I really like the Sadowsky P-bass #5060 4 string but cannot justify the price. I'm wondering how some of you feel about the new American Deluxe Standard with the Precision and Humbucker pick ups for less than half the price. I'm playing with a trio that does combinations of blues,jazz,and classic rock along with a drum machine.
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Fender American Deluxe Standard P-bass vs.Sadowsky
- Thread starter jcalo
- Start date
I just tried one the other day and it was hands down the best Fender I've ever played.
Very light and balanced. The P pickup sounds just like it should, maybe a hair "cleaner" than on a passive P but not so much that it sounds sterile. The humbucker sound is closer to a J bridge pickup than a 'ray pickup, but without so much of the nasal tone; nothing incredibly distinct about it but very agreeable, especially when blended.
I also liked the preamp in general; very nice, even response all around, and good centers on the EQ's. I always appreciate a mid EQ that hits the growly low-mids rather than the 'ringy' mids. Definitely gives the P pickup some oomph.
Very light and balanced. The P pickup sounds just like it should, maybe a hair "cleaner" than on a passive P but not so much that it sounds sterile. The humbucker sound is closer to a J bridge pickup than a 'ray pickup, but without so much of the nasal tone; nothing incredibly distinct about it but very agreeable, especially when blended.
I also liked the preamp in general; very nice, even response all around, and good centers on the EQ's. I always appreciate a mid EQ that hits the growly low-mids rather than the 'ringy' mids. Definitely gives the P pickup some oomph.
The AM. Deluxe P-Bass is what I use on stage.. I have a maple finger board...
Mine sounds tight and full with no EQ (Bass or amp) which gives me a lot of options when playing.. (I can only speak about mine) The build quality is first class.. it looks as good as it plays and plays as good as it sounds.. meaning great !!
Oh yeah.. mine is a '97 so I have the 9 volt pre amp..... but it doesn't bottom out until the battery REALLY needs to be changed (about every 6 months)
Mine sounds tight and full with no EQ (Bass or amp) which gives me a lot of options when playing.. (I can only speak about mine) The build quality is first class.. it looks as good as it plays and plays as good as it sounds.. meaning great !!
Oh yeah.. mine is a '97 so I have the 9 volt pre amp..... but it doesn't bottom out until the battery REALLY needs to be changed (about every 6 months)
I have one from '02, and it's by far the best playing Fender I've ever owned, or played. Deep and solid tone. I also keep my eq flat, sometimes bump the mid up a bit. This bass compares well to my Ric 4003 as far as quality fit and finish are concerned. Very well done, I think, and for the price, it's way better than others in it's range.
i love my deluxe. it is really versitile and you can get classic p and j sounds plus some good contemperary sounds also. trust me you wont be dissapointed.
HI
I played #5060 Monday when I visited the shop. It was my fave of all the basses in stock. Id just pony up and buy it if I was you
Rob
I played #5060 Monday when I visited the shop. It was my fave of all the basses in stock. Id just pony up and buy it if I was you
Rob
An American Deluxe Precision has been my main axe for 12 yesrs. It has one of the best, low-action necks I've ever played which can be set up with smooth, low, no-buzz action. Great fit and finish on the neck, fingerboard (rosewood) and frets.
It gets the classic P-tones in spades. I have a passive P-bass (USA) as well, which is also a great bass; but it doesn't quite have the neck action of the FADP (though it's close).
IME, however, the FADP does not precisely replicate the classic Jazz bass sounds I sometimes want. The humbucker is extremely versatile, mixes very well with the P-pickup and enables the bass to get a super vatriety of usable tones. To my ears, however, it doesn't quite get the classic bark and bite of the J-bass bridge pick-up or the under-heralded deepest lows of the J-bass neck pickup or neck & bridge pickups together. A a result, I own a Jazz (USA), too, for those tones.
Though the FADP and the passive P have very similar, classic P-tones, I've been consideriing adding an active/passive push/pull control knob. The passive P has a few tones I like slightly better than the FADP with cetain amplication rigs on a few songs, but I'm really splitting hairs on this issue. I'm sure I'm the only member of my band who can tell the difference. It also gives me the passive backup option if a battery dies during a gig. To be honest, however, I change the 9V, high-qaulity alkaline battery once a year and have never had a dead battery problem.
All in all, the FADP is the best-playing, most versatile sounding bass I've found (though I'm always searching for the perfect P/J and would like to try a Stu Hamm Urge on a gig). It's my meat-and-potatoes AND gravy. Everything else is just a slightly different kind of gravy.
Bluesy Soul
P. S. BTW, I have tried the Sadowsky P/J (I posted a review somewhere here on TB last year). Though I find the Sadowsky produces excellent P-tones--and better classic Jazz tones than the FADP, I prefer the classic P-tones of the USA Fenders. (They are more vintage and old school to me, while the Sadowsky is a little more modern.) The big factor for me is the neck. The Sadowsky P/J comes with a J-bass neck geometry which is just too small for my hand (my Fender USA Jazz is a 5-string).
It gets the classic P-tones in spades. I have a passive P-bass (USA) as well, which is also a great bass; but it doesn't quite have the neck action of the FADP (though it's close).
IME, however, the FADP does not precisely replicate the classic Jazz bass sounds I sometimes want. The humbucker is extremely versatile, mixes very well with the P-pickup and enables the bass to get a super vatriety of usable tones. To my ears, however, it doesn't quite get the classic bark and bite of the J-bass bridge pick-up or the under-heralded deepest lows of the J-bass neck pickup or neck & bridge pickups together. A a result, I own a Jazz (USA), too, for those tones.
Though the FADP and the passive P have very similar, classic P-tones, I've been consideriing adding an active/passive push/pull control knob. The passive P has a few tones I like slightly better than the FADP with cetain amplication rigs on a few songs, but I'm really splitting hairs on this issue. I'm sure I'm the only member of my band who can tell the difference. It also gives me the passive backup option if a battery dies during a gig. To be honest, however, I change the 9V, high-qaulity alkaline battery once a year and have never had a dead battery problem.
All in all, the FADP is the best-playing, most versatile sounding bass I've found (though I'm always searching for the perfect P/J and would like to try a Stu Hamm Urge on a gig). It's my meat-and-potatoes AND gravy. Everything else is just a slightly different kind of gravy.
Bluesy Soul
P. S. BTW, I have tried the Sadowsky P/J (I posted a review somewhere here on TB last year). Though I find the Sadowsky produces excellent P-tones--and better classic Jazz tones than the FADP, I prefer the classic P-tones of the USA Fenders. (They are more vintage and old school to me, while the Sadowsky is a little more modern.) The big factor for me is the neck. The Sadowsky P/J comes with a J-bass neck geometry which is just too small for my hand (my Fender USA Jazz is a 5-string).
MaddAnthony_59
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- Dec 16, 2006
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I kinda like the Fendowsky. Fender USA P-Bass, with Sadowsky P-Pup, Preamp, and VTC. Best of Both worlds!
It was a but DARK with the Black PG, so here it is in Toirtise...
It was a but DARK with the Black PG, so here it is in Toirtise...
Recognizing that the passive P offers its own range of tones, my settings on my active (Deluxe) P are generally within the following:
blend - 80% to 100% P-pickup
bass - 9 or 10
mid - 3 to 5
high - 1 or 2
In addition to those settings, I do some other things to facilitate that classic, old school P-tone: I always use a tube preamp (though now I'm gassing for a Berg NV415 and/or NV425 driven by a Fender Bassman Pro 300/Sunn 300T). I always use flatwound strings (usually TIs, but occasionally D'Addario Chromes or the LaBella Jamerson set). I always mute my strings with foam--not as heavily as Fender's old felt mutes, but enough to kill a lot of overtones. I adjust the foam to make the notes distinct without being staccato. Depending on the tone you are seeking and your style of play, I think overtones can be good or bad. When players tell me they prefer old, dead strings, I think it's because they eliminate harmful ovetones. Just my $.02. YMMV, etc.
Bluesy Soul
timely thread for me. I bought a '99 Fender P-Deluxe 8 months ago and just got it out of the shop from getting set-up. Sounds much better (yea! No more "clickity-clack" fret tapping noise!), perfect intonation, great action, and nice alternative to my '73 P-bass. I like the Deluxe because it sings more than my Stingray did. I am boring though, I usually keep the settings on halfway for all knobs. I use my Sansamp to tweak the tone. I have not played a Sadowsky, but I am definitely enjoying the Deluxe. The Deluxe is pretty heavy though, over 9 lbs.
Mine's not that heavy, maybe 8 lbs. I also usually center all the eq knobs on the bass, as well as the pup pan knob, so boring, but what beautful tones come through.
