Club Sadowsky!!!

[Vic]

I get literally no more hum than with the HC's I had, but again, I don't solo either pickup 100% If you don't do that, literally zero issue, and interestingly, with both SC's dimed, I find them just a smidge less noisy than the HC's, probably due to the slightly less extended top end.

Again, as we've discussed before, it depends GREATLY on the venue. I've definitely played (and still play) places where even if you just go the little bit off center as you say, a very audible hum is heard. I've also played places where the hum is no big deal even when solo'd.

Just sayin'... it REALLY matters a LOT. Most of your most recent experiences have come from pretty high end gigs, so I would expect you haven't run into problem environments very typically (maybe not at all for a long time.) Keep that in mind.

 

[KJung]

Again, as we've discussed before, it depends GREATLY on the venue. I've definitely played (and still play) places where even if you just go the little bit off center as you say, a very audible hum is heard. I've also played places where the hum is no big deal even when solo'd. Just sayin'... it REALLY matters a LOT.

I have played noisy venues, but really didn't feel it differentially impacted HC's versus SC's (there is a certain outlet in my house that I can't use with Sadowsky HC's but that is fine with the SC's... strange indeed!).

However, I'm sure it can happen the other way around also. Zero issue for me luckily, and I would hope most would choose SC's versus HC's as a tone decision and NOT a noise decision.

There is one high end venue in St. Louis (the Lawyer's club on the top of a 26 story building) where I could not use my MTD at all.. picked up radio at a very loud level!!!! All other basses were fine (I literally had to run home and get another bass prior to a gig!).

 

[Vic]

There is one high end venue in St. Louis (the Lawyer's club on the top of a 26 story building) where I could not use my MTD at all.. picked up radio at a very loud level!!!! All other basses were fine (I literally had to run home and get another bass prior to a gig!).

+1

I've also had that problem. Those pickups are SUPER sensitive external stuff... even though they are hum canceling. Different issue, but same result.

There's a few basses I ALWAYS bring as a "backup" whenever I bring another bass that I know to be subject to stuff like that, just in case, and a Sadowsky... yes, even one with SC pickups, is one of them, even tho I may not solo or even favor a pickup if the venue is "bad enough".

 

[MikeBass]

I have played noisy venues, but really didn't feel it differentially impacted HC's versus SC's (there is a certain outlet in my house that I can't use with Sadowsky HC's but that is fine with the SC's... strange indeed!).

However, I'm sure it can happen the other way around also. Zero issue for me luckily, and I would hope most would choose SC's versus HC's as a tone decision and NOT a noise decision.

There is one high end venue in St. Louis (the Lawyer's club on the top of a 26 story building) where I could not use my MTD at all.. picked up radio at a very loud level!!!! All other basses were fine (I literally had to run home and get another bass prior to a gig!).

There was a club here in town (actually still there) that sits dead next to an airport.
My old Yamaha TRB5P would pick up the tower like I had a stinkin' scanner plugged into my rig.
Insanly bad to the point I had to have my wife bring me another bass as well.

Didn't do it with any others. Just that one bass.

 

[LeonD]

I've owned three Zon's over the years. Every one of them emitted a high pitch wine when I played them in my basement. If I held the instrument perfectly vertical, it would be quiet but otherwise, very noisy.

Joe got involved with the first one. We tried relining the bass, different preamp, etc. with no change. Then one day it just stopped. I was walking around the basement and noticed somebody shut the transmitter for the electronic underground dog fence off. That was it!

Our best guess is that the graphite neck was picking up the signal from the transmitter. It was acting like a big antenna.

Problem solved but very weird.

 

[Tom7]

... you've chosen wisely.

Laughing! So says the Templar Knight in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?

Thanks you guys for your advice and feed back.

I know now what I want, I've just got to decide if it is the right thing to get it now.

Cheers!

 

[Saluki]

There is one high end venue in St. Louis (the Lawyer's club on the top of a 26 story building) where I could not use my MTD at all.. picked up radio at a very loud level!!!! All other basses were fine (I literally had to run home and get another bass prior to a gig!).

OK Ken, you really expect me to beleive you ran back to Michigan?. JK, did you actually live in st. louis for a while?

 

[KJung]

OK Ken, you really expect me to beleive you ran back to Michigan?. JK, did you actually live in st. louis for a while?

Yes, played full time in St. Louis for over 20 years from the mid 70's to the mid 90's. That's why I still gig there so much, no matter where we live. I've been flying back there to gig for about 15 years now... from Houston, Minnesota, Detroit, wherever we end up. Get to see my family and gig with guys I've been playing with on and off for 30+ years. Kind of nice!

 

[burk48237]

There is one high end venue in St. Louis (the Lawyer's club on the top of a 26 story building) where I could not use my MTD at all.. picked up radio at a very loud level!!!! All other basses were fine (I literally had to run home and get another bass prior to a gig!).

My house was built in the late fifties (and still has a lot of old electrical) and has three radio towers within about three quarters of a mile. I always get a radio station thru my amp no matter what bass. In fact I don't remember practicing in my house and not hearing some radio hum.

I use to have a 8 track reel to reel studio and I sometimes I would have a radio station blaring thru my bass amp but it would never show up in the direct box tracks of my bass. For some reason I've never had the issue with guitar amps.

This radio listening experience has occurred with four different bass heads GK, 2 Edens, and Thunderfunk and several different basses including Tobias, Alembic, Pedulla, Yamaha, Fender, Warwick and Sadowsky HC and SC. It's usually a country station so I get to work on root/fives.

 

[burk48237]

OK Ken, you really expect me to beleive you ran back to Michigan?. JK, did you actually live in st. louis for a while?

Ken does the high end stuff. They fly him into gigs with his personal roadie to plug in and tune his stuff. He's not like us normal working dudes.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Ok, my new Will Lee has spoiled me in ways I did not expect. My NYC is a vintage neck with the full size body. I guess after so many years of playing Spectors and not being the biggest guy in the world (waistline not included unfortunately), I find the smaller body infinitely more comfortable. Plus, I just love the neck. I feel I play better on it. My NYC neck suddenly feels uncomfortable and my Fender P feels almost unplayable!

My new line of thinking is to get a NYC Will Lee or perhaps just a Vintage with the WL neck profile. My Metro WL is ash+maple. It sounded a little bright when I first plugged it in next to my NYC that is alder + maple. However, it fits perfect in a rock setting. Cuts through just right! So, I am thinking an alder/rw fits the bill for a little darker/vintage tone that fits great in my New Orleans americana, rock, funk, etc. band. I have not owned the HC's so I am not sure which way I will go there.

At least I know my current NYC can help fund a nice chunk of this one, thank god for awesome Sadowsky resale value!

 

[emohair]

My VTC is on its way, plus I got some Blue Label strings that I want to check out...pretty excited! Now I need to find someone who can install this thing for me lol

 

[NOLA Bass]

Ken does the high end stuff. They fly him into gigs with his personal roadie to plug in and tune his stuff. He's not like us normal working dudes.

: )

 

[KJung]

Ken does the high end stuff. They fly him into gigs with his personal roadie to plug in and tune his stuff. He's not like us normal working dudes.

I do play some amazing venues, but the schlepping is all me

 

[KJung]

Ok, my new Will Lee has spoiled me in ways I did not expect. My NYC is a vintage neck with the full size body. I guess after so many years of playing Spectors and not being the biggest guy in the world (waistline not included unfortunately), I find the smaller body infinitely more comfortable. Plus, I just love the neck. I feel I play better on it. My NYC neck suddenly feels uncomfortable and my Fender P feels almost unplayable!

My new line of thinking is to get a NYC Will Lee or perhaps just a Vintage with the WL neck profile. My Metro WL is ash+maple. It sounded a little bright when I first plugged it in next to my NYC that is alder + maple. However, it fits perfect in a rock setting. Cuts through just right! So, I am thinking an alder/rw fits the bill for a little darker/vintage tone that fits great in my New Orleans americana, rock, funk, etc. band. I have not owned the HC's so I am not sure which way I will go there.

At least I know my current NYC can help fund a nice chunk of this one, thank god for awesome Sadowsky resale value!

It is quite amazing to me how different the neck feel is between that 1 3/4 versus 1 7/8th's nut measurement (on the 5 strings.. I assume it is similar on the 4's also). I personally can't stand the narrower profile, but that's what makes the world go round! It is way different though... much 'smaller feeling', which is strange given how little the difference is in an absolute sense.

For those who feel the standard Sadowsky neck is too chunky, that option (which is standard on the Will Lee's... not sure if the neck on the WL's is different in other ways) is a good one.

 

[NOLA Bass]

It is quite amazing to me how different the neck feel is between that 1 3/4 versus 1 7/8th's nut measurement (on the 5 strings.. I assume it is similar on the 4's also). I personally can't stand the narrower profile, but that's what makes the world go round! It is way different though... much 'smaller feeling', which is strange given how little the difference is in an absolute sense.

For those who feel the standard Sadowsky neck is too chunky, that option (which is standard on the Will Lee's... not sure if the neck on the WL's is different in other ways) is a good one.

Ken,

You are so right. I pulled them both out last night and went back and forth. The difference in feel is dramatic! I didn't expect to have it make everything else feel so much bigger!

Rob

 

[MikeBass]

It is quite amazing to me how different the neck feel is between that 1 3/4 versus 1 7/8th's nut measurement (on the 5 strings.. I assume it is similar on the 4's also). I personally can't stand the narrower profile, but that's what makes the world go round! It is way different though... much 'smaller feeling', which is strange given how little the difference is in an absolute sense.

For those who feel the standard Sadowsky neck is too chunky, that option (which is standard on the Will Lee's... not sure if the neck on the WL's is different in other ways) is a good one.

Which is crazy when you think how a .105 E feels compared to a .100 E
Or .125 B to a .130 B

In an absolute sense, yeah, it's NOTHING.
But on a neck.....crazy.

 

[gillento]

It is quite amazing to me how different the neck feel is between that 1 3/4 versus 1 7/8th's nut measurement (on the 5 strings.. I assume it is similar on the 4's also). ...

I am switching regularly between the 1 3/4 of my NYC and the UV which is even 2mm wider than the Metro standard 1 7/8.

This makes it even harder.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Which is crazy when you think how a .105 E feels compared to a .100 E
Or .125 B to a .130 B

In an absolute sense, yeah, it's NOTHING.
But on a neck.....crazy.

Absolutely. I did check with Kevin and the Will Lee neck profile is available on other basses for a $200 custom shaping upcharge.

 

[sps500]

I agree on the neck width discussion. Its just weird that that small a difference makes for a totally different feel. My NYC 5 is great but the WL 5 is amazing. It might have something to do with my small hands.