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The Eagle Has Landed!!! Sadowsky All-Tube Head!!!

#281
Have you done a live A/B comparison between the SA200 and the Traynor YBA200. I realize this isn't exactly a fair kinda thng, like comparing a NYC Sadowsky 4 string J bass to a Mexican Fender J....(they both have 4 strings? a couple volume controls, 20 frets? whatever).

I played through a Traynor yesterday with my Lull and Schroeder 1210 cabinet and posted a fairly complete opinion (as much as can be determined from playing in a guitar store) on a Yorkville/Traynor thread that was around this morning. I'll repost it or you may want to look it up?,,,up to you.

I am curious if this comparison was something you did or were considering since we weren't able to meet up over Thanksgiving.

Larry
 
#282
Larry Kaye said:
Have you done a live A/B comparison between the SA200 and the Traynor YBA200. I realize this isn't exactly a fair kinda thng, like comparing a NYC Sadowsky 4 string J bass to a Mexican Fender J....(they both have 4 strings? a couple volume controls, 20 frets? whatever).

I played through a Traynor yesterday with my Lull and Schroeder 1210 cabinet and posted a fairly complete opinion (as much as can be determined from playing in a guitar store) on a Yorkville/Traynor thread that was around this morning. I'll repost it or you may want to look it up?,,,up to you.

I am curious if this comparison was something you did or were considering since we weren't able to meet up over Thanksgiving.

Larry
Click to expand...

Alas, but I don't have a YBA200 on hand...

I did, however, just pick up my Bass 400 (had bias trim controls installed, and switched to KT-88's) and my Quatra Valve (just going in for a checkup, and passed with flying colors!), and these were two that I was really looking forward to putting up against the SA200. I am hoping to have some time next week to to a nice little tube head shootout. :D

Tom.
 
#283
Turns out there's a really decent guitar and bass oriented music store about 5 minutes away, and he had one. I was quite surprised with it and as i mentioned on the post if I had a piece of plastic magic he would accept, I woulda bought it on the spot. Made my bass and Schroeder 1210 sound nice and grindy. Had decent volume. The damping control or whatever they call it is a real nice little extra...maybe other makers call it something else? but it definitely made the head and speaker cab work much better together to get a higher clean volume level.

If you're interested in any more, look up the other thread...I've already repeated about 1/2 the review here...My fingers are getting tired!!!

Thanks for your reply. Look forward to hearing about the 400 and other direct opinions. Saw your brief testimonial on Sadowsky site today.....cool!!!
LKaye
 
#287
Since Roger has been peeking in on this thread a few times, let me throw out this question. Perhaps others can chime in as well.

Will there be only one Sadowsky bass amp, or will there be more than one model to choose from?

-Mike
 
#293
had to stop by the shop to finalize payment on my recently finished PJ-5. and since i was going there w/ my car, figured i bring my own Sad V-5 and Acme B2 along the way, too to test drive the SA200, which sounded even better than i remember!

TomB pretty much went into enough detail, but i'll just say that while my Aguilar DB359 is more airy in the highs and pillowy in the lows, the Sadowsky is just fatter, fatter, fatter. there's this present, dense, rich, burly midrange that just oooozes tubeyness. the Aguilar seems to have a bit more hifi air and a more expansive soundstage. the highs go higher and the lows go lower than the SA200. but no doubt, the Sadowsky has waaay more tubey girth and fatness. not gritty or furry, rather burly and bulbous sounding tubeness.

also, i'm just using the EQ on my sad's, and keeping the EQ flat on the amp. but once i started fiddling w/ the EQ, it wasnt too hard to find a nice sound that i dug. even thru my EQ starved Acme, the SA200's preamp had plenty of boost and cut with a smooth taper that had no sudden or dramatic jumps.

tried the amp thru a few cabs in roger's demo room lineup, including a Aguilar GS112 which wasnt there the last time.. ran a line to it, and found it another terrific match for the SA200! the SA200 gave the GS112 a nice heft in the lower mids, moreso than what i remember a 359/112 combo to have.

and the berg cabs were STELLAR. my nickel loaded Sad PJ-5 + SA200 + Berg NV610 = HOLY FREAKIN' CRAP! i thought i needed a tweeter, but the NV610 kept telling me, "you crazy!" also, tried the amp thru the cool shallow new and improved HT210, but my Acme B2 definitely gave my basses a fatter more satisfying Low B. course, there arent many other cabs that can. ;) still, the HT210 is a terrific match for the SA200, and helps to bring out the extra hifi detail w/ the sweet berg tweeter.

also, i realized today how much i dont dig steel strings at all. thru the SA200, steel strings seemed to exhibit a harsh uppder middy edge, that was especially annoying thru the NV610. but the nickels on my PJ-5 sound smoooooth, fat, and even. also, made me realize how incredibly dead the nickels on my V-5 were! lol!
 
#294
Just got back from Tom's place (THANKS Tom!), and I have to agree with the positive thoughts in this thread. Tom pulled out some serious artilery including the Sad amp, and it won hands down on tone IMO. The clarity and definition are incredible out of this head, and the only other amp even in it's league was the Trace V-8.
 
#296
I just want to thank Tom, Joker and Tim for their very kind comments on the SA200. If I missed anyone else who tried the amp, I apologize. It is nice to have their feedback and validation. I also appreciate all the additional good will that came my way during this thread.

I look forward to hearing from anyone else who has the opportunity to try the SA200.

Warmest regards,

Roger Sadowsky
 
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#299
Sadowsky said:
I just want to thank Tom, Joker and Tim for their very kind comments on the SA200. If I missed anyone else who tried the amp, I apologize. It is nice to have their feedback and validation. I also appreciate all the additional good will that came my way during this thread.

I look forward to hearing from anyone else who has the opportunity to try the SA200.

Warmest regards,

Roger Sadowsky
Click to expand...

Not to Hijack, but lets remember you make a killer bass too!!

I really appreciate you making this one!!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I have already taken the plastic off, it is mine! Thank you for your particiapation here and for all you do to give us the tools you do! I am REALLY afraid to play through one of your amps because I know I will HAVE to have one! :D

Peace,

T
 

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