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What makes a Sadowsky better than a Music Man or a Modulus?

Harper

Harper

Nov 10, 2001
1,262
2,231
#1
And I'm mainly using Music Man and Modulus as my basis of comparison because they are the nicest basses I own; I know it's not totally apples to apples.

I've heard nothing but almost universal praise for Sadowsky basses over the years, but have never had a chance to play one. What exactly makes it $3000 "better" than my Stingray5?
 
#3
have you played one yet? their reputation is well deserved. lotsa big name players using them too. honestly I doubt anyone will be able to pinpoint $3000 worth of "better" for you. I believe it boils down to supply and demand.
 
#8
I have a Stingray 5 H and a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5. I like the cosmetics (i.e. the color scheme) better on the Sadowsky, but only by a little bit. But, if I had neither and you came along and offered them both to me and said I could pick either one to have on permanent loan, but if I ever decide to get rid of it, I have to give it back (i.e. so there's no financial consideration involved at all), I would take the Stingray.

They are both very fine instruments. I just happen to prefer the Stingray for its sound and the Sadowsky is not better in any other area enough to make up for that. If I were comparing the Sadowsky to another Jazz (e.g. Fender or G&L), I would probably take the Sadowsky because the Sadowsky pickups and the preamp with the EQ and Vintage Tone Control really do make it sound better (to me) than those other J basses.
 
#10
I used to have a musicman and it was a great bass. The Sadowsky is just different. The Sadowsky preamp boosts 40hz on low freq compared to around 80hz on the musicman, for example. I prefer the big sound of the Sadowsky for the style of music I play. Also, its no secret that most musicman(stingrays at least) have an edgy sound that makes them recognizable. I loved it at first, but eventually grew away from it. I wanted a jazz sound as compared to a mm
humbucker sound. But to answer your original question, I opted for the metro Sadowsky, which was about twice the price of my mm. It was worth it to me, but to each their own! :) the Sadowsky seems to fill the room better, but again, I can see where some would rather have the edgy mm sound. All about preferences I guess...
 
#15
Harper said:
And I'm mainly using Music Man and Modulus as my basis of comparison because they are the nicest basses I own; I know it's not totally apples to apples.

I've heard nothing but almost universal praise for Sadowsky basses over the years, but have never had a chance to play one. What exactly makes it $3000 "better" than my Stingray5?
Click to expand...

This makes me think of a friend who once talked me into getting a Ken Smith because he felt it was the best bass made. Frankly, I'm glad he talked me into buying that Ken Smith because it was a great bass, but it did not sound like a Jazz Bass, it could get close to the P-bass vibe, but not quite, and it had none of the bright clarity of a Modulus or MTD. My point is that a Sadowsky is great at what it does, but it is not a direct replacement for a Music Man or a Modulus.
 
#17
I fully realize that a Modulus or a Music Man isn't going to sound like a Sadowsky. I was only using them as examples because they are probably the best basses I own from a quality standpoint. I think RedLeg nailed it with "supply and demand."
 

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