Club Sadowsky!!!

[Hawkeye]

I'm in. Here's my Metro RV5PJ. I used it for a virtual recording session last weekend in m home studio. Set flat it sounded present, mildly aggressive and forceful. Recording chain for the first channel was GBE750 > Neox 212t > Audio Technica AT4040 > ART Pro MPA > Edirol M16DX > SONAR Studio. The second channel was EWI LDB-101 Active DI to ART Pro MPA > Edirol M16DX > Sonar Studio.

 

[Vic]

I think about to mod my Metro R5-24 in '59 Burst with a Tortoise Pickguard. But I guess I have to make it by myself.

Has anybody done that and if so, do you have the Template? Or has anybody an Idea where to get a Template?

I haven't done it, but there are multiple pickguard companies out there that do custom guards all the time. You just have to either send them the current one or do a very careful tracing and send it to them.

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/

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etc...

 

[blueacid4l]

Just got this from Brian @ the LowEnd. It's loaded with some custom Lollar single coils he had ordered for me. I've never really been a fan of the Sadowsky HumCancelling pickups, but I love the Sadowsky pre and Sadowsky build. This baby is Awesome! I'll post soundclips of the bass in active and passive mode for those wondering what the pickup setup sounds like.

BTW.. can I have a number?

 

[JoZac21]

Hey all...

Haven't posted in the Sadowsky club in awhile, so I thought it was time to post a pic of my RV5 at a gig:

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I've been gigging it a lot lately, and all I can say is that it's awesome to be able to play a set knowing you're not going to have to worry about your instrument or tone, or where you sit in the mix. I know it will feel, sound, play great...

Also, I just through on a set of DR Hi-Beams a week ago, and it's really livening up my sound... anyone else have DRs on their Sad?

 

[Fran Diaz]

Just got this from Brian @ the LowEnd. It's loaded with some custom Lollar single coils he had ordered for me. I've never really been a fan of the Sadowsky HumCancelling pickups, but I love the Sadowsky pre and Sadowsky build. This baby is Awesome! I'll post soundclips of the bass in active and passive mode for those wondering what the pickup setup sounds like.

BTW.. can I have a number?

very nice combo. you are #313. welcome.

 

[blueacid4l]

I uploaded the first 3 passive clips. Forgive the poor playing, I was just trying to play enough to get an idea of all the tones I could get. The clips with the VTC are at about 75% off. I'll upload the active clips in a bit.

Passive Mode, both pickups, tone all on.
http://www.mediafire.com/?3rcgbglcha3gtp6

Passive Mode, neck pickup, w/ VTC engaged
http://www.mediafire.com/?99uccbrdtuuhhv0

Passive Mode, bridge pickup, w/ VTC engaged : )
http://www.mediafire.com/?msisvt9857cmnmx

 

[Vic]

Also, I just through on a set of DR Hi-Beams a week ago, and it's really livening up my sound... anyone else have DRs on their Sad?

I bounce around between Sadowsky SS Blues, DR HiBeams, and DR LoRiders (SS). Mostly these days it's been about the Blues, but DRs are still very much a fave of mine as well.

 

[Vic]

I uploaded the first 3 passive clips. Forgive the poor playing, I was just trying to play enough to get an idea of all the tones I could get. The clips with the VTC are at about 75% off. I'll upload the active clips in a bit.

Passive Mode, both pickups, tone all on.
http://www.mediafire.com/?3rcgbglcha3gtp6

Passive Mode, neck pickup, w/ VTC engaged
http://www.mediafire.com/?99uccbrdtuuhhv0

Passive Mode, bridge pickup, w/ VTC engaged : )
http://www.mediafire.com/?msisvt9857cmnmx

Yeah, you can definitely hear the Sadowsky tone I love in these. Ash/maple. My thing for sure.

 

[Fender32]

You could do what I'm doing to get into the Sadowsky club: Aim for a target total in your Sadowsky Fund, then squirrel away whatever you can afford for a half-decade. It's honestly a drag, but it works. I'm actually on track for my order date...

Yes, that's certainly an option, roadkill. TBH though, I'm currently trying to find a job elsewhere in the world and so this isn't a good time for me to consider buying more stuff (which might end up getting sold again or left in storage somewhere, depending on where I go and how much stuff I can take with me). Any Sadowsky purchase will have to wait until that is all sorted and I know what I'm doing and how much money I can spare for 'toys' .

As I'm not even playing in a band these days, a purchase like this would be a bit of an extravagence (not that that's stopped me before now).

Anyway, I'm impressed to hear that you're on target with your budget. It's not easy, as you say, especially in the current financial climate. I look forward to seeing pictures of your bass posted here one day .

There was one just like that on ebay a few days ago. Not sure how much it went for, but the bidding was only around $2500 when I last checked.

Really? One of the gold ones, you mean ?

The big obstacle to Sadowsky (NYC) ownership for me has always been the fact that I live in Germany . Most private sellers don't want to get involved in shipping to here (why should they? They can easily sell their basses in the US) and the stores who will ship (Roger's included) have (neccessarily) high shipping and insurance costs. There are a couple of dealers here, but they hardly ever have any NYC models and when they do ... the prices are mostly $6,000+ for the kind of spec I would like.

That's why I bought two Metros before - price and availablity here were much better. Sadly, neither one of those basses worked out for me, but I'm willing to take a third shot ... one day .

Anyway, for now I'm content to just sit in here and watch as you guys expand your collections and post your views and experiences. This way, every day is like a (vicarious) New Bass Day for me ... and it doesn't cost me a thing !

On with the show ....

 

[tombowlus]

I would.

I've been using the herc stands for a long time with my Sadowsky basses and have never had a problem. The issue I have with those fuzz things is they're only good for the kinds of stands I'd never use again. Too many close calls with a bass slipping or being bumped out of the traditional cheapie stands. I do carry a set in my case just in case I end up somewhere and that's the only kind of stand they have, and specifically the ones with that surgical type rubber that's "bad", but hercs are my pref. Note that a lot of the cheaper stands now use a totally different kind of black foam rubber, and it's fine.

FWIW, Roger's stand covers do work well on Hamilton stands, and I have never had a problem with a bass slipping/bumping out of one of my Hamiltons.

 

[Vic]

FWIW, Roger's stand covers do work well on Hamilton stands, and I have never had a problem with a bass slipping/bumping out of one of my Hamiltons.

The "Premium" hanger or the cheaper more generic one? Note that, while I didn't specifically say so, the "slipping" was more in regard to the surgical rubber jobs after they've seen some time to dry out a bit. Those Hamiltons have that newer black foam rubber I was talking about, where I don't even think Rogers fur covers would be necessary.

FWIW

 

[tombowlus]

The "Premium" hanger or the cheaper more generic one? Note that, while I didn't specifically say so, the "slipping" was more in regard to the surgical rubber jobs after they've seen some time to dry out a bit. Those Hamiltons have that newer black foam rubber I was talking about, where I don't even think Rogers fur covers would be necessary.

FWIW

The hangers, like the ones I am using, below:

 

[Vic]

The hangers, like the ones I am using, below:

Ahh, ok. Still, looks like the rubber is ok tho, since you're not using the fuzzy things.

I've been meaning to check one of those out at some point. I love the hanging design in particular, and those look like they would fold up really small, which is great.

 

[tombowlus]

Ahh, ok. Still, looks like the rubber is ok tho, since you're not using the fuzzy things.

I've been meaning to check one of those out at some point. I love the hanging design in particular, and those look like they would fold up really small, which is great.

When I am using a stand on a gig, I don't put the fuzzy covers on, as the amount of time the bass spends in contact with the rubber is pretty minor. However, I generally have a bass in a stand most of the time next to my practice rig in the basement (my WL4 is behind me at the moment), and I keep the fuzzy covers on that stand.

I started using the Hamiltons back when I gigged primarily with my Thunderbird & Explorer, which didn't fit into the typical stands on the market at the time (early '90s). They worked well for me, and proved to be highly durable, so I've stuck with them. I do like the Hercules stand, as well, though.

Tom.

 

[Vic]

When I am using a stand on a gig, I don't put the fuzzy covers on, as the amount of time the bass spends in contact with the rubber is pretty minor. However, I generally have a bass in a stand most of the time next to my practice rig in the basement (my WL4 is behind me at the moment), and I keep the fuzzy covers on that stand.

I started using the Hamiltons back when I gigged primarily with my Thunderbird & Explorer, which didn't fit into the typical stands on the market at the time (early '90s). They worked well for me, and proved to be highly durable, so I've stuck with them. I do like the Hercules stand, as well, though.

Tom.

Makes sense.

One thing I don't like about the herc stands is after a while, sometimes the mechanism can get messed up, and, once the rubber starts to wear in, there's some hard plastic corners in the grabber you gotta' watch out for with some basses. Also, while it doesn't affect me, some wider necks, like 6's and such, may not even fit at all.

I've tried the Ultimate stands with their "V" grabber like the Hamiltons, but they always seem kinda rickety, and their adjustment is friction only (the herc has the pin/hole locking mechanism), and a seemingly somewhat weak one, so I'm always afraid that might slip down sometime. The Hamiltons do look like they're made a lot more durably, but I wonder if their general flat bottom means they might rock some if they're not on a very flat surface.

 

[tombowlus]

I've tried the Ultimate stands with their "V" grabber like the Hamiltons, but they always seem kinda rickety, and their adjustment is friction only (the herc has the pin/hole locking mechanism), and a seemingly somewhat weak one, so I'm always afraid that might slip down sometime. The Hamiltons do look like they're made a lot more durably, but I wonder if their general flat bottom means they might rock some if they're not on a very flat surface.

I have a couple of Ultimates, and they work fine, at first, but I agree that they can get to feel kinda rickety after a fairly short while. My Hamiltons have been treated VERY roughly, and they've been tossed all around inside of band vans/trailers, cars, etc. for years, and they just don't seem to show any wear at all and still work great. As for the "flat" bottom, you can adjust the legs such that the middle part is further off the ground, to they are more "tripod-like."

 

[P. Bass]

I use one similar to this & find it very stable. No issues w/ bumping.
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B.

 

[Vic]

As for the "flat" bottom, you can adjust the legs such that the middle part is further off the ground, to they are more "tripod-like."

I was hoping you'd say this. Ok, I gotta' try one.

 

[slagbass]

Hey all...

I've been gigging it a lot lately, and all I can say is that it's awesome to be able to play a set knowing you're not going to have to worry about your instrument or tone, or where you sit in the mix. I know it will feel, sound, play great...

Also, I just through on a set of DR Hi-Beams a week ago, and it's really livening up my sound... anyone else have DRs on their Sad?

No DRs here, but your first statement reminds me of the gig I played Friday. One of these multiple band deals.... get on, set up, quick sound check, play and get lost. We were going through sound check (kick, snare, high hat, toms, whole kit...) then the soundman says "bass". I play for about five seconds and then I hear him through the monitors say "oh yeah...." as if to say, "damn that sounds good". Ash/maple UV-70 with single coils. Preamp on but set flat. Gets 'em every time......

 

[zippydog]

Makes sense.

One thing I don't like about the herc stands is after a while, sometimes the mechanism can get messed up, and, once the rubber starts to wear in, there's some hard plastic corners in the grabber you gotta' watch out for with some basses.

FWIW - I've replaced the rubber pads in the grabber on mine, as I lost one early in ownership (on the strings side, not neck side). I used a product called "Grippers" that I bought at either Lowes or Home Depot. You'll find it in the rubber/felt pads area (for stuff like furniture). The product I bought was a roughly 4" x 6" black rubber sheet with adhesive on the back - same thickness as the pads on the Hercules. I just traced one of the Hercules pads onto the sheet and cut out two new pads...plenty left over to make more, but haven't needed to replace as my pads have stayed in place.