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Sadowsky Onboard Preamp (w/VTC) - Still Good?

Smallmouth_Bass

Smallmouth_Bass

Dec 29, 2005
8,020
6,049
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
#1
I am looking to replace the Sandberg preamp in my Sandberg VM5. It once cut out on me (while practicing) and even the passive bypass didn't work. I opened it up and looked for something obvious (not knowing much about electronics) and did't find anything and just put it back and it worked again. Now the volume control is wonky (all-or-nothing, with a bit of static when turning it) and there is a huge volume difference in between active and passive, even when set flat. The battery is fresh. Suffice it to say, I am not confident in the reliability of the current preamp anymore.

There are so many bass preamp choices these days, but the Sadowsky preamp seems to get a lot of praise and all the Sadowsky basses I hear sound pretty darn good. Is it still considered one of the better preamps out there? Is it only voiced well for Jazz basses (the Sandberg is a reverse P and M)? Have you put one in a non-Jazz bass and what did you think if you did?

I like a nice thick sound that is consistent across the whole range of the bass. I play a lot of different styles of music: rock, funk, disco, (a little) jazz - anything really. Not metal or classical, but just about anything other than that is fair game.

Any experience or recommendation is welcome!
 
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#2
No feedback on Sadowsky. However, I have used a number of on board preamps over the years (John East, Nordstrand, Bartolini, Audere, Aguilar, EMG). The standout among them for me is the Mike Pope Flexcore. I have the 4 band version with active/passive switch and passive tone control in one of my basses. Ton of range, settings are useful across the full range. Extremely low noise. The other brands are still all good preamps with their own pros/cons. For me the Pope offers exactly what I want. Flexcore has the added bonus of being highly configurable.

At this point if I swap preamps in anything it is going to be Pope Flexcore or Underhill Filter preamp. I really like the Underhill preamps too, but filter preamps are their own thing and may not fit what you are after.
 
#3
I don't have a bass with a Sadowsky preamp, but I do have the preamp/DI pedal.
I find it useful with P and soapbar-equipped basses, especially if they have passive tone, not just Js.
As folks say, a little goes a long way - I'm typically boosting Bass by 10-20% and Treble a little more.
Maybe it has something to do with added cable capacitance vs. onboard, but the Sadowsky is the only pre I've used where boosting the Bass not only, uh boosts the Bass, but makes the sound seem a little darker overall.
 
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#4
The one preamp I do have some experience with is the Aguilar OBP-2 with a hybrid treble control (essentially the equivalent of the VTC). I tend to boost the bass a little and leave the treble flat, although I expect I would use the VTC if I had it. I will occasionally boost treble. I have never cut, so having boost only is not a concern for me.
 
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#5
Here's a P/J with Sadowsky Pre in it, my new Sadowsky MetroExpress Fretless. No VTC, but a really excellent two band preamp, with passive bypass.

I can tell you it is extremely clear, powerful, and easy to dial in a good tone. A little bit goes a long way.

Other than this, the John East gets high marks from most people, It's a drop-in for the J with control plate and battery nook, but they are in short supply, you may have to wait for awhile to get a new one delivered.
 

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#6
I use three different onboard preamps; Alembic Series I, Pope 4 band, and Sadowsky w/ VTC.

I also have the Sadowsky outboard on all of my preamp pedal boards. The outboard version is particularly useful with passive Fender instruments; but, secondarily works very effectively as a leveling amplifier for the signal chain.

The Sadowsky preamp can drive certain power amps; but, is more generally useful as an active tone control. I use more purpose designed preamp/DI pedals downstream on the signal chain.

I find the Sadowsky preamp matches well with both P and J configurations. It is my standard for cover work. The passive tone control on passive basses or VTC on the onboard preamp is key for dialing in various P-ish voicings, and taming harmonics at the neck pickup.

GL
 
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#7
ahbass2500 said:
For me the Pope offers exactly what I want. Flexcore has the added bonus of being highly configurable.

At this point if I swap preamps in anything it is going to be Pope Flexcore or Underhill Filter preamp. I really like the Underhill preamps too, but filter preamps are their own thing and may not fit what you are after.
Click to expand...
Yikes! I just looked it up and the Pope Flexcore is quite expensive.
 
#10
BassicJazzy said:
I think you can get a John East or a Sadowsky for around $250.
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ahbass2500 said:
Certainly a downside of the Flexcore. Particularly as you add options. They offer a cheaper Trickfish IPA. Not sure if it is comparable though.
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Yes, I see the Sadowsky is $299 (cdn) and the Pope is $450 (cdn). Price only will not determine my choice, but it is something to consider. I am a firm believer in the "buy once, cry once" mantra. I like the idea of ultimate flexibility, but in reality, don't often need it. Plus, I am also using a flexible preamp pedal/DI live too, so I have the capabilities, just not all at my fingertips on the fly.
 
#11
The Sadowsky preamp is by far my favorite preamp. Simple yet powerful especially when combined with the VTC.

The bass and treble voicing and frequencies make it sound clear and punchy to my ears.

I have six Sadowsky basses with many pickups types: P, PJ, J and soapbars (Modern).

When I gig with anything else than a Sadowsky (MM SR4 or passive Moollon P) I use the outboard preamp in a pedal format. That keeps my level the same for my preamps and pedals.
 

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#12
The Sadowsky preamp sounds just as good in the Moderns (soapbars) as it does in the Jazzes. I don't know if there's any noticeable difference between the newer Warwick Sadowsky pres and the the pre-Warwick pres, but given how much of the "Sadowsky sound" is due to the preamp I can't imagine they'd want to mess too much with the recipe.

I have a Trickfish IPA in one of my Lulls. It's a nice preamp but I think I prefer the Sadowsky.
 
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#15
1kinal said:
The Sadowsky preamp is by far my favorite preamp. Simple yet powerful especially when combined with the VTC.

The bass and treble voicing and frequencies make it sound clear and punchy to my ears.

I have six Sadowsky basses with many pickups types: P, PJ, J and soapbars (Modern).

When I gig with anything else than a Sadowsky (MM SR4 or passive Moollon P) I use the outboard preamp in a pedal format. That keeps my level the same for my preamps and pedals.
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bass12 said:
The Sadowsky preamp sounds just as good in the Moderns (soapbars) as it does in the Jazzes. I don't know if there's any noticeable difference between the newer Warwick Sadowsky pres and the the pre-Warwick pres, but given how much of the "Sadowsky sound" is due to the preamp I can't imagine they'd want to mess too much with the recipe.

I have a Trickfish IPA in one of my Lulls. It's a nice preamp but I think I prefer the Sadowsky.
Click to expand...

Hey boys, nice to see the locals checking in! ;) :thumbsup:
Those are good endorsements!

Altitude said:
I find that the great tone comes out of the Sadowsky preamp when I cut the VTC a fair amount (maybe 40%?) and then boost both highs and lows to taste. Still a great preamp and does things its own way.
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I have read that before. It seems counterintuitive to use the passive tone control and boost the highs, but if that gets good results, why not?
 
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#17
I'm very fond of sandbergs but not the most fond of the preamp either. The 500k pots make it too bright imo.
From my firsthand experience , I really liked putting in aguilar ob3 and nordstrand preamps. John east was nice as well.
I also have a few passive for this reason.
 
#18
I have a
Ethix4 said:
I'm very fond of sandbergs but not the most fond of the preamp either. The 500k pots make it too bright imo.
From my firsthand experience , I really liked putting in aguilar ob3 and nordstrand preamps. John east was nice as well.
I also have a few passive for this reason.
Click to expand...

I have a passive one as well, but changed out the pots as it was like the tone control did nothing.
 
#19
I have the VTC in a Warmoth Deluxe Jazz 5 build with SD Quarter Pounders and it's amazing. Any time I think about doing another build it's #1 on my list.

Something to keep in mind - You will likely need to widen the holes on the control plate to accommodate the unusually larger pot size. You might wire it up without putting it on the plate first to see if you like it because you'll have to commit to it if you do. Use a step-up bit from the back/bottom side to do it cleanly.
 
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