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Fender & Sadowsky

mstott25

mstott25

Aug 26, 2005
1,122
118
Guntersville, AL
#1
This shouldn't be too hard to tell which bass is which, but to keep things interesting you can still listen to each soundclip and pick which bass you think owns which sound...

Here's the culprits, Fender American Std Jazz Bass and Sadowsky Metro MV5:
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I apologize for the rambling playing but I just recorded this for myself tonight because I honestly can't tell which bass I like better. It's like each bass I pick up becomes my favorite. I brought both of them out with me this past weekend and most preferred the Sadowsky live but there were a few that said the Fender sounded deeper and they liked it.

I had the Fender strung with Thomastik flatwounds but just replaced those tonight with some DR Sunbeams to unleash the beast. The Sadowsky has blue nickels which are probably about a month old now.

I brought both of these basses to the Bass Place in Phoenix while I was in town this past weekend just to A/B them to the other Fender Jazz basses and Sadowsky's and I feel like I have a couple of gems.

Which sound do you prefer? I can't let either of these basses go...but I'm still curious!
 
#2
the first clip sounds slightly better to me. But I'm no expert. The only Fender I own is a fretless, and I've never heard a Sadowsky. However, the volume of the 2nd clip seems higher to me, which, if they were both recorded with the same settings, points to active electronics, so Sadowsky.
 
#3
Sender Fadowsky I is the American jazz and Fender Sadowsky II is the Metro.
I prefer the Fender tone here, but it is hard to compare due to the different strings. Sunbeam is much much closer to me.
My experience is that Sadowskys are better for live puroses, while Fenders have a better studio sound. It's pretty subjective of course.
Let me know if I'm wrong ;)
 
#8
sender fadowsky (sad clip) is the one I like better of the two. This should be the metro, am I right? The other one is too woody and shallow to my ear. Natural, yes. Lively - more like no to me.
I would still like a bit more lows in the "sad clip" sound. Lacks power.
 
#9
Both of them sound amazingly thin and wirey to me with no thickness or fullness whatsoever...

I listened to the 2nd clip first, and thought, "Boy is this thin and midrange-less." Then, I listened to the first clip and was astounded that the tone could get even THINNER than the 2nd clip.

I'm guessing the first clip is the Fender (due to the new strings) and the second is the Fender copy.
 
#10
Hey guys...
I'm at work and don't have access to icompositions so I'll have to go home today and re-play the clips before I say which is which...I don't want to mix them up :smug: I'm almost positive about which bass is which in each clip, but I'd rather be able to hear the clips and announce which is which rather than rely on my memory from a 15 minute midnight sound demo :)

Both basses were recorded straight to GarageBand with no effects, processing, EQ etc except for the Sadowsky onboard preamp. I boosted the highs and bass a bit for the slap section to give it a more scooped sound (which is what I do live) and of course I favored different pickups at different sections but that's the sound of the bass(es).

Feedback is interesting...a couple of you guys nailed it, again I'll get back to you as soon as I can hear the soundclips again and let you know who you are.
 
#14
dezspet said:
Sender Fadowsky I is the American jazz and Fender Sadowsky II is the Metro.
I prefer the Fender tone here, but it is hard to compare due to the different strings. Sunbeam is much much closer to me.
Click to expand...


+1

The Fender sounds better to me as well. Even though I play Jazz Basses almost exclusively I thought I would like the Sadowsky better. Hmm...the grass is still green over here after all.:D
 
#20
dezspet said:
Sender Fadowsky I is the American jazz and Fender Sadowsky II is the Metro.
I prefer the Fender tone here, but it is hard to compare due to the different strings. Sunbeam is much much closer to me.
My experience is that Sadowskys are better for live puroses, while Fenders have a better studio sound. It's pretty subjective of course.
Let me know if I'm wrong ;)
Click to expand...

Clip 1 = Sadowsky Metro MV5

Clip 2 = Fender Jazz American Std 2009

Most of you nailed it. I was also interested to see the different preferences. If I just had the Jazz Bass I'd be happy, but since I already got the Metro...it isn't going anywhere :)

Dezspet, I agree with you. Live, Sadowsky Rules. In the studio, I really like the sound of passive Fender instruments. (Live I like my Fender too though :)
 

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