Installing a Sadowsky Preamp W/Vintage Tone Control

youve already got the pedal, why not just make the deluxe passive and run it through that?

 

The short answer to question is "not easy if you don't have experience doing this sort of thing". My soldering skills suck, but I installed one once, after hours of swearing, complete do-overs, and frustration. I needed to buy a "third hand" alligator clip stand, as well as a few odds and ends like heat-shrink tubing.

There's only four pots, but there's other solder points and installation concerns that really need the attention of person with real soldering iron experience, IMO. I won't even go into trying to get those Sadowsky knobs on straight !

I've had a good guitar tech install my Sadowsky preamps since then, as it's a $200 piece of specialized equipment that deserves professional assembly.

 

I wouldn't do it. You already have a 'VTC' on the bass (passive tone control), and the internal preamp won't sound any different than the Sadowsky external pre you already have.

And... sometimes you need to pool your cash, be patient, sell some of the lower end stuff over time, save your money, and buy the real thing

 

having stuff like heat shink is pretty much expected if youre going to do any work like that.

 

For a competent electronics installer, absolutely!

In Roger's defense, he's never made any suggestion that installing his onboard pre is anything near a DIY endeavor

 

Well Dr,

You list a Sadowsky outboard pre in your sig. Why not just plug any & all of your axes in that? Play on playa!!

 

if you dropped a passive plate in there though or had a bypass added, you wouldnt have to buy something you already own.

 

But you have to ask yourself.... What is a Sadowsky trying to be? A good/great Fender, right? {Kemet dons his flamesuit & braces for the onslaught from the Bass Haute Bourgeois !!!}

 

Doc, there's nothing wrong with running your active bass through the outboard pre. I asked Roger about this; he said just run the bass's EQ as flat as possible if it can't be bypassed. I use my Yamaha TRB1005 in this manner and it sounds great. Lots better than the Yamaha on its own.

 

i wouldnt run active into active myself. ive got an alleva outboard and things start sounding pretty overpowering if i put an active preamp through that pedal. flat or not. also, if that sad you played had humcancelling pickups, youll get a lot closer to that sound by making the deluxe passive first and then running it through the sad.

 

I totally agree, in the mean time use your outboard pre.

There is allot to a bass like a Sadowsky beyond just the pre.

 

i installed a Sadowsky pre / VTC to my Peavey Grind / FatStacks / coiltap & it wasn't too complicated

this is not rocket science 'yall

it sounds AWESOME

 

I own a Fendowsky P-Bass Elite I.

95 USA P-Bass Body
83 USA P-Bass Elite Neck, Bridge, Tuners
Sadowsky P-Bass Pickup
Sadowsky Preamp with VTC

The work was done before I got it, and it is a Work of Art!



The 3 holes in the pickguard accomodate a single pickup configuration of Vol/VTC(Pull for Passive!) and stacked T/B controls. But this requires a side mounted input jack. I believe a Telecaster Guitar unit was used.



A cavity was routed to accomodate the additional electronics. I wish I had a picture of the opened cavity, as the work was Top Notch!



I'm now in the process of adding another Sadowsky Preamp with VTC to either a REAL 83 P-Bass Elite I, or a 91 P-Bass Plus Deluxe. Or??? (Roscoe Beck IV?)

I'm hoping to not have to alter the next bass terribley!

Don't give up on your Dream Dr. Cheese. Even if you need to have someone do the soldering for you, you will LOVE the results. We need to start a Fendowsky Club!!!