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Do you need a Sadowsky bass ?
- Thread starter Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati
- Start date
IMO Sadowsky basses are fantastic.
Having said that, I couldn’t listen to any song and say “hey, that sounds like a Sadowsky”.
If you are looking for an exceptional high-end bass with largely traditional aesthetics, then Sadowsky should be on your short list.
Having said that, I couldn’t listen to any song and say “hey, that sounds like a Sadowsky”.
If you are looking for an exceptional high-end bass with largely traditional aesthetics, then Sadowsky should be on your short list.
Can I just say that my fingers have no tone whatsoever.
Bearing in mind that I'm not currently playing a bass but am moving my fingers in a fair imitation of bass playing. Whilst typing this.
Bearing in mind that I'm not currently playing a bass but am moving my fingers in a fair imitation of bass playing. Whilst typing this.
So, all the commotion is about what jazz bass sounds more like a jazz bass, then?
Put the right pre amp into most anything , and it'll sound at least close to the desired something, provided the format( here 70's(?)jazz bass) remains the same.
Interesting...
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This is a statement that is going to remain in the “Annales” of TalkBass and shall be recorded to be subsequently quoted when needed
There is a lot to unpackage here.
The video definitely sounds like a passive Fender jazz bass; no doubt about it. However, the OP makes the assertion that this tone is exactly like Tal's. I disagree with this. After hopping over to YouTube and watching some videos of her, including the infamous thin-shirt solo, I'd say she has more than one tone, and none of them sound like a typical passive Fender Jazz. Strike one.
Since the bass in the video is passive, and Tal's main bass has an active preamp, I'd have to go with the prevailing wisdom that a active pre amps or active pickups don't often sound like a passive. Beyond Tal's tone, an active pre will give you more tonal options than a passive IMO, so if you want those options, a passive can't do it. Strike two.
Then the OP makes the assertion that the difference between a Fender and Sadowsky is purely based on the tone of two similar basses. Even though Sadowsky is one of many better-Fender builders that tend to stick to the yawn inducing body and paint styles that Fender has for the last 60 years, they can do more, and they feel different. A US made 5 string Fender jazz is very uncomfortable for me to play, but a Sadowsky Metro 5 isn't. They are building a more ergonomic bass than Fender. The OP is overlooking that some artists just don't want to work with Fender as a partner. Like Gibson, they have become too big for their britches, and aren't the most artist friendly company to work with. I've read articles where a bassist goes to a company like Lakland because they can get what they want and they can trust the road worthiness of the bass. Strike three.
No one needs any kind of bass. Just being able to play any instrument is a luxury. However, if one wants to play a Sadowsky instead of a Fender, there are concrete reasons to do so beyond the perceived narrative of brand snobbery.
The video definitely sounds like a passive Fender jazz bass; no doubt about it. However, the OP makes the assertion that this tone is exactly like Tal's. I disagree with this. After hopping over to YouTube and watching some videos of her, including the infamous thin-shirt solo, I'd say she has more than one tone, and none of them sound like a typical passive Fender Jazz. Strike one.
Since the bass in the video is passive, and Tal's main bass has an active preamp, I'd have to go with the prevailing wisdom that a active pre amps or active pickups don't often sound like a passive. Beyond Tal's tone, an active pre will give you more tonal options than a passive IMO, so if you want those options, a passive can't do it. Strike two.
Then the OP makes the assertion that the difference between a Fender and Sadowsky is purely based on the tone of two similar basses. Even though Sadowsky is one of many better-Fender builders that tend to stick to the yawn inducing body and paint styles that Fender has for the last 60 years, they can do more, and they feel different. A US made 5 string Fender jazz is very uncomfortable for me to play, but a Sadowsky Metro 5 isn't. They are building a more ergonomic bass than Fender. The OP is overlooking that some artists just don't want to work with Fender as a partner. Like Gibson, they have become too big for their britches, and aren't the most artist friendly company to work with. I've read articles where a bassist goes to a company like Lakland because they can get what they want and they can trust the road worthiness of the bass. Strike three.
No one needs any kind of bass. Just being able to play any instrument is a luxury. However, if one wants to play a Sadowsky instead of a Fender, there are concrete reasons to do so beyond the perceived narrative of brand snobbery.
Goody!This is a statement that is going to remain in the “Annales” of TalkBass and shall be recorded to be subsequently quoted when needed
I almost thought I'd leave nothing of meaning and value behind, for following generations to ponder over.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,120
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Yes, to play music you need a Sadowsky bass. When you see bands or ensembles in which someone appears to NOT be playing a Sadowsky bass, you are hallucinating. They are all playing Sadowsky basses. If you are playing a bass that is not a Sadowsky, you are wrong. It actually IS a Sadowsky, but fairies have sprinkled illusion dust all over it.
Or maybe I have the flu.
Or maybe I have the flu.
Need one?
No.
But I do like that Single Cut though.
But in a six string version.
Without paint,pickguard and chrome.
The Fender clones?
No.
No.
But I do like that Single Cut though.
But in a six string version.
Without paint,pickguard and chrome.
The Fender clones?
No.
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i've had a Sadowsky ... it didn't make me play like Tal ... = bummer
tone was great , i like their preamp .. ! sold it , kinda miss it ...
but my passive parts basses with similar quality pieces / parts ... and a quality external pre = do just fine .. !!
tone was great , i like their preamp .. ! sold it , kinda miss it ...
but my passive parts basses with similar quality pieces / parts ... and a quality external pre = do just fine .. !!
Agreed. I've worked decades to develop what I consider "my" sound. I sound relatively the same from bass to bass. I use GK amps. I think most bass players gravitate to equipment that they feel "makes them sound good" and eventually develop their own sound. I don't think the bass makes Tal sound great, she makes the bass sound great. Her touch, finger plucking placement, combined with the tone she feels comfortable with-- she could probably get nearly identical from a stock MIA Fender.
I'm pretty sure no matter what brand of bass was being played in that video I'd find it annoying. Nothing against the talent shown, but that was as my grandmother used to say, "sounds like banging pots and pans together".
- Do you need air to breathe? Yes.
- Do people want a Sadowsky? Probably most would like to have one.
- Did I need a Sadowsky? No, but it was a lovely gift to myself after the divorce was finalized.
- Did I need to sell myself to afford it? That's my personal business and none of yours.
- Do I need oxygen to breathe? No, I'm a phantom.
IMO, that bass sounds like a really good Fender bass.
Fender is the original, so if anything Tal's Sadowsky sounds like a good
Fender bass!
That's also like saying Michael Jordan plays like Kobe Bryant!
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