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New 4-string bass. Sadowsky?

F

Fleischer

Sep 30, 2009
7
0
Oslo, Norway
#1
I'm thinking of replacing my Fender MIA Precision bass with a new 4-string bass. I like the sound of the P-bass and I love the way it cuts through live, but I am not pleased with the sound I get when I slap the bass. Therefore I want a new versatile bass that has a nice slap-tone, but also works great for me when I am playing with my fingers.

I have looked at the Sadowskys and I think they are nice. If I am going to buy a Sadowsky I am wondering what the difference between pickup placement in 60s and 70s location are, and is there a huge difference in sound?

I am also open for other suggestions than Sadowsky. I play many different genres, but mostly jazz, fusion, prog, funk, metal and pop. I already got a G&L L-2500 USA (which I love) and the p-bass which I am probably going to sell.
 
#2
If you like a P Bass tone in general, and also want a little more zing on occasion for slapping, and don't want to break the bank with a custom NYC model, check out the Sadowsky Metro PJ.... KILLER and while not cheap, it is a very good value. I like the fact that the Metro PJ is based on a P body (4 string is based on P body, 5 string on J body, I believe)... which is in the spirit of all the guys who added that J pickup to their P Basses back in the day... $2,350 I think (Edit: $2,325).

The only Metro with 70's pickup spacing is the UV70, which also has the full sized J Body. The impact of the pickup position is somewhat subtle, but it is there... a bit more scooped in the low mids and a bit less aggressive in the grindy upper mids versus the 60's position, especially if you favor the bridge pickup.... all other things being equal (which they never are:D).
 
#4
narud said:
if you are a 4 string player, id say boutique is unnecessary. if i didnt like 5's, i wouldnt own anything other than fenders. that fantastic fretwork and setup that youre paying a huge premium for can be done to any bass by a quality repairman.
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Never played a 'factory made' Fender PJ, so can't comment there. However, +1 to your comment. If I was playing a four string passive Jazz or P, I'd spend a few months trying a bunch of MIA or MIJ or MIM Fenders at GC or wherever to find one I liked, do a $75 set-up/fret dress, etc., and be pretty darn happy.

That being said, the Sadowsky has its own unique and (IMO) wonderful tone. If that's what you want, then you need to pony up!
 
#5
narud said:
if you are a 4 string player, id say boutique is unnecessary. if i didnt like 5's, i wouldnt own anything other than fenders. that fantastic fretwork and setup that youre paying a huge premium for can be done to any bass by a quality repairman.
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I would have to agree with this one. And if you spend enough time shopping around, you can find a fender that has great fretwork to begin with.

Of course if you wan't boutique and don't mind paying for it, by all means, go boutique.
 
#6
KJung said:
I'd spend a few months trying a bunch of MIA or MIJ or MIM Fenders at GC
Click to expand...

In Norway?

To the OP, I used to be cautious about the Sadowsky hype. Now I own two. :D For me, they really are that good. Roger allows a very liberal trial period, so you'd have every reasonable opportunity to get your money back if you don't like the bass, though I imagine shipping would be substantial.
 
#7
If you are willing and able to pay what an NYC Sadowsky costs, do it.

Yes, a nicely plecked/fret-dressed Skyline or MIA Jazz are fine instruments, but if you want an extremely flexible 4 or 5 string instrument that can nail Jazz and P-bass tones, and has your choice of fingerboard wood, body wood, and finish, call Kevin Drexler at Sadowsky and ask him about an NYC P/J.

Here is my jewel. The only thing it is not my go to bass for is when I need a 5-string, a fretless, an upright, or a beater.

4633_1.jpg
 
#8
I have to (respectfully) disagree with a couple of previous posts. A Sadowsky isn't just about nice fretwork & set-up - premium materials, a magic pre-amp, slightly undersized lightweight body, graphite reinforced neck, spoke wheel trussrod that makes adjustment a breeze, etc. also add up to one great instrument. The finishes (particularly bursts) are unbelievable, too. I love the ability (on a NYC) to go fully custom with customer service that is second to none.

I think a really good MIA Fender that is properly set-up will get you 80% of the way there perhaps - which is to say they are very good pro level instruments that would do you well for a lifetime. Is that extra 20% worth paying 4-5x the price of the Fender? Only you can decide for you!

Oh... here's mine... :p

dave_hill.jpg


And one of my favourite P\Js - I'd like to get one like this someday...

5060_full.jpg
 
#9
I don't think I am able to afford a NYC model at the moment. I'm thinking of buying a metro vintage series jazz bass or the P/J. What is really the difference between the a metro and a NYC? I know the metros are made in Japan and that I don't have the same option to choose woods and finnish, but the pickups and the preamp is usually the same right?
 
#11
Fleischer said:
I don't think I am able to afford a NYC model at the moment. I'm thinking of buying a metro vintage series jazz bass or the P/J. What is really the difference between the a metro and a NYC? I know the metros are made in Japan and that I don't have the same option to choose woods and finnish, but the pickups and the preamp is usually the same right?
Click to expand...

Yes - that's right. I think they're a tad heavier in general and (I think) do not have the graphite reinforced neck. But these are pretty minor points - you get a lot of bass for the money with the Metros in my opinion...
 
#13
Fleischer said:
Is the metros just available in the finishes than I can see on this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]?
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Yes, more specifically:

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I have a Metro PJ5, so mine's a J body, but I've played the P body based 4's and they of course are just as awesome.

Regarding the diffs between NYC's and Metros, here's the data on that, but the bottom line is, the Metros are VERY VERY worthy of the Sadowsky name and top quality gig machines in every aspect of the term. I have two NYCs and two Metros, and I pretty much gig them equally.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 

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