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Club Sadowsky!!!

#1,761
nenor said:
The J type sound is a combination of many elements. The single pickups and their position are the main factor IMO but I also tend to think that the relations between body and neck masses is relevant as well.
If this is true then getting a J sound out of a 24 fret bass is problematic by default. The strings vibrate over a bigger neck mass and a smaller body mass.
I really wouldn't know if there's anything in it... just a thought.
Click to expand...
Yep, I know all this, which is why all I'd expect is at least closely similar, but that might be ok.

Really, it's more of a practical "real life" question for those who've actually played both and can give me real world perceivable diff levels. I know Rob has both, so he's a great person to hit up on this.

The main problem, I think, is I don't believe there are many people who've really played these "24F J's" yet, so the info base is thin.
 
#1,762
dragonbass said:
Vic,

With the pickups in Standard "J" location..it sounds exactly like a J bass.

We have a 5-24 with HC J pickups in stock (actually that just sold), and it nailed the J bass tone! In the pictures the space between the end of the board and the Neck pickup looks close, but there is enough room to slap.

We also have a Reverse PJ 5-24 in stock (actually I think that just sold too), and again it nailed the PJ sound.

And in the near future we will have a 5-24 PJ.

With what ever pickups you want, you will get just what your looking for.

Rob
Click to expand...
GAH! That's both what I wanted to hear as well as what I didn't want to hear. :D

Have you guys done a big splits "J position" 5-24 yet?
 
#1,763
dragonbass said:
Vic,

With the pickups in Standard "J" location..it sounds exactly like a J bass.

We have a 5-24 with HC J pickups in stock (actually that just sold), and it nailed the J bass tone! In the pictures the space between the end of the board and the Neck pickup looks close, but there is enough room to slap.

We also have a Reverse PJ 5-24 in stock (actually I think that just sold too), and again it nailed the PJ sound.

And in the near future we will have a 5-24 PJ.

With what ever pickups you want, you will get just what your looking for.

Rob
Click to expand...

There goes my theory...:hmm:
 
#1,765
Vic said:
Rob,
I'm thinking about getting more of a J style instrument since my 24F-5 (standard dual bucker close to the bridge) is more of a unique and specific sound (which is good... that's what I wanted first).

So the question is, how much of a tonal diff does a 24F with J position pickups have from a traditional Sadowsky J? My pref would be to get a 5 string version like yours, with 24 frets, and nordstrand pickups... tho in my case, probably the big splits instead of the big singles.

Main thing, is while I know that's not a "standard J" type config (and KJung would say it's nothing at all like a J ;)), I'm looking for much more of a J type sound than my current 24F... much closer, if not the same, as the typical NYC J Roger makes.

Thoughts?

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

Why go with 24-frets? Why not just a normal NYC Jazz? If you want the NYC jazz experience, get the Sadowsky singles too :) I don't know, the nordstrand pickups thing seems to be a bit of hype lately. I know what my NYC sounds like, and it sounds gooooood heh.
 
#1,766
Sean Baumann said:
Why go with 24-frets? Why not just a normal NYC Jazz? If you want the NYC jazz experience, get the Sadowsky singles too :) I don't know, the nordstrand pickups thing seems to be a bit of hype lately. I know what my NYC sounds like, and it sounds gooooood heh.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm really thinking seriously about that as well... AND YOUR DAMN BASS ISN'T HELPING AT FRIGGIN' ALL!!! :mad: ;) :D
 
#1,768
The most important thing about maintaining a good J-bass sound is correct pickup locations. It's amazing how many J-bass type instruments out there do not maintain vintage Fender locations.

As for the Big Singles, the are a big overwound J-bass pickup (that's why it can't fit in a J-bass cover. I describe the pickup as "throaty". Very full in the mids with a very strong "center" to the note. Not as bright and airy as a regular single coil. The Nordy Big Splits and Fat Stacks are humcancelling, but I like the tone of the Big Singles the best.

Same difference in my soapbar locations. Big Singles have a very strong fundamental and great in your face tone. But the soapbars have a wider frequency response and a better high end for slap .

Roger
 
#1,776
Sadowsky said:
As for the Big Singles, the are a big overwound J-bass pickup (that's why it can't fit in a J-bass cover. I describe the pickup as "throaty". Very full in the mids with a very strong "center" to the note. Not as bright and airy as a regular single coil. The Nordy Big Splits and Fat Stacks are humcancelling, but I like the tone of the Big Singles the best.

Same difference in my soapbar locations. Big Singles have a very strong fundamental and great in your face tone. But the soapbars have a wider frequency response and a better high end for slap .

Roger
Click to expand...
Thanks, Roger. I think Rob said you haven't made any production basses with the big splits in it, but have you tested them or done any prototypes such that you could contrast their tone to the big singles or even your standard J SC or HC pickups?

My main problem is, even though I do generally prefer the SC tone, we play some venues that are brutal to SC pickups so having a HC design is kind of a big deal.
 
#1,777
Vic said:
Thanks, Roger. I think Rob said you haven't made any production basses with the big splits in it, but have you tested them or done any prototypes such that you could contrast their tone to the big singles or even your standard J SC or HC pickups?

My main problem is, even though I do generally prefer the SC tone, we play some venues that are brutal to SC pickups so having a HC design is kind of a big deal.
Click to expand...

I have yet to experience buzz from my Sadowsky even when I pan, I had to call and make sure I received the right pickups! I have played in some wicked places for interference too.

The only thing I get is some strange fuzzy low volume sound when my cell phone is searching for service and is in my pocket heheh. :D Solution, put my phone on my amp instead.
 
#1,779
Sadowsky said:
If you wanted the option of single coil or humcancelling, then go with the Fat Stacks.

Roger
Click to expand...
This sounds very interesting.

So then I'm assuming you place the FS's such that, in single coil mode, the active coils are in the standard J config, and in that mode, sound really close to your single coil pickups (or maybe big singles?), right?

When in humbucking, which directions do they go? Both outward, inward, towards neck, or towards bridge?
 
#1,780
HI

Hey, Vic. Both my 24/4 and my 24/5 sound like jazz basses. They have Big Singles in '60s J bass positions. Keep in mind a Sadowsky jj really doesnt sound, to me, like a vintage Fender jj. The preamp gives the bass a unique character. A mixture of vintage and modern. I love the tone. Fell in love with it the first time I tried one. I wouldnt hesitate for a moment to order a 24/4. It gets most of my gigging and Ive had it since last August. Thats alot of shows. Rob did a masterful job assembling it and setting it up. I use low action and light strings. The strings are practically on the board!!. So fast and effortless. Its my lightest Sadowsky and Rob thinks there has only been a couple others thru the shop that have been lighter than mine at 7.35lbs. I absolutely love it

That being said, Im having a new Standard jj5 being built. Downsized body, 21 frets, single coils. I may put my 24/5 up for sale. Possible find myself a 24/5 with the soapbars or a nice metro 24/5. We shall see!!

Rob
 

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