Sadowsky NYC 5 or Fodera Emperor J-5 Standard Classic

I've owned a number of Sadowskys and Foderas over the years. The Foderas have stuck in the house. No bad choice to be had, just depends on your preferences. Fwiw I never could get the Sadowsky preamp/sound to work in a mix as well as I liked. That said, I also had a tough time with Fodera's SD dual coils as well. I prefer EMG PJs or other dual coil options. I'm an odd duck though, as I don't particularly care for JJ basses, and that is what most Sadowskys are about, as is a Fodera with the SD dual coils.

I do find the Pope preamp to be more versatile due to the mid control (which I use playing live). Both have a passive tone which is useful as well.

 

Had a Fodera and still have a Sadowsky. Enough said!!!

JK... both great basses. Not a big fan of the Pope pre and love the Sadowsky preamp. Personally, I thought the Fodera sounded better with the preamp off (bass passive). Sadowsky sounds great both passive and active. Mind u it’s also Ash/Maple the same that you mentioned in your OP. Playability and craftsmanship are both top notch.

I’ve been fortunate to have both and will say Sadowsky really is an amazing bass. That’s my .02 cents.

Good luck with your choice and have a great holiday.

Cheers,
Eddie

 

The SD dual coils have coil splitting, but not series/parallel switching (at least stock). Not sure if they can be wired that way. I have a build starting that will use Nordstrand BigRigs and will have it set up to switch between series/parallel switching. I found that useful on Smiths I've owned.

 

Never tried a Fodera but I've owned a number of Sadowskys (mostly jazzes). I would imagine they are quite different in many respects and, as always, it comes down largely to personal preference and the kinds of details that only you will be qualified to evaluate. I will say that, as great as Sadowskys can be, I have yet to play a Sadowsky Jazz with a B that sounds as good as the B on my 35" Lull (the Sadowsky Modern is another matter).

 

I played a Fodera in a shop for several hours. Loved it and can't afford one so I don't have to make that decision. I'm very, very happy with my Sadowsky.

 

SD Dual coils can be wired for series/parallel if you'd like.

 

Please do not take this the wrong way. I get why you’re asking. But I think the answer is ‘it doesn’t matter what we would choose and why’. What matters is what happens when these instruments are in your hands. As you have pointed out, there is basically nothing to choose between the two when it comes to build quality, component quality, etc (I’m assuming you’re talking about NYC Sadowsky here since they’re the ones that are comparable to Fodera).

My NYC Will Lee has been my main player for about 4 years and I guarantee you, I’ve had plenty of engineers both in studio and live tell me how amazing it sounds.

I bought a Yin Yang from here a while back. It was as much a work of art as an instrument. I have never seen anything like it in terms of build and design. I let it go because in my hands, it didn’t sound quite as good as the Will Lee. But who cares how it sounded in my hands. I wish I still had it.

 

I have to ask: why are you not considering an Alleva Coppolo bass?

 

You should consider New York Bass Works. The new RS5 is a great bass: Tone, playability, build quality are all excellent. Dane Alderson of the Yellowjackets is playing an RS6 these days.

 

I'd choose Fodera

 

Both are masterpieces, but I think Roger is spot on with his 2-band approach. With the Pope pre, I found myself fiddling constantly trying to find that magical Mid solution. With Sadowskys it's already baked in.

 

I've never owned either, but compare the number of workhorse session musicians using Sadowsky versus Fodera. Also, which bass would make you cry more if it got messed up/stolen at a gig?

 

Also, I've seen and heard GREAT things about Devon basses.

@campbems

 

Roger’s instrument, on average, will have more Jazz Bass about it. Tone, feel etc. The other high end Jazz 5 to look at might be the Alleva Coppolo, which is in even more traditional Jazz Bass territory. Also, you’d have to look at the Lull instruments.

The Fodera will be a MAGNIFICENT instrument. The standard is kind of built with a nod towards the Jazz Bass; but, it’s pretty far removed. Great tone of its own.

I’m a huge Jazz Bass fan, and play the 4 string w/HipShot at most gigs. But, I have REALLY struggled with any and all 5 string designs. Perfectly great instruments; but, when you slap that 5th string on, most of what I connect with Jazz Bass goes out the window. The closest Jazz 5 feel I ever gigged was a very nice and light Fender Marcus Miller V; which is the ONLY 5 string neck that to me really nailed the Jazz Bass feel. Too bad Fender never figured that out and discontinued the model. Fools.

Most recently, I went through a Sadowsky Metro WL5, which Pat Wilkins and the NYC shop both improved for me, and then purchased an MTD 534 with the Pope preamp and Nordstrand Fat Stacks; AND built a parts Fender Jazz 5 with the Sadowsky preamp. I’m sort of tired of seeking something I will never find. So, I’m just going to live with those two; which are pretty exceptional instruments.

Regarding the preamps, I gig both Sadowsky and Pope, like them both, and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. The Sadowsky gets the traditional tones more directly. The Pope covers almost everything and then some. The VTC on the Sadowsky is a very cool piece of that kit. The 4 band Pope is a killer. Two different flavors of great.

 

AC has the ugliest headstock imo. It looks like a mutant Fender offspring.

 

^^^ this

My experience was the reverse - as much as I loved the Sadowskys they didn't work as well in my hands as Foderas. But I have atypical technique and fairly specific sounds and approaches I'm going for. So doesn't surprise me that what works for me doesn't work for others and vice-versa.