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Discuss sadowsky preamp!!!

K

kby20763

Guest
Jun 30, 2010
4
0
#1
I use sadowsky preamp(Onboard Preamp Kit with Vintage Tone Control )
I use vol+vol VR(250k) but when I turn the bridge/neck knob a little bit(higher or lower)then another one the voice will completely runs away.
Be completely bridge tone or completely neck tone.
I can't fine tuning.

Because the VR that sadowsky uses is a type A?
Is this normal?
 
#2
I do not fully understand your question, but, I replaced the stock preamp on a Fender Reggie Hamilton Custom shop bass, with a Sadowsky and never looked back. It's a PJ setup, vintage tone control and PU balance, one volume control. So superior to the Fender preamp.

Jimi
 
#3
I feel similar with my Valenti that has a Sadowsky pre.

I love my bass by I'm not the hugest fan of that pre.
 
#4
jimiwhite said:
I do not fully understand your question, but, I replaced the stock preamp on a Fender Reggie Hamilton Custom shop bass, with a Sadowsky and never looked back. It's a PJ setup, vintage tone control and PU balance, one volume control. So superior to the Fender preamp.

Jimi
Click to expand...

I had to read it twice as well...but what I believe He is saying that as soon as you start backing off with one of his volume knobs that his instrument takes on 'to much' of the pickup that is still at full volume.

AKA the volume knobs are extreme and are not being sensitive enough with Sadowsky pre.

I can see why you would like the Sadowsky over the Fender, which I cannot describe in a good way at all.

In my option have all this ability to boost does not make a great pre, its the design of the circuit in and off itself. I think the best pres are the subtle ones, like Audere and the Glockenklang.

My Sadowsy pre does not have Vol Vol but Vol Bal and I hear what you are descibing with that configuration as well.
 
#5
It's normal. The pickup blend is more like a switch - either on or off. If it bothers you, one option would be to have the controls rewired to volume / volume rather than volume / blend. I have a Sadowsky Tokyo wired that way and it does provide more tonal options.
 
#8
slagbass said:
It's normal. The pickup blend is more like a switch - either on or off. If it bothers you, one option would be to have the controls rewired to volume / volume rather than volume / blend. I have a Sadowsky Tokyo wired that way and it does provide more tonal options.
Click to expand...

I have to say that I do not here 'bal acting like a switch' with other pres.

I have the Audere in few basses and never hear that.
 
#10
I agree with cybersnyder. Technically Sadowsky pre is separate from the blend control. The pre has only one input (the blended signal). The blend control (or vol/vol controls) is passive and is before the circuit. One can argue that Roger should use better pots, but actually Roger's pots are of very good quality and OP's problem is related to the inherent design of audio-pots in general.

Another case can be made that perhaps Roger should have used active blend, but IMHO that would defeat the purpose. As I understand Roger wanted to improve the sound of passive Fenders without altering the base tonal characteristics.

One problem with the active blend occurs when you switch to passive. Suddenly your blend options are limited (there is no passive blend in J-Retro for example).
 
#13
cybersnyder said:
You're running into a limitation of passive blending. If you want to be able to blend signals between two pickups, you need an active blend like used on the Audere preamps or most East preamps.
Click to expand...

There are some benefits to this phenomena. One, obviously, is the fact, that you still have the functionality in passive mode. But another is the fact that if you are using single coil PUs, you are able to get the character of the bridge PU sound without introducing a great deal of noise into the signal chain.
 
#14
slagbass said:
It's normal. The pickup blend is more like a switch - either on or off. If it bothers you, one option would be to have the controls rewired to volume / volume rather than volume / blend. I have a Sadowsky Tokyo wired that way and it does provide more tonal options.
Click to expand...

The OP is using V/V. It still happens. It is the nature of having the preamp behind the vol controls regardless of the design.
 

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