Nordy or Sadowsky???

[Sadowsky]

First of all, let me say that my friend Cary makes a great bass and some great pickups. Currently, Cary makes our PJ5 pickup set.

Regarding active/passive---a few points:

1) Our preamp bypass is total and complete. With single coil pickups, a Sadowsky should sound the same in passive mode as if we built it without a preamp at all. Also, preamp flat and passive sounds virtually the same as well.

2) I agree that single coil pickups in passive mode sound better than the humcancelling pickups. We actually advise our customers that when it comes to J bass pickups, nothing sounds better than single coils. And yet the majority of our clients who order J basses go with our humcancelling pickups.

Bottom line is there are lots of choices out there. And the bass you decide today is the "best" may not be the one you like "best" a year from now. Every time someone tells me "this is going to be the last bass I buy", I have to chuckle.

Roger

 

[engedi1]

great thoughts Roger! Although I will humbly suggest that when I engage the preamp with no boost on my M5-24 the sound gets 1. louder 2. a tad brighter (due to the preamp buffering I believe) This is actually one of my favorite sounds is to use the front pickup only and either run it in passive, or in active with no eq boost. I defy anyone to tell me that my tone is scooped when I only use the front soapbar. It sounds a lot like a P bass to me, but with sheen to it that I love, and that totally sits in the mix. Click on this link to here a pretty decent recording of my M5-24, front pickup only, active engaged but no boost, recorded through a Avalon U5 straight to the board using TI Flats.
YouTube - ‪Footprints2.wmv‬‏

I think Sadowskys are extremely versatile with the pickups and electronics options. If I had the scratch, my dream bass is a Will Lee with a toasted maple neck! (that and a oly white 73 or 74 J)

 

[78Jazzlover]

What is Sadowsky doing so different with the wood from other makers who don't sound scooped to your ears?

Alder is alder and ash is ash and maple is maple. It's not like Sadowsky is using anything else different from Nordstrand or anyone else building Uber-Fenders.

Just curious how you attribute the perceived lack of mids in a Sadowsky to the wood?

Weight, especially with ash.

This has been hashed through Talkbass many times before and we wont solve it here either but I'm strongly in the camp that hears a difference with heavier ( than Roger uses) ash. Nothing I've heard gets around that. Roger chambers his basses ( he goes out of his way) to make them what he considers an ideal weight. I disagree with him strongly in the case of ash. I've had my own experience with this that is as valid as anyone's here. I'm not going to change anyone's minds and he wont change mine , but the OP wanted opinions and I gave one and told you why.

 

[BuffaloBass]

They are both great bass's and bass companies, both Carey and Roger are first class guys with THE PASSION for building outstanding bass's.
You really can't go wrong with either, its all about playing them and deciding which is best for YOU.
Good Luck!
MG

This IS the only correct answer. Only YOU can choose.

BTW, my two J basses are different as in the above discussion. If you like the ash/maple sound, there is not much that replicates it but ash/maple. the lighter chambered Valenti has a different sound both acoustically and magnetically than the Lakland.

 

[78Jazzlover]

Well, he (78Jazzlover) has already suggested that Sadowsky uses lighter ash. I don't know that that's true. Roger does use swamp ash (which is generally lighter than northern ash), but that's no different from Fender or any number of other Jazz-style bass makers. The NYC models are chambered, but you can always choose the non-chambered option when ordering an NYC. For the record, my Sadowsky Jazz (chambered NYC) is no more scooped-sounding in the mids than my Fender '62 reissue Jazz (not to my ears, anyway).

There are several manufacturers that will and do make an ash bass in the 10 pound range or more if you want. Sadowsky makes sure the NY models dont touch that number. The odd Metro might but they are generally less. The NYs are much lighter. Like I said this is controlled by chambering- and I'll just guess also by his wood selection. Some companies do use Northern Ash in the mix also.

 

[Sadowsky]

We continue to offer non-chambered bodies for folks who prefer that. We also offer one piece lightweight ash bodies as well. Just communicate to us what your preferences are and we will tell you what we can or cannot offer you to accommodate those preferences.

Roger

 

[78Jazzlover]

Will only felt he wanted to hear more mids for live work. He does not use the mid boost in the studio or on TV. And we were unable to achieve this with wood or pickups (believe me, I tried everything).

Roger

Well..he wanted to hear more mids...for something.

So do I....but not in my mid control knob. Wood will never make up for boosting specific frequencies like a dedicated narrow mid control boost, but it can affect the overal mid response in a more organic sounding way.

IMO IME

 

[Joelc73]

As others have said, they are both great basses. For the longest time, I played every high-end bass except Sadowsky. I just assumed they were another J bass clone. For years I churned through basses trying to find something that really resonated with me in a variety of settings.

I eventually bought a Sadowsky and was shocked and amazed at just how well that bass performed. Since then I've had about 10 and still own four today. My Sadowsky is the first bass I reach for when heading to a gig. I know I can count on it and I know it will sound great. I've never had a problem with mids... Minr do have SC's in them though which, as Roger and others have said, do have a bit more mids to them out of the box.

Sadowskys are amazing instruments in every regard. There is something about them that just works. The fit into and cut through every and any mix. I gig pretty often and, over the last five years or so that I've used Roger's basses, I can't think of a time where I had a bad sound or got lost in a mix.

Carey makes great instruments and pickups. I'm sure you would be happy with one of his instruments.

Lots of great choices. FWIW - they are both really good guys to deal with. Roger treats you like Will Lee even if you're a local nobody. I liked Carey from the minute I met him at NAMM 7 or 8 years ago.

Hope that helps!

 

[78Jazzlover]

great thoughts Roger! Although I will humbly suggest that when I engage the preamp with no boost on my M5-24 the sound gets 1. louder 2. a tad brighter (due to the preamp buffering I believe) This is actually one of my favorite sounds is to use the front pickup only and either run it in passive, or in active with no eq boost. I defy anyone to tell me that my tone is scooped when I only use the front soapbar. It sounds a lot like a P bass to me, but with sheen to it that I love, and that totally sits in the mix. Click on this link to here a pretty decent recording of my M5-24, front pickup only, active engaged but no boost, recorded through a Avalon U5 straight to the board using TI Flats.
YouTube - ‪Footprints2.wmv‬‏

I think Sadowskys are extremely versatile with the pickups and electronics options. If I had the scratch, my dream bass is a Will Lee with a toasted maple neck! (that and a oly white 73 or 74 J)

Totally different animal with the soapbars and pup placement on your model. That design builds in a fuller mid response. I should have qualified the discussion to Jazz Bass designs.

 

[CinneaghBass]

for price, Sadowsky Metro < typical Nordy < typical NYC Sadowsky

Win/win question - both are great basses from great shops. Really just depends on if you want the Sadowsky sound or want more variables available in the build.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[kenfxj]

Oh man what a choice! I'd have to go Sadowsky but just slightly.

Just to throw a monkey in the wrench, have you considered Lull?


Oh, and Alba. Hands down.

 

[P. Bass]

...... Also, preamp flat and passive sounds virtually the same as well.....
Roger

I seem to get a more detailed signal with more presence with preamp engaged but flat than I do w/ pre out.
B.

 

[nostatic]

I think some of the comments need to be qualified as to whether or not someone has used the said instrument in real-world conditions. Often it seems that guys will play a bass in a shop or at home and then declare it's suitability (or lack thereof) when in fact the instrument will perform vastly different in a live situation. One thing that is pretty consistent with Sadowsky owner comments is how well the basses work in a mix. I know my Metro PJ worked great at live shows (other than the weight as I prefer light weight). Nordy is no slouch either by all accounts. Again, this is a win/win choice, just depends on your preferred flavor.

 

[Lackey]

I haven't played a Nordy J bass, but I have played 2 Sadowskys; one NYC and one Metro; both were great basses that just didn't have the tone I like. Very smooth, very clean.... rather neutered for a jazz bass. Maybe if I was doing adult contemporary or smooth r&b it would be fitting, but not for anything livelier. Hell, tons of people find them fitting for all types of music though.

Check out the Xotic jazz basses too - I played one back to back with the Metro and fell in love with the playability, tone and massive tonal variety.

 

[Chef]

I completely disagree with the bolded section below.

I haven't played a Nordy J bass, but I have played 2 Sadowskys; one NYC and one Metro; both were great basses that just didn't have the tone I like. Very smooth, very clean.... rather neutered for a jazz bass. Maybe if I was doing adult contemporary or smooth r&b it would be fitting, but not for anything livelier. Hell, tons of people find them fitting for all types of music though.

Check out the Xotic jazz basses too - I played one back to back with the Metro and fell in love with the playability, tone and massive tonal variety.

 

[JimS]

I always thought the bass players amongst these musicians had a tone lacking in the mids:

John Abercrombie
Peter Adams
Sandro Albert
Jimmy Ali | Bob James, George Clinton
Derek Allen | Janet Jackson
Kenny Ames | Jason and the Scorchers, Disciples of Loud, Eddy Raven, Dash Rip Rock
Leonardo Amuedo | Ivan Lins
Al Anderson
Alex Aponte | The Almost
Keith Axelson | In Focus Church, Burgundy Curtain
Charles Baldwin | Emeril Live
Tamas Barabas | Bassist and Composer
David Barard | Dr. John
Wayne Batchelor | Rhian Ayanna, Nnenna Freelon, Ronny Jordan
Roscoe Beck | Robben Ford
Walter Becker | Steely Dan
Steve Beskrone | Ray Charles, Pat Martino, Horace Silver
Steve Billman | LA Music Academy
Edie Brickell
Mike Brignardello | Nashville Session Ace, Giant
Victor Broden | Nashville Touring & Sessions
Uli Brodersen
Dave Bronze | Eric Clapton
Jordan Brooks | NYC Bassist with Yost
Jimmy Bruno
Steve Byczek
Chris Campbell | Bob Seger
John Carey
Sekou Bunch | Marc Anthony, The Winans
Oscar Cartaya | Jennifer Lopez, Dave Valentin, Spyro Gyra
Saturnino Celani | Jovanotti, Solo Artist
Francisco Centeno | Aretha Franklin
Chris Chaney | Alanis Morissette, Jane's Addiction
Dave Chow | Bass Playing and Audio Mixing
Jeff Ciampa
Adam Clayton | U2
Lon Cohen | Lon Cohen Studio Rentals
Stu Cook | Creedence Clearwater Revival
Duncan Coutts | Our Lady Peace
Bob Cranshaw | Sonny Rollins
Carmine D'Amico
Lizzy Daymont | Half Zaftig and Charlie Drown
Rob DeSantis | LifeChurch
Kim Davis
Robert DiBlanco | Todd Fritsch / TheBassLab
Paulo Roberto Diniz, Jr. (P.J.) | Jota Quest
Djavan
Kermit Driscoll | Bill Frisell
Anthony "Woodchuck" Durham | El Pus
Nathan East | Eric Clapton, Fourplay
Bernard Edwards (1952–1996) | Chic
Dennis Edwards | Lady Antebellum
Mike Elizondo | Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Fiona Apple, Pink
Jörg Enz
Mark Epstein | Joe Bonamassa
Luis Espaillat | Nashville Sessions and Hot Action Cop
Matt Evans | Sara Evans
Frank Fabsits | The Shawna Lynn Band
Señor Flavio
John Fogerty
Darrell Freeman | Donnie McClurkin, Flow
Chazz Frichtel | Michael McDonald
Fuji Fujimoto | Atlanta Falcons House Band
Enrico Galetta
David Garcia | Beto Hale
Craig Garfinkel | The Matt Zeiner Band
Matt Garrison
Michael Gerry
Douglas Giorgiani | Susie Matos and Question Band
Gilberto Gil
Malcolm Gold | Days of the New, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Sheryl Crow, India.Arie
John Goldsby | WDR Big Band, Bass Player Magazine, The Jazz Bass Book
Noel "Kiko" Gonzalez | Kim Sozzi, Rick Anthony and Creations, Hot Funn and Tony Traina
Mick Goodrick
Mark "Kevin" Grantt | Nashville
Bryan Grassmeyer
Juraj Griglák
Jim Hall
Randy Hall
Tom Hamilton | Aerosmith
Stefan Held
Naif Herin
Luico Hopper
Bob Hurst | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Hutch Hutchinson | Bonnie Raitt
Dann Huff
David Hungate
Janis Ian
LaMarquis Jefferson | Usher, OutKast, TLC
Jeff Jenkins | Eric Durrance
Ron Jenkins | Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Gato Barbieri
Darryl Jones | The Rolling Stones
Walter Jones | Gladys Knight
Zev Katz | Roxy Music, Yellowjackets, Dolly Parton
Tully Kennedy | Jason Aldean and Nashville Sessions
Alison Keslow
Bryan Kessler
Earl Klugh
Laurence Knight
Conrad Korsch | Rod Stewart, Carole King, Joan Osborne
Scott Koziol
Wayne Krantz | Steely Dan
Lenny Kravitz
Randy Landau | NYC Session/Broadway Bassist
Russ Landau | Composer and Bassist
Will Lee | CBS Orchestra, The Fab Faux, Hiram Bullock Band
Tim Lefebvre | Saturday Night Live, Wayne Krantz Trio, Boomish, Uri Caine Bedrock, MZ
Battista Lena
Jay Leonhart
Chris Leuzinger | Garth Brooks
Steve Lewinson
Chuck Loeb
Nick Lowe
Lage Lund | David Sanchez
Bruno Macedo
Lawrie Macmillan | Ray Wilson, Stiltskin
Mickey Madden | Maroon 5
Luis Javier Maldonado | Jannette Chao
Matt Malley | Counting Crows
Russell Malone
Brian Marshall | Alter Bridge
Wolf Marshall | Guitarist, Musicologist and Author
Taka Masuzaki | Dimension
Lawrence Matshiza | Hugh Masakela
Aaron Maxwell | God Street Wine
Johnny Mennonna | Jose Feliciano
Coleman Mellett (1974–2009) | Chuck Mangione Group
Juan Carlos Mendoza | Spain
Mike Merritt | Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Pat Metheny
Marcus Miller
Rickey Minor | Bassist and Musical Director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Charles Mishalany | Atlanta Bassist and Bass Instructor
Rea Mochiach | Gogol Bordello
Lanice Morrison | Michael McDonald
"Perky" Dave Mullins | The Roys
Derrick Murdock | The Jay Leno Show
Steven Newby | Conversation Pieces
Jason Newsted | Ozzy Osbourne, Voivod
Irio O'Farrill | Freelance NYC Bassist
Chuck Panozzo | Styx
John Patitucci
Gene Perez
Joe Pettengill | Captured, The Journey Show
Pat Phillips
Ray Phiri | Paul Simon
Sven Pipien | Black Crowes
Vernon Porter | Pastor of Worship
Kirk Powers
Alison Prestwood | Shawn Colvin
Prince
Brad Rabuchin | Ray Charles
Chuck Rainey
Mike Rathke | Lou Reed
Oliver Ray | Patti Smith
Sean Michael Ray | John Waite, Eric Essix
Joe Reda
Lou Reed
Michael Rhodes
Keith Richards
Jeff Richman
Lee Ritenour
Steve Rodby | Pat Metheny
Ruben Rodriguez | NYC Sessions, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., Tito Puente, Marc Anthony
Carmine Rojas | Rod Stewart, David Bowie
Hasse Rosbach | Superfamily
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Bob Roth | Silver Dollar City
B. Russ | Tamia, Kelly Price, India.Arie, Juvenile, Young Buck, Cece Winans, Stacie Orrico, Coko
Armand Sabal-Lecco | Paul Simon
Ben Sargeant | The Script
Angeline Saris | Flametal, The Greg Scott Band
Jean Savoie | Devin Townsend Project, The Bobcats
Jason Scheff | Chicago
Hank Schroy | Vernon Reid
John Scofield
Gene Segal
Nikola Sekulovic | Dan D
Jason Sellers | Ricky Skaggs
John Selowane | Paul Simon
Tony Shanahan | Patti Smith
Ricardo Silveira
Tommy Simms | Bruce Springsteen
Paul Simon
Scott Simpson | Travis Tritt
Leland Sklar
Richard Smith
Craig Snyder
Fabrizio Sotti
David Spinozza
Bruce Springsteen
Larry Steen
Mike Sterling | Otis Rush Band, Slave
Mike Stern
Neil Stubenhaus
Daryl Stuermer | Genesis, Phil Collins, Solo Artist
Patricia Tamburello | Aubrey Parasolle
Carlo Tanori | Suave
Darren Theriault | Phil Vassar
Allan Thomas
Jan Inge Tjørhom | Hollywood Scandal
Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009)
Yuji Toriyama
John Tropea
Calvin Turner | Marc Broussard Band
Eddie Van Halen
Roly Veitch
Torben Waldorff
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Don Was
Jeffrey Wash
Simon Watkins
Jerry Watts
Willie Weeks | Wynona Judd
Shea Welsh | L.A. Session Guitarist
Garry West
Verdine White | Earth Wind & Fire
Tal Wilkenfeld
Darryl Williams | Chaka Kahn, Chico Freeman, Tevin Campbell, Angela Bofill, Lou Rawls
Anthony Wilson | Diana Krall
Robby Wilson | Nashville
Matt Winter | Rooney
T-Bone Wolk (1951–2010) | Hall & Oates, Saturday Night Live, Billy Joel
Glenn Worf
Josh Workman | Lynda Carter, Larry Vuckovich and Connie Evingson
Tracy Wormworth | B-52's, Sting
Rik Wright
Brian Yale | Matchbox 20
Owen Yost | Tommy James and Freelance Broadway Shows
Jack Zucker | Sheets of Sound for Guitar

 

[nostatic]

bah...what do those guys know? This is TB!!! We're experts!!!

 

[78Jazzlover]

I always thought the bass players amongst these musicians had a tone lacking in the mids:

John Abercrombie
Peter Adams
Sandro Albert
Jimmy Ali | Bob James, George Clinton
Derek Allen | Janet Jackson
Kenny Ames | Jason and the Scorchers, Disciples of Loud, Eddy Raven, Dash Rip Rock
Leonardo Amuedo | Ivan Lins
Al Anderson
Alex Aponte | The Almost
Keith Axelson | In Focus Church, Burgundy Curtain
Charles Baldwin | Emeril Live
Tamas Barabas | Bassist and Composer
David Barard | Dr. John
Wayne Batchelor | Rhian Ayanna, Nnenna Freelon, Ronny Jordan
Roscoe Beck | Robben Ford
Walter Becker | Steely Dan
Steve Beskrone | Ray Charles, Pat Martino, Horace Silver
Steve Billman | LA Music Academy
Edie Brickell
Mike Brignardello | Nashville Session Ace, Giant
Victor Broden | Nashville Touring & Sessions
Uli Brodersen
Dave Bronze | Eric Clapton
Jordan Brooks | NYC Bassist with Yost
Jimmy Bruno
Steve Byczek
Chris Campbell | Bob Seger
John Carey
Sekou Bunch | Marc Anthony, The Winans
Oscar Cartaya | Jennifer Lopez, Dave Valentin, Spyro Gyra
Saturnino Celani | Jovanotti, Solo Artist
Francisco Centeno | Aretha Franklin
Chris Chaney | Alanis Morissette, Jane's Addiction
Dave Chow | Bass Playing and Audio Mixing
Jeff Ciampa
Adam Clayton | U2
Lon Cohen | Lon Cohen Studio Rentals
Stu Cook | Creedence Clearwater Revival
Duncan Coutts | Our Lady Peace
Bob Cranshaw | Sonny Rollins
Carmine D'Amico
Lizzy Daymont | Half Zaftig and Charlie Drown
Rob DeSantis | LifeChurch
Kim Davis
Robert DiBlanco | Todd Fritsch / TheBassLab
Paulo Roberto Diniz, Jr. (P.J.) | Jota Quest
Djavan
Kermit Driscoll | Bill Frisell
Anthony "Woodchuck" Durham | El Pus
Nathan East | Eric Clapton, Fourplay
Bernard Edwards (1952–1996) | Chic
Dennis Edwards | Lady Antebellum
Mike Elizondo | Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Fiona Apple, Pink
Jörg Enz
Mark Epstein | Joe Bonamassa
Luis Espaillat | Nashville Sessions and Hot Action Cop
Matt Evans | Sara Evans
Frank Fabsits | The Shawna Lynn Band
Señor Flavio
John Fogerty
Darrell Freeman | Donnie McClurkin, Flow
Chazz Frichtel | Michael McDonald
Fuji Fujimoto | Atlanta Falcons House Band
Enrico Galetta
David Garcia | Beto Hale
Craig Garfinkel | The Matt Zeiner Band
Matt Garrison
Michael Gerry
Douglas Giorgiani | Susie Matos and Question Band
Gilberto Gil
Malcolm Gold | Days of the New, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Sheryl Crow, India.Arie
John Goldsby | WDR Big Band, Bass Player Magazine, The Jazz Bass Book
Noel "Kiko" Gonzalez | Kim Sozzi, Rick Anthony and Creations, Hot Funn and Tony Traina
Mick Goodrick
Mark "Kevin" Grantt | Nashville
Bryan Grassmeyer
Juraj Griglák
Jim Hall
Randy Hall
Tom Hamilton | Aerosmith
Stefan Held
Naif Herin
Luico Hopper
Bob Hurst | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Hutch Hutchinson | Bonnie Raitt
Dann Huff
David Hungate
Janis Ian
LaMarquis Jefferson | Usher, OutKast, TLC
Jeff Jenkins | Eric Durrance
Ron Jenkins | Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Gato Barbieri
Darryl Jones | The Rolling Stones
Walter Jones | Gladys Knight
Zev Katz | Roxy Music, Yellowjackets, Dolly Parton
Tully Kennedy | Jason Aldean and Nashville Sessions
Alison Keslow
Bryan Kessler
Earl Klugh
Laurence Knight
Conrad Korsch | Rod Stewart, Carole King, Joan Osborne
Scott Koziol
Wayne Krantz | Steely Dan
Lenny Kravitz
Randy Landau | NYC Session/Broadway Bassist
Russ Landau | Composer and Bassist
Will Lee | CBS Orchestra, The Fab Faux, Hiram Bullock Band
Tim Lefebvre | Saturday Night Live, Wayne Krantz Trio, Boomish, Uri Caine Bedrock, MZ
Battista Lena
Jay Leonhart
Chris Leuzinger | Garth Brooks
Steve Lewinson
Chuck Loeb
Nick Lowe
Lage Lund | David Sanchez
Bruno Macedo
Lawrie Macmillan | Ray Wilson, Stiltskin
Mickey Madden | Maroon 5
Luis Javier Maldonado | Jannette Chao
Matt Malley | Counting Crows
Russell Malone
Brian Marshall | Alter Bridge
Wolf Marshall | Guitarist, Musicologist and Author
Taka Masuzaki | Dimension
Lawrence Matshiza | Hugh Masakela
Aaron Maxwell | God Street Wine
Johnny Mennonna | Jose Feliciano
Coleman Mellett (1974–2009) | Chuck Mangione Group
Juan Carlos Mendoza | Spain
Mike Merritt | Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Pat Metheny
Marcus Miller
Rickey Minor | Bassist and Musical Director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Charles Mishalany | Atlanta Bassist and Bass Instructor
Rea Mochiach | Gogol Bordello
Lanice Morrison | Michael McDonald
"Perky" Dave Mullins | The Roys
Derrick Murdock | The Jay Leno Show
Steven Newby | Conversation Pieces
Jason Newsted | Ozzy Osbourne, Voivod
Irio O'Farrill | Freelance NYC Bassist
Chuck Panozzo | Styx
John Patitucci
Gene Perez
Joe Pettengill | Captured, The Journey Show
Pat Phillips
Ray Phiri | Paul Simon
Sven Pipien | Black Crowes
Vernon Porter | Pastor of Worship
Kirk Powers
Alison Prestwood | Shawn Colvin
Prince
Brad Rabuchin | Ray Charles
Chuck Rainey
Mike Rathke | Lou Reed
Oliver Ray | Patti Smith
Sean Michael Ray | John Waite, Eric Essix
Joe Reda
Lou Reed
Michael Rhodes
Keith Richards
Jeff Richman
Lee Ritenour
Steve Rodby | Pat Metheny
Ruben Rodriguez | NYC Sessions, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., Tito Puente, Marc Anthony
Carmine Rojas | Rod Stewart, David Bowie
Hasse Rosbach | Superfamily
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Bob Roth | Silver Dollar City
B. Russ | Tamia, Kelly Price, India.Arie, Juvenile, Young Buck, Cece Winans, Stacie Orrico, Coko
Armand Sabal-Lecco | Paul Simon
Ben Sargeant | The Script
Angeline Saris | Flametal, The Greg Scott Band
Jean Savoie | Devin Townsend Project, The Bobcats
Jason Scheff | Chicago
Hank Schroy | Vernon Reid
John Scofield
Gene Segal
Nikola Sekulovic | Dan D
Jason Sellers | Ricky Skaggs
John Selowane | Paul Simon
Tony Shanahan | Patti Smith
Ricardo Silveira
Tommy Simms | Bruce Springsteen
Paul Simon
Scott Simpson | Travis Tritt
Leland Sklar
Richard Smith
Craig Snyder
Fabrizio Sotti
David Spinozza
Bruce Springsteen
Larry Steen
Mike Sterling | Otis Rush Band, Slave
Mike Stern
Neil Stubenhaus
Daryl Stuermer | Genesis, Phil Collins, Solo Artist
Patricia Tamburello | Aubrey Parasolle
Carlo Tanori | Suave
Darren Theriault | Phil Vassar
Allan Thomas
Jan Inge Tjørhom | Hollywood Scandal
Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009)
Yuji Toriyama
John Tropea
Calvin Turner | Marc Broussard Band
Eddie Van Halen
Roly Veitch
Torben Waldorff
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Don Was
Jeffrey Wash
Simon Watkins
Jerry Watts
Willie Weeks | Wynona Judd
Shea Welsh | L.A. Session Guitarist
Garry West
Verdine White | Earth Wind & Fire
Tal Wilkenfeld
Darryl Williams | Chaka Kahn, Chico Freeman, Tevin Campbell, Angela Bofill, Lou Rawls
Anthony Wilson | Diana Krall
Robby Wilson | Nashville
Matt Winter | Rooney
T-Bone Wolk (1951–2010) | Hall & Oates, Saturday Night Live, Billy Joel
Glenn Worf
Josh Workman | Lynda Carter, Larry Vuckovich and Connie Evingson
Tracy Wormworth | B-52's, Sting
Rik Wright
Brian Yale | Matchbox 20
Owen Yost | Tommy James and Freelance Broadway Shows
Jack Zucker | Sheets of Sound for Guitar

Here comes the infamous Talkbass Sadowsky Troops out to clear the perimeter.....

Well then why do we need to talk about anything with that list above?

Sadowsky basses have everything, need nothing, fit everyone's goals ..or more importantly "should".

Lots of the people listed may have owned one but use other brands as well, and in some cases exclusively now. Some use Sadowsky only , of course. I think LAKLAND has as big a roster( or bigger?) on their site. So I'm going to do a count to determine which company has the bigger list, dump everything I have and buy from the winner. That makes perfect Talkbass sense!

BTW many of the people above do have a scooped mid shy tone IMO.

 

[nostatic]

I don't know that anyone is saying Sadowsky basses are perfect for everyone (I'm certainly not - I don't own one any more despite them being a great bass). But they clearly are favored by a number of people and not just because of the name on the headstock. I'm just always curious about the opinions expressed on TB and the amount of real-world experience with the product in question.

 

[78Jazzlover]

I don't know that anyone is saying Sadowsky basses are perfect for everyone (I'm certainly not - I don't own one any more despite them being a great bass). But they clearly are favored by a number of people and not just because of the name on the headstock. I'm just always curious about the opinions expressed on TB and the amount of real-world experience with the product in question.

I've owned one, tried to record it many times during the ownership in professional enviroments. Gigged it. Tried numerous others also from people I know. Of course, down on the list is the obligatory A/B'd it with other basses in stores and get togethers. Not basing it on the last two really.

Lets not do the " you must not know what you are hearing or doing because you dont like the tone of Sadowsky basses"... perimeter clearance. I'm by far not the only one that hold this opinion, but thats not why I have this opinion. Its so hard for the "Troops"
to accept a difference in taste and opinion.