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Sadowsky users - Your amps?

#21
pickles said:
The other way to go is to get an amp that has less high end response, or turn down the highs at the amp.
Click to expand...

+1... however, then you lose the ability to 'go the other way' and dial it back in. Also, +1 on the amp treble, but an active treble cut on an amp is a very different animal than the nice, smooth passive treble roll-off of the VTC.

As you point out though, if you have a more 'traditional amp' and cab that does not really reproduce high treble, then it's a moot point. However, for more 'modern sounding cabs like Epi, Berg, EA, Eden, etc.... the VTC is a really nice thing to have on those basses... especially on the maple/ash models.

To put this in context, I'm a fan of Marcus Miller type Jazz tones. While the Sadowsky Vintage is not the best bass for that tone, I have never used the treble boost at all... to give you an idea of how bright these basses are. With just a little bass boost and the VTC all the way open, you have plenty of treble for a nice slap sound.... however, those basses are just too bright when flat even for me.... the sizzle lover! I think part of it is that the treble response of the pickups and preamps set 'flat' is in the lower treble area than basses like the MTD and Celinder, for example. It can really get 'harsh sounding' unless rolled back a little IMO.
 
#22
My thoughts are that a Sadowsky bass is going to sound very good through pretty much any quality rig. Their tones seem to be fairly consistent, bass to bass, and soncially they are very solid and don't do anything "quirky", so my thoughts are that they should sound quite acceptable through any rig that sounds good to you based upon its own merits.

That said, there is one amp I have tried that takes the tone of my Sadowsky right off the charts, and that is [surprise!] the Sadowsky SA200 all tube head. Serious chemistry going on here, IMHO.

Tom.
 
#23
tombowlus said:
My thoughts are that a Sadowsky bass is going to sound very good through pretty much any quality rig. Their tones seem to be fairly consistent, bass to bass, and soncially they are very solid and don't do anything "quirky", so my thoughts are that they should sound quite acceptable through any rig that sounds good to you based upon its own merits.

That said, there is one amp I have tried that takes the tone of my Sadowsky right off the charts, and that is [surprise!] the Sadowsky SA200 all tube head. Serious chemistry going on here, IMHO.

Tom.
Click to expand...

Tom brings yet another layer of complexity to this... since I believe he's talking about his Modern 5.. which sounds totally different from the J Bass and P Bass style Sadowsky basses. Combine that with the fact that he has an unusual wood combination of Mahogany body with an ebony board, there's yet another 'Sadowsky Sound' that is different from the previously mentioned.

The funny thing about that bass (which I've had the honor and pleasure of playing) is that it really is very modern sounding... very 'humbucker' sounding but with a treble response that reminds me of EMG's. That would be the last tone profile I would match with an all tube head! However, people have described the Sadowsky amp as very refined sounding... so I guess that makes sense.

Lot's of variations on the 'Sadowsky Sound'!
 
#24
To answer the main question first, I use my Sadowskys through an Aguilar DB750 and love it.

Hey, KJung, you and I have had the Accugroove vs. Bergies vs. Epifani discussion before, and you found the very high end of the Accugroove to be somewhat more restrained than the others. What you said on this thread set me to thinking. I wonder if I like the Sadowsky/Accugroove combo because the 'groove takes just a little of that high end sizzle out that you're using the VTC to roll off? Just a thought. Although I must admit, I roll down the VTC just a tad 90% of the time too.
 
#25
kjones said:
To answer the main question first, I use my Sadowskys through an Aguilar DB750 and love it.

Hey, KJung, you and I have had the Accugroove vs. Bergies vs. Epifani discussion before, and you found the very high end of the Accugroove to be somewhat more restrained than the others. What you said on this thread set me to thinking. I wonder if I like the Sadowsky/Accugroove combo because the 'groove takes just a little of that high end sizzle out that you're using the VTC to roll off? Just a thought. Although I must admit, I roll down the VTC just a tad 90% of the time too.
Click to expand...

Interesting and +1... makes total sense. I think the DB750 has a more tube treble response that is also a little 'sweeter' than other heads (like TF, Eden, etc.). I bet that is a monster sounding rig... talkin' about big, big bottom!
 
#26
My Sadowsky PJ5's run through the following:

Big Rig:

Eden WT-1205
Aphex 204 Aural Exciter
Korg DTR-1000 Rack Tuner
Furman PL-Pro
(2) Eden D410XLT cabs

* will be looking into Schroeder cabs for a modular system and the new Eden Neo cabs - possibly a 6-10 (out this summer)

Lightweight Direct Pedalboard Rig:

SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver (Blend never above 40%) and the EQ FLAT (don't want to lose the Sadowsky tone)
Demeter Compulator
Aphex Bass Exciter
Radial JDI DI Box


My experience that Sadowsky's sound great through anything. My favorite is the Eden. Second would be a DB750 but I also have yet to play through a T-Funk.
 
#27
KJung said:
Tom brings yet another layer of complexity to this... since I believe he's talking about his Modern 5.. which sounds totally different from the J Bass and P Bass style Sadowsky basses. Combine that with the fact that he has an unusual wood combination of Mahogany body with an ebony board, there's yet another 'Sadowsky Sound' that is different from the previously mentioned.

The funny thing about that bass (which I've had the honor and pleasure of playing) is that it really is very modern sounding... very 'humbucker' sounding but with a treble response that reminds me of EMG's. That would be the last tone profile I would match with an all tube head! However, people have described the Sadowsky amp as very refined sounding... so I guess that makes sense.

Lot's of variations on the 'Sadowsky Sound'!
Click to expand...

Good point(s), Ken. My bass is a 24F 5, 25th Anniversary model, with mahogany body, flamed koa top, and ebony board. And you are right on about it being yet another flavor of "Sadowsky tone."

But, my comments on the consistency of tone, bass to bass, was meant to apply to all of Rogers bass which I have played (including different "Jazz Bass" variations, both Metro and NYC).
 
#29
Bass Boy said:
EA iAMP 800
MarkBass LMII

2 EA cxl112
1 EAWhizzy 12
1 Eden 210T
Click to expand...

How is the 'speaker emulation' on that LMII. By looking at the frequency plots on the website, it looks like it works just like the Sadowsky VTC (or any on-board passive tone control for that matter).... is that true... a gentle 'passive' sort of treble rolloff?
 
#31
KJung said:
How is the 'speaker emulation' on that LMII. By looking at the frequency plots on the website, it looks like it works just like the Sadowsky VTC (or any on-board passive tone control for that matter).... is that true... a gentle 'passive' sort of treble rolloff?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the actual frequency plots. The speaker knob is different from just turning down the treble knob. (I've compared them) I don't know the technical explanation, but I find the sound to be more of a "muted" treble response as opposed to a total roll off. I use it quite a bit as I don't have a VTC yet for my maple neck Sadowsky. I haven't had a chance to use my iAMP with my whizzy yet, but the Markbass combined with the whizzy gives me instant motown when I turn up the Vintage speaker knob.
 
#32
Bass Boy said:
I'm not sure about the actual frequency plots. The speaker knob is different from just turning down the treble knob. (I've compared them) I don't know the technical explanation, but I find the sound to be more of a "muted" treble response as opposed to a total roll off. I use it quite a bit as I don't have a VTC yet for my maple neck Sadowsky. I haven't had a chance to use my iAMP with my whizzy yet, but the Markbass combined with the whizzy gives me instant motown when I turn up the Vintage speaker knob.
Click to expand...

Very cool! That control does sound to me, from your description, similar to the effect of an on-board passive tone control. Nice option to have, especially for many active basses that don't have that option. I look forward to trying one of these out.
 
#33
I've already chimed, but I agree with Ken on the Sadowsky wood comments. I do like maple boards on say a Lakland but not very much on Sadowsky (just preferrence) I have what I believe is a very nice offset. Sad NYC PJ4 is Morado and Chambered Alder, I have flats on this one schaweet. The Sad NYC VJ4 is Ash with Brazilian Rosewood (thanks Yamarc). I find the Sadowsky to be very clear but also very bright and the rosewood boards tone this down a bit at least to me. Some say Morado (Pao Ferro) is brighter than Maple.... At any rate my basses sound superb with just about anything they run with.
 
#34
"Very cool! That control does sound to me, from your description, similar to the effect of an on-board passive tone control. Nice option to have, especially for many active basses that don't have that option. I look forward to trying one of these out."



It is a really great head. I bought one as a back up for my iAMP and for smaller R&B gigs/ double bass gigs. The amp is so light! It doesn't have the options of the iAMP (muting, extensive EQ, tuner) but I find I use very little eq with the Sadowsky. With my cxl112s I actually cut some bass on stage. The amps master volume gets VERY loud at about the 9 o'clock position. I haven't turned it up past 11 o'clock yet, even on loud gigs with both 12s. I suspect this is more of a volume pot taper issue (?) than a hidden 1200watts though! The vintage knob can also help with a new set of strings if they are too bright. Keeps the sustain, tames the zing.
 
#35
I use rack rigs with Bergantino speaker cabinets. Obviously I don't use all this gear at once! I assemble the rig I need from the components. Example: SWR IOD + SansAmp RBI + Stewart 2.1 in the 4-space rack, over top of an HT310/HT115 stack. That's for a hi-fi sound. For vintage tones, I use the NV610 (no tweeter).


Preamps:
Read Purity
SWR Interstellar Overdrive
SansAmp RBI
Ampeg SVP-Pro
Rane DC-24 Dynamic Controller

Amps:
Stewart World 2.1 (x2, one in each rack)

Speakers:
Bergantino HT210
Bergantino HT115
Bergantino HT310
Bergantino NV610

Racks:
SKB Roto 4 space
SKB Roto 6 space
 
#36
To narrow this down a bit, my particular sub-group of the Sadowsky sound would be maple/ash jazz.

Sorry for the long delay, had to sleep sometime!

Also, I much appreciate the feedback and wide variations of love for this guy's basses.

I've been suspecting eden for a while, the pair seem to be cherry together, but Mark Bass and T-Funk have also caught my eye based on reviews around here.

I'm in no real rush to grab up a head/cab combination, doing research more than anything, hopefully to a point I can find one store in austin or dallas that carries the heads I'm interested in and take vacation time to ride over and do the true shakedown.
 
#37
dharma said:
To narrow this down a bit, my particular sub-group of the Sadowsky sound would be maple/ash jazz.

Sorry for the long delay, had to sleep sometime!

Also, I much appreciate the feedback and wide variations of love for this guy's basses.

I've been suspecting eden for a while, the pair seem to be cherry together, but Mark Bass and T-Funk have also caught my eye based on reviews around here.

I'm in no real rush to grab up a head/cab combination, doing research more than anything, hopefully to a point I can find one store in austin or dallas that carries the heads I'm interested in and take vacation time to ride over and do the true shakedown.
Click to expand...

It was a fun thread. Great basses. The Thunderfunk sounds great and is similar to the WT550 in power and sound. The Eden puts just a little more warmth into the sound that the Sadowsky J seems to appreciate. Revive the thread and let us know what you decide on when you take the plunge.
 
#38
Here's what i'm using
DSC00855_edited.gif


Sounds like the hammer of the gods.

But, it also sounds fantastic through my Ampeg B-100R, as it did through my AG500 GS 212 setup.
 

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