The Un-Official Sadowsky SA200 Thread...

[jokerjkny]

So far, my favorite cabs with the SA200 are two SA410's. That just kills! After that, it's probably a tie between the SA210/SA410 and the NV215. The NV610 does sound very good, but you do miss some of the glassy high end (which, of course, you may not be after). The HS410 and HS210 also sound great, but I guess I am so used to the slightly more mid-punchy SA cabs, that I do somewhat prefer them with the SA200, though I would be very happy gigging with the HS cabs and the SA200.

I'm hoping to have the chance to try out the AE cabs with the SA200 fairly soon.

Tom.

no doubt,

the AE w/ my sa200 is high on my "must try, but must also fight like a mother the urge to buy" list...

 

[NickyBass]

FbassDave, I owned an NV215, and stupidly sold it. Of course, it was too much cab for me. Everytime I see one pop up, I start to get antsy. There were about 4 of them for sale locally in the last few months.

Tom, I'd love to hear your thought with the AE cabs.

I think I decided on a cab. How about a Berg HT115? I think that would be killer.

Here's my thought process....I was toying with the idea of letting go of the SA200. It was never the tone that was the issue, but the price. I didn't know if I could justify holding onto the head knowing that I could sell it QUICK for a pretty penny. I prefer the tone of my B-15N, but we all know where that leads...to nowhere and quick. I can't use it outside of the studio. I have never been a fan of the SVT tone. Don't get me wrong, it sounds great, but not for me. Also the weight is a turn off. That left the Ampeg V4. Nice head, great tone. 100 watts isn't enough though. It's also on the heavy side. Along comes the Sadowsky at 40 lbs and 200 watts, and the tone floors me. But, so does the price tag.

But, you know, life is too short. I decided that I'm going to keep it and use it for a long time. I just need a cab. When you get a new head, you can't use the same old cab sitting at home. So, since I like the B-15N, and the Sadowsky can get sort of close to that, maybe a 15 is the way to go.

 

[NickyBass]

that will change soon... moowhaha...

Sounds like you have something up your sleeve.....

 

[tombowlus]

I think I decided on a cab. How about a Berg HT115? I think that would be killer.

To be honest, I did not find that the HT-series cabs were a good match for tube power (those big, deep lows kinda loosen up with tubes).

Tom.

 

[NickyBass]

Really, hmmm. I played the SA200 through an HT112 and quite liked the tone. I would think that the bigger box of the HT115 would really deliver the goods.

The good new is that both the SA410 and HT115 are pretty hot commodities right now, so I wouldn't risk much by trying one out for a spell. If I don't like it, I'm sure it would sell pretty quickly.

 

[tombowlus]

Really, hmmm. I played the SA200 through an HT112 and quite liked the tone. I would think that the bigger box of the HT115 would really deliver the goods.

The good new is that both the SA410 and HT115 are pretty hot commodities right now, so I wouldn't risk much by trying one out for a spell. If I don't like it, I'm sure it would sell pretty quickly.

True, dat, the SA200 is, indeed, more accommodating of cabs that sometimes don't like the extra cone excursion from tube power. So, if it sounded good to you, then go for it!

Tom.

 

[FbassDave]

I'm prepared to name my first son after any gentleman who's prepared to sell me their SA410...

Anyone?

Naming rights?

Bueller?

 

[FunkyFrosty]

You missed one on the bay last month......

 

[albass111]

I'm prepared to name my first son after any gentleman who's prepared to sell me their SA410...

Anyone?

Naming rights?

Bueller?

Do you mean SA200? I think there are still stores with SA410's.

 

[tombowlus]

Do you mean SA200? I think there are still stores with SA410's.

The SA410's have been discontinued (along with the SA210, of course), but I suppose it's possible that some stores still have them.

Tom.

 

[jokerjkny]

True, dat, the SA200 is, indeed, more accommodating of cabs that sometimes don't like the extra cone excursion from tube power. So, if it sounded good to you, then go for it!

Tom.

was about to say,

its easier for the sa200's 200 watts to push a little cab than a larger wattage hungry bigger cab.

 

[FunkyFrosty]

Do you mean SA200? I think there are still stores with SA410's.

Yeah actually I did mean SA200.

 

[FbassDave]

Do you mean SA200? I think there are still stores with SA410's.

I have the SA200, I just need a new cab for it - what stores still have the SA410 in stock? Does anyone know?

 

[NickyBass]

Well, it's done. I have an HT115 on the way to my place as we speak. I will post my thoughts. I think it will be a nice match up. I will still keep my eye out for an SA410, but I think the 115 will treat me well.

As an aside....When I bought my SA200 a few months ago, it took me less than 20 minutes to find one. After I did all the research, read every thread and decided that it was for me, I called two places and it was out the door the next day. I guess I got lucky, as most people can't find them at all.

 

[NickyBass]

I got the HT115 today and played through it for a spell. It sounds great. I do think that there is probably a better match up out there, but I'm happy for now.

It doesn't have that tight, focused, punch-you-in-the-chest thrust of an 8x10. It is more akin to a B-15. It sort of puffs out a note on a cushion of air. That is what I'm looking for, so it suits me nicely. It can get pretty nasty too when I dig in. I wish it was sealed, but you can't have everything.

 

[climb]

I have an SA200 running through an SA410 cab.

I've noticed a couple of oddities that make me wonder if there's a malfunction of some sort. First, when I power on the amp and then the standby, but leave the master volume at 0, sometimes I'll actually be able to hear my bass through the amp--even though the volume is at 0! If I bring it to 1 or so, the sound disappears, and then reappears around 2 and up. If I "restart" by turning off the standby and then rezeroing, it loses that bimodal peak, and acts normally.

Other times, it sounds like the amp is distorting when it really shouldn't be. I've tried to "solo" each channel (bottom/bass/mids/treble/top), and notice that the bottom/top produce almost no sound if they're on their own--is this true for everybody else? At moderate gain/volume/bass settings, sometimes I hear distortion in all notes.

I really appreciate any help!

 

[tombowlus]

I have an SA200 running through an SA410 cab.

I've noticed a couple of oddities that make me wonder if there's a malfunction of some sort. First, when I power on the amp and then the standby, but leave the master volume at 0, sometimes I'll actually be able to hear my bass through the amp--even though the volume is at 0! If I bring it to 1 or so, the sound disappears, and then reappears around 2 and up. If I "restart" by turning off the standby and then rezeroing, it loses that bimodal peak, and acts normally.

Other times, it sounds like the amp is distorting when it really shouldn't be. I've tried to "solo" each channel (bottom/bass/mids/treble/top), and notice that the bottom/top produce almost no sound if they're on their own--is this true for everybody else? At moderate gain/volume/bass settings, sometimes I hear distortion in all notes.

I really appreciate any help!

I have not experienced either of those phenomena (the 'hear your bass at 0, but not at 1' thing, and the 'distortion in all notes' thing). You may want to talk to Roger or Dolf Koch.

Tom.

 

[Willem]

I think if the bottom and top are on their own, you mean that bass, mid and treble are fully counterclockwise? Well because those 3 are passive they kill all volume so that should be normal....

My hexavalve also gives sound with gain at zero but master open...

I think only the distortion thing is really something to worry about.

good luck

 

[manjar]

Not sure if this is the place for this random comment, but I did a gig on Friday with my SA200 after not gigging with it for a couple of months. OMFG! I forgot what a musical piece of gear this thing is! Now I'm back to wanting to use it for EVERYTHING. Which I used to do, but then I decided there are some gigs where I can't justify loading in *any* cab that needs wheels or head that weighs more than 20 lb. I have another rig that I use for gigs like that (you know, those rainy-day hotel load-ins up the stairs and through the kitchen). But man, that SA200 + SA410 is just such a beast!



I am sincerely sorry for those of you who didn't get one back when they were in production. Maybe he'd do a commissioned run if enough people got together? It's a long shot, but if Stradivari were still alive, I'd be thinking of ways to get him to make me a violin...

 

[hasbeen]

Not sure if this is the place for this random comment, but I did a gig on Friday with my SA200 after not gigging with it for a couple of months. OMFG! I forgot what a musical piece of gear this thing is! Now I'm back to wanting to use it for EVERYTHING. Which I used to do, but then I decided there are some gigs where I can't justify loading in *any* cab that needs wheels or head that weighs more than 20 lb. I have another rig that I use for gigs like that (you know, those rainy-day hotel load-ins up the stairs and through the kitchen). But man, that SA200 + SA410 is just such a beast!



I am sincerely sorry for those of you who didn't get one back when they were in production. Maybe he'd do a commissioned run if enough people got together? It's a long shot, but if Stradivari were still alive, I'd be thinking of ways to get him to make me a violin...

you can still find them pretty easily. There's one right here:
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