zebulon
210 - steve f
211 - Ed777
212 - NOLA Bass
213 – BassieMike
214 – azbazz
215 – Creese
216 - sok monkee
217 – gabal
218 – slagbass
219 - Tim Craig
220 - Famous Shamus
221 – Chef
222 - Scott McArron
223 - atrapp
224 – Mr.Typhus
225 – chris.gotfunk
226 – OneMan
227 – DiDi G
228 – kph24
229 - t0t0m
230 – ElMon
231 – MF_Maher
232 - richrod
233 – Limeman
234 - ian.lawless
235 - roadkill2309
236 – dan900
237 – SevenReasons
238 – emblymouse
239 – gregbackstrom
240 - bhubb3rd
241 – Justin Beck
242 – jwbassman
243 - ookiedukes
244 - jmeyers44
245 – blen dem
246 – deceased
247 –esxmac
248 – RexNFX79
249 – ronniner
250 – toothguy
251 - pablo basso
252 – emohair
253 – g13nn
254 - Paullee01
255 – JRB
256 - jc-bass
257 – Bjornar
258 – cocobass
259 - bassgod0dmw
260 – arcticreef
261 – Jedisan
262 – slogo
263 - J Hud
264 – bigtexashonk
265 – Bassconbeatz
266 – Hounddog
267 - craigb43
268 - Ur2funky
269 – joinercape
270 – roogbass
271 – Timlr
272 – camiloochoa
273- rpsequeira
274 – drewmi
275 - godley69
276 - KPO2000
277 - Chateauabovall
278 – cabrego
279 – bwoodman
280 - was3funk
281 - B.Anderson
282 - john nam
283 - lx_night
284 – dabassr
285 - ggus
286 - foderaman
287 - DylanB
288 - tommysalami
289 - tpolgrafix
290 - kevcooke
291 - I Can't Dance
292 - dexter71
293 – Nickthebass
294 - JoZac21
295 – tonenazi
296 – alex6
297 – jmilkey
298 – Chasarms
299 -evilgus
300 – jebmd
301 – amelnick
302 – KillerB
303 – mindwell
304 - thudstaff23
305 - AREA

 

[Fran Diaz]

...and the mandatory photos, this time live:

 

[Bass Collector]

Every time I see this top I wanna ski down the ridges on that quilt.
Unreal!

The birdseye board is nuts... the Quilt is rediculous!

I looooove this bass!

After 20 years of wanting a Sadowsky, I bought it after seeing it on the "in-stock" page. I'd never played one of Roger's basses... man, am I happy! then, the Koa bass came a year or so later and it's just as good.

 

[Saluki]

in
MV5 4168 was supposed to be delivered today, but has been mysteriously stuck in Ohio for 2 days. Tracking shows tomorrow, but that's changed at least once in transit.

Fedex...

Sounds like Tom B, not Vic.

 

[Chasarms]

Figured tops are pretty cool . . .

The WL sounded really nice cranked through the IP310 this weekend on the big stage.

If that bass wasn't missing a string , I would be stalking your gigs looking for the opportune time to make a cleverly disguised Essex swap. I figure I can take the photo you posted, blow it up to actual size, print it out and glue it on the front of an Essex. Maybe you wouldn't notice!!

That top is so cool.

 

[Joelc73]

Every time I see this top I wanna ski down the ridges on that quilt.
Unreal!

I know the feeling. Bass Collector has been torchering me with his photos of it for years!

Everytime I see it, I want to call Roger and have him build me the exact same thing. Unfortunately, my wife tends to discourage me from ordering Sadowsky #5...

 

[littlebassboy]

hi guys

just curious, what's the sound difference between a sadowsky JJ and P/J?

and is the P/J Humcancelling?

 

[Chasarms]

hi guys

just curious, what's the sound difference between a sadowsky JJ and P/J?

and is the P/J Humcancelling?

Odd you should ask, as I was A/Bing (literally, I got out my little Morley switch) my JJ and my PJ last night. There is a HUGE difference in the tone of the two instruments.

Granted, the JJ bass that I have has single coil pickups, and the PJ that I have is "reverse" PJ in that the two P pickups are inverted. So, my comparisons are probably the extremes of the discussion.

The JJ bass has very warm, open tone to it. The mid presence is nice and strong. It is one of the most "musical" sounding basses I have ever heard. The high treble is soft and subtle. The low end is a bit thinner compared to the PJ and not nearly as punchy. A lot of this is likely attributed to the single coils. Some JJs have the Sadowsky hum cancelling pickups, which are said to have a more modern tone.

The PJ, in its neutral position, is very modern sounding, and yes it does have a hum cancelling pickup in the bridge slot. The tone isn't really that "scooped" to my ear, but is much more flat than the JJ. The bottom end is much tighter. The B string on that bass is VERY quick and articulate. Plently of low end but focused. This may be attributed somewhat to the reversed position of the neck pickups. The B string definitely sounds better on this bass. On the other hand, the high end can be a bit more shrill and has to be tamed a bit.

The PJ also seems to offer a bit more variety in tones than does the JJ. As awesome as it is, the JJ sounds like a single coil jazz bass. The PJ does the modern thing, but using the passive tone control and the PU pan, you can get a lot of different textures out of it. For example bypassing the preamp and soloing the neck PU and you have very respectable old school P. In a pinch, you can also get the "J-burp" out of it. I am not much of a slapper, but the slap tone on this bass is amazing.

I haven't owned either of them very long, but in general I tend to think of the JJ as the more "traditional" tone and the PJ as the more "modern". Although, they are both still very much Sadowsky. The voice of the Sadowsky preamp is unique to itself.

 

[Vic]

Sounds like Tom B, not Vic.

Yeah! Go with that!

 

[Vic]

Maybe someone can explain this to me:

My MV5 with SCs (ash/maple, obviously) sounded fuller and less scoopd than my PJ5 (newer Nordies wound PUs) (alder/brz), especially on the "neck" PU.

I was expecting the exact opposite to be true.

This has confused me rather a lot

Ok, I am confused about the neck pickup sounding scooped... are you sure there wasn't some "unfortunate" EQ involved somewhere either in your rig/DI, the board, or some outboard gear in the control room?

That said, I do agree the PJ is a more modern sound, and I feel it is scooped a little bit in the upper mids. I think that's what contributes to that "modern" sound, and also the somewhat sweeter sizzlier slap tone. The P pickup is all about low mid series mode grunt (all "properly wired" P pickups have the coils wired in series mode, which always adds gain and grunt... just try any American Fender J with the S1 switch or Musicman SR5H in series mode). Ballzy rock and roll. P basses and SVT amps. The neck J pickup is a lot more even sounding to my ear... more going on in the upper mids, and not quite as gutsy in the lower mids. The bridge pickups are a wash since they're in the same location... HOWEVER... if you have the previous non-Nordstrand pickup set (or for those who might have a PJ4), that's gonna' add a bit to the scoop too. The newer Nordstrand based HC J5 pickups sound a lot stronger in the mids to me, but the overall blended tone is still gonna' be fairly modern with that same upper mid scoop.

At least IMHO/IME anyway.

 

[Vic]

Granted, the JJ bass that I have has single coil pickups, and the PJ that I have is "reverse" PJ in that the two P pickups are inverted. So, my comparisons are probably the extremes of the discussion.

The JJ bass has very warm, open tone to it. The mid presence is nice and strong. It is one of the most "musical" sounding basses I have ever heard. The high treble is soft and subtle. The low end is a bit thinner compared to the PJ and not nearly as punchy. A lot of this is likely attributed to the single coils. Some JJs have the Sadowsky hum cancelling pickups, which are said to have a more modern tone.

The PJ, in its neutral position, is very modern sounding, and yes it does have a hum cancelling pickup in the bridge slot. The tone isn't really that "scooped" to my ear, but is much more flat than the JJ. The bottom end is much tighter. The B string on that bass is VERY quick and articulate. Plently of low end but focused. This may be attributed somewhat to the reversed position of the neck pickups. The B string definitely sounds better on this bass. On the other hand, the high end can be a bit more shrill and has to be tamed a bit.

The PJ also seems to offer a bit more variety in tones than does the JJ. As awesome as it is, the JJ sounds like a single coil jazz bass. The PJ does the modern thing, but using the passive tone control and the PU pan, you can get a lot of different textures out of it. For example bypassing the preamp and soloing the neck PU and you have very respectable old school P. In a pinch, you can also get the "J-burp" out of it. I am not much of a slapper, but the slap tone on this bass is amazing.

I haven't owned either of them very long, but in general I tend to think of the JJ as the more "traditional" tone and the PJ as the more "modern". Although, they are both still very much Sadowsky. The voice of the Sadowsky preamp is unique to itself.

We disagree a bit on how we hear the PJ5 (see my previous post), but that might very well be due to the reverse PJ config. I'm absolutely positive that makes a big difference in tightening up the low end and evening out the tone, though I'm not sure how that would affect the upper mids such that you don't hear a scoop and I do. Maybe rigs, style, EQ settings, etc.

 

[Chef]

Well...if it was you, I have an empty box out in the lobby.

"C'mon lunch break!"

SHADDAPP!! I was counting on two more days head start before he figgerd it out!!!

 

[Chasarms]

We disagree a bit on how we hear the PJ5 (see my previous post), but that might very well be due to the reverse PJ config. I'm absolutely positive that makes a big difference in tightening up the low end and evening out the tone, though I'm not sure how that would affect the upper mids such that you don't hear a scoop and I do. Maybe rigs, style, EQ settings, etc.

I doubt it is the rig. I am playing an F1 through Cory's old Aguilar DB112s. I don't really EQ it at all. Everything is pretty much flat. I might have a half a tick on the upper mid, but that is it.

I don't know if the reverse config on the P would do as you suggest or not. I guess it is possible -- at least on the D and G as they are a little more "rounded" tonally.

It is more likely just perception. If my JJ is the base line, then I would agree that the PJ is quite "scooped" sounding. But, the tone reference in my head is always that Q5 I had. If one hears the Q5 as "flat," then this PJ is "flat". Of course, if one hears the Q5 as scooped . . .

All that said, I'm digging them both. Can't wait to play the JJ in a live mix. I should have a few opportunities in the coming days.

 

[Vic]

It is more likely just perception. If my JJ is the base line, then I would agree that the PJ is quite "scooped" sounding. But, the tone reference in my head is always that Q5 I had. If one hears the Q5 as "flat," then this PJ is "flat". Of course, if one hears the Q5 as scooped . . .

Makes perfect sense.

All that said, I'm digging them both. Can't wait to play the JJ in a live mix. I should have a few opportunities in the coming days.

+1!!!

And at least in my case, what a difference in preference between alder/rw and ash/maple on the PJ's... maybe even more than on a JJ! The alder/rw spec sounded great, but the ash/maple spec PJ5 is just IT for me for a PJ!!

 

[Chasarms]

Well...if it was you, I have an empty box out in the lobby.

"C'mon lunch break!"

It's not empty. Vic's too smart for that. I believe you'll be surprised to find a lovely new Sadowsky case filled with eight and a half pounds of Junior Mints.

Please do share. I love Junior Mints.