Well this is a very close cuz or bro to the famed Sadowsky bass, a
TINO from Switzerland. This is from the NAMM 2010 Show and recently acquired from a notable music industry person.
I asked weeks ago if it would be permissable to place this bass on the Sadowsky site owing to its obvious similarity. I received no objections.
After seeing all of the ash/maple beauties out there I thought I would send the TINO.
This FYI only and if this is not cool I will gladly remove. There is no gain for me at all and I am not an endorser. Just passing along info to fellow TBer's. That is all.
As one proud Sadowsky owner told me when he saw it, he called it "a clone of a clone". I guess there is an obvious indebtedness to Roger's superior craftsmanship and design here. Why, it even came in a Sadowsky soft case. So it is obvious who TINO respects in the bass luthier world. Mr Roger Sadowsky.
That aside for the moment, hands down this is one of the most awesome playing basses that I have ever played in my many years of playing.
It allows me to do things that I don't even think about playing on most other basses ( and I mean some of the top basses out there right now-not mentioning any names-cuz there is no one bass that does everything, right guys ? ).
It is light-- about 8 pounds and plays spot on in tune all over the entire neck. Chords are a dream-with each voice-interval perfectly balanced...how did TINO do that ?
I have A-B'd it to a Metro earlier this week and the Sadowsky has a more potent preamp for sure as the TINO came with an Aguilar OB-1--not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer-but it gets the job done. However, the TINO played much better and quicker and has lightening fast response and in general is a very musical and expressive instrument. Both for bass line and soloing it takes you where one would not normally go-for real. The nuance in this instrument is startling-- cuz at any level you hear every note clear and rich with depth and character.
I have not played an NYC 5, BUT this week recommended that a student who trusts my opinion order one--of all of the high end Fender style basses out there, I recommended that he get the NYC 5. He did.
So I am very very much pro Sadowsky here folks as I have other basses sitting right here by another very respected maker and my suggestion to him was that ( as you ALL know here ) you can't go wrong with a Sadowsky on any level.
continuing now on the TINO
The Low B is a perfect 10. You can play melodies on that string alone. There is a continuity going to the B string from other strings--usually from the E string-- that 90% of 5 string basses don't have, I find.
The OB1 is a very warm sounding preamp and can get that stupid awesome Marcus slap tone in a minute-- but I find it has real low output and the master volume goes from 1 to 7 then 7 to 10 in other words between 2 and 6 there is nothing in the output gain..nadda
However the TINO was easier to play A-B'd to the Metro-- and response and execution was impeccable alowing for complete control of decay and sustain--note length and PHRASING, at least for me--- as I have big hands and limited technique.
With a SADOWSKY preamp with the VTC --which she will be definitely getting soon---This should be one formidable lady after dark.
If you can get your hands on one guys--you might be in for one of your most pleasurable and memorable bass playing experiences ?
These basses are very rare in these parts, but gentleman let me humbly inform you they are KILLIN' Machines.
Check out Andrew Lauer "The Bulllit" on Youtube playing at the Namm Show 2010, and in some hotel room in New York ( funny and goofy guy but the cat has serious slap chops .
I am not able to send links of Andrew playingthe TINO.
I humbly admit--I don't know how
