Sad NBD: Not all that glitters is gold

[dlb1001]

Did the same thing as the OP when I saw a local shop had an used Roscoe SKB. I traded a Lull for it then took it home and tried really hard to get used to the sound. Just as the OP experience, the SKB had a burpy sound, which didn't really fit in with the band that I was in, at the time. I took it to practice once or twice but it didn't sound right.
In the end, I went back to the shop and traded the SKB in for the Sadowsky RW5, which has a sound that I was looking for. But, sometimes, I still wished had the SKB, though.

 

[tb-player]

Before everyone starts saying to the OP....Well of course not, its a modern, its not going to sound like, ect, ect...Cut him some slack (Yeah we get it). Its a bummer to be let down with a high end instrument.

Try to put your nerd online knowledge away for a second and show a touch of compassion.

I'm glad it all worked out for you. I'd do more research before placing an order next time.

I joked that this was an impulse buy (tongue-in-cheek fail) but in reality, Jason and I were back & forth on this bass for a couple of weeks. I was concerned about the Modern pickup placement and how it would affect the tone. He did a video that really sounded nice. It didn’t sound like a 60s jazz and I wasn’t really expecting it to. But I liked it so I pulled the trigger.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting it to sound like a Ken Smith either. But, in my hands through my rig, it wasn’t a bass tone I enjoy.

Once again, my conclusion was that I should probably just stick with 60s jazz placement for the pickups. I wasn’t necessarily looking for that in this bass.

I knew I was rolling the dice when I bought it. Doesn’t make it any less sad though.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Before everyone starts saying to the OP....Well of course not, its a modern, its not going to sound like, ect, ect...Cut him some slack (Yeah we get it). Its a bummer to be let down with a high end instrument.

Try to put your nerd online knowledge away for a second and show a touch of compassion.

The OP returned a bass, he didn’t catch COVID. I am pretty sure he can get exactly what he is looking for with his refund.

 

[stretch80]

Pickup type, placement, and scale length are a big deal in getting the sound you want...took me a while to learn that for myself.

 

[gustobassman]

The modern can get Vintage tones depending on the woods used IMO. The best combo in a modern for me is Alder/Indian rosewood. Still grunty and burpy, but plenty of thud too. Heck, I threw flats one of mine for a while and used it for reggae. Sounded freaking killer. One thing I've noticed with the modern is finding the correct pickup height is essential. You are right it's not a Jazz, but it doesn't have that sloppy low end like a Jazz, or that shrill "plink" either. I actually prefer the modern to the j-bass these days.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Anyone who has read any of my posts on TB knows that I like to buy basses.

Well, GAS-be-damned, last week was no exception. I picked up a gorgeous Sadowsky. I mean... gorgeous!!

This particular bass is number 005 of the Masterbuilt Sadowsky’s made in Germany at Warwick. It was at NAMM 2020 and is perfection.

It arrived from Fret Nation in CA yesterday. After a few long moments of getting lost in that mesmerizing 5A Koa top, I plugged it in. It took less than 45 minutes of playing to realize that this is not the bass for me.

Noooo...

It plays fantastic and sounds fantastic, if you like a growly/burpy tone. For a Sadowsky, I’m all about that 60s jazz tone. And this bass is the opposite of that. That being said, this Sadowsky has the Modern pickup configuration and is all balls in tone. Just not the tone I was hoping for.

So I emailed Jason at Fret Nation. What a great guy! He didn’t hesitate to offer me a return/full refund. Because I paid with PayPal and they don’t reimburse their fees on returns, I offered to split the fees. He didn’t require it but was gracious about the whole process.

That’s how it goes buying online. But some sellers are not so buyer-conscious.

I just wanted to share this to say, Fret Nation is the real deal. If you’re shopping for gear, check out Jason at Fret Nation. He’s a really good guy & was great to work with from our initial contact to our most recent.

Look at these photos. You’ll see why I’m heartbroken...

View attachment 4009068 View attachment 4009069 View attachment 4009070

This is almost like buying a car, the first night you take it out you find out the headlights suck!
Glad you got your money back.

 

[MrLenny1]

Thanks for sharing info on your NBD.
I have been considering a Sadowsky and like the VTC
circuit that was on 2 of the Jazz I tried.

 

[tb-player]

Thanks for sharing info on your NBD.
I have been considering a Sadowsky and like the VTC
circuit that was on 2 of the Jazz I tried.

I believe every active bass should have some sort of overall passive tone control. The VTC is one of the best out there.

 

[tb-player]

The modern can get Vintage tones depending on the woods used IMO. The best combo in a modern for me is Alder/Indian rosewood. Still grunty and burpy, but plenty of thud too. Heck, I threw flats one of mine for a while and used it for reggae. Sounded freaking killer. One thing I've noticed with the modern is finding the correct pickup height is essential. You are right it's not a Jazz, but it doesn't have that sloppy low end like a Jazz, or that shrill "plink" either. I actually prefer the modern to the j-bass these days.

I was intrigued by what I heard in the video demo for the Modern. I was thinking I could have something different from all my other basses. It was definitely different... just the wrong different.

 

[murphy]

Anyone who has read any of my posts on TB knows that I like to buy basses.

Well, GAS-be-damned, last week was no exception. I picked up a gorgeous Sadowsky. I mean... gorgeous!!

This particular bass is number 005 of the Masterbuilt Sadowsky’s made in Germany at Warwick. It was at NAMM 2020 and is perfection.

It arrived from Fret Nation in CA yesterday. After a few long moments of getting lost in that mesmerizing 5A Koa top, I plugged it in. It took less than 45 minutes of playing to realize that this is not the bass for me.

Noooo...

It plays fantastic and sounds fantastic, if you like a growly/burpy tone. For a Sadowsky, I’m all about that 60s jazz tone. And this bass is the opposite of that. That being said, this Sadowsky has the Modern pickup configuration and is all balls in tone. Just not the tone I was hoping for.

So I emailed Jason at Fret Nation. What a great guy! He didn’t hesitate to offer me a return/full refund. Because I paid with PayPal and they don’t reimburse their fees on returns, I offered to split the fees. He didn’t require it but was gracious about the whole process.

That’s how it goes buying online. But some sellers are not so buyer-conscious.

I just wanted to share this to say, Fret Nation is the real deal. If you’re shopping for gear, check out Jason at Fret Nation. He’s a really good guy & was great to work with from our initial contact to our most recent.

Look at these photos. You’ll see why I’m heartbroken...

View attachment 4009068 View attachment 4009069 View attachment 4009070

That is what you get with Humbuckers

Nothing sounds like Single Coils but Single Coils

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I can tell by looking at that bass that it would have anything BUT that '60s jazz tone'. For that you would need a solid alder body, a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, two single coil alnico V pickups and NO preamp- must be passive.

 

[jdwinva]

I have a 60's Jazz Sadowsky and a 70's Jazz 5 Sadowsky (both Will Lee) and a modern Sadowsky on order. The modern Sadowsky (5-24) is not supposed to sound like a Jazz at all. Beautiful bass!

 

[JoshS]

I knew I was rolling the dice when I bought it. Doesn’t make it any less sad though.

Better to have loved and lost and all that. Good for you for rolling the dice and taking a chance. You'd likely have wondered forever. It didn't work out, but now you know at the cost of the fees. If you could afford this bass, that's actually a pretty low cost to find out.

It is a gorgeous instrument and it was worth the shot.

 

[Sixgunn]

Anyone who has read any of my posts on TB knows that I like to buy basses.

Well, GAS-be-damned, last week was no exception. I picked up a gorgeous Sadowsky. I mean... gorgeous!!

This particular bass is number 005 of the Masterbuilt Sadowsky’s made in Germany at Warwick. It was at NAMM 2020 and is perfection.

It arrived from Fret Nation in CA yesterday. After a few long moments of getting lost in that mesmerizing 5A Koa top, I plugged it in. It took less than 45 minutes of playing to realize that this is not the bass for me.

Noooo...

It plays fantastic and sounds fantastic, if you like a growly/burpy tone. For a Sadowsky, I’m all about that 60s jazz tone. And this bass is the opposite of that. That being said, this Sadowsky has the Modern pickup configuration and is all balls in tone. Just not the tone I was hoping for.

So I emailed Jason at Fret Nation. What a great guy! He didn’t hesitate to offer me a return/full refund. Because I paid with PayPal and they don’t reimburse their fees on returns, I offered to split the fees. He didn’t require it but was gracious about the whole process.

That’s how it goes buying online. But some sellers are not so buyer-conscious.

I just wanted to share this to say, Fret Nation is the real deal. If you’re shopping for gear, check out Jason at Fret Nation. He’s a really good guy & was great to work with from our initial contact to our most recent.

Look at these photos. You’ll see why I’m heartbroken...

You could have changes the pickups.

 

[tb-player]

It is a gorgeous instrument and it was worth the shot.

Absolutely.

 

[Bass Viking]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out but at least now we know that Warwick is doing a great job with the Sadowskys.

That Modern would be right up my alley. I love my Modern and koa is my favourite wood.

 

[JRA]

With online purchases, I’m always aware of the return window... lol

right, so no harm/no foul. you got to try out something you wanted to swoon over. but "money can't buy me love" is priceless knowledge when it comes to musical instruments. and of course, feel is always the thing.

better 'luck ' with the next one!

 

[Charlzm]

...Jason at Fret Nation. What a great guy!

Yup. He's the only guy I will buy from anymore. Strings, straps, amps, basses: I haven't bought from anyone else for the last several years.


I used to pick up orders in person when his store/warehouse was in Chatsworth, but he has moved many miles east so it's all shipping these days. Well, except when he got my Dingwall in earlier this year. I drove out to him to get it.

 

[darwin-bass]

I did this with a Kubicki X-Factor years ago. Dream bass. Found one cheap locally and grabbed it. Loved the tone but I found there was a problem.

I pluck hard near the bridge. The bridge has tall T-shaped saddles that would ping or resonate when my plucking finger landed (fairly hard) against the next lower string. My playing style and that bass did not match.

So I foolishly sold it. I should have adjusted my playing style and enjoyed the great tone and that super low D. This was probably 20 years ago and I still regret that move to this day.

There is such thing as an impulse sale (or return) and they can be as bad as an impulse buy.

 

[GBBSbassist]

With online purchases, I’m always aware of the return window... lol

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