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Sadowski... Not impressed...

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#41
I've played quite a few Sadowskys and I got to play a 24 Frett NYC 5 for a whole gig once. Tone-- awesome. Not as flexible as I'd like in terms of number of sounds, but the one tone that worked was outstanding in a band mix. The build quality was better than anything I've played except my Lakland 55-94, which is right about equal. It doesn't get any better than perfect build quality.

The feel of the Saddy was not my cup of tea, but that's a subjective thing. I was raised in the Music Man camp, not the Fender camp, and Lakland is more Music Man where Sadowsky is more Fender. Only for my personal tastes, the Lakland won. I found it more flexible in the preamp and pickups dept. and the feel was dead on for me. But the Sadowsky is definately a top notch instrument and it's easy to see that if you're used to a Fender, Sadowsky's your Ferrari.

It's just that Lakland's my Lamborghini.
 
#42
phat daddy said:
I've played quite a few Sadowskys and I got to play a 24 Frett NYC 5 for a whole gig once. Tone-- awesome. Not as flexible as I'd like in terms of number of sounds, but the one tone that worked was outstanding in a band mix. The build quality was better than anything I've played except my Lakland 55-94, which is right about equal. It doesn't get any better than perfect build quality.

The feel of the Saddy was not my cup of tea, but that's a subjective thing. I was raised in the Music Man camp, not the Fender camp, and Lakland is more Music Man where Sadowsky is more Fender. Only for my personal tastes, the Lakland won. I found it more flexible in the preamp and pickups dept. and the feel was dead on for me. But the Sadowsky is definately a top notch instrument and it's easy to see that if you're used to a Fender, Sadowsky's your Ferrari.

It's just that Lakland's my Lamborghini.
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That is as well put as I have ever read. Although the 55-94/55-02, don't sound very Stingray like, they definitely feel like Stingrays, except they tend to be lighter.

Back to the original point, we all like what we like, and there sure is no perfect choice for everyone.
 
#43
Dr. Cheese said:
That is as well put as I have ever read. Although the 55-94/55-02, don't sound very Stingray like, they definitely feel like Stingrays, except they tend to be lighter.

Back to the original point, we all like what we like, and there sure is no perfect choice for everyone.
Click to expand...

+1 that was perfectly put. I'm a Lakland Musicman type of guy. Although the Sad, was nice, I wouldn't throw down the money based on the playability. It was an incredible instrument though.


Dan
 
#44
kaputsport said:
I have to say, I was not impressed. The neck was bulky and chunky...
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I can understand that someone might not love the tone of a Sad, since they do have a particular sound. However, this is one thing I can't understand. I've played about 10 (admittedly not that many) but the words 'bulky and chunky' would never come to mind to describe the neck of any Sad 4 or 5 I ever played.

Just goes to show that it's all subjective.

Still here at TB looking for my deal, so whoever has my Sad J 4 rose/morado VTC (radius = 10"+) in any finish but natural, please PM me, sell me the damn thing and we can all move on : )
 
#45
I used to be a Sadowsky naysayer. I'd tried a Metro once, and was underwhelmed.

Flash forward to October of 2007 ...

I just happened to be in NYC. Took a trip to Roger's shop in Brooklyn. Walked in, sat down, and started playing.

There were a large variety of amps/cabs to play through, solid state, hybrid, all tube (the Sadowsky SA-200 was my favorite - too bad it's no longer in production). I tried Vintage 4's, Ultra Vintage 4's, and the Hybrid Metro.

The Hybrid Metro blew me away - it was incredible. In fact, I didn't know it was a Metro until they told me. The Vintage 4 I now own was there as well - again, I was a naysayer - and I was immediately hooked. Once I understood how they worked (Kevin spent about an half hour with me in between his other duties), it wasn't hard to dial in a great tone.

I got back home, and contacted Sadowsky. A week or so later, the black Vintage 4 I played was in my arsenal.

And it is true about cutting through the mix. Again, I was a naysayer, and I'm primarily an Alembic player. These things cut like nobody's business, trust me.

If they're not for you, cool. Personally, I wouldn't play a Warwick if someone gave one to me for free, but I also realize there are a lot of folks out there who happily own and play them. So be it. It's great to have so many choices out there.

Alan
 
#46
I've never owned a Sadowsky...never even played one. However, it puzzles me why someone who has played one but doesn't particularly like it has to make a big announcement on the world's biggest bass forum. I've played high-end instruments that didn't particularly speak to me, but why would I want to announce the brand names on the worldwide web (issues of build quality excepted)? It's not like we need to be protected from the Sadowsky line of bass guitars. Maybe I just have too much respect for many hard-working bass builders, including this one. :(

M. M.
 
#47
blowinblue said:
I've never owned a Sadowsky...never even played one. However, it puzzles me why someone who has played one but doesn't particularly like it has to make a big announcement on the world's biggest bass forum. I've played high-end instruments that didn't particularly speak to me, but why would I want to announce the brand names on the worldwide web (issues of build quality excepted)?

M. M.
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Agreed, I've played many high end basses which I didn't like (which others love) but find no point in mentioning it on talkbass without an interesting angle to point out. For the record, I almost sent my sadowsky back but luckily I held out until I played the first gig. Now, I love it. Its my favourite bass.
 
#48
#50
Question: Since Sadowskys excel in the mix, is there a way to test this out in the Sadowsky shop? Can you request some piped in music to play along with?

I'm not being silly here, just wondering because it seems like it would really show off the capabilities of the instrument to those who might otherwise not be blown away.
 
#51
Bass Viking said:
Question: Since Sadowskys excel in the mix, is there a way to test this out in the Sadowsky shop? Can you request some piped in music to play along with?

I'm not being silly here, just wondering because it seems like it would really show off the capabilities of the instrument to those who might otherwise not be blown away.
Click to expand...

That's probably why they have the 7 day trial period.
 
#53
blowinblue said:
I've never owned a Sadowsky...never even played one. However, it puzzles me why someone who has played one but doesn't particularly like it has to make a big announcement on the world's biggest bass forum. I've played high-end instruments that didn't particularly speak to me, but why would I want to announce the brand names on the worldwide web (issues of build quality excepted)?
M. M.
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Because it might be of benefit to someone who's considering the pros and cons of something they're considering purchasing. Of course, a lot depends on how informative it is, how it's worded, etc.
 
#57
I'm too poor for even that...I play an SX, which I was told was short for Sadowski. I'm not sure I believe it, but they look alike, so maybe it's true.

But seriously, why do people start threads like this just to stir the pot? Certainly by now they know that all that's going to happen is someone's going to reply that he likes Sadowsky, then another Sadowsky fan will make fun of the OP, then a Sadowsky hater will jump in and defend the OP, then it degenerates into silliness. Every single thread like this ends up the same way, regardless of the brand. And yet someone feels the need once a week to start a thread like this. Geez...go read one of the other 5000 I hate Sadowsky threads and quit starting new ones!

And I don't even like Sadowsky!
 
#59
My only recommendation (as others have said before) - take your Sadowsky to a gig and when it's done, be sure to ask your sound engineer how the bass sound came together.

Lonnybass
 
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