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Help - Sadowsky Experts - Value question

Kmrumedy

Kmrumedy

May 12, 2004
1,940
2,770
Montreal, Canada
#1
I am considering a 1995-96 Sadowsky NYC 4 string. Cherry burst with quilted maple top and maple neck. Beautiful bass. It is in "like new" condition even after 20 years of mild use.

I don't know a lot about Sadowskys of this era.

What would be the current market value for this bass? What is a fair offer? I don't know what the older ones go for now. Also, did the older models have the VTC option? If not, how was the older preamp in the 90's set up? I.e. what do the 4 knobs do? Lol. What pickups were used during this time?

Is there any design or spec difference of the mid 90's Sadowskys compared to today's model? ( J bass model)

Would like to hear from Sadowsky owners that own or have bought a bass like this recently or members that know this market.

Thanks guys.
 
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#2
The bass looks exactly like this

image.jpg1_zpsq5qzpfvu.gif
 
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#4
Kmrumedy said:
I am considering a 1995-96 Sadowsky NYC 4 string. Cherry burst with quilted maple top and maple neck. Beautiful bass. It is in "like new" condition even after 20 years of mild use.

I don't know a lot about Sadowskys of this era.

What would be the current market value for this bass? What is a fair offer? I don't know what the older ones go for now. Also, did the older models have the VTC option? If not, how was the older preamp in the 90's set up? I.e. what do the 4 knobs do? Lol. What pickups were used during this time?

Is there any design or spec difference of the mid 90's Sadowskys compared to today's model? ( J bass model)

Would like to hear from Sadowsky owners that own or have bought a bass like this recently or members that know this market.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

I have a 2006 P/J 4-string which I love. However, things changed a lot around 2003, IIRC. My advice is to call Roger Sadowsky and ask about the specs. I imagine it has single coil pickups, and an ash body. Can't comment on the pre-amp and controls, but am curious, especially about the switch. I am betting the knobs are volume, blend, ???, treble/bass, with the switch being active/passive, but who knows? Maybe a mid-band or coil tap? Perhaps a VTC retrofit? Go play it.

Edit: maybe master vol, neck vol, bridge vol, treble/bass, active/passive switch?

Value? I would guess that current NYC used values apply to pretty much all vintages of Sadowskys, but that is just a guess. Cool bass!
 
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#8
They are just like a metro other than the quilt top, usa tuners, no vtc, and the active passive switch instead of a push pull volume pot.

Current NYCs have chambered body, thicker headstocks.

Great basses. They should be priced lower than a late model NYC but more than a metro IMO. $2500 or so ...
 
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#10
I had a 1992 or 1993 4 string NYC. Natural with Ebony or rosewood board (it was 5-6 years ago, so I forget) and no VTC.

I think I bouht it from Dave at Club Bass used for $2k CDN plus tax and sold it for around the same or a bit more.... $2300-2400-ish.

That top is nicer though. I would say $2500 is fair. Less would of course be better....

Oh, mine was super light swamp ash. Well under 8lbs IIRC.
 
#11
A few things to consider... The body is not chambered like the NYCs of today. What pickups are in it? Some of the earlier models have custom Bartolinis or EMGs. also the preamp my be a combo of sadowsky and Bartolini. I have an earlier one. Probably from $2600-$3200
 

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