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Has anyone bought and NOT liked a Sadowsky??

#601
Papersen said:
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.
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Perhaps neither you nor Sadowsky basses are the problem? You sound awfully good playing your Cirruses and Zons, you don't "have" to be into to any sort of bass, no matter how popular it is.
 
#602
Dr. Cheese said:
Perhaps neither you nor Sadowsky basses are the problem? You sound awfully good playing your Cirruses and Zons, you don't "have" to be into to any sort of bass, no matter how popular it is.
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On one hand, some players will say that a Sadowsky doesn't blow them away at the music store or when rehearsing at home... the magic happens at the gig or recording studio because of the way the bass sits in the mix. On the other hand, Roger's the first to acknowledge that no bass will please everyone.

Of course, there's also plenty of tonal variety within the Sadowsky line. Some have said "the magic happened for me when I switched from hum-cancelling to single-coils" (or vice versa). Others have strong preferences for certain body and fingerboard woods. As I've mentioned, I traded back a gorgeous swamp ash Sadowsky P5 simply because I prefer alder.
 
#604
Papersen said:
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.
Click to expand...
I agree with THand and Dr. Cheese. There doesn't have to be a "problem" if a Sadowsky bass simply doesn't suit you.
 
#606
drbakker said:
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.
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Thanks mate. I don't really mind the OT posts......just glad I found a lot of helpful comments along the way.

Btw, nice vid. Can't imagine how your serious playing would sound like if your goofin around is already that nice. :bassist:

Ian
 
#607
Chef said:
Yes; of the three I've had, I didn't like the Metro PJ I had. Just not "my flavor."

However, if you buy direct from Sadowsky, you have a 7 day trial period, so, not much to lose there to try one.
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I can add to this and say the "modern 24" I had wasn't my thing either.
Nice bass, well executed, great player. Totally not my flavor.

I still have my Metro MV5; it kills, every time.
 
#609
Each Sadowsky I've played has had a bit of its own flavour (even when trying out basses of the same model). The last time I ordered a Sadowsky (after having already owned a couple) I knew after the first thirty seconds that it wasn't a keeper. I returned it and chose another Sadowsky that worked out perfectly for me.
 
#610
TonyP- said:
Sorry Type O
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Negative, even. ;)

Never played a Sadowsky, but I sure like their Black Label flats... We'll see how the EB Cobalt flats stack up, though.

Roger definitely makes beautiful basses, however. I think when it comes to boutique/custom Jazzes, a lot of it comes down to aesthetics. I'd wager the build quality, after a certain price point, is very much the same, and after that it comes down to electronics (which can easily be changed), and branding. The headstock is a little different on Valentis, for instance, but is the difference in the basses themselves really all that great?
 
#611
I think Sadowskys are awesome basses and I have owned 2 Metros and a NYC. All single coil Jazz style (two 4's and a 5).

I do like my Valenti more but that is only due to being able to spec my exact neck profile, fretboard radius, weird finish, specific PU/Pre, etc. I liked the idea of an American made bass for less money than an off the shelf Metro. YMMV.

If you like the Sadowsky profiles and the PU/pre, they are amazing and cut thru the mix incredibly well.

All personal preference in any case.

Plus Roger is amazing to deal with.
 
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#613
Kukulkan61 said:
Yup,thats an expensive Fender copy and doesnt even come close to sounding like one...:smug:
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I have to totally agree to totally disagree.:)

An active Fender Jazz compared to an active Sadowsky generally isn't in the same class IME (and most others that have played both). To argue that Fender's pre/PU are better than Sadowsky would be a tough one.

A passive Fender Jazz (or P) is a different animal. I think that is where Fender shines.
 
#615
Baird6869 said:
I have to totally agree to totally disagree.:)

An active Fender Jazz compared to an active Sadowsky generally isn't in the same class IME (and most others that have played both). To argue that Fender's pre/PU are better than Sadowsky would be a tough one.

A passive Fender Jazz (or P) is a different animal. I think that is where Fender shines.
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That's what I was referring too,I've never had a Jazz bass so I wouldn't know about that,just a P bass kinda guy...:D
 
#616
Kukulkan61 said:
Yup,thats an expensive Fender copy and doesnt even come close to sounding like one...:smug:
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Yup. A bass player in a local big band bought one. I didn't even know. The minute the band started playing my ears perked up! "Cripes, that sounds like a Sadowsky" I thought. I looked and it was his new Sadowsky. So I paid particular attention. My personal conclusion was while the tone was clearly different, I'm not sure I liked any better than his old Fender. Both worked very nicely in the mix, mind you, but neither made me think "wow listen the that bass! I've GOT to get one just like that!". Nope. Nice, but just didn't set me off. I guess I just don't get that excited about Fenderish things, authentic or copies.
 
#617
Kurt, I think what is being missed by others is that (I believe) YOU could build high quality basses for much less the others as you would do the work yourself.
The idea that bolting some parts together and expecting a finished instrument is unreasonable.
To be able to assemble parts, file production frets, do a proper set up, and know from experience which pups / press work for you has incredible value.
If your time is worth $100 per hour (a normal shop rate for many craftsman) I bet you couldn't sell your basses for all that much less Sadowsky.
Totally agree that if you are capable builder and don't count your time, that your pricing is spot on.
 
#619
I've always been a P-bass guy, and the Sadowsky P5 is the P-bass I've always been looking for. I have one with a birdseye maple board strung with rounds, another with a Brazilian rosewood board strung with TI flats. Neither have a bridge pickup, I love 'em P-only.

Of course I understand why many prefer the traditional passive Fender P. They have great tones too. One day I might get a Fender Am Std Precision V: nice bass at a nice price.
 
#620
Had five sadowskys. 3 metros and two Nycs. I greatly prefer USA lakland for the neck and feel. For active bass I really preferred my fodera emperor 5 custom alder/ebony with dual coils. I realize its abit more $ but tone and feel is much more universal and has more depth to the tone and can fill a mix even better than an already great sadowsky.

So after 40 basses, my conclusion is a USA lakland for old school jazz or p bass tone and feel. And a fodera for active.
 

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