Sadowsky vs. Fender (with pics and soundbites)

[Mr_Dave]

I refuse to pay that much $$ for a non-USA bass. It's an NYC or nothing. So listening/trying out a Metro is out of the question.
Thanks anyway!

I meant trying in a shop. They have the same pickups and preamps as the NYCs - so it will give you a very good idea of what a NYC will sound like

 

[BluesyCat]

I meant trying in a shop. They have the same pickups and preamps as the NYCs - so it will give you a very good idea of what a NYC will sound like

Oh sorry. There aren't any around my neck of the woods....as far as I know.

 

[DERECOLA]

for the price you can not beat the Fender...

 

[Mr_Dave]

Oh sorry. There aren't any around my neck of the woods....as far as I know.

all good, sorry i can't get some clips for you anymore!

 

[Dennis098]

dude......
Runaway.. Jamiroquai
excellent funky basslines

 

[Jim Carr]

...I just don't know which Sadowsky bass to get yet. I have a Fender 62 p-bass reissue and a 75 j-bass reissue. So, I don't want to duplicate what I already there but still want a bass for classic rock and 12-bar blues but with a new tone...

Perhaps you might consider an NYC P/J or Metro Hybrid?

 

[BluesyCat]

Perhaps you might consider an NYC P/J or Metro Hybrid?

Yeah, that is a possibility. Wish I could hear it in comparison to the UV or j-bass.

 

[TonyP-]

Both Basses sound good.

It hard to say what sounds better...How do you quantify the taste of a apple to an orange? Oh course it just what you prefer.

There is of course a similarity to the tone that goes with out saying.

I know it been beat to death.

Roger makes a fantastic instrument, that goes with out saying.

Its safe to say that a Sadowsky is over 2.5 times the price of a Fender.

The question is...It worth it?
Please no stone throwing just presenting something that appears to not have been covered in the thread. (I will admit I skimmed through it so I might have missed that).

Disclaimers:

I have owned and played several different Fenders used in both Studio and live Settings.

Played a hand full of Sadowskys, however never in a live setting to be honest. (Someone mentioned hearing it in a live band setting made all the differance).

I'm also NOT saying that one is not better than the other.

 

[BluesyCat]

Both Basses sound good.

It hard to say what sounds better...How do you quantify the taste of a apple to an orange? Oh course it just what you prefer.

There is of course a similarity to the tone that goes with out saying.

I know it been beat to death.

Roger makes a fantastic instrument, that goes with out saying.

Its safe to say that a Sadowsky is over 2.5 times the price of a Fender.

The question is...It worth it?

Sounds better? I agree with you Basswave - Sound is subjective to the listener and/or owner/player. They both sound great to me and I imagine feel great. I listened to a few sadowsky basses on youtube and other sites.

 

[TonyP-]

Sounds better? Sound is subjective to the listener and/or owner/player.

I was basically saying the same thing.

 

[tescott]

Fender passive hands down!

 

[bsbrooklyn]

...she likes both

 

[T-MOST]

Listening to these clips through a decent set of studio headphones, I preferred the active Sadowsky tone for both slap and finger style.

+ 1 I like Fenders. I used to own a MIA Active Deluxe Jazz but the Sadowsky has more "edge" in the active mode which is what I want out of a jazz bass.

 

[hands5]

They both sounded great,but I thought the Fender had more "Grease,but the Sadowsky had some real nice things going on also.

 

[Buster Brown]

I very much appreciate this thread. I have never had the pleasure of trying out a Sadowsky.....Now, having listened to all clips with a very close, discerning ear....I see that, for me, it's not a large enough of a difference to make the jump....

And, far be it from me to ruffle the feathers of those guys who love 'em....not my intention, just my opinion.

I think I'll stick with my Fenders........

 

[Wespe]

I hear a clearer high-end with the Sadowsky, which really shows off in the slap clips, but aside from that the similiarity between both basses was great enough for me that the selling point between one or the other would be the price. I just love the look of your Fender, too. The sunburst with the ashtray looks awesome, and the bass sounds awesome too.

 

[Surprise Panda!]

The Sadowsky is warmer to my ears, and I like it a lot better

 

[envika]

i vote passive sadowsky. it's the bassiest.

 

[sonicnuance]

I'm actually surprised, when I heard the first recording I thought "that's why everyone raves about the Sadowskys"... then I realized it was a Fender!

Fingerstyle passive I liked the Fender
Slap I liked the Sadowsky

I'm impressed with the jazz tone, may have to get me one someday

 

[76Dub]

They bothsound great and that is why I own Fenders and Sadowskys..you can't go wrong with either of them. I give the edge to Sadowskys as far as live situations though.



Great Sound Clips w/ the Jamiroquai lick