• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sadowsky Repairs/Mods - Advice

lump

lump

Jan 17, 2000
2,031
29
Peyton, CO
#1
Hey, guys. Gonna be back in the states for a coupla months without my bass, and figured it'd be a good time to send my 2001 VJ5 back for some mods. I mainly need to have the scratchy volume pot replaced and get a new case, but heck while it's there...;) Here's what I'm looking at:

- Replace volume pot
- Reglue nut
- Dress various dings
- Add Vintage Tone Control
- Replace truss rod w/spokewheel
- Purchase In-case gig bag

I was tossing around the idea of throwing a birdseye maybe neck on too, but that'd be crazy expensive (I asked). Between shipping etc I'm looking at probably around $500, which is cool. Replacing the pot and reglueing the nut is no charge, by the way. I've read the threads about the VTC, and while I wouldn't send it back just to add it, this seems like a good opportunity to do so. And I hate the stock truss rod. Anyhoo, before I send her off, just wanted to get your opinion as to whether I'm doing anything dumb here, or if there is anything else I should take care of while I'm at it. Thanks in advance.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#3
bikeplate said:
Hi!

Good moves. I dont have the VTC on any of my basses but hear great things about it. I have an incase bag. You'll love it

Rob
Click to expand...

Cool. I never have liked the Ultralite; it's bulky ("Is that a keyboard?") and I busted all the feet off within a few weeks pulling it in/out of my van. Now the sides are tearing where the handles are connected, so it needs to go before Something Really Bad Happens. To be fair, it's 4 years old and I've abused the crap out of it (and so has my cat :mad: ), but it has protected the bass very well, which I guess is the real bottom line. Still hate it though. :hmm: ;)
 
#4
I've got two Sadowskys - one with, and one without, the VTC, and I think it's one of those things that you can certainly live without, but it does give you some nice extra options once you get it, especially if you want to get some of those nice, Jaco-esque kind of sounds. I think the upgrade price is a bit steep, but that's just my opinion.

Also, I'm with you about the case. The Ultralite is a good quality case, but it's far too big. Whenever I've travelled by plane, I put my basses into a Hiscox case - just as safe, and much less bulky. Personally, if there's one thing Roger does that I'd say he should do a rethink on, it's those cases. They're a pain the butt. Personally, with the bass I ordered direct from him, I wish I'd got the gig bag instead.

I can also see your point about the truss rod. I've also got some Musicman basses, and the wheels are so much easier to use.

Still, I love these basses!! :D
 
#7
Shipped her off today. Nino should enjoy the expedient packaging job, painstakingly handcrafted by a 130 yr-old Korean guy in an alley. Hopefully, it'll survive. Be good to her! :p

The suck part is going without it for two months. :( I've been playing a lot of piano lately though, so hopefully I can keep working on my chops, if I can find one Montgumree, AL. Look out JT--I'm comin' your way. :D
 
#8
lump said:
Shipped her off today. Nino should enjoy the expedient packaging job, painstakingly handcrafted by a 130 yr-old Korean guy in an alley. Hopefully, it'll survive. Be good to her! :p

The suck part is going without it for two months. :( I've been playing a lot of piano lately though, so hopefully I can keep working on my chops, if I can find one Montgumree, AL. Look out JT--I'm comin' your way. :D
Click to expand...


Maybe this is the perfect time to get another Sadowsky :D so your never without one, Roger has a good selection instock.
 
#11
I use the VTC all the time. I set the amount of bass (usually around half) & treble (usually none) boost for the room/amp etc, and slightly favor the bridge pickup (for most songs), and then from song to song the passive treble cut is my main adjustment.

I'm sure you'll find it useful. I've never been bothered by the old style truss rod adjuster, though finding the right long bladed phillips driver with a thin handle can be difficult.

Aloha,

Jonathan
 
#13
lump said:
Hey, guys. Gonna be back in the states for a coupla months without my bass, and figured it'd be a good time to send my 2001 VJ5 back for some mods. I mainly need to have the scratchy volume pot replaced and get a new case, but heck while it's there...;) Here's what I'm looking at:

- Replace volume pot
- Reglue nut
- Dress various dings
- Add Vintage Tone Control
- Replace truss rod w/spokewheel
- Purchase In-case gig bag

I was tossing around the idea of throwing a birdseye maybe neck on too, but that'd be crazy expensive (I asked). Between shipping etc I'm looking at probably around $500, which is cool. Replacing the pot and reglueing the nut is no charge, by the way. I've read the threads about the VTC, and while I wouldn't send it back just to add it, this seems like a good opportunity to do so. And I hate the stock truss rod. Anyhoo, before I send her off, just wanted to get your opinion as to whether I'm doing anything dumb here, or if there is anything else I should take care of while I'm at it. Thanks in advance.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
man! that's a gorgeous bass!
i have a friend that has 2 Sads- one with the VTC and he prefers it. Loves both.
Roger may have some things to introduce at NAMM that I am very excited about- but you can kill me and i won't tell... except that i see a Sadowsky in my future... for the second time :)
 
#14
adrian garcia said:
man! that's a gorgeous bass!
i have a friend that has 2 Sads- one with the VTC and he prefers it. Loves both.
Roger may have some things to introduce at NAMM that I am very excited about- but you can kill me and i won't tell... except that i see a Sadowsky in my future... for the second time :)
Click to expand...


Hi Adrian

Happy new year Bro, please let us know as soon as you can to the new releases at namm.
 
#15
adrian garcia said:
man! that's a gorgeous bass!
i have a friend that has 2 Sads- one with the VTC and he prefers it. Loves both.
Roger may have some things to introduce at NAMM that I am very excited about- but you can kill me and i won't tell... except that i see a Sadowsky in my future... for the second time :)
Click to expand...

Hmmm... the rumored 3-band preamp, maybe? BTW, I have absolutely no inside idea/knowledge/clue/etc... just pure speculation.
 
#17
According to Sadowsky, the 3 band preamp featuring sweepable mid frequency will be only outboard. :^(

I'm about to order a Sad, but I have played almost always basses with mid controls and I use 'em a lo so I don't know if I'll miss them.

keep groooovin'
Fran
 
#19
Well, after 2 months away, I'm back "home" from the Land of the Big BX (Hey Pacman--I ran into your oboe player, by the way). And, as luck would have it, my freshly-modded Sadowsky was waiting for me upon my return. I think I showed remarkable restraint in not opening the box until getting, uh, "reaquainted" with the wife. ;)

Anyway, everything turned out great. First off, I love the case. Way more convenient than the old one. And the repairs/mods seem perfect so far. Took me a sec to figure out new knob layout with the VTC, but so far I really like it. It takes out the highs without turning everything to mud, and works great for taking the zing out of new strings without losing clarity. I have really "bright" hands and I have a feeling it's going to be something I'll wonder how I lived without. I really like the Sadowsky strings (bright nickels) too. We'll see how long they last.

Anyway, so far I'm very pleased. Service was great, and Nino hooked me right up with the shipping. Much thanks to the whole crew at Sadowsky! :bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back