Club Sadowsky!!!

[MikeBass]

Bad strings don't happen often, but, they happen.

They're not bad, they're just mis-understood......

 

[Chef]

Or dirty.

 

[Chasarms]

Arrgh--blue nickels standard 4-string sets are out of stock...

I can certainly appreciate the idea of supporting the shop directly, but in a pinch, I usually find that all varieties of Sadowsky strings can be found on ebay at any given time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sadowsky-SBN45-...130?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5d2bd3666a

 

[Russell Bergum]

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!

Wow!- that transluscent cherry Will Lee sure is purty.


I don't need another bass....I don't need another bass.....

 

[Vic]

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.

I'm gonna' sorta' disagree with this comment because...

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

...of this (which I agree with).

...but in the end, the result will be the same.
A bass that will always work. And keep you working.

I would say this will be true once he's found "his" Sadowsky configuration, but on more general terms, I would only agree with your entire post if it WAS NOT someone with Tom's experience level with high end basses, where a more general "oh I get it" Sadowsky experience would totally dominate the "which Sadowsky is best for me" part. In Tom's case, I think the latter is much more significant. In other words, for Tom, I don't think they would be "fine points".

Again tho, in more general terms, your post is spot on.

 

[TonyP-]

I've been a good boy this year (I think), so I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new digi-cam for xmas. Regardless, I am in!

Hi Ken
What did you use for wood on the white MM style bass?

Thanks in advance.

 

[abassman84]

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.

Oh thanks Tom. All the years I've played I've never had this problem. I guess Fender Nickels aren't that bad after all.

 

[Chef]

I dunno...I think I disagree with this as well.
To me, the alder/rw thing does sound different than the ash/maple thing; and, the HC thing didn't work for me at all.
If the HC's were my only choice, I'd have to swap in Nord Singles or something, or just play something else.

Those all may be "subtle-ish" diffs, but they are enough that the HC's just aren't my thing; and, that I now have both and alder/morado RV5JJ, and an ash/maple MV5-JJ. Both loaded with single coils.
I also expect an nyc alder/rw JJ, with a fer-really rw board would be audibly different than my morado board, which I think seems brighter than a true, softer rw board.

ymmv, etc.

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!!!).

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.

 

[Vic]

Oh thanks Tom. All the years I've played I've never had this problem. I guess Fender Nickels aren't that bad after all.

I have. Tho not typically. And yeah, I did have a bad Sadowsky string... most typically on a tapered one, but it can happen on almost anything.

One technique I've adopted for ALL string sets, even though it's really most critical on round cores, such as DR HiBeams, is I ALWAYS bend/crimp BEFORE I cut the end off.

 

[rodneyat]

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.

Very true..I had this once a while back..And it was replaced by them.

Unlike another builder whom shall remain nameless but might might have the initials KS. With whom I had just purchased a brand new $5K bass. The bass arrived and the B string was dead. Contacted him and he said "I don't have any control over the environment once it leaves my shop" Nice! At least Jim at the Atlanta Bass Gallery saw things differently and gave me a new set of strings.

As usual, Roger and crew's customer service is tops!

 

[Tom7]

... In other words, for Tom, I don't think they would be "fine points".

Thanks, Vic. Yes, you are right. In fact for me, because I own other Fendery type basses, these differences are THE point.

If I understand correctly what I've been reading while lurking here, and I'm looking for you guys to correct me if I'm wrong...

The combination of ash + maple + 60s placed SCs on an NYC would be an excellent Yang to the Yin of my ash + maple + 60s HC soapbars of my BN5.

This NYC combination should be a thick, aggressive Fendery sound, while my BN5 would be the smooth "campaign" style Fendery sound. That range and variety appeals to me because while sonically they may be in the same Fendery sound family, they also would be as different in that family as Conrad and Paris Hilton are.

These basses, in context with my alder and rosewood Fbass VF5, and alder and rosewood Alleva Coppolo custom, and (of course) my 1976 ash and maple Fender Jazz bass, leave me with the perception (illusion?) that I would have a nice set of options when I'm looking for that specific Fender sound in my ear, whatever it may be.

Cheers!

 

[Fuzzbass]

Hi Ken
What did you use for wood on the white MM style bass?

Thanks in advance.

All three basses are alder, and the white bass has an ebony board. Also, the white bass weighs a little less than the others... must be because it has no pickguard.

Here's a better picture... can't help posting, the honeymoon isn't over yet!!

 

[Chasarms]

. . . Would I be likely to hear it w/ a defective flats string as well? . . .

The problem here is that all flatwound strings are inherently defective anyway, so it makes for a more difficult discovery.

Seriously though, I do think it could happen on a flat as well. I don't play flats on a BG, but I play do play DB, and, of course, those strings are flatwound. I have had a string out of the pack do that before. (Which is particularly frustrating at $200 a set)


As I have seen it discussed, the idea is that with a tapered string, you have a string that has the mass distributed unevenly already. So, as you play up the neck, you are, in effect, shortening the string, and thus the exposed core represents a greater portion of the vibrating length, and so there is a greater imbalance of mass. The greater the imbalance, the worse the "warble." DR long necks, for example, have a really long "tail" so you can string them through body and still get the function of the tapered core. So, if you DON'T string them through body, there's a pretty long length of core on the vibrating side of the saddle. They are VERY prone to this "warbling" effect unless you string through body.

That is a very long way of saying that if there was a defect in the material or manufacturing process that created a similar imbalance of mass in the string, you may see similar effects. Of course, it stands to reason that there may also be other factors that cause the same phenomenon.

 

[BuffaloBass]

B strings are notoriously "flaky".

Oh, and going back to the swirl prevention; last night I realized that a neck tie works wonders! ( ok, so I had to set a drum beat and play for 15 mins when I got home from the office )

 

[MikeBass]

Thanks, Vic. Yes, you are right. In fact for me, because I own other Fendery type basses, these differences are THE point.

If I understand correctly what I've been reading while lurking here, and I'm looking for you guys to correct me if I'm wrong...

The combination of ash + maple + 60s placed SCs on an NYC would be an excellent Yang to the Yin of my ash + maple + 60s HC soapbars of my BN5.

This NYC combination should be a thick, aggressive Fendery sound, while my BN5 would be the smooth "campaign" style Fendery sound. That range and variety appeals to me because while sonically they may be in the same Fendery sound family, they also would be as different in that family as Conrad and Paris Hilton are.

These basses, in context with my alder and rosewood Fbass VF5, and alder and rosewood Alleva Coppolo custom, and (of course) my 1976 ash and maple Fender Jazz bass, leave me with the perception (illusion?) that I would have a nice set of options when I'm looking for that specific Fender sound in my ear, whatever it may be.

Cheers!

Well, I guess I'm full of crap then.....
To be honest, I could care less about the woods and/or the pick-ups because it has that Sadowsky thing going on.

Enter into 60's vs. 70's pick-up placement and yeah, now things get way obvious for me.

But in the end, just give me one that says Sadowsky on it.

Oh, let me add.....all the talk of these subtle differences really in three different rooms with the same bass, they IME are going to be shifted all over the map.

And sorry fella's, they really in the end are subtle.
I enjoy discussing it as much as anyone yeah. And I can say and do hear some differences, but as I stated about me SC's in my bass, they're aggressive yes, but I'm gonna give it a few gigs in different rooms as they might not be all that aggressive.

I don't suggest to romp blindly into anything, but at the same time, some things need to be called for what they are and it's not so massively significiant that it should push you out of something.
Traditionally speaking of JJ basses and "standard" ash, alder, maple & rosewood here to be clear.
Having Mahogny/Ebony with HC's vs ash/maple with SC's and all bets are off.

Not knowing Tom and/or his collection of basses, or his level of playing, I was being general. (not to suggest on any of those I'm any better or worse for the record. well maybe worse in # of basses owned- because I'm pathatic like that!).

 

[narud]

why do we bug out over single coil hum when everyone has had to deal with guitar players using strats for forever?

 

[KJung]

why do we bug out over single coil hum when everyone has had to deal with guitar players using strats for forever?

And especially since if you know what you are doing, you can use single coils with no more 'hum' than hum cancelling pickups, and get 90%+ of the full pickup solo'd tone.

Literally zero issue for me with singles regarding noise.

 

[narud]

And especially since if you know what you are doing, you can use single coils with no more 'hum' than hum cancelling pickups, and get 90%+ of the full pickup solo'd tone.

Literally zero issue for me with singles regarding noise.

i dont ever really use them like that. i usually treat the volumes as on/off switches and completely solo a pickup. even still, it has to be a terrible room for it to be super noticeable. and if its a problem for me, the guitar player is probably noisier when in pos 1 or 5 on a strat and high gain.

i dont think hendrix or srv switched to humcancelling pickups when soloing the neck or jaco when soloing the bridge or joe osborne soloing the neck pickup. all those recordings still sound pretty dang good!

 

[MikeBass]

why do we bug out over single coil hum when everyone has had to deal with guitar players using strats for forever?

And especially since if you know what you are doing, you can use single coils with no more 'hum' than hum cancelling pickups, and get 90%+ of the full pickup solo'd tone.

Literally zero issue for me with singles regarding noise.

Yeah, I never really worried too much either. Only when I'm playing alone/practicing do I really get bugged by it.

 

[TonyP-]

All three basses are alder, and the white bass has an ebony board. Also, the white bass weighs a little less than the others... must be because it has no pickguard.

Here's a better picture... can't help posting, the honeymoon isn't over yet!!

Thanks Ken...
I thought it was ebony but not sure.
Enjoy...