Club Sadowsky!!!

[Chasarms]

Well, I only have about 48 hours or so left to be in the club. The PJ should be arriving at its new home within a few hours, and I worked out a trade deal for the JJ last night, and will ship out in the next day or so.

I am excited, and I am certain the new owners will love these basses very much.

While my flirtation with Sadowsky was pretty short, I have to say that these basses do seem to be everything that the many happy owners claim. They are amazing. They just weren't for me. My curiosity is satisfied, though.

 

[gillento]

Hey Chasarms,

I can't believe you got rid of that gorgeous PJ5.
It exactly what I am looking for right now for trading my alder/braz PJ5.

But I noticed your ad to late...

Anyway, good luck with your new aquisition!

 

[Chasarms]

Hey Chasarms,

I can't believe you got rid of that gorgeous PJ5.
It exactly what I am looking for right now for trading my alder/braz PJ5.

But I noticed your ad to late...

Anyway, good luck with your new aquisition!

It was CERTAINLY the more preferable of the two for my taste. It has a strong modern flavor it but still maintained the more traditional vibe. If I ever take another hankering for a Sadowsky, there is no doubt in my mind that the reverse PJ would be the target.

 

[rodneyat]

Well, I only have about 48 hours or so left to be in the club. The PJ should be arriving at its new home within a few hours, and I worked out a trade deal for the JJ last night, and will ship out in the next day or so.

I am excited, and I am certain the new owners will love these basses very much.

While my flirtation with Sadowsky was pretty short, I have to say that these basses do seem to be everything that the many happy owners claim. They are amazing. They just weren't for me. My curiosity is satisfied, though.

And it's here!

Yes, Vic..Now you have confirmation that I have it. You know I could not tell you before it got here...lest you try to steal it from the Fedex guy!

I was very surprised at how much I like the reverse P pickup. I was expecting to not like it as much. I still may swap it back but I will play it this way for a while. Some new flavor anyway!

I know there was some discussion when Chasarms bought it about the color...It is definitely caramelburst. In some of the ealier pictures it looked like it had more of a cherry burst finish but in person..definitely caramelburst. I like it!

 

[Vic]

And it's here!

Yes, Vic..Now you have confirmation that I have it. You know I could not tell you before it got here...lest you try to steal it from the Fedex guy!

Nah, no need. Chasarms gave me a cleverly architected tracking number. I opened the box and it was a damn Wish bass. Ha ha... not funny!!!

I was very surprised at how much I like the reverse P pickup. I was expecting to not like it as much. I still may swap it back but I will play it this way for a while. Some new flavor anyway!

I predict if you do swap it, you'll swap it back again just like Chasarms did. Man, I really need to try one of these, but I fear it will force me to convert my Metro into an NYC to get there, and that's just not on my short term radar. Going through some home repair stuff right now in preparation for winter. *sigh*

 

[rodneyat]

Nah, no need. Chasarms gave me a cleverly architected tracking number. I opened the box and it was a damn Wish bass. Ha ha... not funny!!!

I predict if you do swap it, you'll swap it back again just like Chasarms did. Man, I really need to try one of these, but I fear it will force me to convert my Metro into an NYC to get there, and that's just not on my short term radar. Going through some home repair stuff right now in preparation for winter. *sigh*

...or have someone route underneath the current pick guard for you. I considered it for my Metro...Then I saw this one.

 

[Vic]

...or have someone route underneath the current pick guard for you. I considered it for my Metro...Then I saw this one.

It's not that simple. Need a whole new pickguard, too. I don't think the J moves, but I can't recall for sure. Roger posted about it a couple thread episodes ago I think. Besides, I'm not really that into doing those kinda' mods to a bass.

 

[rodneyat]

...Besides, I'm not really that into doing those kinda' mods to a bass.

I'm with you..I am generally of the opinion..before I will do a major mod like that I will just sell the bass and get what I want. I have never done anything more than a simple (no routing needed) pickup and/or preamp swap.

 

[mucilin999]

Sadowsky is high-end bass in my heart.
XD

 

[Chasarms]

Nah, no need. Chasarms gave me a cleverly architected tracking number. I opened the box and it was a damn Wish bass. Ha ha... not funny!!! . . .

Have you ever had a wish bass?
No. What's a wish bass?
It's when you have a big empty cardboard box and WISH you had a bass inside . . . BOW! BOW! BOW!



My apologies to those under thirty who have no idea what this poor attempt at a joke references.

 

[rodneyat]

Rubber biscuit!

 

[Hounddog]

Well, I only have about 48 hours or so left to be in the club. The PJ should be arriving at its new home within a few hours, and I worked out a trade deal for the JJ last night, and will ship out in the next day or so.

I am excited, and I am certain the new owners will love these basses very much.

While my flirtation with Sadowsky was pretty short, I have to say that these basses do seem to be everything that the many happy owners claim. They are amazing. They just weren't for me. My curiosity is satisfied, though.

So Sad. So very very Sad.

SADowsky that is. You'll be back.

Just what is it that you could be buying that is better than a Sadowsky?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[needmoney]

G'day Sadowsky owners,

I'm after opinions concerning weight/balance with the RS4 (or really any 4-string) models. I always struggle with my Fenders with their tendency to be heavy, or neck-dive, or both! Moving to a Sadowsky, I really hope I can be rid of both these issues!

To those Sadowsky 4-string owners, what do you find is the optimal body weight to keep the overall weight down yet still maintain a good balance with the larger tuners. Weight is not so much a concern as neck-dive, which pulls the neck down and digs into ones shoulder, yet I don't want to be screwing my back over either. I'm thinking somewhere between 8 and 9 lbs would be optimal, though I'm not sure how much those tuners actually weigh!

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Vic]

G'day Sadowsky owners,

I'm after opinions concerning weight/balance with the RS4 (or really any 4-string) models. I always struggle with my Fenders with their tendency to be heavy, or neck-dive, or both! Moving to a Sadowsky, I really hope I can be rid of both these issues!

To those Sadowsky 4-string owners, what do you find is the optimal body weight to keep the overall weight down yet still maintain a good balance with the larger tuners. Weight is not so much a concern as neck-dive, which pulls the neck down and digs into ones shoulder, yet I don't want to be screwing my back over either. I'm thinking somewhere between 8 and 9 lbs would be optimal, though I'm not sure how much those tuners actually weigh!

Thanks in advance for your input!

A couple things...

First, not all Fenders are all that heavy. Mostly, it's the ash body models, and even then, more typically the older models or at least the non USA Deluxe models (those seem to come in amazingly consistently around 9 pounds... including the 5 string models... I've had multiple of those). If it's the alder body, they're typically between 8 and 9 pounds. Some can get heavier, but it's less typical.

However, Sadowsky, with the exception of some of the ash body Metros, especially the UV's, specifically targets 8-9 pounds for the vast majority of their basses, and uses chambering on their bodies to help achieve this more consistently. Some of their basses can get crazy light... even under 7 pounds, but those are rare.

Bottom line is, with an NYC Sadowsky, whether you go 4 or 5, you're pretty much guaranteed 8-9 pounds no matter what you pick. If you go Metro, you can still get under 9 pounds, but you have to watch for one. They're now posting weights on those, where they previously didn't. This is because enough people asked for this information.

 

[needmoney]

My Fender Jazz is Alder and weighs 10lbs easy. 2008 MIA. My Roadworn P on the other hand is about 8lbs but the heavy klusons make it dive like mad.

Talking Metros only. Mainly trying to get opinions from 4-string Alder players on weight to balance ratio.

Thanks.

 

[Vic]

My Fender Jazz is Alder and weighs 10lbs easy. 2008 MIA. My Roadworn P on the other hand is about 8lbs but the heavy klusons make it dive like mad.

Yeah, that's why Sadowsky uses the Hipshot ultralights, and why Fender moved to the plastic cases on the tuners for their 5 string models. Also, my Geddy is alder and is 10 pounds, almost exactly, but by far, most of the alder models I've played are like your roadworn P weight wise.

Ever consider putting lightweight tuners on the P?

Talking Metros only. Mainly trying to get opinions from 4-string Alder players on weight to balance ratio.

Thanks.

I've played a few 4 string Metros that were 9 pounds or less. They were ash bodied, but as long as you're only concerned about weight/balance, I guess still applicable. NO neck dive issues. NONE.

 

[SteveC]

My Metro M5-24 (for sale) is 9 pounds on the nose.

 

[P. Bass]

My Fender Jazz is Alder and weighs 10lbs easy. 2008 MIA. My Roadworn P on the other hand is about 8lbs but the heavy klusons make it dive like mad.

Talking Metros only. Mainly trying to get opinions from 4-string Alder players on weight to balance ratio.

Thanks.

Re Fender: I put Hipshot ultralites on My MIA P & it took 1/2 lb off the headstock. The 1/2" post ultralites for the Fender 4 are even lighter than the 3/8" post used on Sadowsky 5ers because the posts are hollow.
B.

 

[Chasarms]

So Sad. So very very Sad.

SADowsky that is. You'll be back.

Just what is it that you could be buying that is better than a Sadowsky?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

To answer the question, Nothing. I have been fortunate to own a bunch of different top end basses. I have owned Pedulla, Tobias, Roscoe, Lakland, Warwick, to name some. With the TB GTGs and other buds, I have played a lot of others. I can honestly say, that in terms of quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail, I have never laid eyes on a bass that surpasses Sadowsky. Further, they have an amazing tone that is unique and distinct yet very universal in application. I simply can not say anything negative about the build, tone or playability of instruments.

But, in my view they don't hold that distinction uniquely. And for me, I could just never fully connect with the instruments. For almost 10 years I played a Modulus Quantum 5 that I absolutely loved. For reasons that I can't even recall anymore, I sold it. I have regretted it since. The overall feel, clarity of tone and general response is pretty unique to those basses. There is a certain "quickness to the attack" and articulation that I find absolutely joyous. No other bass that I have ever played, including the Sadowskys, approaches the same sensation. It is not completely describable, but it is obvious to me in the performance setting.

I am not glued to the Quantum. In fact, I invested a rather large chunk of my returns on a Dingwall ABII. I listened to a TON of clips and read a lot of reviews, and I believe it also has a great deal of that character. I'm looking forward to forming my own opinions.

The bottom line is there is no accounting for taste. All I know is I never enjoyed playing anything as much as I did my Q5. The sound, the feel, the response, everything seemed just perfect to me. As wonderful as the Sadowskys were, I never got there with them despite being desperate to do so.

Do I think that I will be back? Well, you never say never, but I can't see it. I cranked through seven "main" basses in a year and lost enough money in shipping and resale to buy a pretty dad gum nice bass. Surely, I will think twice before I go down that road again.

If anyone is interested, here's the Dinger. It is pretty amazing looking:

 

[Ryan Rosenberg]

G'day Sadowsky owners,

I'm after opinions concerning weight/balance with the RS4 (or really any 4-string) models. I always struggle with my Fenders with their tendency to be heavy, or neck-dive, or both! Moving to a Sadowsky, I really hope I can be rid of both these issues!

To those Sadowsky 4-string owners, what do you find is the optimal body weight to keep the overall weight down yet still maintain a good balance with the larger tuners. Weight is not so much a concern as neck-dive, which pulls the neck down and digs into ones shoulder, yet I don't want to be screwing my back over either. I'm thinking somewhere between 8 and 9 lbs would be optimal, though I'm not sure how much those tuners actually weigh!

Thanks in advance for your input!

I've got some direct, recent experience with this. A few weeks ago I ordered a NYC Sadowsky 4-string bass. Very light at 7.6 pounds. A beautiful bass in every way -- finish, feel, tone. However it was quite neck heavy. This was no issue when I had it on a strap. But I play sitting down quite a bit for practice, for recording, and also in an acoustic guitar and bass duo.

To date I've mostly used a Fender Jazz that tops the scales at something like 10.5 or 11 pounds. It is way too heavy but I'm used to the balance.

I called the company main number and actually got Roger. Massive kudos to the guy for picking up the phone. I think everyone else had gone home. Anyhow he took a fair amount of time to talk. I was impressed 'cause he really seemed to care about the needs of lil 'ol me. He suggested using a strap all the time but I don't want to do that. Then he suggested a non-chambered body.

So I -- gasp -- sent back the NCY 4 string and have just taken delivery of a metro RV4. It is still reasonably light at just under 9 pounds. I think I'm very happy with it. Getting a bit of string buzz from the A-string. I don't understand that because even pushing the A bit higher than the other strings it still rattles. I'll need to play around with the setup or get someone better to help me. But the balance on this bass is good, the neck feels great, and the tone is...absolutely amazing. The controls are so responsive it is like having 4 basses in one.

The whole experience has been great. Oh, and Kevin (who works at Sadowsky) is a customer service king.