This thread just shows me that instrument choice is mainly about personal preference. A good musician can get a perfectly good tone out of any well made bass. If the player is comfortable with bass then nothing else matters.
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Sadowsky RV4 vs. Fender Jazz: can you hear the difference?
- Thread starter bassfiddlesteve
- Start date
Congratulations, Fender - your Elite sounds just like a Sadowsky! 
I voted #1 = Sadowsky but I've heard more variation from Sadowsky to Sadowsky than what I heard in that clip. I have little doubt that the player would discern a greater difference while playing both basses than what might be apparent to the listener; but strictly as a listener? About as similar as two bass sounds can get (at least through my headphones).
I voted #1 = Sadowsky but I've heard more variation from Sadowsky to Sadowsky than what I heard in that clip. I have little doubt that the player would discern a greater difference while playing both basses than what might be apparent to the listener; but strictly as a listener? About as similar as two bass sounds can get (at least through my headphones).
I'm sure you're wrongCongratulations, Fender - your Elite sounds just like a Sadowsky!
I voted #1 = Sadowsky but I've heard more variation from Sadowsky to Sadowsky than what I heard in that clip. I have little doubt that the player would discern a greater difference while playing both basses than what might be apparent to the listener; but strictly as a listener? About as similar as two bass sounds can get (at least through my headphones).
We'll see in a several days.
They bass on the left sounds cleaner higher up the neck which I will attribute to Sadowsky's meticulous fretwork so I say bass 1 (left) is the Sadowsky. 
Think 2 is touch more modern so went Sadowsky
hardly the point, you two sent me right back to woodshed. Seriously good playing and technique
hardly the point, you two sent me right back to woodshed. Seriously good playing and technique
The fender isn't as nice looking, to my personal tastes.
They are both jazz basses. They sound nearly identical.
Interestingly, I personally believe that the fender in this example is actually Fender's own answer to the Sadowsky, sort of like Fender saw the elite jazz bass market and answered with their own that has similar features and tone.
Both are great basses.
Oh, and both are played REALLY REALLY WELL.
VERY NICE PLAYING both of you!
Now I want to hear it on an EB0 and a gretsch hollowbody!
They are both jazz basses. They sound nearly identical.
Interestingly, I personally believe that the fender in this example is actually Fender's own answer to the Sadowsky, sort of like Fender saw the elite jazz bass market and answered with their own that has similar features and tone.
Both are great basses.
Oh, and both are played REALLY REALLY WELL.
VERY NICE PLAYING both of you!
Now I want to hear it on an EB0 and a gretsch hollowbody!
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I wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong. At first I thought maybe number 2 was the Sadowsky but when I focused on the walking lines I changed my mind. As I mentioned though, I've heard Sadowskys sound more different from one another (even within the same model/pickup configuration) than the two basses in the posted clip. Could also be my headphones and/or ears though. It's impossible for me to know exactly what someone else might be hearing.I'm sure you're wrong
I'd like to hear a different player do the demonstration. Also - - I would like to hear both basses played individually.
Whenever I hear someone playing a Sadowsky live, there is never any doubt in my mind that they sound far better than Fenders do.
Whenever I hear someone playing a Sadowsky live, there is never any doubt in my mind that they sound far better than Fenders do.
I've only played a couple of Sadowsky basses ( for a total of about five minutes ) but I think the one on the left is the Sadowsky - mostly on their reputation, rather than my memory - as I was mainly evaluating the Sadowsky's on feel, not on sound...
PS: that's a lovely arrangement/performance
PS: that's a lovely arrangement/performance
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We can't really accommodate your first request since @Robert Strickland and I are under a stay at home order, and neither of our wives can play bass very well. If you pan to the different stereo channels you can hear the individual basses more clearly. I panned each bass 70% left or right in the mix and kept the drums centered.
For what it's worth, I've played both basses live in a sax/bass duo gig and I thought they sounded pretty similar in that context. Robert attended both gigs and agreed.
- Steve
Both Basses sound very good. and not all Jazz and Sadowsky's sound the same. So I'm believing the left is fender and right is sadowsky.
No clue which is which, and I’ve played an RV4 and an Elite, but both sound great. Good players make good basses sound really good! Who knew?
Never owned or played an active J bass; I voted Fender left Sadowsky right.
Either way, I liked the right channel better.
Either way, I liked the right channel better.
I apologize if I was a bit obtuse - the playing was fine, but most bass players don’t play that way and you asked us to make a cataclysmic decision.
