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Club Sadowsky!!!

#19,121
MF_Maher said:
SpectorDetector asked about this the other day, and there were a couple of responses--one mentioned going in and out of pitch and so on.

A few months ago (and after its trip to NYC for a tuneup), my 2006 MV4 developed kind of a chorus-y sound when I play the open E string. I don't really notice it with the fretted notes. It certainly didn't do this for the first few years I had the instrument.

It doesn't go in and out of pitch--it just sounds like a toned-down version of the opening notes of "Beat It". :atoz: Any ideas on what could cause this open E chorus-y sound? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I got this problem as well (MV4), problem gone after I change another set of string. Don't know if this will happen with another set....:rollno:
 
#19,122
When I worked at Sadowsky, a lot of basses went through my hands. In a few instances, I would get a bass with a "chorusy" sounding A or E string. Roger simply mentioned to change the offending string, which cleared up the problem every time.
 
#19,126
When I think "chorus pedal" I think terms like "ambience", "warble", 2 converging notes (same) slightly out of pitch.
I just don't understand what's happening with the specific sound you're referring to. Would I be likely to hear it w/ a defective flats string as well?
B.
Edit: I wonder if the "chorus" effect that is in question here is a slightly out of tune "artifact" harmonic that is present while playing an open or fretted note on the defective string, thereby causing a slow warble similar to a string which is not correctly intonated.( as per 12th fret harmonic on top of the 12th fret note)
 
#19,127
Vic said:
Well, that's why I used the word "may". I really don't know what all could affect a poly finish... oxygen exposure too? Maybe long term exposure to the mylar? I'm not a finish guy, but if there literally is nothing at all, then yeah, not a concern. I just don't know that's the case.
Click to expand...

Vic, I seem to remember that I brought this up several Club threads back. I recall that Dragonbass answered that the cling cover that they put on the back of the Sadowskys is not-toxic to the finish. I keep the on that is on the back of my NYC JJ4 ash/maple just for :D grins. Rob had one on his bass when Randy Jackson played it on the Jimmy Falon show and saved it from getting scratched by Randy's coat.
 
#19,128
Tom7 said:
I've long wanted a Sadowsky, and am thinking about finally doing something about that now.

I love rwinder's ash + maple Vintage for sale in the classifieds.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But ideally I'd like a matching head stock, and perhaps blocks, and perhaps a Will Lee model so I can have the 22nd fret and the 3 band preamp... does anyone have any idea ABOUT what a bass with those specs would cost new?

Given that I play 6s most of the time anyway, I'm wondering if I wouldn't be smarter to get this used Vintage JJ with SCs, if its price was good.

Any advice?
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Hi Tom! Nice to see you here.

Tread carefully around here. Roger's basses are VERY ADDICTIVE. ;)

I do agree with what the others say about hunting down a real nice used one to start the addiction going.... er, find out what all the fuss is about. Keep in mind that the Sadowsky shows it's true colors in a mix. I think that they sound great solo but agree that in a mix is when the real magic begins.
 
#19,131
cocobass said:
When I worked at Sadowsky, a lot of basses went through my hands. In a few instances, I would get a bass with a "chorusy" sounding A or E string. Roger simply mentioned to change the offending string, which cleared up the problem every time.
Click to expand...

So has Roger and company come to a conclusion to what this chorus problem might be? Is it a pickup or string issue? Has anyone got this chorus sound using SADOWSKY strings on a non-SADOWSKY bass?
 
#19,132
cripula said:
Tom7 - since you DID ask "any advice" I'll give you my 2 cents worth.

You say you mainly play 6s. A used Sadowsky would be a great way to test the waters and see if it's for you. If after a while you think it's great and play it a lot, you can decide if it's worth the money to get 1 more fret, blocks etc. You can sell the old one for close to what you paid and put it towards a new order.

Personally (as I've said over and over...) I think a used NYC is one of the absolute best bargains in bassdom. And rwinder's ticks almost every box for me: Vintage style, ash/maple, cool fender custom colour, SCs, nice weight. I'd be on that bass like stink on sh... er, white on rice :D

FWIW this is the route I went a few years ago. I played mostly vintage fenders, needed one 5 so bought a used NYC to "test the waters". Now I have 4 and could use a 5th... it can be a slippery slope. You've been warned :D
Click to expand...
Perfect! Thank you very much for this; this was exactly the kind of guidance I was hoping to get. It really hit home with me, so thanks again.
 
#19,135
Tom7 said:
Perfect! Thank you very much for this; this was exactly the kind of guidance I was hoping to get. It really hit home with me, so thanks again.
Click to expand...

Tom, I go through basses, it's no secret around here! LOL!!!
But I guess the reason I end up pretty much always back to Sadowsky is you can pretty much expect consistancy in tone, playability and zero worries on the gig with one.
Sorta like my old Fender for me. I always know that I can count on it sounding good. That's why it would go to every gig with me no matter the "bass of the moment". But when I have a Sadowsky, I've taken just one to the gig a lot of times- the Sadowsky.

What I maen by that statement about zero issues is I've owned a TON of what pretty much most here on TB would agree are "top shelf" basses.
Don't get me wrong, they all sounded great and worked on levels that you would expect for basses of their caliber, but at least with a Sadowsky, you have, at least what I have found, is un-matched consistancy pretty much no matter the gig/room.
You can bet your reputation on every gig that you will sound nothing short of good.

A common theme that you can pull from all this is get one on the gig. It just "works".
I can't say that for a lot of high end basses. And again, I;ve tried them all for the most part, and Sadowsky is pretty much the only one that always always fits in any situation very well.

Forget all the talking about SC/HC pick-ups, Ash/maple and Alder/rosewood for a few.
Just toss it all out the door.
We're talking fine points that in the big picture, just diving into a Sadowsky for the first doesn't matter a ton.
It's not like an ash/maple with SC's is gonna sound so massively different from an alder/rosewood with HC's.
Sure, for guys who have/had owned quite a few of them, like myself, Rob & Vic for example, we can really dive into all that, but in the end, it's going to really just have that "Sadowsky Sound" and it will get it done no matter the combo of wood and wires. (unless you're talking Modern to say PJ, then forget everything I just said! LOL!!!:D).

You seem like someone who knows a bit about bass so yeah, going in you can pretty much say, and hear the differences in combos we're talking about, but in the end, the result will be the same.
A bass that will always work.
And keep you working.

And I've been saying it for years, and it's evident by all the threads about "XXX Bass vs. Sadowsky" or "why is Sadowsky so good" etc, NO other bass will ever match the mystique of a Sadowsky.

Kobass pointed out that on the cover of BP Ricky Minor is holding a Sadowsky- I'm pretty sure the three top most widely seen bass players in I would say at LEAST in North America (all three late night talk shows- Letterman, Leno and Conan) would stake their reputations on something that was only going to work "sometimes" or on "certain" things.
 
#19,136
MikeBass said:
Tom, I go through basses, it's no secret around here! LOL!!!
But I guess the reason I end up pretty much always back to Sadowsky is you can pretty much expect consistancy in tone, playability and zero worries on the gig with one.
Sorta like my old Fender for me. I always know that I can count on it sounding good. That's why it would go to every gig with me no matter the "bass of the moment". But when I have a Sadowsky, I've taken just one to the gig a lot of times- the Sadowsky.

What I maen by that statement about zero issues is I've owned a TON of what pretty much most here on TB would agree are "top shelf" basses.
Don't get me wrong, they all sounded great and worked on levels that you would expect for basses of their caliber, but at least with a Sadowsky, you have, at least what I have found, is un-matched consistancy pretty much no matter the gig/room.
You can bet your reputation on every gig that you will sound nothing short of good.

A common theme that you can pull from all this is get one on the gig. It just "works".
I can't say that for a lot of high end basses. And again, I;ve tried them all for the most part, and Sadowsky is pretty much the only one that always always fits in any situation very well.

Forget all the talking about SC/HC pick-ups, Ash/maple and Alder/rosewood for a few.
Just toss it all out the door.
We're talking fine points that in the big picture, just diving into a Sadowsky for the first doesn't matter a ton.
It's not like an ash/maple with SC's is gonna sound so massively different from an alder/rosewood with HC's.
Sure, for guys who have/had owned quite a few of them, like myself, Rob & Vic for example, we can really dive into all that, but in the end, it's going to really just have that "Sadowsky Sound" and it will get it done no matter the combo of wood and wires. (unless you're talking Modern to say PJ, then forget everything I just said! LOL!!!:D).

You seem like someone who knows a bit about bass so yeah, going in you can pretty much say, and hear the differences in combos we're talking about, but in the end, the result will be the same.
A bass that will always work.
And keep you working.

And I've been saying it for years, and it's evident by all the threads about "XXX Bass vs. Sadowsky" or "why is Sadowsky so good" etc, NO other bass will ever match the mystique of a Sadowsky.

Kobass pointed out that on the cover of BP Ricky Minor is holding a Sadowsky- I'm pretty sure the three top most widely seen bass players in I would say at LEAST in North America (all three late night talk shows- Letterman, Leno and Conan) would stake their reputations on something that was only going to work "sometimes" or on "certain" things.
Click to expand...

+1
I always tell folks to "Get the Sadowsky on the gig and the bass just plain works for any situation".
 
#19,137
There was another quite update on the site last night.

A couple of Will Lee's - Ash/Rosewood
And, a couple of Standard 5s - Ash/Maple

Wish I was playing 5ers...that Trans Black is stunning!
 
#19,138
abassman84 said:
So has Roger and company come to a conclusion to what this chorus problem might be? Is it a pickup or string issue? Has anyone got this chorus sound using SADOWSKY strings on a non-SADOWSKY bass?
Click to expand...

The problem is just a bad string. Sometimes the windings slip, or whatever. But you replace the string and move on. My guess is that if you got a bad string in a new set of Sadowsky strings, Roger would take care of you. :cool:
 
#19,139
cocobass said:
When I worked at Sadowsky, a lot of basses went through my hands. In a few instances, I would get a bass with a "chorusy" sounding A or E string. Roger simply mentioned to change the offending string, which cleared up the problem every time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, I was wondering about the string, it is a brand new Rotosound. I have a couple packs of SS Blues on the way and will change it soon. Besides my pickup theory, my string theory was that some how there is a broken section of the core or something. I did lower my P pickup a bit and it "seemed" to help, but after I put on the Blues I will put the pickup back were it was and test it.
 
#19,140
Bad strings don't happen often, but, they happen.
If you got a bass that sounds great everywhere but "on that string," that's a good place to start trouble shooting.
One needn't put on "another same brnad new string," you could simply put on one of the old ones you took off, or another new one you might have handy.
Even if it's another brand, if you hear the warble/wolftone/whatev go away, then it's yer string;)
 

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