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Do you need a Sadowsky bass ?

#201
Need a Sadowsky? Not really - my skills are modest. But I have been wanting one for years, based on what I've seen and heard of them. I had never played one, but recently I retired, and ordered a pre-owned NYC Satin 4-21 off the Sadowsky website. I have never been happier with a bass - the feel, sound, fretwork, attention to detail, the light weight (7.78 lbs.), and I could go on and on. I immediately was inspired to play better and practice more, and I AM truly playing better. To me, that is really the ultimate goal of instrument selection. I had to sell off some other very nice basses (Fender, EBMM) and save all my gig money for some time to make this happen. I am now thinning the herd even more so that I can pay for the Metro P-J I just bought to experience even more Sadowsky goodness. The P-J is almost as good as the NYC but weighs a bit more. Previously in this thread someone earlier said that life is short, so if you've got the itch to try one, go for it! And I completely agree with that. :thumbsup: With apologies to those who don't like naming their basses, here are Blue Angel and The Dragonfly.

DSC_5572 copy[5] (2) copy.jpg
 
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#203
robthebassplaye said:
No, I don't NEED a Sadowsky bass, I NEED 7 of them, maybe more, and a few others as well !!! Honestly, seems like the wrong question - I agree 200% with the sound coming from the player / musician, but it requires a good instrument to make it possible to play well, and to sound great. "Need" needs a definition - great players can make a bass from any manufacturer sound fantastic, but at some point, a great player will be limited by the instrument.

So, thats my .02...

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There are no wrong questions per se ... there will be different answers for sure ...
 
#204
petch said:
Need a Sadowsky? Not really - my skills are modest. But I have been wanting one for years, based on what I've seen and heard of them. I had never played one, but recently I retired, and ordered a pre-owned NYC Satin 4-21 off the Sadowsky website. I have never been happier with a bass - the feel, sound, fretwork, attention to detail, the light weight (7.78 lbs.), and I could go on and on. I immediately was inspired to play better and practice more, and I AM truly playing better. To me, that is really the ultimate goal of instrument selection. I had to sell off some other very nice basses (Fender, EBMM) and save all my gig money for some time to make this happen. I am now thinning the herd even more so that I can pay for the Metro P-J I just bought to experience even more Sadowsky goodness. The P-J is almost as good as the NYC but weighs a bit more. Previously in this thread someone earlier said that life is short, so if you've got the itch to try one, go for it! And I completely agree with that. :thumbsup: With apologies to those who don't like naming their basses, here are Blue Angel and The Dragonfly.

View attachment 2883806
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Very beautiful ... especially the PJ ;)
 
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#207
Parts bass w/Sadowsky preamp:
979B8DFA-321A-4413-B218-AF3397A28696.jpeg


NYC Sadowsky
505E8F9F-9279-45A5-859F-1AC50F143A2A.jpeg



I gig both. The Sadowsky is a super fine bass that includes refinements that reflect my preferences for what I like in a Jazz Bass. It is my super Jazz Bass. I love playing it. Last 4 string I will ever buy. But, I’m the same player when I take the parts bass out on the gig. It’s all good.
 
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#208
bucephylus said:
Parts bass w/Sadowsky preamp:
View attachment 2883905

NYC Sadowsky
View attachment 2883906


I gig both. The Sadowsky is a super fine bass that includes refinements that reflect my preferences for what I like in a Jazz Bass. It is my super Jazz Bass. I love playing it. Last 4 string I will ever buy. But, I’m the same player when I take the parts bass out on the gig. It’s all good.
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Drool icon goes here ... love that Sad!
 
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#209
I have never spent more than $1000 dollars on any guitar or bass. Granted, some of my guitars bought many years ago. I believe that there is a level of instrument that one should have to play gigs. I am going to say that level is a USA Fender precision or jazz. If you can find the right one, you will be able to sound as good as many professionals, it will be perfectly playable, and it will hold up. You can buy new or used. If you NEED better than that, I assume you are a damn good bass player. There is nothing wrong with wanting a really nice instrument, but I feel if you are going to show up with a really expensive axe, you best be able to play it.
 
#212
easyj said:
There is nothing wrong with wanting a really nice instrument, but I feel if you are going to show up with a really expensive axe, you best be able to play it.
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Why? If you have the money and want an expensive bass you're not allowed to have one until you are a great player? :meh:

Having a great bass will not make you a great player but it's a hell of a lot easier to play and get a good sound out of a great bass. Maybe you're the next Jaco, but most of us want all the help we can get. ;)
 
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#214
Do I need a Sadowsky bass? No...
Happy with my Fodera and Roscoe basses.

That said, I did own three Sadowsky basses. The craftsmanship and quality of those basses were top of their class. And the customer service at Sadowsky is bar none one of the best. In the long run they were just not for me.
 
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#215
lfmn16 said:
Why? If you have the money and want an expensive bass you're not allowed to have one until you are a great player? :meh:
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No, I definitely didn’t say that. If you WANT one, you buy one. This thread is about NEED. I guess my point is that a quality instrument like a USA precision or jazz can be taken very far in the hands of a skilled player. If your skill is pushing the limits of that, you probably need something better.

I’ve seen quite a few guys with very expensive instruments and they can’t even play. They would be better served with practicing and learning how to sound good then shopping for an expensive instrument with specific features that could sound really good if they knew what they were doing. I play in a band with two guitarists. One has a large collection of really nice guitars and can’t play to save his life, the other has a couple of decent guitars and he is an absolutely phenomenal musician. He also has one inexpensive Ibanez bass and can absolutely smoke most bass players, including me.

I am simply trying to put the concept of need into perspective, as well as what a very expensive instrument will and will not do for you.
 
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#216
easyj said:
No, I definitely didn’t say that. If you WANT one, you buy one. This thread is about NEED. I guess my point is that a quality instrument like a USA precision or jazz can be taken very far in the hands of a skilled player. If your skill is pushing the limits of that, you probably need something better.

I’ve seen quite a few guys with very expensive instruments and they can’t even play. They would be better served with practicing and learning how to sound good then shopping for an expensive instrument with specific features that could sound really good if they knew what they were doing. I play in a band with two guitarists. One has a large collection of really nice guitars and can’t play to save his life, the other has a couple of decent guitars and he is an absolutely phenomenal musician. He also has one inexpensive Ibanez bass and can absolutely smoke most bass players, including me.

I am simply trying to put the concept of need into perspective, as well as what a very expensive instrument will and will not do for you.
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Our guitarist made both of his... said he likes working with his hands (I'm thinking he's going to need them, at least during solos), and said he's tired of the same ole, same ole...

... loosely translated, he is either fatigued by redundancy, or tried the new dish at the Mexican place, and didn't like it...

... after hearing him through several rehearsals (2 different guitar builds), I think he sounds great...

... which makes me wonder what he would do with a Sadowsky?
 
#217
Spidey2112 said:
Dilly, dilly... no Pit of Misery, for you... :D.
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easyj said:
No, I definitely didn’t say that. If you WANT one, you buy one. This thread is about NEED. I guess my point is that a quality instrument like a USA precision or jazz can be taken very far in the hands of a skilled player. If your skill is pushing the limits of that, you probably need something better.

I’ve seen quite a few guys with very expensive instruments and they can’t even play. They would be better served with practicing and learning how to sound good then shopping for an expensive instrument with specific features that could sound really good if they knew what they were doing. I play in a band with two guitarists. One has a large collection of really nice guitars and can’t play to save his life, the other has a couple of decent guitars and he is an absolutely phenomenal musician. He also has one inexpensive Ibanez bass and can absolutely smoke most bass players, including me.

I am simply trying to put the concept of need into perspective, as well as what a very expensive instrument will and will not do for you.
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2000% agreed !
 
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#220
alaskaleftybass said:
Here's an interesting thought, and I'm serious: Does anyone have a Sadowsky that's beat up? I'd like to see pictures if they do. Isn't that similar to a beat up Rolls Royce?
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Thats a really interesting question - not to derail this thread, and it would make a great new thread. I don't take my Sadowsky's out to play in the local bars, etc.... I will take them out to play at higher end events and festivals.... Never really thought about it that way, but I do not have any beat up higher end basses (Sadowsky or otherwise), the basses I take out to play in general cost half of what a Sadowsky does. And, they get beat up. Hmmm, a point to ponder.

I know, thats pretty sad, I'm being honest, and I would expect some negative feedback about my comments....
 
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