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Schroeder vs Sadowsky

ninerfan

ninerfan

May 28, 2006
733
218
North San Diego
#1
I'm looking for my 1 cab solution to pair with my SVT-II. I started with an Ampeg 410 HLF, but that was really boomy and loose in the low end. I sold it and picked up a Schroeder 21012. Very shortly after my band split up and I didn't have an opportunity to gig with the Schroeder. I looking into joining another band and gigging again and looking for the right cab. I LOVE my Fender jazz with Nordstrand pups, SR4 and my SVT-II non-pro, but I'm not sure I LOVE the cab(maybe because I haven't used it in a gigging situation). Will the Sadowsky cure my gas or will I still be Jonesing for a $1100 NV610. What would the differences be between the Schroeder and the Sadowsky. Unfortunately, I don't have any opportunity to play the Sad before purchasing, so I am depending on you good folks to help me with my leap of faith.
 
#7
IMHO:
The Schroeders are over-rated & very midrang cab.
Louder doesn't necessarily mean better. ;)The Sadowsky cabs were built by Jim Bergantino. However, why not just buy a Berg cab? Another option is trying the Epifani UL seires. I have owned at one time or another the UL 310, 212 & currently using the UL410. I also own a Berg HT322, which is a 2 x 10, 1 12 cab with horn that sound great. The downside: it's 95 lbs compared to the UL410 59 lb. When you get older that could make a huge difference.
Simply put, I think the Epifani UL series is one of the best cabs on the market for that price. If you're looking more traditional, check out Aguilar cabs. There's allot of factors, price , weight, style of cab, etc. One cab you test alone in a music store can sound totally different than the same cab in a live setting.
Bottom line, it's your money.
Good luck!
 
#8
Thanks for the replies.
Weight is not so much of an issue since I an going to stick with my 85 lb. head. Maybe in the future I would go for a light weight set up, but I will always keep my SVT rig.
$ is an issue. I'm hoping to start gigging regularly, but I don't expect to ever get rich from playing. A $700 Sad cab is much more manageable than a $1100 NV610. If I get $500 out of my Schroeder, talking the wife into spending $200 more is a lot easier than $600.
Everything I have heard about the Sad have been glowing reviews. I have also heard that the 21012 is a lot more balanced than other Schroeder cabs. So I don't know what to do. Should I capatalize on the Sad or just stick with the Schro.
Opinions?
 
#9
I own the NV610 and the SA410. The Sadowsky doesn't have the same magic as the NV, but IME it's as close as a tweetered/ported cab can get. So, if you're willing to settle for second best then I recommend the SA: the price is certainly right, and it's lighter and less bulky. I recommend either of these cabs over Schroeder for the reasons kevbassman stated.

I also owned some Epifani cabs (including the UL410) for awhile. As much as I loved the light weight, the tone was not for me: too much bottom, not enough punch. Normally this is a "different strokes" kind of comment, but you said you didn't care for the Ampeg 410HLF for similar reasons. So, I think you'll be happier with SA or NV.
 
#10
The schroeders are known for sounding a bit mid heavy when solo'd. but this is also exactly why they are well known for having awsome volume and tone in a gig situation...

my advice is, if you are gonna be gigging, keep the schroeder and at least try it in the mix a couple of times before you toss it, if you are just gonna be playing at home by yourself, then maybe the sadowsky will have the preferable tone.
 
#11
kevbassman said:
IMHO:
The Schroeders are over-rated & very midrang cab.
Louder doesn't necessarily mean better
Click to expand...

This is not true at all, and my guess is you have not played the larger Schroeder cabs. While the smaller 1210 and 1212 cabs are quite mid present and somewhat compressed sounding, if anything, the 21012 is mid SHY, and the low end is very, very big. It's a great cab, but is more 'open and big' versus tight and punchy.

The Schroeder 410L is much closer to what you seem to be looking for tonewise, and lines up VERY well to the SA410 (although the 410L has a much more extended low end).

The NV610 is obviously a different beast.. no tweeter, sealed... more 'old school vintage Ampeg Fridge' versus the more modern SA410 or 410L, so be careful there.

The SA410 and 410L are about the same size... the 410L weighs about 25 pounds less than the SA410, which may or may not be a big deal.

All good choices, but from your tone goals and description, I would stay away from the 21012L.... that's much more of a wide, open, 'funk' sort of box to my ear, versus the tight punch of the SA410 or 410L.

Edit: Also, if anything, the Sadowsky J with the stock split coils has a little bit of a scoop to the tone... more deep lows than low mids... so that, combined with the 21012L might really take you where you don't want to be. If you are going to use an Ampeg all tube head... the SA410 might be the way to go, since that was the application it was designed and voiced for. The NV610 would be cool also if you wanted even more low mid punch at the expense of upper treble extension (and size and weight).
 
#12
Fuzzbass said:
I own the NV610 and the SA410. The Sadowsky doesn't have the same magic as the NV, but IME it's as close as a tweetered/ported cab can get. So, if you're willing to settle for second best then I recommend the SA: the price is certainly right, and it's lighter and less bulky. I recommend either of these cabs over Schroeder for the reasons kevbassman stated.

I also owned some Epifani cabs (including the UL410) for awhile. As much as I loved the light weight, the tone was not for me: too much bottom, not enough punch. Normally this is a "different strokes" kind of comment, but you said you didn't care for the Ampeg 410HLF for similar reasons. So, I think you'll be happier with SA or NV.
Click to expand...

+1
 

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