Differences in sound between Sadowsky and Mike Lull?

[pickles]

Is the shape of the headstock (or the lack of a rounded ball or egg tooth at the end of the thing) really that big of a deal that would prevent you from owning and playing a perfectly excellent bass? I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but am genuinely interested...it's not that you're watching or looking at the tip of the headstock while you're playing...right?

I know its silly! But in this case, yea I think it'd just bug me every time I looked across the room at it ... if there were no other bass quite like it, that would be different, but in this case theres a whole world full of super Js to choose from ... so it tips the scales.

 

[r379]

I can't say that I like Lull's headstock shape, but I wouldn't keep me from buying one of his basses. The 12" fretboard radius is flatter than I'm used to but I'm sure I could get used to it. I wonder if he'd do a smaller radius?

 

[adrian garcia]

i have zero problem with the Lull headstock, in fact i think it's cool that the tuners are somewhat recessed -
as far as Fender Custom shop goes, i owned one for a minute- it was a beautiful bass, but i preferred an Am Dlx I had before. The low B on the Sadowsky is better than the Fender and the 35 in scale of the Lull makes it feel a little tighter TO ME than the Sadowsky Tokyo.
I can see Rob's view that a 35 scale drifts away from a Jazz tone, but to me, the Sadowsky, great as it is, i didn't get it to clone a Fender tone..
and i know most might disagree, but again, TO ME, my F bass gives me that Marcusy goodness more than the Lull OR the Sad... still a sucker for a J style bass, though...
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[Funky Tune]

Adrian contratame en tu tienda,pa yo vender bajos

 

[adrian garcia]

si quieres trabajar de gratis! aqui hay muy poco dinero!

 

[Johnny Fila]

Major Metal .and I both played a Lull today over at GC in Carle Place, NY. FWIW, we both thought that it was terrible. Benefit of the doubt though: that bass has been at GC a while, feels like the strings are old, not active pups (does that actually matter though?). The feel though, stunk. a real clunker from Lull. AAMOF, almost every bass we played there stunk (not to get off topic), except a Fender made in, get this, Korea. Go figure.

 

[adrian garcia]

go figure... the Lull i have here i spent a few minutes setting up and it plays like butter, really. I don't doubt what you said. Basses sitting in stores, especially GC - i don't think there is a single bass in the local CG that i could take to a gig without giving it a setup.

 

[Johnny Fila]

go figure... the Lull i have here i spent a few minutes setting up and it plays like butter, really. I don't doubt what you said. Basses sitting in stores, especially GC - i don't think there is a single bass in the local CG that i could take to a gig without giving it a setup.

the thing is that the setup actually wasn't bad. it was just a stinker. it happens to all. wouldn't keep me away from trying another, I think.

 

[RE:PEAT]

I guess then it boils down to wether or not another more visually appealing bass has the same sounds that you're after. If so, great, but if not, then suck it up, ya know? But at that price point, I think it could a be deal breaker.

There are so many basses to choose from, IMO you should get the sound, playability and aesthetics you want without compromise. Especially in this price range. BTW, I like the Lull headstock, clean and trim, unlike the gurthy Lakland.

 

[adrian garcia]

the thing is that the setup actually wasn't bad. it was just a stinker. it happens to all. wouldn't keep me away from trying another, I think.

what's there to lose by trying, right?
in fact, interestingly, this Sadowsky Tokyo is the first Sadowsky that has done it for me. There IS a really nice NYC that a friend owns...
man, i sure hope the Lull i have on order is not a stinker !!

 

[GRoberts]

Unless a bass just came in at GC and is relatively new, they are all in need of a set-up (which almost never happens) and most have strings so dead you couldn't possibly get a decent sound from the bass. Those basses in GC's get beat up pretty hard. For that matter, I've seen new Fender's at my Local GC that were missing saddle bridge adjusters etc. Just pathetic.

I played a couple Lull's (5 bangers) at Bass NW recently (3 weeks ago) and they both played REALLY nice. They were VERY nice I might add. Lulls are clearly professional instruments. No question in my mind. It is my opinion to never judge a bass from how it plays at a Guitar Center. Judging a bass at GC is just not fair to the bass. GC are the ones who should be judged (IMO).

 

[Johnny Fila]

Unless a bass just came in at GC and is relatively new, they are all in need of a set-up (which almost never happens) and most have strings so dead you couldn't possibly get a decent sound from the bass. Those basses in GC's get beat up pretty hard. For that matter, I've seen new Fender's at my Local GC that were missing saddle bridge adjusters etc. Just pathetic.

I played a couple Lull's (5 bangers) at Bass NW recently (3 weeks ago) and they both played REALLY nice. They were VERY nice I might add. Lulls are clearly professional instruments. No question in my mind. It is my opinion to never judge a bass from how it plays at a Guitar Center. Judging a bass at GC is just not fair to the bass. GC are the ones who should be judged (IMO).

I hear ya, but this one was a stinker. trust me on this and like I said, it can happen to any builder.

 

[Funky Tune]

si quieres trabajar de gratis! aqui hay muy poco dinero!

yo trabajo gratuitamente si,solo pagame el hospedaje y la comida calientita,ja,ja,ja todo lo que sea por pasar todo el dia vendiendo y bregando con bajos.

 

[Joenok]

man, i sure hope the Lull i have on order is not a stinker !!

Hey Adrian, what Lull did you order?
I got a few in the mail!

I personally dig the headstock (and logo" of the Lulls. Especially the 5´s.
One of the basses I don´t like the headstock of are the Fodera four stinged basses.. It´s so big and flat..

But on the 5´s again, I think the foderas are among the nicest headstocks there is. I want a fretless 5.

 

[adrian garcia]

i have a 5 coming- birdseye maple neck and board, BLACK BLOCK INLAYS! and a lacquered board.
Trans black except that I am torn between a maple top as in the above pic or all Ash- i am not sure how Ash will look trans black, i can only go by the pic of the back of that one
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i prefer the tone of all Ash, and i am not sure how much a maple top will change that, but with trans black... i hope Ash will look good- i think i still have time since the body has to go to paint.
DiMarzio Ultra J's - not sure what pre... maybe a good old bart pre, the Aggie obp3 is a little hissy in the treble for me.. maybe ill do something crazy and go with a greengrove pre

 

[Fuzzbass]

To my eyes the Lull 4-string headstock looks strange, kind of like a foot ... but the five-string headstock looks fine. I like the recessed tuners, and it's cool that the headstock face is glossy but the rest of the neck is sexy satin.

As Adrian said, neither Lull nor Sadowsky clones the Fender sound exactly... not to a Fenderphile, anyway. But they sound closer to Fender than many other basses.

 

[Joenok]

i have a 5 coming- birdseye maple neck and board

Cool. I´m waiting for a M4V Ash, with maple neck/fingerboard.
Bartolini Pickups and 18v preamp.
5A Honeyburst, chrome tuners.
I´ about to order another one, but I can´t decide between a Modern 5, or a PJ 5.
And even if I could, I couldn´t decide if it was to be fretless.

I just love the Bartolini mellowness, I think I´d stick to that on the Modern.

I´ll be ordering in under two weeks, so everyone who has advice are welcome to post them to me.

 

[TimothyGroovy]

So anyone here have experience on Sadowsky's 24 frets 5 string and Lull's Modern5? I'm curious to know how they sound or any differences between them (Both 24 frets and 5 string). I'm always seeking a Mike Lull Modern 5 in the used market until I get myself enough money to order a custom one.

I really enjoy this thread! As I'm now making a decision on purchase a Sadowsky Metro MV5 or Mike Lull Modern 5 first for some recording sessions.

 

[bmc]

I don't disagree with that at all...I'm just wondering if the shape of the tip of the headstock would be a big-enough issue to be a deal-breaker. Obviously a lot of people don't feel this way, as Mike is as busy as he's ever been. I'm just curious as to how many people might be on the other side of the issue and feel that it would be significant enough.

Interesting point. My Levinson Blade has an ugly headstock. I don't see it when I'm playing. The comfort of the neck and the tonal palette drove me to buy it. To stretch the point even further, I'm not even crazy about the color of my bass.

A bass's neck, sound, weight and balance are key to me. Far more than who's name is on the headstock. I'm too old for that. More interested in buying a player. YMMV

 

[JPJ]

i have a 5 coming- birdseye maple neck and board, BLACK BLOCK INLAYS! and a lacquered board.

So you went with blocks, eh? I've been chewin' on those guys for 2 years to offer blocks and binding as an option and I finally got them to make it happen. I have a customer who recently ordered an M5V in olympic white w/matching headstock and blocks and binding on a rosewood board. THAT is gonna' be one smokin' bass!