Has anyone bought and NOT liked a Sadowsky??

[THand]

Hi violetmind, your poor thread has gotten so hijacked, I hope you still see this reply.... I'll try to add what I've learned from my sadowsky.
I have a sadowsky J, #4888, and it's great. The only regret is it is a slightly "flatter" radius and wider string spacing than I like. After playing it a couple years now, I've learned I like the more vintage J 9" radius and narrower nut. So, my advice is to try a couple fender J necks if you're not near the NYC shop and find a radius/width you like. They will do various different neck shapes for you and you should take advantage of that.
That aside, 4888 is my 'go to' bass. It was amazing right out of the box, here's a video goofing around at a studio session literally 20 minutes after I pulled it out of the case for the first time - it is just slamming.
Anyway, after a couple years of bliss with this bass I have ordered a second one, with the spacing I like, maple neck, still J config, but non-humbuckers. Should be done mid next year.

Really nice playing sir!

 

[aborgman]

Let me ask you a question: Do you think that as a manufacturer, I wouldn't like to find the best way to make the best product I can at the best price I can make it?

No.

I think that as a manufacturer, you would like to find the best way to make the best product you can at the best profit you can make it.

 

[Chasarms]

No.

I think that as a manufacturer, you would like to find the best way to make the best product you can at the best profit you can make it.

The two are synonymous in the retail world if you want long-term success selling anything.

Without regard to profit, the price has to represent some sort of competive value in the market. Otherwise, there is no demand. In order to create cash flow, he needs margain, or "profit."

The trick is in the balance. You can have one without the other and sustain a business.

 

[aborgman]

The two are synonymous in the retail world if you want long-term success selling anything.

No, they're definitely NOT synonymous.

Price is what you sell it for. Profit is price - cost.

Manufacturers aren't at all interested in minimizing price - they're interested in minimizing cost and maximizing price.

It isn't a bad thing to be interested in maximizing profits, but it just ain't the same thing as being interested in minimizing price.

 

[muggsy]

Several years back I ordered a Sadowsky NYC ultra vintage Jazz. I had owned and sold several J basses from other manufacturers, and decided to take the plunge and get what looked like (to me) the ultimate J bass for my needs. Four strings, Lake Placid Blue finish, matching headstock, rosewood board, active/passive with VTC. When it arrived, I was blown away by the quality of the instrument but never really fell in love with it. Kept it for seven years and went back to it occasionally, looking for that spark, but it was never there. Sold/traded it a few months back with no regrets. Great bass, and I have nothing but praise for Roger and his company, but that one didn't blow me away and I figured the most expensive bass I owned (by a wide margin) should do that for me. I know, though, that it was much more about me than it was about the bass.

 

[Brad Johnson]

It could be both, and since this thread is about Sadowskys it would make sense for someone to interpret the comments as being a direct slap at Roger.

It would make all the sense in the world to anyone who NEEDED to think that's what was being said. They could easily ignore the actual words as you seem to be doing when you say that you read it as "anyone" but inexplicably keep turning that into "Sadowsky".

Simple - to help one decide if the luthier in question is likely to be deserving of his reputation. That doesn't necessarily have anything to do with wanting to buy one of that luthier's instruments.

That may fly with some people. In the meantime, a look at the manufacturer's roster without really knowing what's behind it... like I said, means nothing to me, apparently means a lot to you.

Here's a current example: Invalid Link Removed

Aparently Marcus Miller and Richard Bona "took" numbers 1 and 2. That tells me nothing about the bass, particularly if they didn't buy them. And even then, what would I really know?

 

[emohair]

I think the way to go is to get a used Sadowsky.

You can take the risk and if you dont like it, it's gonna retain that value for re-sale.

I paid $1800 for my used UV-70 5 String and its a 3K bass new. I would NEVER pay that much new, but I feel like I did a little better than getting a Fender and that makes me happy.

 

[Chasarms]

. . .It isn't a bad thing to be interested in maximizing profits, but it just ain't the same thing as being interested in minimizing price.

He didn't say lowest price. He said best price. IMO, best price is the price that makes the product the most competitive in the market. Sure, everyone wants to pay less, but perhaps not at the expense of getting less. If that were true, everyone would play $179 basses.

I fully understand the concept of cash flow. My point is that the "best" price is the one that addresses the company's concerns as well as the consumers'.

 

[narud]

It would make all the sense in the world to anyone who NEEDED to think that's what was being said. They could easily ignore the actual words as you seem to be doing when you say that you read it as "anyone" but inexplicably keep turning that into "Sadowsky".




That may fly with some people. In the meantime, a look at the manufacturer's roster without really knowing what's behind it... like I said, means nothing to me, apparently means a lot to you.

Here's a current example: Invalid Link Removed

Aparently Marcus Miller and Richard Bona "took" numbers 1 and 2. That tells me nothing about the bass, particularly if they didn't buy them. And even then, what would I really know?

thats it, ill take number 3. im so excited

 

[Brad Johnson]

thats it, ill take number 3. im so excited

Exactly.

 

[Vic]

I wonder how many people actually responded on topic in this thread. I have a feeling it's few.

 

[narud]

I wonder how many people actually responded on topic in this thread. I have a feeling it's few.

on topic. ive found ish i dont like with every bass ive ever bought. im special like that

 

[Kubs]

I thinks its quite useless for Mr. Sadowsky to mind with internet geeks who bash everything all day long...thats internet chats/forums phenomeon. Some kind of dark side of internet boom, which helps ( i pressume) raise sales and profit on most of high end gear brands. I dont believe that is so much important to correct each rumour about making process, even trues one.
You can, but then you will end like Big Poppa aka Sterling Ball whose bashing all not EBMM attitude makes him first comically now rather tragically...last cup was his laught for flea and his chinesse bass ( thats big respect for man who helped EBMM in mid 90's)
I have no interest in sadowsky, just try to clarify that internet makes lot more posives for brands like Sad , than potential negatives.

 

[bass12]

It would make all the sense in the world to anyone who NEEDED to think that's what was being said. They could easily ignore the actual words as you seem to be doing when you say that you read it as "anyone" but inexplicably keep turning that into "Sadowsky".

Of course, I must be ignoring the actual words being said - which brings me to your next comment:

That may fly with some people. In the meantime, a look at the manufacturer's roster without really knowing what's behind it... like I said, means nothing to me, apparently means a lot to you.

Apparently nothing. If you read my actual words you'd see that I make no mention of myself - I merely point out a possibility that might be a factor for some.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Of course, I must be ignoring the actual words being said - which brings me to your next comment:

Why not address how Sadowsky = anyone?

Apparently nothing. If you read my actual words you'd see that I make no mention of myself - I merely point out a possibility that might be a factor for some.

And I pointed out it might not be to others. And you keep trying to convince me otherwise... even though you now say it doesn't mean much to you either.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

I bought one and my wife did not like it...but that probably does not count!

Dan K.

Well, I guess she was OK with it after all - another Sadowsky on the way. Metro RV-5 Olympic white/rosewood.

I'm looking forward to getting it!

Dan K.

 

[Snarf]

I played a Sadowsky once. Well set up and everything. Did not like the preamp, neck, or pickups. The string tension was also way too low for my liking.

 

[Vic]

I played a Sadowsky once. Well set up and everything. Did not like the preamp, neck, or pickups. The string tension was also way too low for my liking.

What is your current favorite bass?

 

[Papersen]

I owned a Sadowsky sometime ago.
The bass was very, very nice but the tone wasn`t for me.

Maybe I should have spent more time with it, but based on rehearsal, recordings and gigs, it wasn`t the sound I expected.

I`m currently planning to give them another chance. I understand that "I" could be the problem and not the bass.

 

[Jarrett]

I had been on a quasi J-bass hunt for several months. I've played all the different Fenders and any other Jazz type bass I could find along the way, with nothing that really grabbed me. Finally I broke down and ordered a Sadowsky Metro thinking that would be the ender, but was actually disappointed with it for the price and sent it back during the trial period.

I think its just a matter of personal taste for me. I like oiled necks that have a bit of a real wood, handcrafted feel to them. To me the Metro is not like that at all. The Metro had a very "production line" feel to it I thought. The maple on it looked almost simulated up close and the whole thing sort of had a plastic feel to me that I wasn't expecting. Sound wise, the Sadowsky humbuckers sounded a bit generic to me.

I think a lot of it had to do with preconceived notions for me. I bought the Metro thinking I would find the absolute top of the line J Bass experience, and came away with a generic/plastic sort of vibe from it. Personally I think the Metro's are crazy over priced at around $2850-3000.

That said, I really dig the way Sadowsky handles himself. Here on the forum, on the phone etc. Aside from the Metro line, I dig his NYC business model. When possible I like to deal with small American builders, but I just can't justify spending $3000-$4500 on a J-bass. That's just me. I'm very happy and lucky there is another American company out there making J-basses that I really like for around $1000 or so.