He is a set up and mod person. That is his business.
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The Maestro explains how to EQ his modded Sadowsky Metro Express
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
He is a set up and mod person. That is his business.
I'd like to hear my basses through his gear!
But I can't complain. I run my basses through an Alembic SF-2 Superfilter, a very powerful unit. I just need to experiment with it more.And maybe buy some new strings.
There is no toggle switch on my ML Modern 24. Passive/active switch is a push/pull of one of the knobs. The new mid-boost pre is said to be a drop-in replacement. Can anyone confirm there is no need to drill a hole for the mid boost switch? Is that done with another push/pull knob?
The B string (Sadowsky Blue Label stainless) on my Modern sounds pretty darned good for a 34-inch scale bass. I am of the impression that fatter strings are higher tension and therefore less likely to fart out. Is my impression incorrect?
I am tempted to try nickels also but these Sadowsky Blue Label SS strings sound pretty darned good. There is slapping and popping in my current project.
Drill baby. Pick a spot thats in a similar location to the OEM models. You have some leeway.
Thicker strings ARE tighter, so if the action will accomodate the larger elipse, they should sound pretty great..
I like em' both , but usually put nickels on as a less brighter option.
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Honestly, I don't love this. I can see by the pics there is a separate toggle, so I know you are right. Although, Sadowsky's site says this:
"On newer active electric basses with a 4-knob layout with a side jack and a battery compartment, usually no modification is required"
My ML Modern 24 is a current model I bought last year. It is a popular bass. Dr. Cheese certainly likes it. I do too. I wish this mid-boost upgrade had been designed to avoid drilling a new hole. I would buy without hesitation if this were the case. But since a hole is necessary, that makes it a permanent modification.
OTOH, with the mid boost switch off, this preamp is exactly the same as the stock one.
OEM? What OEM Sadowsky bass, without a control plate, has this preamp? I am not finding such a bass. My control knobs are configured in a semi-square shape. Has Sadowsky made something like this with an additional switch?
You can probably purchase a VTC (just the control), remove the tone cap and rewire it to replace the volume control on your preamp. Then wire the push/pull function on the new volume control to act as the mid boost switch.
(Using my whiny voice):
I cannot find any Sadowsky bass with this knob configuration plus a switch.
Additionally, Sadowsky says this:
"On newer active electric basses with a 4-knob layout with a side jack and a battery compartment, usually no modification is required"
Not only does my "newer active electric bass with a 4-knob layout with a side jack and battery" require a modification, I'm not sure installation of this preamp is even possible. If it is possible, it seems to me the switch would need to go in a somewhat awkward location.
(Okay. Back to my regular voice now.)
I cannot find any Sadowsky bass with this knob configuration plus a switch.
Additionally, Sadowsky says this:
"On newer active electric basses with a 4-knob layout with a side jack and a battery compartment, usually no modification is required"
Not only does my "newer active electric bass with a 4-knob layout with a side jack and battery" require a modification, I'm not sure installation of this preamp is even possible. If it is possible, it seems to me the switch would need to go in a somewhat awkward location.
(Okay. Back to my regular voice now.)
So, you're upset because your bass doesn't fit in the "usually" category? Had the online description simply stated "modifications may be required", everything would be good?
I fully realize that without tone, things online can be taken the wrong way. I am not trying to gaslight you with my questions. I'm simply trying to understand the issue. I offered a possible solution in the post above yours that would allow the preamp to be installed in your bass without modifying your bass, but that didn't seem to help.
Ah. I now see your post and I appreciate your question(s). Thank you.
My bass is a MetroLine which already has the VTC control. I do not wish to defeat this important tone cap in order to install the mid boost pre. In fact, one of the knobs on my bass is push/pull for active/passive.
My concern goes beyond the language of the description of this new product. My concern (included in my questions for Mr. Sadowsky) is first whether or not it is even possible to install an additional switch on my bass and, if so, where that switch might be located. It seems me that if it is even possible, the switch might need to be located in an awkward position.
Update: I FINALLY found a pic of a Sadowsky bass (NYC model) with a knob configuration like mine, which appears to have a switch. This suggests installation of the new pre may be possible AND the switch is located in an acceptable position. See below.
Note: I am not criticizing Mr. Sadowsky or his most excellent products. My bass is just as amazing as Dr. Cheese thinks it is. Truly a (Metroline-level) masterpiece well worth its fairly handsome price. That said, I do wish the modification required on my bass were not necessary.
My bass is a MetroLine which already has the VTC control. I do not wish to defeat this important tone cap in order to install the mid boost pre. In fact, one of the knobs on my bass is push/pull for active/passive.
My concern goes beyond the language of the description of this new product. My concern (included in my questions for Mr. Sadowsky) is first whether or not it is even possible to install an additional switch on my bass and, if so, where that switch might be located. It seems me that if it is even possible, the switch might need to be located in an awkward position.
Update: I FINALLY found a pic of a Sadowsky bass (NYC model) with a knob configuration like mine, which appears to have a switch. This suggests installation of the new pre may be possible AND the switch is located in an acceptable position. See below.
Note: I am not criticizing Mr. Sadowsky or his most excellent products. My bass is just as amazing as Dr. Cheese thinks it is. Truly a (Metroline-level) masterpiece well worth its fairly handsome price. That said, I do wish the modification required on my bass were not necessary.
Significantly, the importance of the VTC control and its tone cap is highlighted in the video within this thread's opening post. I like this control and will like it even better when I am back in my studio to experiment with it in the way the video shows.
Why not just adjust the mids on your amp (or whatever outboard gear you use)?
I find the Sadowsky preamp to be extremely versatile; and, once understood, it can be dialed in to get a wide range of traditional bass sounds. In fact, many more than this video suggests.
It is useful to understand the following points:
The active volume is CUT ONLY. That means that the the level, when maxed, is the basic circuit amplification. A side note is that 5 or so years ago this level was noticeably higher, and Sadowsky actually padded it back just a bit. So, older onboard preamps can be a bit hotter.
The active Bass and Treble are GAIN only. So, the 2 band EQ points are level when minimized, and maxed when on full. Most players find the useable "reference" points to be about 1/4 to 1/3, with +/- adjustments from there.
The VTC seems subtle, but is key to getting optimized tones at various settings. It is basically the same control as the tone control on a 3 knob passive Jazz Bass going into a pedal board Sadowsky SBP-1 or SBP-2 preamp. That control is highly interactive with the active tone controls, particularly the treble control. I find it most useful for dialing in P Bass-ish thump with the neck pickups favored, and for dialing out slap harshness with both pickups balanced. It is also useful for refining the staccato shape with the bridge pickup favored. Having the high frequencies available is key to an open sound for the active circuit; but, they need to be tamed to control the upper harmonics; and that is generally what the VTC does. That's the final control I use, depending on what kind of tone I'm going for, as it sets the balance between open and harsh.
Side note about the pedal board SBP-1 and SBP-2: the Cut only volume can be used with active instruments to manage gain staging on the board, with the active tone controls set flat.
The Sadowsky preamp is a deceptively simple, and extremely useful circuit; both onboard and outboard.
Edit: side note regarding the WL mid boost: I first encountered this control with a WL-5, which I pretty quickly flipped, due to my neck taper prefs (whole nother discussion). But, I never warmed up to the "recommended" wide band dip switch 2 setting; which just seemed to inject too much mud. Fast forward, and I recently picked up a metroline WL4; which has turned out to be a rather exceptional instrument. And, what I found about that mid boost is that where the wide band 500 Hz setting does seem too muddy for my tonal prefs, the narrow band 500 Hz setting (DIP 1) injects a very useful punch without the mud, particularly for tones favoring the neck pickup. FWIW
It is useful to understand the following points:
The active volume is CUT ONLY. That means that the the level, when maxed, is the basic circuit amplification. A side note is that 5 or so years ago this level was noticeably higher, and Sadowsky actually padded it back just a bit. So, older onboard preamps can be a bit hotter.
The active Bass and Treble are GAIN only. So, the 2 band EQ points are level when minimized, and maxed when on full. Most players find the useable "reference" points to be about 1/4 to 1/3, with +/- adjustments from there.
The VTC seems subtle, but is key to getting optimized tones at various settings. It is basically the same control as the tone control on a 3 knob passive Jazz Bass going into a pedal board Sadowsky SBP-1 or SBP-2 preamp. That control is highly interactive with the active tone controls, particularly the treble control. I find it most useful for dialing in P Bass-ish thump with the neck pickups favored, and for dialing out slap harshness with both pickups balanced. It is also useful for refining the staccato shape with the bridge pickup favored. Having the high frequencies available is key to an open sound for the active circuit; but, they need to be tamed to control the upper harmonics; and that is generally what the VTC does. That's the final control I use, depending on what kind of tone I'm going for, as it sets the balance between open and harsh.
Side note about the pedal board SBP-1 and SBP-2: the Cut only volume can be used with active instruments to manage gain staging on the board, with the active tone controls set flat.
The Sadowsky preamp is a deceptively simple, and extremely useful circuit; both onboard and outboard.
Edit: side note regarding the WL mid boost: I first encountered this control with a WL-5, which I pretty quickly flipped, due to my neck taper prefs (whole nother discussion). But, I never warmed up to the "recommended" wide band dip switch 2 setting; which just seemed to inject too much mud. Fast forward, and I recently picked up a metroline WL4; which has turned out to be a rather exceptional instrument. And, what I found about that mid boost is that where the wide band 500 Hz setting does seem too muddy for my tonal prefs, the narrow band 500 Hz setting (DIP 1) injects a very useful punch without the mud, particularly for tones favoring the neck pickup. FWIW
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The new more limited mid boost pre provides ONLY that narrow band 500K 10db+ boost. Theres no switchable mid selection option. I think your experience with the WL is likely similar to others which is what prompted the single freq choice design.
Regarding the OP's position of being reluctant to drill thru the body of their Metroline, that is a completely rational position. It would be one thing if this was a chinese modern, with the non VTC pre in it. But adding this 1 option to an already expensive instrument may turn out to be less fruitful than the mod justifies. Especially since you may get an almost identical experience using an outboard solution. I.e. a preset in a multi-effect, or an outboard EQ device.
Regarding the OP's position of being reluctant to drill thru the body of their Metroline, that is a completely rational position. It would be one thing if this was a chinese modern, with the non VTC pre in it. But adding this 1 option to an already expensive instrument may turn out to be less fruitful than the mod justifies. Especially since you may get an almost identical experience using an outboard solution. I.e. a preset in a multi-effect, or an outboard EQ device.
I routinely over-think things, which brings me here often to use Search to get answers. I'm pretty sure I am not the only bassist here with that characteristic. So I also like to leave an informative record behind, which is why I am posting today and will likely post here again on this topic.
The mid-boost pre comes installed on some NYC basses with the same knob configuration as mine. See pic below. I am in the process of confirming whether the routing on my German Metroline is the same as on a NYC. If so, then this mid-boost upgrade can be installed on my bass and other basses like it.
Thank you. Well said. FWIW, if I find that this upgrade can be installed on my bass, I am likely to do that. Even though it becomes a permanent, non-reversible modification. But.....
....It really becomes a sort of permanent-but-temporary mod, since the bass will still have the EXACT same original factory-installed preamp whenever the mid boost switch is off.
So I also like to leave an informative record behind, which is why I am posting today and will likely post here again on this topic.The mid-boost pre comes installed on some NYC basses with the same knob configuration as mine. See pic below. I am in the process of confirming whether the routing on my German Metroline is the same as on a NYC. If so, then this mid-boost upgrade can be installed on my bass and other basses like it.
Thank you. Well said. FWIW, if I find that this upgrade can be installed on my bass, I am likely to do that. Even though it becomes a permanent, non-reversible modification. But.....
....It really becomes a sort of permanent-but-temporary mod, since the bass will still have the EXACT same original factory-installed preamp whenever the mid boost switch is off.
This is a great example of stock Metro Express tone. Dude is having a blast covering some Dua Lipa.
Above is some great Metroline tone and below is the color Metroline I plan on buying.
They do sound good in the demo clips posted. I'll likely end up with one at some point. I think it's different enough from my Vintage JJ to have both.
Edit: Also, I wish they offered the Modern in a fretless version. I think the Modern tone is a much better match for the fretless tone I go for than either of the JJ or PJ models.
Edit: Also, I wish they offered the Modern in a fretless version. I think the Modern tone is a much better match for the fretless tone I go for than either of the JJ or PJ models.
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You and I are thinking the same. I just might gain from buying a JJ Metroline Sadowsky than a Metroline Modern.
I agree!!! They are the best sounding Sadowskys to my ears.
