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Nordy or Sadowsky???

#111
IMO: none of either.
The 55-94 "part J part MM thing" is kinda unique.
I had several of the Skyline 5502's, and while they had a wide range of voices, none of them rang all that true to the basses they were derived from.
IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.


CTC564 said:
Ok...here's a new twist to the equation, an added thought if you will :-)

I currently own a Lakland 55-94

Which one (Nordy or Sadowsky) sounds most SIMILAR in your opinion...
Click to expand...
 
#117
After years and years of playing Fender P and J, EBMM through high-end Ken Smith, Status, Alembic and Warwick basses I had an opportunity to try Sadowsky NY 5 and later PJ.
Frankly, I didn't wish to try Sadowsky as I thought that I'm doen with Fenderish basses forever.
What a mistake!
I kept few other basses, but Sadowsky NY is normally my Nr1 choice for studio and gigs.
Nordy didn't impress me in same way, but that's pur matter of taste, nothing wrong with bass or manufacturer.
It is simply right bass and although I sometimes pick Ken Smith or Status for obviously different purposes, Sadowsky covers most bases I need. It might be that I less experiment that earlier, too.
It is classy and classic.
 
#118
I learned something quite valuable recently. I always knew this, but the point was driven home by a real world experience just this past week.

Basses often sound different and perform differently alone than they do "in the band mix."

I had a chance to demo a Nordstrand VP5 Ash/Maple P Bass this week. My gigging bass (Nordy VJ5) is out for some TLC. In the interim, I was privileged to play a Nordy VP5 at a couple of my gigs. I have never been a P Bass player. So I was very curious and intrigued by these highly regarded 5 string P Bass inspired instruments, but I was skeptical too.

When the VP5 arrived, I played it alone and thought to myself; "This bass is clearly very very nice, but I don't think I'll be happy with just a P Bass. How can it be versatile enough? I am fairly certain l will miss my Nordy VJ5 Jazz bass and the classic burpy growl and focused punch of the bridge PU as well as the snappy, funky classic snap/pop slap sizzle that I get from a Jazz bass."

I took the Nordstrand VP5 bass to my first gig. Played one song. Damn! Played another song. Wow!! Huh? Played the rest of the set. Whoah!!! Right?? This bass sits in the band mix like pure magic! I never would have known had I not played it with the band. It is way more versatile than I ever thought. The slap tone alone sounds unfamiliar and not quite right. But in the band mix, I found new tones that cut, punch and work famously with the band! This bass that I would otherwise have dismissed on some level sounded better in the band mix than I ever imagined! I did one more gig with the bass the next night. I had some musician friends confirm how amazing it was "in the band mix." IN short, .... I ordered one yesterday. :hyper:

I have often heard Sadowsky basses are not to be judged until you play them with the band. It is often said they acquit themselves "in the band mix." Not that they don't sound great alone.

I now have a feeling that you might not know what a Sadowsky bass is completely capable of sonically until you play it with the band.

So before passing judgement, I am reminded, ....See how it sounds and performs "in the band mix!" Anyone else have that experience?

As for Sadowsky or Nordstrand, do you prefer Cabernet or Merlot? Both great wines! Just different flavors of great!
 
#119
Hollow Man said:
For my money, it's Nordstrand all the way. But that's only but so helpful, because it's your money, isn't it?

There are several threads that compare the two, but in short, a lot of people view Sadowsky as a 'modern' Jazz, whereas the Nordy is more true to the vintage sound/feel. Beyond that, you really just need to try at least one of each to get some representation. The good news is, since not everyone can easily do that, you're going to get a great bass, whichever you choose.

To me, Nordys and Sadowskys sound very different. Largely due to Carey's pickups, a standard Nordy sounds fairly vintage, with a good bit of midrange content. A Sadowsky, on the other hand, has deep bass and lots of sizzly treble, but definitely scoops the mids to give a more modern sound. I also prefer the Nordstrand preamp; it's much more adjustable, whereas just a little bit of boost in the Sadowsky preamp gives a dramatic change in sound, and that can be hard to control.

Anyway, that's my take. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I've played both, a NY Sadowsky & a Nordy. The Nordy VJ4 is still with me. Both basses are brilliant......but I like a passive bass better, and the Nordy has a great feel & sound to it. Just my opinion. You can't go wrong with either bass.
 
#120
I do love the big singles in my Nordy as well. To me it get's the vintage tone. But heck, if I was rich...........I would own both. I owned a Metro & NY Sadowsky with the VTC (vintage tone control)..........they were great basses. The Nordy just feels better in my hands than the Sadowsky. Both are great basses. Roger & Carey are both outstanding individuals to deal with. They run a business like it should be ran!
 

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