Sadowsky 3 Band Preamp

[ragetoca]

How many of you would love to see a 3 band Sadowsky preamp? Imagine the same quality of the Sadowsky preamp but with 3 bands!!!!

And do not suggest the Will Lee preamp. That was designed for Him

 

[chris_b]

My Sadowsky Metro with the 2 band EQ and VTC covers everything I need. It's the best sounding bass I've owned so far.

 

[red_rhino]

I get that the two-band pre is a strong part of the Sadowsky sound, but I’ve always found the lack of mid shaping on Sadowskys to be frustrating.

 

[Treb]

Roger explained that he's not a fan of three band EQ's because of how these opamp circuits sound. I'm not an engineer but the 2 band boost-only Sadowsky uses transistors instead of opamps. The Will Lee preamp is made possible by grafting an opamp circuit onto the Sadowsky pre. A 3 band would sound different from the famous 2 band. I think the WL preamp is only there because Roger wanted WL to stop harassing him for a mid-boost.

I actually prefer the Xotic TriLogic preamp over the Sadowsky WL preamp (I have both). Engaging the mid-boost on my WL introduces quite a bit of hiss into the signal. The TriLogic is much more quite in that aspect. The Sadowsky bass control is set @ 40Hz which is quite low IMO, the Xotic is set @90Hz.

 

[monkeyland]

There's plenty of 3 band preamps on the market. The Sadowsky preamp does its thing and does it well. It's beauty lies in it's simplicity.

 

[ragetoca]

There's plenty of 3 band preamps on the market. The Sadowsky preamp does its thing and does it well. It's beauty lies in it's simplicity.

I know BUT I am sure Roger would design an Amazing 3 band pre

 

[ragetoca]

I am not saying for the 2 band to go away. Just would like to see a 3 band.
I had a Will Lee and it not what it needs to be

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

And do not suggest the Will Lee preamp. That was designed for Him

As opposed to what you want which would be designed for you?

 

[Chris Chong]

Roger’s interview stated many times, about his 2 band FET preamp. So a 3 band op amp isn’t forthcoming.

 

[ragetoca]

As opposed to what you want which would be designed for you?

Not really - but all other manufacturers offer 3 bands and more as options

 

[HolmeBass]

I voted yes because I have always wondered about the lack of mids.

The explanation for why he like the two band, boost only pre is interesting.

Honestly I have never seriously considered buying one specifically because of the lack of a sweepable mids control.

 

[Lo-E]

I voted 2-band is okay because I tend to prefer 2-band preamps anyway (because the treble freq is usually in a more useful place) but to be honest, as much as I like and respect Roger, I’ve never been a huge fan of the boost-only format. His preamps sound great but there are times - often - when it would be more useful to me to cut than boost.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I don’t think it’s necessary. However, I have considered adding a John East mid control…you can buy just the mid control with the sweepable frequency and add a toggle switch to go from 2- to 3-band by bypassing or engaging the mid controls. I have this setup on a couple of basses, but they are totally East preamps and I have often wanted to just use the mid controls with a Sadowsky preamp for an even better sound. East preamps are also some of the best on the market along with the Sadowsky so if you keep the Sadowsky FET-based two band preamp and add the East midrange control you kind of have the best of both worlds. I should also mention the blend control on the newer East preamps are very special. I would love to use that in a custom build Sadowsky PJ. The blend is actually an active mixer when in active mode, and you can adjust the gain of each pickup individually which allows you to raise the level of the J pickup to match the P pickup. In passive mode, it works like a standard passive blend. I know Roger makes a great circuit and I love my Sadowsky bass and in the market for another one. But if I had the money, I’d be looking at a custom build with the addition of the East midrange and blend controls paired with the Sadowsky 2-band EQ and VTC.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If your Sadowsky has a Jazz plate, there are plenty of drop in replacements out there. Some don’t even require soldering. The 2 band has such a good sound that there is such small demand for a 3 band that I doubt we’ll ever see a 3 band from Sadowsky. But I didn’t think we would see a six string Sadowsky

 

[logdrum]

2 is good. Some of the best preamps are 2 band. Why do you think the Nobles is so popular amongst pro's? Since Sadoswky's are majorly jazz pickups, the mids are brought out by cutting the neck some. The passive tone is also used to bring out the mids in conjunction with other controls

 

[ragetoca]

I don’t think it’s necessary. However, I have considered adding a John East mid control…you can buy just the mid control with the sweepable frequency and add a toggle switch to go from 2- to 3-band by bypassing or engaging the mid controls. I have this setup on a couple of basses, but they are totally East preamps and I have often wanted to just use the mid controls with a Sadowsky preamp for an even better sound. East preamps are also some of the best on the market along with the Sadowsky so if you keep the Sadowsky FET-based two band preamp and add the East midrange control you kind of have the best of both worlds. I should also mention the blend control on the newer East preamps are very special. I would love to use that in a custom build Sadowsky PJ. The blend is actually an active mixer when in active mode, and you can adjust the gain of each pickup individually which allows you to raise the level of the J pickup to match the P pickup. In passive mode, it works like a standard passive blend. I know Roger makes a great circuit and I love my Sadowsky bass and in the market for another one. But if I had the money, I’d be looking at a custom build with the addition of the East midrange and blend controls paired with the Sadowsky 2-band EQ and VTC.

Aguilar makes a small pedal that only tweaks the midrange freq. I bought and it works very nice - used it recently on a gig with my M5 and it just sounded fuller in yhe midrange without losing the modern Sadowsky tone

 

[ragetoca]

If your Sadowsky has a Jazz plate, there are plenty of drop in replacements out there. Some don’t even require soldering. The 2 band has such a good sound that there is such small demand for a 3 band that I doubt we’ll ever see a 3 band from Sadowsky. But I didn’t think we would see a six string Sadowsky

I agree - like who has been asking for a 6 string jazz bass??

I recently put an Audere 3 band in my Sadowsky Jazz and it just sounds so good. It has a VCT Knob also

 

[ragetoca]

I don’t think it’s necessary. However, I have considered adding a John East mid control…you can buy just the mid control with the sweepable frequency and add a toggle switch to go from 2- to 3-band by bypassing or engaging the mid controls. I have this setup on a couple of basses, but they are totally East preamps and I have often wanted to just use the mid controls with a Sadowsky preamp for an even better sound. East preamps are also some of the best on the market along with the Sadowsky so if you keep the Sadowsky FET-based two band preamp and add the East midrange control you kind of have the best of both worlds. I should also mention the blend control on the newer East preamps are very special. I would love to use that in a custom build Sadowsky PJ. The blend is actually an active mixer when in active mode, and you can adjust the gain of each pickup individually which allows you to raise the level of the J pickup to match the P pickup. In passive mode, it works like a standard passive blend. I know Roger makes a great circuit and I love my Sadowsky bass and in the market for another one. But if I had the money, I’d be looking at a custom build with the addition of the East midrange and blend controls paired with the Sadowsky 2-band EQ and VTC.

DB 316 Mid-EQ Pedal

The DB 316 is a Midrange EQ pedal that is ideal for basses with two-band preamps and passive instruments where nailing the midrange is key.

aguilaramp.com

 

[Antman3820]

Just got the trick fish, drop in plate. Has a four band EQ and you can adjust the frequencies via dip switch

 

[ragetoca]

Just got the trick fish, drop in plate. Has a four band EQ and you can adjust the frequencies via dip switch

I put an Audere 4 band on my chinese sadowsky (has a vintage tone control) - sounds amazing