I guess practice makes perfect for me.
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Feedback Wanted on tone preference.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I guess practice makes perfect for me.
Yes, it is surprising - Rays are known for being plenty articulate - maybe the rig was a bit dullish?
I like them both and could realistically use either one. but that Sadowsky sounds REALLY nice. I also think that YOU sounded better with the Sadowsky which makes me think you really like that one better too!
I liked the Sadowsky better, but I know how easy it is to think that the new thing is the best thing, so I wanted some feedback.
I don't doubt that, it's just odd to hear a 'Ray that sounds like that.
Pretty unanimous for the Sadowsky. So many are familiar with the Ray as @LadyLoveStingRay5 should know since she has an awesome collection. Doc, were the strings fresh sounding on the Ray?
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Couldn’t go wrong in this case! 2 great instruments.
- Jul 7, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
Sadowsky BUT If you really want the true test it needs to be playing in a band context. (I know not that easy in the store) I chose this though due to the clarity of notes.
Sadowsky. The Ray no doubt has a darker tone. I’m not sure if you spent as much time working with the EQ as with the Sadowsky. But, I can only go by these sound samples and these earbuds.
I will say this, I’m bet if I spend some time I could get pretty close to the Sadowsky sound with the Stingray.
Good playing Doc.
Both are new basses, I am pretty sure both have fresh strings.
I always have to do a mental reset when going from a boost/cut preamp (Stingray,) to boost only (Sadowsky.) It is really easy to be overpowering with boost only. I think I avoided that. The only thing I did not like about any of the Sadowsky’s I played yesterday was a weak center detent on the pickup selector pot. That, plus pick selection on Sadowsky’s is wired backwards relative to all other basses is not something I like.
Both sound wonderful, and cheers to you for making that happen. Win-win.
I'm mainly a Sadowsky guy, but loved my Music Mans back in the day. I now play five string exclusively, but the only reason I don't own a Music Man is because the string spacing on their fivers is too narrow for me.
13 years ago I ordered a custom Sadowsky NYC fiver with single MM pickup. It has the Sadowsky preamp so it doesn't perfectly clone the MM tone, but it sounds great as is and gets reasonably close to MM. It also has the playability I prefer. SR5 playability isn't wrong per se, but it's wrong for my hands.
I'm mainly a Sadowsky guy, but loved my Music Mans back in the day. I now play five string exclusively, but the only reason I don't own a Music Man is because the string spacing on their fivers is too narrow for me.
13 years ago I ordered a custom Sadowsky NYC fiver with single MM pickup. It has the Sadowsky preamp so it doesn't perfectly clone the MM tone, but it sounds great as is and gets reasonably close to MM. It also has the playability I prefer. SR5 playability isn't wrong per se, but it's wrong for my hands.
Thanks for the info. Counter intuitive things drive me insane as well. Like the time I had to use a backline Tone Hammer. Try dialing in a usable tone with that rascal without the owners manual. LOL!!
I guess I'm the only one who prefers the Stingray. 
To me, these kinds of presentations can only go so far in representing how the sound of what's being presented really sounds. The 'Ray has more mid presence, whereas the bottom end of the Sadowsy sounds (to me) somewhat bloated and muddies up the tone. I think the Stingray (again, to me) would sit well in a full band context better.
I'm listening through a Mac Mini > Raven Labs PHA-1 > AKG K401 headphones.
To me, these kinds of presentations can only go so far in representing how the sound of what's being presented really sounds. The 'Ray has more mid presence, whereas the bottom end of the Sadowsy sounds (to me) somewhat bloated and muddies up the tone. I think the Stingray (again, to me) would sit well in a full band context better.I'm listening through a Mac Mini > Raven Labs PHA-1 > AKG K401 headphones.
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The strings on the Sadowsky sounded fresher and newer.
The strings on the Stingray sounded new, but broken in and slightly aged
Its easy for me to say I preferred the Sadowsky but, unless the strings on each are the same, I cant leave a comment
I can definitely say I preferred the options of the Sadowsky
The strings on the Stingray sounded new, but broken in and slightly aged
Its easy for me to say I preferred the Sadowsky but, unless the strings on each are the same, I cant leave a comment
I can definitely say I preferred the options of the Sadowsky
So you play amazing and sound great on both.
Both of them tone wise sound great I would think in any hand.
Me personally I would go with the Sadowsky, simply because of the Jazz shape, and if it has a Jazz neck for my small fingers and also that one jazz pickup and those tone controls personally are great for me, I love lots of control and I know the Ray has that too but the Sadowsky just, I can't put my finger on it seems to have more of that control. That's now if I was to play it for you may be totally different goals of course.
So I would vote Sadowsky for me personally in this vote.
Both of them tone wise sound great I would think in any hand.
Me personally I would go with the Sadowsky, simply because of the Jazz shape, and if it has a Jazz neck for my small fingers and also that one jazz pickup and those tone controls personally are great for me, I love lots of control and I know the Ray has that too but the Sadowsky just, I can't put my finger on it seems to have more of that control. That's now if I was to play it for you may be totally different goals of course.
So I would vote Sadowsky for me personally in this vote.
Wow. I've loved every Musicman bass I've owned and still own three that are my co-number ones, including two Stingray 5HH's. I've never played a Sadowsky, but have seen countless reports, reviews, and video demos here and on YouTube and have been quite impressed by what I've read and heard.
I'm also planning to retire in 2026, about three months after you, and have been considereing buying myself my first "good" bass that I've ever bought brand new as a retirement gift to myself. I'm a big Stingray fan, like many people in this thread, but a Sadowsky has been high on my list of possible candidates. These two videos only helped reinforce that. I loved the Stingray sound (although I wonder if an HH model might have made a more interesting comparison?) but I was really impressed by the Sadowsky. Enough so that I had to watch the videos a second time listening to them through better speakers. It had a really nice presence and clarity without sounding thin. Would love to hear that bass in band mix.
I'm also planning to retire in 2026, about three months after you, and have been considereing buying myself my first "good" bass that I've ever bought brand new as a retirement gift to myself. I'm a big Stingray fan, like many people in this thread, but a Sadowsky has been high on my list of possible candidates. These two videos only helped reinforce that. I loved the Stingray sound (although I wonder if an HH model might have made a more interesting comparison?) but I was really impressed by the Sadowsky. Enough so that I had to watch the videos a second time listening to them through better speakers. It had a really nice presence and clarity without sounding thin. Would love to hear that bass in band mix.
That Sadowski - nice. Dynamic tone and versatile config.
MM strings sounded lifeless. No fan of its roasted maple.
MM strings sounded lifeless. No fan of its roasted maple.
