Cracked Sadowsky

[ReidK]

Actually I did, and you missed the context thanks, the image doesn't refer to Double E, it was more for his amusement then anything.

You posted an image in response to Double E, but the image doesn't refer to Double E.

Why of course, how could I have misinterpreted that? Silly me.

 

[R Baer]

....My first Sadowsky cracks in under 11 days....It is hard to get excited by what I have purchased, at a much higher price.....Based on the majority of opinions here, right now I am sitting with a Sadowsky thinking:
- it is a nice bass though it is hard to objectively justify the price over a Fender American Standard in terms of playing performance. .......

I've bought and sold enough basses over the years to realize that finding a bass that you really bond with is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Neck pocket finish cracks are a very common thing that has no effect on how the instrument plays and sounds. I get the impression after reading your post that you aren't crazy about the instrument in the first place, because if you were really loving the way this bass plays and sounds, then it would be silly to return it for something as trivial as a finish crack in the neck pocket. Of course, your'e the customer, so you should ask the dealer about it, if it bugs you that much.

 

[veebass]

I have a '74 Telecaster bass. IMO, that three bolt system and the loose neck pocket is not the best combination. I would bet that somewhere in its 40+ year life, the neck on your 73 shifted in the pocked and put pressure on the side of the pocket, cracking the finish.

I agree it is not a serious problem, but it is related to tight neck pockets. The finish cracks because of pressure on the side of the neck pocket. A tight pocket doesn't guarantee a crack, but it does increase the likelihood. I might be disappointed too if it happened in the first couple weeks of owning a new bass. I don't know if I would return it or not, but I'm betting I wouldn't. Nothing wrong with making the other decision, though.

The 3 bolt is not the best, I agree. This one is stable though.
You may be right about a knock, this one is no case queen. But the head stock would have need to move a long, long way.

 

[veebass]

I have a '74 Telecaster bass. IMO, that three bolt system and the loose neck pocket is not the best combination. I would bet that somewhere in its 40+ year life, the neck on your 73 shifted in the pocked and put pressure on the side of the pocket, cracking the finish.

I agree it is not a serious problem, but it is related to tight neck pockets. The finish cracks because of pressure on the side of the neck pocket. A tight pocket doesn't guarantee a crack, but it does increase the likelihood. I might be disappointed too if it happened in the first couple weeks of owning a new bass. I don't know if I would return it or not, but I'm betting I wouldn't. Nothing wrong with making the other decision, though.

The 3 bolt is not the best, I agree. This one is stable though.
You may be right about a knock, this one is no case queen. But the head stock would have need to move a long, long way.

 

[StayLow]

Having read this thread, and other threads, I have come to the following conclusion:

- there are practically no MATERIAL improvements in Sadowsky basses over Fender basses.

The depth of responses over these threads support this proposal.

Not sure why you'd spend the extra $$ in the first place.

As a long-time owner and frequent professional gigger of a Sadowsky NYC (as well as several other J-style basses costing over $4k), I agree that there are no *material* improvements.

As to why someone would pay that, it's none of your concern. is it worth it to me? It's different, and much lighter than my other basses and I can afford it... so yeah. Better? Subjective. Better empirically, than say my '74 J that's beat to hell? No. Both sound great, both play great, both stay in tune. Nothing else maters materially. The passive Fender is probably more reliable just inherently because it has no preamp. That's just reality. Regardless, I do what I want and others shouldn't worry about it just like they shouldn't believe in magic or hype.

 

[MDBass]

Part of my problem is that I have come from a history of Fenders - second hand, new, MIA and MIJ - all of which were effectively faultless and much cheaper.

My first Sadowsky cracks in under 11 days.

It is hard to get excited by what I have purchased, at a much higher price.


Based on the majority of opinions here, right now I am sitting with a Sadowsky thinking:
- it is a nice bass though it is hard to objectively justify the price over a Fender American Standard in terms of playing performance. I should also accept imperfections in the appearance that occur as soon as I receive the bass, imperfections that may actually be structural.

This doesn't compute with me.

Here's the thing...no one is telling you the imperfections 'may be structural'.

They aren't structural, just cosmetic blemishes that happen from time to time.

That being said, my Dingwalls have the tightest neck pockets I've ever seen, with no such cosmetic blemishes.

If it was me, unless the bass felt totally perfect in my hands and was 'the' tone, for instrument of that price I'd return or exchange it.

 

[Rich Terry]

Use some instant Grits and super glue and blend it in.

 

[Bassco]

A little off topic but--Take a look at the neck pockets of Tom Anderson Guitars--a neck pocket that is wedge shaped that provides additional lateral support of the neck against the pocket ---now thats precision--thats innovation ---that's precision machining.Too bad he doesn't make basses but his guitars are the best.

 

[Mark4]

The problem might be the wood instead of the workmanship. No two trees are exactly alike. Maybe that part of the plank isn't as dense or something, allowing more deformation than usual. Either way, for that kind of money, I'd try to exchange it for another.

 

[Double E]

As a long-time owner and frequent professional gigger of a Sadowsky NYC (as well as several other J-style basses costing over $4k), I agree that there are no *material* improvements.

As to why someone would pay that, it's none of your concern. is it worth it to me? It's different, and much lighter than my other basses and I can afford it... so yeah. Better? Subjective. Better empirically, than say my '74 J that's beat to hell? No. Both sound great, both play great, both stay in tune. Nothing else maters materially. The passive Fender is probably more reliable just inherently because it has no preamp. That's just reality. Regardless, I do what I want and others shouldn't worry about it just like they shouldn't believe in magic or hype.

Dude, click the link in my post and understand that I was using the OP's own words to give him a little ribbing.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Use some instant Grits and super glue and blend it in.

You won't need the super glue. Ever let instant grits dry in the bottom of a bowl?

Riis

 

[petrus61]

It's a finish crack that won't affect anything....except the value of the bass if you decide to sell it.

You'll have to disclose the crack, and many potential buyers will view it with the same trepidation that you're experiencing now. Also, don't be surprised to see the crack get bigger over time.

Those type of cracks wouldn't bother me, but there's no way I'd pay the same price as I would for one without flaws. But that's just me.

Nailed it

 

[WoodyG3]

I look at the picture in the first post and wonder how the thread title "Cracked Sadowsky" came to the OP's mind. I would have titled it "Minor Blemish On My Sadowsky Really Bugs Me." And, I admit, it would bug me. I'd bet it will bug Roger when he sees the picture, if you send it to him. It wouldn't bug me enough to return the bass, though. Not even close. But that's me.

 

[hdracer]

A little off topic but--Take a look at the neck pockets of Tom Anderson Guitars--a neck pocket that is wedge shaped that provides additional lateral support of the neck against the pocket ---now thats precision--thats innovation ---that's precision machining.Too bad he doesn't make basses but his guitars are the best.

Why not just use a set neck?

 

[scourgeofgod]

I look at the picture in the first post and wonder how the thread title "Cracked Sadowsky" came to the OP's mind. I would have titled it "Minor Blemish On My Sadowsky Really Bugs Me." And, I admit, it would bug me. I'd bet it will bug Roger when he sees the picture, if you send it to him. It wouldn't bug me enough to return the bass, though. Not even close. But that's me.

Based on op's other comments, I think the real issue is that he feels the quality of the bass(fit/finish/feel/sound) doesn't live up to the price he paid for it (in his opinion) when compared to what he paid for his Fenders, which he feels were on par or better than the Sadowsky. That and he misses a Fender he gave up. It's buyer's remorse whether he wants to call it that or not. There is nothing structurally wrong with the bass, but op doesn't need to justify his motive for returning the bass to me or anyone else.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Return it. Only 11 days that happened and you payed good money for that? I have only seen 10 + year old basses with cracks like that, after 11 days is ridiculous, especially sense it's supposed to be "high end"....

 

[Jack MN]

My Fender American Strat's had that for 27 years now, never got any bigger.

 

[bucephylus]

Were I the owner of such a bass, I guess my response would depend on whether the bass was a great player.

If it was a great player, I would watch the crack VERY carefully. If the crack simply sits where it is, I would ignore it. It is not clear from the picture if that is a finish crack or an actual crack in the wood. In either case, the coupling between the neck and body is unlikely to propagate that crack from a playing perspective.

If the crack continues to run, then I would definitely look for recourse.

If you simply have buyers remorse, that probably isn't sufficient fuel as it sits for returning the bass (unless you have an approval period).

I'm guessing its a pretty great bass and that crack won't amount to diddly. But, that's me.

 

[Just Thumpin']

I have had tougher.

Well, get back to me when your $10k Fodera does the same thing, with practically no use: I am keen to see your response.

Although it is very rare for one of our bolt-on instruments to cost anywhere near $10,000, sadly we too have this problem from time to time on some of our bolt-ons early in their lives after they have left the shop. What people are saying about a tight neck pocket is absolutely true. The tighter the neck pocket, the greater the chance that you will see a finish crack exactly like yours as the woods expand and contract or from the bass being handled roughly during shipping. If the instrument is fairly new (3-6 months), even though our warranty does not cover finish cracking, we gladly take the instrument back and repair it at no charge. I am not sure what Roger's policy is, but IME he goes out of his way (as we do) to take care of his customers.

Incidentally, roughly 50% of the time that this issue comes up our customer wants us to fix it. Folks seem to fall into two camps -- "I want it perfect" and "I don't care because it's going to be played and get dinged, used, etc." We are absolutely fine with either...our job is to meet the customer's needs. You should do whatever makes you feel right. You spent a lot of money to buy a great instrument and if that crack bothers you why not have it fixed?

Regards,

Jason

 

[David A. Egeler]

Take into consideration the area you live in. Most homes should have a relative humidity point of 48.9%. If the neck is Maple, one piece, compared to a multi laminate neck, you will get some movement in the wood itself. It doesn't look like the bass is going to fall apart. If the tone is what you want and the playability is there a small cosmetic touch-up would work.