The Sadowsky Sound - Interview

[Phil Mailloux]

Someone posted this link to an interview with Roger over in the Basses forum. I really felt this should be viewed by most of us here

http://www.behindthenotes.com/index.php/Featured-Video/Features/Bass/Roger-Sadowsky/menu-id-17.html

It's an amazing wealth of information. The video runs at about one hour but worth seeing. There's some information on his history, setups and construction techniques. Turns out all of his bodies are chambered and capped over with either plain wood like the bodies or figured tops. He says most of his customers noticed the basses sounded better once he started doing this some years ago. It would explain why many people say his basses sound better from even other J type basses also equipped with his preamp. This calls for some experiments on chambering for me

If you look at the spalted bass on the desk in the video, it looks like the top was bent in the armrest area and glued on a pre-cut body. I'd love to find out how he bends a 1/4" thick top

And to top it off, it turns out that Marcus Miller's preamp is not a current Sadowsky preamp but a Bartolini TCT from the early 80's

I'll leave you all with a picture of the Sadowsky chambering.

 

[BenitoBassolini]

Interesting video!

 

[abngourmet]

Educational to say the least. No wonder I'm a Sadowsky owner and player.

 

[JazzFusionB0rg]

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A great watch Phil (no doubt a fair percentage of the Sadowsky asking price is that 10 hours of setup). Also interesting to hear his thoughts on EQ (no mid controls), his dislike of brass nuts and the reason Sadowkys were based on Fenders.

Whatever the doubters say, everytime I watch this & hear Tal's tone it send shivers down my neck:


Do you think Tal would marry a skinny electrical engineer from down under?

 

[Phil Mailloux]

Who knows, she IS a skinny girl from down under. How great would that be, merging bass collections

Where did you get that cool "words" smiley???

 

[scottyd]

A great video! Just thought I would note that a lot of what he says goes against what a lot of other big time builders say. He's making the big bucks though, and off of someone else’s design to boot.

 

[Phil Mailloux]

A great video! Just thought I would note that a lot of what he says goes against what a lot of other big time builders say. He's making the big bucks though, and off of someone else’s design to boot.

uh oh, better put your flame retardant suit on

 

[PilbaraBass]

A great video! Just thought I would note that a lot of what he says goes against what a lot of other big time builders say. He's making the big bucks though, and off of someone else’s design to boot.

"big bucks"...I don't think I would consider what Roger is doing as a lucrative profession at ANY level of success. Yes, he is extremely successful at what he's doing...but there's a formula to that

1) great customer service/relations
2) great product quality
3) great reputation

EVERYONE that makes basses is borrowing off of someone else's designs somewhere...magnetic pickups, piezo pickups, preamps, bolt-on necks, neck throughs, you name it...it's been done before...there are little innovations that everyone has contributed however, and roger is in this category...

no flames from me, just a bit of warm "sunshine"

 

[bass12]

I just saw the video today. I had no idea that Sadowskys were chambered! That helps explain the light weight of my NYC. I have to add that the service I've received from the people at Sadowsky (Kevin especially) is second to none. I'll gladly pay extra just for that!

 

[wilser]

A great video! Just thought I would note that a lot of what he says goes against what a lot of other big time builders say. ....

Exactly the point I was going to make ...I just made a fool in front of my wife by waving my hands in the air and yelling at the computer like mad. "But there are OTHER builders with the same or MORE experience as him that say the exact opposite!!!" ...Alembic comes to mind, for one example. But hey, to each his own. My main problem is when people start repeating what he says as FACT.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

Roger's business is a labor of love. He's a great man, kind, super generous, a friend. Im grateful for our relationship. Spend an hour with him, his staff at the shop and you'll "get it". Until you do, its tough to explain it in a forum like this.

Rob

 

[PilbaraBass]

HI

Roger's business is a labor of love. He's a great man, kind, super generous, a friend. Im grateful for our relationship. Spend an hour with him, his staff at the shop and you'll "get it". Until you do, its tough to explain it in a forum like this.

Rob

If you bought as many basses from me as you do Roger, I'd treat you like King Solomon, too, mate......

BTW...I'm still stuck on that hybrid over all the others, Rob.

Seriously, though, I'm a pretty good judge of character, and from what I've read and seen, I think I get it.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

Without a doubt, mate. Just got back from NYC and a visit with the crew. Once again, I was blown away at their attention and generosity towards me. I'm basically speechless. No lie. I play his gear because its perfect for me but the relationship I have with the entire crew is why I visit and continue to praise them. Cant say enough good things, frankly.

Just to egg you on, there she blows!!!!

Rob

 

[scottyd]

"big bucks"...I don't think I would consider what Roger is doing as a lucrative profession at ANY level of success. Yes, he is extremely successful at what he's doing...but there's a formula to that

1) great customer service/relations
2) great product quality
3) great reputation

EVERYONE that makes basses is borrowing off of someone else's designs somewhere...magnetic pickups, piezo pickups, preamps, bolt-on necks, neck throughs, you name it...it's been done before...there are little innovations that everyone has contributed however, and roger is in this category...

no flames from me, just a bit of warm "sunshine"

uh oh, better put your flame retardant suit on

I didn't say I was against or for him, I just stated the facts,

1 Some of what he says opposes what many other builders say and believe.

2 He builds Fender based basses. (Which I personally have no respect for, but hey whatever works for you!)

3 He makes the big bucks, that’s just my way so saying he is doing very well for himself. That tells me he's doing things right, people love his work and love him. That’s inspirational!

If any one wants to flame me...flame on, I really dont see what grounds you'd have to do it on and more importantly I honestly don't care!

 

[7string]

For me, Sadowsky has always been one of the basses to own.

There used to be a cherry sunburst 5 string in the old Bass Centre in London and I'd just stare at it every time I went in there !!

 

[joeyl]

I was with him until the scoop sound makes the bass sit better in the mix. That must not be a rock mix for sure... But I do like his instruments, and the man does not hold back explanations if you ask him. I used to pick his brain every once in a while on TBL about 10 years ago. Overall nice guy!!

 

[xk49w]

Fascinating interview - I took notes.