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If Only One Bass, Fender or Sadowsky?

If Only One Bass, Fender or Sadowsky?

  • Any Fender

    Votes: 195 46.0%

  • Any Sadowsky

    Votes: 229 54.0%
  • Total voters
    424
#25
There are just a ton of Fenders that I'd take over any other bass. There are also a ton of Fenders that I'd take any other bass over. With that being said, since I get to pick and choose, I'd go with Fender.
 
#29
Well, I've never played a Sadowsky. In fact, I'm not quite sure what they sound like. I love my Fender Jazz bass though. There are other basses that I like that aren't Fenders or Sadowskys, but I think I'd be fine playing a great, rocking Fender Jazz bass forever.
 
#31
john nam said:
I personally find it very interesting that it is exactly the opposite of the Fender/Fodera poll, with Sadowsky holding a steady 60% after 100 votes.
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I don't think it's surprising at all.

Sadowskys are like Fenders in that they have a retro look that doesn't offend anyone's sensibilities. Weight aside, they're very similar ergonomically, so Fender players looking for something different can still be comfortable with them. And the decades of recordings were made, for better or worse, with Fenders. People's ears are comfortable with that, and they're still being used. Fodera, OTOH, seems to be thought of for some reason as different. It's essentially being judged by hands and ears --and sometimes eyes-- that often compare it to something it isn't. Between Fender getting to the studio and the music store first and the fact that Sadowskys are great basses, I'm not surprised that Sadowsky would do better than Fodera when being compared to a Fender.
 
#33
colcifer said:
Sad. What if I pick any fender and wind up with a P? :eek: Sads at least guarantee me a preamp.
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That was the dealbreaker. I've modded every Fender I've ever owned. Ever single one, in some way or another. Didn't have to, just felt like it. I modded my Volkswagen the same way. I probably wouldn't do that with a Sadowsky, because I could order what I wanted.

Given the cash, I could just as well order a bass from the Fender Custom Shop, but the thing is, if I can have a bass made for me, I'm going to make the most of it- it's going to look like a Sadowsky or a Fodera or an Alembic. Sure, Fender can do a great interpretation of any of those, but why ask them to? It'd almost be an insult.
 
#34
Dr. Cheese said:
I don't see the point of this one. The Fodera or Fender question at least compared basses that have significant differences in the style of construction. When it comes to Fender or Sadowsky, it is more a question of which tone or neck profile does a person like the most. Quality of construction can be an issue, but depending on the Fender, the construction can be very close.
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I think it's kinda valid myself precisely because it compares two instruments that are more similar than Fender is to Fodera. It helps eliminate some of the ergonomic biases we all have.
 
#35
multiman said:
I would put Sadowsky's in the same class as the Fender custom shop -- which is pretty much an American Standard that is way overpriced.

People say the line is more consistent -- but I don't care about the line. I just need one. And it's not that hard to find a good American Standard.
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I've wondered if the Fender CS and Sadowsky were comparable, because as much as I love Fenders overall, it would seem hard to beat a Sadowsky. The various video interviews on youtube of Roger Sadowsky have really impressed me lately, and now I'm dying to get my hands on one!

OTOH, I already have a Fender that I could live with from now on just fine, but I'd rather spend eternity with my StingRay.
 
#36
john nam said:
So why am I doing this type of poll again? It's because for me, I really don't know if I would choose Fender, Fodera or Sadowsky for my ONE bass. If Fender made a 60's 5 string with a good B, I would pick that, but they didn't. FWIW, I've owned all 3 and various models of each of them.
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This is reason I went with a Alleva Coppolo LG5. Classic fender tone.
 
#37
I have played both, and here are my thoughts:

If someone tells me they want a great workhorse bass and don't want to spend too much money, I'll point them towards a used US Fender.

If someone told me they were going to buy a custom shop Fender bass, I would tell them to take the money they would spend on that bass and buy 2 Sadowskys.
 
#40
meatwad said:
I've wondered if the Fender CS and Sadowsky were comparable, because as much as I love Fenders overall, it would seem hard to beat a Sadowsky. The various video interviews on youtube of Roger Sadowsky have really impressed me lately, and now I'm dying to get my hands on one!

OTOH, I already have a Fender that I could live with from now on just fine, but I'd rather spend eternity with my StingRay.
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I had a Fender CS, Custom Classic Jazz V. It just did not have the tone, feel, and workmanship detail that my Sadowsky JJ exhibits...I can't go back to Fender for a "custom" bass.

Yeah, I compared them and there's no comparison. My Sadowsky was so much more alive and just gave off that "wanna play" vibe that the Fender lacked.
 

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