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TB OD?

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,319
120,608
Metro St. Louis
#1
It has gotten to the place that nine times out of ten, when I see somebody posting about how good a bass sounds, I click on and I find myself saying, it sounds pretty good, so what?
I mean, if a good sounding bass is a good sounding bass. The only exception was that clip the other day of Michael Rhodes on a Sadowsky PJ5 because I finally got what they mean about Sadowskys sounding good in the mix. Still, I found myself saying "it sounds great, if I am ever near Michael Rhodes position in music or my kids get jobs, it will then be worth the cheddar."

Another example is that clip of Terrance palmer on a Pavel. he sounds like a fine bassist on a modern sounding bass. IMO, it could have been a Ken Smith or Cirrus.

I'm not knocking anybody. More power to everybody and their choices. I love my basses, and I truly hope everyone who posts here ends up with a bass they really enjoy and are proud to own. I guess I have OD'ed on bassclips because nothing really moves me anymore.:(
 
#3
Bernie Connors said:
The Michael Rhodes clip knocked my socks off too, Cheese. That tone is insane...

Why do you think you need to be in Michael's position before a Sadowsky is worth it to you?
Click to expand...

As a married man with kids who derives no income from music, $3,500+ for a NYC Sadowsky or any other boutique bass, just doesn't make sense to me. I'm not knocking anyone does make that choice though. My pleasure from being able to approximate Michael Rhodes' tone would not be worth what I would have to pay. A nice $300-$800 P/J with a good setup would have to do for me.:cool:
 
#5
Dr. Cheese said:
As a married man with kids who derives no income from music, $3,500+ for a NYC Sadowsky or any other boutique bass, just doesn't make sense to me.
Click to expand...

As well it shouldn't. You should be commended for having your priorities straight. I would venture a wager that there are some here who wouldn't let little things like responsibility and an honest assessment of need stop them from buying more bass than (perhaps) they should.

But now that you've heard what a Sadowsky sounds like in the hands of a serious pro like Michael Rhodes (not to downplay the seriously professional mix done for a seriously pro production) it's good to know you can appreciate the expenditure. How much does a skilled tradesman like an auto mechanic, mason, plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. spend on his/her tools?

For a practical man's solution for approximating Michael's sound, don't rule out either picking up a Sadowsky outboard pre/DI or buying an onboard pre and installing it in that $300-800 PJ you're talking about. I've run a 60s Classic MIM Fender Jazz through a Sadowsky outboard pre and although certainly not the equal of my NYC, definitely a big step in the right direction.
 
#7
Yeah, there's no way I could have afforded a Sadowski, even though the one I tried really knocked me out. I lucked out when a friend of mine bought a Modulus Jazz that he hated the looks of and I loved the tone of, so we worked out a trade. It had an unknown preamp in it, which happened to be a Sadowski, put in the bass in '95. Anyway, that preamp, combined with a graphite neck is special. One day, when the kids are grown, I might treat myself to the real thing; till then, I'm happy with my gear.
 
#8
My main point is not the cost of any given bass. It's the fact that, IMO, not that many basses really get a great or distinctive sound. There are a lot of great looking, well made basses, that to my ears, sound pretty generic. I think that often when we are blown away by clips of a bass, it is really the player we are impressed with, not the actual bass being played.:bassist:
 
#17
Craig Garfinkel said:
For a practical man's solution for approximating Michael's sound, don't rule out either picking up a Sadowsky outboard pre/DI or buying an onboard pre and installing it in that $300-800 PJ you're talking about. I've run a 60s Classic MIM Fender Jazz through a Sadowsky outboard pre and although certainly not the equal of my NYC, definitely a big step in the right direction.
Click to expand...


I second this idea. I bought a Sadowsky outboard preamp for my passive basses (although it works with active basses too) and really like what it does. It adds thunder to the low notes while maintaining clarity (no boominess).

I like to play my Afterburner 1 through it for that "Dingwall on steroids" sound.
 
#19
But.... my Ibanez fiver sounds waaaaayyyyy better than my Bongo 5 in my basement at low volume.

Add 450W and 2x10 and 1x15 of Ampeg during a gig and it is the opposite. My Bongo just smokes.

I haven't recorded both basses side by side in a studio, but where I make my $$$ (gigs), the Bongo cuts through.
 
#20
Well, Dr. Cheese, it sounds as though you and I have similar priorities. When I read about people who are constantly buying new gear, own several exotic basses, and have the very best high-end rigs, I find myself wondering if I could ever justify such purchases; I want to make sure I can afford to eat after I retire in a few years.

My bass jones needs to be satiated, but I'm not willing to spend all of the money I earn playing music to satisfy GAS cravings, and I am totally unwilling to buy any gear for which I can't pay cash on the barrel head. I only play 100-150 gigs a year, so after I've spent what is necessary for fuel, new strings, cables, batteries, sheet music, CDs, etc., there's truthfully not that much left over to spend on exotic gear.

I'd rather be able to contribute to my band financially, and buy my bandmates a cocktail after the gig, than have more expensive stuff.

I seldom buy new equipment, and have kept most of the stuff I own for decades. My current gig rig gets the job done, but it's certainly not fancy and doesn't come close to being boutique. A few years ago, I bought a Brawley 5-string for around $500. I liked the neck and electronics, but didn't like to body, so I made a new one for less than $100. I needed enough volume for any conceivable gig, so after a lot or research, I bought a Dr. Bass 2260 and a Carvin B1500. I kept my trusty old tube gear and a Polytone for quiet gigs and to amplify upright bass, but that's about it.

Kudos to those who can honestly afford to own the very best. I guess this old professor just ain't in your league.
 

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