Sadowsky Vintage Tone Control

[CliftonBonney]

Sorry if this has been answered. I did do a search.

With the Sadowsky Vintage Tone Control does the push/pull knob allow you to select between a passive bass and an active bass?

 

[Lesfunk]

All Sadowskys have the passive/active option with or without the VTC option.

 

[CliftonBonney]

All Sadowskys have the passive/active option with or without the VTC option.

Oh. So how do you select between the two? What's the VTC do for you?

 

[Lesfunk]

The VTC is basically just a treble roll off. The push/pull pot engages/disengages the active/passive mode.

 

[KJung]

Oh. So how do you select between the two? What's the VTC do for you?

The VTC is just a standard passive tone control, like on any Fender bass. It is basically a treble roll-off control. Depending on the tone you like, it can be handy on the Sadowsky bass, since the treble and bass control are boost only.

If you have a cab without a tweeter, or any sort of tube oriented vintage sounding rig that doesn't extend up into the high treble, it's probably not necessary. However, for more full range modern rigs, the Sadowsky (especially with the standard HC pickups) can be quite bright. The VTC is useful for taking the edge off the sizzly range of treble.

So, if you put a Sadowsky in passive mode (which sounds pretty darn good with the single coil pickup option, not so much IMO with the HC stock pickups), you basically have volume, blend, and the passive tone control. The VTC can also be used in active mode, and you can get some cool variations of treble by mixing the treble active boost with the VTC roll-off.

 

[CliftonBonney]

The VTC is just a standard passive tone control, like on any Fender bass. It is basically a treble roll-off control. Depending on the tone you like, it can be handy on the Sadowsky bass, since the treble and bass control are boost only.

If you have a cab without a tweeter, or any sort of tube oriented vintage sounding rig that doesn't extend up into the high treble, it's probably not necessary. However, for more full range modern rigs, the Sadowsky (especially with the standard HC pickups) can be quite bright. The VTC is useful for taking the edge off the sizzly range of treble.

So, if you put a Sadowsky in passive mode (which sounds pretty darn good with the single coil pickup option, not so much IMO with the HC stock pickups), you basically have volume, blend, and the passive tone control. The VTC can also be used in active mode, and you can get some cool variations of treble by mixing the treble active boost with the VTC roll-off.

Thanks!!! Sorry for the ignorance but what does HC stand for?

 

[KJung]

Thanks!!! Sorry for the ignorance but what does HC stand for?

Hum canceling (versus true single coil jazz). Both sound very good. The HC's are standard on all Metro's, and most NYC's are sold with HC's. They are wide, deep, and have a very nice upper treble sizzle. The Single Coils are a no cost option on the NYC, and move the Sadowsky tone a little more toward the true 'Fender' type J tone. They are more mid punchy, and the treble response is more grindy and raw than the pure HC tone.

I would guess about 90% of the Sadowsky J basses are sold with HC pickups, but I greatly prefer the singles, especially on the ash/maple models.

 

[mailboxmoney]

To me the VTC is CRITICAL for Sadowskies.. I have a metro 4 string and an NYC 5, and the active preamp sounds wonderful, but I couldn't use them without a treble rolloff. Try to imagine a really great playing vintage Fender jazz with no tone control - for me that would never work. I like to add bass with the active bass control, and roll off a bit with the vtc, but the cool thing is that no matter the amp sound you get that day, the bass has all the tone you'd need. I have basses with preamps that have an active mid control, but the Sadowsky preamp really sounds more natural (i.e. more like a Fender) with a little mo....

 

[chiplexic]

I would guess about 90% of the Sadowsky J basses are sold with HC pickups, but I greatly prefer the singles, especially on the ash/maple models.

So those Singles in your Sadowsky jazz must be the SD Antiquity II's that Roger has said he uses as his single coil jazz pickup, minus the aging look ?

If so it sounds as though you like them. I have a set I've yet to install. The descriptions of them having huge lows has me wondering if they may be a bit too much. But it's encouraging to hear you like them.