Club Sadowsky!!!

[KJung]

Modern 24-5 question....

Everyone says the modern 24-5 is VERY aggressive in the mids, and has tons of growl.... But does it lack in the low end at all? (pre not boosted)

Also, a lot of clips I've seen/heard, people are using these for solo-ish grooves, and slapin' the crap out of them. Can this bass do "semi-polite", and be a good backbone bass? Rosewood board, VTC dialed down a bit?

I've got a line on a semi local NYC modern 24-5, and wondering if it will fit the bill for MOST of the stuff I do. (P/W, rock, reggae, pop, R&B, modern country, covers 50's- current. I'm not a slapper.

I know there are better basses for the job, but it's a semi local deal, it's amazing looking, and a great price....

You probably remember the one I had that I brought to the GTG you put together a couple of years ago.

As you say, they are VERY low mid/upper bass present, and that is their defining tone... a bappy, burpy low mid punch. With both pickups on, I describe them as a bass having 'a lot of space between the notes... bap, bap,bap,bap'. The slap tone is very 'Mark King' modern.

I hate them a lot

An interesting thing about them though, is if you solo the neck pickup, they sound a LOT like a PBass (another reason I hate them).

So, they go from an uber modern, tight, bright, punchy bappy burp, to almost old school P Bass, with not much in between.

Another way to think of them is another flavor of Ken Smith bass. Those basses also have those big soap bars placed close to the bridge. I'm not saying the M24 sounds like a Smith, but rather that it is in the same tone universe with that forceful low mid punch and strong attack/space between the notes.

 

[VroomVroom]

I love my M5-24, and I love it even more now that it has the VTC. I've said this numerous times in the past, but the bass has always been a beast...now it's a beast with manners. Puh-lenty of low end...no worries there. Here's a recent clip - very rough...and disco at that - but it speaks to the sound.

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I've shared this one before, and it's pre-VTC, but it gives a good example of the ground the bass can cover.

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[johnnydi]

Can someone tell me if the finish on the back of the neck on my new Metro is Nitro like used on the NYC basses. I want to take a bit of the sticky feel off the back. But I do not want to do anything until I know what the finish is. I understand a bit of 0000 steel wool or as Roger mentioned on the Sadowsky forum, lightly sand it with some 280 or 320 stearate sandpaper would do the trick....

Do not use steel wool. As it leave steel dust that gets attracted to the magnets in your pickups.

I use a 280 sand paper to cut through. Then I use 400 to finish and then rub my hand on the neck for a couple minute.

I've even use 1000 grit in the pass but it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Once you did it to your bass, you will be on bare wood because the layer of finish is pretty thin. If you ever need to do it again in the future on the same neck. Either because you sweat a lot etc... Don't use 280. 400 alone is plenty and its safer as far as digging through the wood.

 

[thehurlatron]

You probably remember the one I had that I brought to the GTG you put together a couple of years ago.

As you say, they are VERY low mid/upper bass present, and that is their defining tone... a bappy, burpy low mid punch. With both pickups on, I describe them as a bass having 'a lot of space between the notes... bap, bap,bap,bap'. The slap tone is very 'Mark King' modern.

I hate them a lot

An interesting thing about them though, is if you solo the neck pickup, they sound a LOT like a PBass (another reason I hate them).

So, they go from an uber modern, tight, bright, punchy bappy burp, to almost old school P Bass, with not much in between.

Another way to think of them is another flavor of Ken Smith bass. Those basses also have those big soap bars placed close to the bridge. I'm not saying the M24 sounds like a Smith, but rather that it is in the same tone universe with that forceful low mid punch and strong attack/space between the notes.

I remember that one Ken. It was around 4lbs right?
very light, ebony board? and no VTC? I remember it being VERY bright.

The one I'm looking at is about 8lbs, Braz. Board, and VTC. I don't know how much that will do to the sound compared to the pups/placement though.

I foolishly sold my RV5. (thought I could do it on a passive 4 for a bit) and I realized that I NEED a 5 again. And I NEED it to cover everything I do. (the boss says "one in, one out)

 

[Vic]

I remember that one Ken. It was around 4lbs right?
very light, ebony board? and no VTC? I remember it being VERY bright.

Under 8 pounds, but it was an NYC, so it had the VTC. But yeah, pingy ebony board, and a chambered ash body, with a spalted/flamed maple top. I owned it right after Ken.

The one I'm looking at is about 8lbs, Braz. Board, and VTC. I don't know how much that will do to the sound compared to the pups/placement though.

The brazilian baord would mellow out the ping on top, but do nothing for the big round low end these don't typically have as compared to the J's and PJ's.

 

[Vic]

There's been a TON of posts on the whole Modern/24F5 vs JJ/PJ thing in the past, but it's really quite intuitive when you simply look at the bass. Both the pickups are shoved down closer to the bridge compared to a JJ/PJ config, so it's gonna' be a lot more mid forward, and the low end is gonna be a lot tighter and not as big around as a JJ/PJ config. Doesn't mean it doesn't have it, just means it's different.

The real strength of the Modern/24F5 bass is its incredible cutting ability. With all that tightness I'd literally be able to turn my amp down and still be very present in the mix with lots of definition. Really gave the B string a lot more bite too (sorta like a reverse PJ does, tho to a lesser extent... but the idea is the same).

Ultimately, I also moved the bass on because I missed more of a JJ/PJ sound, but there's NO mistaking the fact that it was a ridiculously awesome instrument.

On the Smith thing, I agree totally with Ken that, while nobody would ever say they sound the same, they are designed with the same fundamental tonal goals. However, especially after spending a little time with a Smith, I'd own the Sadowsky WAY before the Smith. Those Smiths with their insanely accentuated "ping" just drove me nuts.

 

[thehurlatron]

Under 8 pounds, but it was an NYC, so it had the VTC. But yeah, pingy ebony board, and a chambered ash body, with a spalted/flamed maple top. I owned it right after Ken.

The brazilian baord would mellow out the ping on top, but do nothing for the big round low end these don't typically have as compared to the J's and PJ's.

That bass was my first experience with a Sadowsky.
Two metros later, I'm jonsin' for a NYC.
There's a nice PJ5 pbody in the classifieds now, but I think it has the full size body. That would probably do the job, but the full size body is maybe a dealbreaker....

 

[Vic]

That bass was my first experience with a Sadowsky.
Two metros later, I'm jonsin' for a NYC.
There's a nice PJ5 pbody in the classifieds now, but I think it has the full size body. That would probably do the job, but the full size body is maybe a dealbreaker....

I saw that. Actually, I don't think it's a full size, but I do think it might be slightly bigger than the Modern/24F5. Seems to me they have three sizes. The Modern/24F5, their standard JJ/PJ body, and then the "UV" body, and I think only the UV body is truly full size.

Corrections welcome of course.

Bottom line, I wouldn't fear that bass if I were you. If you were looking for a great classic alder/rw type tone, with the modern edge of the PJ config, that one would be really hard to beat. I had a quilted maple top'd trans red version of that same bass (including also having the brazilian board, tho it was a J body) and while I ended up essentially switching it out for an ash/maple PJ, it was a fantastic bass.

 

[Ivan M]

I suck But I just wanna get half way decent to justify me getting a Sadowsky, that 4 string Tiger one is simply incredible, if I get decent at playing I would order the same exact one, I am so tempted to put o one on order but want to work on my chops big time. I hope to see some at the GTG next Sunday so I can drool some more.

 

[Vic]

I suck But I just wanna get half way decent to justify me getting a Sadowsky, that 4 string Tiger one is simply incredible, if I get decent at playing I would order the same exact one, I am so tempted to put o one on order but want to work on my chops big time. I hope to see some at the GTG next Sunday so I can drool some more.

Gimme a break.

Self-denial is so ridiculous... really...

Seriously dude, the only thing you need to justify a Sadowsky is the desire to own one and the money to back it up. Only a total jerk, whose opinion you shouldn't care about, would think you shouldn't own the bass just 'cause you're not some kind of friggin' virtuoso.

Otherwise, I'd have to sell off every bass I own except maybe my Geddy Lee J (and trust me, that ain't happnin')!

Save yer money (if you need to), buy the bass, and be happy. DONE.

 

[marchone]

Well said. And having said that ... all I need now is the money. Minor detail. When I do have it I'm going straight to the top. A Will Lee or NYC MV4.

 

[dragonbass]

The Modern/24F5, their standard JJ/PJ body, and then the "UV" body, and I think only the UV body is truly full size.

Corrections welcome of course.

Vic,

Our Modern and J bodies have the same outer dimensions from horn to horn. The biggest difference is the deeper cutaway on the lower horn of the modern.

Robert

 

[Ivan M]

Your are right I love those NYC Sadowsky's, and the money is no problem so you have twisted my arm. I will buy one this year infact I may go there sometime next week and put one on order, I just feel like a jack ass when I see videos on YouTube of guys that go there and are simply smoking them basses when trying them out, meanwhile I just pluck and slap a few lines here and there that's all, they may give me that look like this guy is buying a 4500 dollar instrument and that's all he can do, lol anyway trust me the NYC Sadowsky Will Lee will be my next bass trust me. Heck it may make me practice even more and harder. Thanks for all the advice, can't wait to join the club.

 

[P. Bass]

That bass was my first experience with a Sadowsky.
Two metros later, I'm jonsin' for a NYC.
There's a nice PJ5 pbody in the classifieds now, but I think it has the full size body. That would probably do the job, but the full size body is maybe a dealbreaker....

I wonder who got that beauty P/J 5 -P bod #5068 in "recently sold". That went REAL quick. Gorgeous!

 

[Vic]

Vic,

Our Modern and J bodies have the same outer dimensions from horn to horn. The biggest difference is the deeper cutaway on the lower horn of the modern.

Robert

Cool. Thanks Rob (for so many things)!

 

[Vic]

Your are right I love those NYC Sadowsky's, and the money is no problem so you have twisted my arm. I will buy one this year infact I may go there sometime next week and put one on order, I just feel like a jack ass when I see videos on YouTube of guys that go there and are simply smoking them basses when trying them out, meanwhile I just pluck and slap a few lines here and there that's all, they may give me that look like this guy is buying a 4500 dollar instrument and that's all he can do, lol anyway trust me the NYC Sadowsky Will Lee will be my next bass trust me. Heck it may make me practice even more and harder. Thanks for all the advice, can't wait to join the club.

Good choice!

Seriously, all that matters is what inspires you to play, enjoy, and grow.

Don't worry about the other guys. There's ALWAYS a bigger fish. The key is, don't let what they can do make you feel bad about the fact that you can't do it yet. Instead, let that inspire you by seeing all the things you can learn to do... but only if you really want to... not because you feel you need to be compared to them.

 

[Hounddog]

OK, so I know this is the Club Sadowsky thread but, I wanted to share a link on the Genz Benz website.
I recently got an endorsement with Genz Benz and they added me up on their artist page. Hey, there is
a little connection with Sadowsky since I'm holding my Standard 4!

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Sorry for the shamless plug. But, I'm real happy with my gear and the Sadowsky totally kills through my setup!!!
Can't wait to rock my new Will Lee tomorrow on the big stage!!

Back to your scheduled Sadowsky content already in progress!

Thats Awesome. I am happy for you.

Mike

 

[sok monkee]

Seriously, all that matters is what inspires you to play, enjoy, and grow.

Don't worry about the other guys. There's ALWAYS a bigger fish. The key is, don't let what they can do make you feel bad about the fact that you can't do it yet. Instead, let that inspire you by seeing all the things you can learn to do... but only if you really want to... not because you feel you need to be compared to them.
__________________


Very well said Vic!

 

[Chasarms]

My PJ is currently semi gutted while decide what to do about the humming hum cancelling pickup. I'm "stuck" with JJ until then.

So Vic politely suggested at some point in the thread that strings can make a significant difference. Of course, I know this, but I snubbed him nonetheless.

Moral. Don't snub Vic!!!

I was off today so I get around to putting the lo-riders on the JJ. It really made a big difference in the bottom end and punch. I think the old strings were just too light for me. And maybe a bit tame also. I think they were hi-beams. I went with .45s and the feel is a lot stiffer. It is also a little grittier. I'm happier and think the bass is more me know. Even though I still think the PJ has a little more booty to it.

I bought three packs of these lo-rider 45s. I am sure I will slap on the PJ as well when I get the guts back in it.

 

[johnnydi]

I suck But I just wanna get half way decent to justify me getting a Sadowsky, that 4 string Tiger one is simply incredible, if I get decent at playing I would order the same exact one, I am so tempted to put o one on order but want to work on my chops big time. I hope to see some at the GTG next Sunday so I can drool some more.

The fact that you suck shouldn't be a factor in making that decision. What should be a factor is how interested are you in continuing to be a bass player.

I use to suck (I'm sure many would think I still do) and I use to feel the same way as you about it. That sure didn't help me suck less as I played with a $60 Univox with a broken trust rod for a couple years back in the days.

Then I went for it and bought myself a 1977 Jazz. I couldn't believe how fast I was growing after that. The feel, the sound, the action, the beauty of the instrument help so much. It was a revelation.

So if you are a beginner and you are serious about being a bassist then I say go for it. You will never regret a Sadowsky. If you just picked up the bass 2 weeks ago and are not sure about continuing, then I say wait a little. See if you realy want to commit.

Johnny