Sadowsky vs. Fujigen

[bucephylus]

One thing I would add to the sideline conversations is that the Sadowsky preamp in recent constructions makes pickup swaps to be pretty easy; and different pickups make a LOT of difference to the tones available. The Sadowsky shop has a number of extremely high quality pickups in house; my favs include the 4 string humcancelling pickup, and the 5 string single coil sourced from Seymour Duncan. Those tend to recreate Jazz Bass oriented tones. It is VERY important to learn to use the VTC pot in the preamp to get more vintage voicings. That control is a little subtle, and can be missed.

My preferred pickups to pair with the Sadowsky preamp are the Delano JMVC’s. That pickup preamp combination is extremely versatile for getting the whole range of Fender sounds, from 50’s thump to 90’s slap; mainly due to the outstanding neck pickup. I’m pretty sure that combination could be put into a 2x4 bass and get the same tonal response. Pretty perfect combination for a wide range of cover material.

Lastly, I can’t emphasize the quality of the NYC luthiery enough. Roger is simply a master. They are extremely expensive, and worth every penny.

That said, this is my standard gigging axe, for a variety of reasons. FWIW. I do have some refinements still in mind for it; so, it may be headed for Pat Wilkins shop in the near future.

 

[bucephylus]

What do you think? Personally, I think it shows that the same guy playing two Jazz Basses sounds like himself on either one.

+1

 

[factory presets]

Profound! I always sound like myself, no matter gear I'm using.

Yeah, me too. But I can objectively hear the difference between gear when I'm playing on it. Differences that mean Diddley in someone else's hands.

 

[Sixgunn]

What do you think? Personally, I think it shows that the same guy playing two Jazz Basses sounds like himself on either one.

You sure those aren't Fenders?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

You sure those aren't Fenders?

Yes.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Yeah, me too. But I can objectively hear the difference between gear when I'm playing on it. Differences that mean Diddley in someone else's hands.

Exactly! I'm not a slapper, so a bass demo that includes slapping has little interest or value to me.

 

[retslock]

It’s a very narrow margin but to me the Sadowsky pickups were just a might warmer sounding and the Fujigen a tad brighter but both sounded very good. The most obvious point was the players own sound/style coming through on both.

 

[hands5]

I'm one of the black sheep that is not impressed by Sadowsky. Tried his stuff, and at NAMM, too. If you want a pricey Fender, great, but I tried many others at that convention that blew his stuff out of the water. Mike Lull was one of those companies, as was Warrior (haters need not apply), and MTD USA.

Regarding Japanese basses...Bacchus, ESP, Ibanez...never had a bad one. They're among the few basses that I've had of which have received compliments from FOH people. Btw, Danny from Bass Japan Direct supposedly said that the Japanese Metros were built by ESP....

A Sadowsky isn't a Fender at all, they're not alike in anyway fashion or form.. I also have a Bacchus which is a fantastic bass for it's price but it isn't close to my Sadowsky or Fender Ultra Jazz 5 as it pretains to overall workmanship and tone, but like anything you add this and that, preamps, better pickups, etc and have a tone monster if one has selected to do that. Mike Lull makes an incredible instrument however I sold the bass because the 35' inch scale just isn't mu cup of tea and if it's any of the basses you mention that is Fendery it is the Mike Lull.

 

[hands5]

FWIW, IME with all NYC Sadowsky, JPN Metro Sadowsky, Fender Jazz Deluxe with Sadowsky preamp, and Fender Jazz Bass with Sadowsky Outboard: the first three all sound identical, IF they have the same pickups; while the latter is somewhere in the neighborhood, but much more in the standard Jazz Bass realm.

Of course, different wood constructions also contribute to what is going on.

All of them will work.it all depends on what you like.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

A Sadowsky isn't a Fender at all, they're not alike in anyway fashion or form.. I also have a Bacchus which is a fantastic bass for it's price but it isn't close to my Sadowsky or Fender Ultra Jazz 5 as it pretains to overall workmanship and tone, but like anything you add this and that, preamps, better pickups, etc and have a tone monster if one has selected to do that. Mike Lull makes an incredible instrument however I sold the bass because the 35' inch scale just isn't mu cup of tea and if it's any of the basses you mention that is Fendery it is the Mike Lull.

I get that a Sadowsky sounds different from a Fender, but Roger Sadowsky clearly copied the Fender Jazzes and Precision’s. He made changes that made his instruments distinct, but Fender was the clear inspiration.

 

[hands5]

I get that a Sadowsky sounds different from a Fender, but Roger Sadowsky clearly copied the Fender Jazzes and Precision’s. He made changes that made his instruments distinct, but Fender was the clear inspiration.

Absolutely, but Doc what I keep hearing is from a great deal of bass players is that the Sadowsky is a better Fender and that isn't the case at all. At least not to my ears the one that I have now is no where close to resembling a Fender.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Absolutely, but Doc what I keep hearing is from a great deal of bass players is that the Sadowsky is a better Fender and that isn't the case at all. At least not to my ears the one that I have now is no where close to resembling a Fender.

That’s cool, they sound Fender adjacent to me, but that’s just my opinion.