I played around w that in my DAW comparing it to my outboard Sadowsky pre on a couple basses and my Sadowsky bass in passive mode (vs active of course). Got close but there’s something else going on in the pre, the magic fairy dust I guess
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Lakland skyline 44-60 vs Sadowsky MetroExpress????
- Thread starter billiam5billion
- Start date
There's this tightness and focus with that preamp, in particular the low end, even with only slight boosts, it's hard to describe but you know it when you hear it. Not at all a sound that, IME, is for "cutting through" a mix typically. It's a sound that can sit perfectly in a mix and with nothing else on it sounds, for lack of a better term, almost "produced". I'm just getting back to using this sound after almost 20 years since my last Sadowsky bass and outboard pre. Dunno why I waited so long.Just curious: what does that mean?
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Agreed. The Aguilar Tone Hammer is supposed to have the same frequency points as the Sadowsky for bass and treble as well, but it does not sound like the Sadowsky at all. There is definitely something going on independent of just frequency points and Q settings that makes the Sadowsky pre unique.I played around w that in my DAW comparing it to my outboard Sadowsky pre on a couple basses and my Sadowsky bass in passive mode (vs active of course). Got close but there’s something else going on in the pre, the magic fairy dust I guess
It's almost "tubey" in how it feels, or like there's compression happening, but neither are quite it. Messing around trying to simulate it in my DAW with various plug-ins I still couldn't totally get there.
It sounds to me like the Lakland sounds pretty much like a Jazz bass, but the Sadowsky sounds like a Sadowsky. And the Sadowsky is generally lighter.
The Sadowsky’s have a sound that allows them to be heard even in dense mix. You can always hear what the bass is doingJust curious: what does that mean?
That's why for me, I'd have a hard time with a MetroExpress without the VTC and passive option. My Metroline PJ5 sounds great passive, without "the Sadowsky sound" if I want, not to mention the passive tone control in both modes.
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I do like the VTC pre-amp. I like to get my bass and treble set for full tone, and then use the tone control to tame the high end when needed. Although, with this pre-amp, I am playing with a brighter sound than I did before, because the frequencies that get boosted are sweet without any harshness. I'm enjoying the sound.
I seem to recall hearing Roger say that he decided on these frequencies after talking to some recording engineers about what they usually boost on a bass guitar.
I seem to recall hearing Roger say that he decided on these frequencies after talking to some recording engineers about what they usually boost on a bass guitar.
Smooth_bass88
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this. And don let anyone tell you the made in Korea models are better. I have two Indos and one Korean and they're equally awesome. My three USAs are awesome too
Well the electronics are very different in that bass from the Korean to the Indo. The Fralins in the original were more classic Fender sounding so in this case the update to Lakland pickups is probably more in line with what the OP would want.
Interesting, I believe Alex Aguilar designed the Sadowsky preamp for Roger. That, of course, doesn't mean he designed the Tonehammer the same but having owned both the Sadowsky outboard preamp and Aguilar Tonehammer 350 and AG700 amps, I'd say there is a lineage to the tone. In fact, the Aguilar amps are the first ones to make me shelve my Sadowsky preamp. I will say that the Sadowsky pairs very nicely with MarkBass amps, IME.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Aguilar and Sadowsky designed the original Sadowsky pre together, but the end result is reflective of Sadowsky's preferences and sonic direction, after a lot of player input. Aguilar then used that work as the basis for his own preamps later, but I've never thought the Sadowsky or Aguilar preamps sounded at all similar.... I've owned both. The frequency points are similar, but they are different types of circuitry and different sonic goals in terms of the end result.
I've owned several Lakland Skylines. All great basses but the one I kept is a Korean built 55-01 made in 2001. Bought it from a TB member over 15 years ago. It's been my main bass.this. And don let anyone tell you the made in Korea models are better. I have two Indos and one Korean and they're equally awesome. My three USAs are awesome too
I saw Sadowsky say that in an interview in a recent vid that was circulating. Lots of interesting stuff in there, like how he cut his teeth managing the service department of a big music/guitar store in Philadelphia, doing his best to make beat-up 70s instruments sound good.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Your original post said "I believe Alex Aguilar designed the Sadowsky preamp for Roger."
My reply was meant to add the nuance that they designed the preamp together, as opposed to Aguilar designing it in a vacuum and then Roger signing off on it.
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Well, I'm sure Roger had ears on the preamp as Alex was designing it, no doubt. And I didn't say they sound the same. Only that I I feel there's a lineage to the tone. ( You're entitled to disagree). I don't think Alex Aguilar designed only one preamp in his career and I'm sure they each have unique qualities. And I said that Aguilar amps made me shelve my Sadowsky preamp. Either fattens up my passive J basses in a pleasing way, IMHO. FWIW, I owned a Sadowsky bass and preferred the tone of my Fender with the Sadowsky outboard preamp over the Sadowsky bass itself.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
I think the most accurate description of the working relationship is probably that Sadowsky designed it and Aguilar built it with Roger's specific direction and overall concept in mind throughout the development process. Obviously that process then later informed the initial build of the DB924 outboard pre since it is very similar to the original Sadowsky outboard preamp belt clip unit, including its frequency points. Much like David Nordschow building the first SWR cabinets for/alongside Steve Rabe, nothing great is conceived in a vacuum.
