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

#101
It's better to "YOU" because "YOU" think it is. I have owned 2 Sadowsky's. They are very nice basses but I have always found something missing tonewise. But hey, thats just me. To me my Smith is the end all be all of basses. I guess thats why there are so many different brands out there. There's something for everyone.
 
#102
nostatic said:
And when you go to sell it, you'll get even a bigger shload less than $5K back out of it :D
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If I go top shelf all the way (including Sadowsky pickups and preamp) and pay to have the neck totally re-done by somebody like johnk_10, I'm confident I could get the whole thing done for under $2500. I have well under $1K in the Warmoth J (pic below) I put together, but it's passive and I did not send it off for a "neck job" or setup.

So let's say I now have my $2500 bass and decide to sell it. Let's say I take a total bath and give it away for $500 (with $400 worth of Sadowsky electronics in it).

Or I buy a Sadowsky for $5K and sell it for $3K.

Either way, I've lost $2,000. And my custom build had less of my cash tied up in the meantime. And which will be easier to sell? A really nice custom bass with Sadowsky electronics for $500 (e.g. like the one below, but with frets and Sadowsky pickups and pre)? Or an actual Sadowsky for $3000?

In other words, your insinuation that a Sadowsky is a better investment because of the name doesn't hold water. However, the statement that you pay more for the name is definitely true.

My home built fretless J:

IMG_1400.jpg
 
#103
ps. I'm not trying to say that building your own Warmoth is a good idea or good investment. I'm just saying that it's not any worse, really, than buying any brand name bass brand new. And, also, that from watching the market (and knowing what I paid for my Sadowsky Metro), I don't see where Sadowsky has any better resale than most any other major brand.
 
#105
nostatic said:
And when you go to sell it, you'll get even a bigger shload less than $5K back out of it :D

The "brand" is worth something. As are the people behind the brand. People's reputation and customer service have value. At least to some people. Others don't care and that is fine too.
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I agree with you 100%! That's what you're buying from Roger: A great bass, years of experience, and his name backing what you bought. But to say you can't get a bass or build a bass as good as a Sadowsky for significantly less is wrong. That was my issue.

I agree with you that you are getting customer service and buying from someone reputable when going with a Sadowsky.
 
#106
I didn't insinuate anything about "investment." While I may quibble a bit with your numbers, buying a boutique instrument new is never a particularly good investment. My point is that you are paying for a combination of the brand name and the people behind them. I frankly am more than willing to pay a premium to keep people like Roger, Carey, Pete, Vinny, etc in business. In fact Pete just called me this morning when he saw my post about my bass being out for delivery. These are people making the basses, not faceless corporations, and they care about their craft and their customers. I place a value on that, and I'm willing to pay for it.

Not everyone wants to make their own bass. For some it is a viable option to get "equivalent" (depending on the details) performance. But imho small builders provide value beyond the cost of the parts. Not everyone sees it that way and that is fine - that's why we have choices in the market.
 
#108
What makes a Sadowsky sound better than a Music Man or a Modulus? My opinion says, "YOU!" Hold your hands out and look at them really hard and for a long time. It really comes down to your hands, your approach to the instrument, your musical sensibility, and your basic musicianship!

I have asked this question of myself often and every time I ask more accomplished musicians this question, they say its the musician that makes the music. A master musician can play a SX/Rondo bass and make beautiful music, while a Fodera Anthony Jackson Contrabass in the hands of an A&&hole or lesser musician will create A&&hole or lesser music no one wants to listen to or BE AROUND for that matter.

Try and play the exact or same musical piece(s) on each of the instruments, where possible, and listen with your ears and heart and you will find your answer.

My $.02 only...

Peace :bassist:
 
#109
nostatic said:
I didn't insinuate anything about "investment." While I may quibble a bit with your numbers, buying a boutique instrument new is never a particularly good investment. My point is that you are paying for a combination of the brand name and the people behind them. I frankly am more than willing to pay a premium to keep people like Roger, Carey, Pete, Vinny, etc in business. In fact Pete just called me this morning when he saw my post about my bass being out for delivery. These are people making the basses, not faceless corporations, and they care about their craft and their customers. I place a value on that, and I'm willing to pay for it.

Not everyone wants to make their own bass. For some it is a viable option to get "equivalent" (depending on the details) performance. But imho small builders provide value beyond the cost of the parts. Not everyone sees it that way and that is fine - that's why we have choices in the market.
Click to expand...

In the near future, I plan on going with a small builder to build my bass for these reasons. Looking into Lull, Valenti, Nordstrand, and MPG right now.
 
#110
nostatic said:
I frankly am more than willing to pay a premium to keep people like Roger, Carey, Pete, Vinny, etc in business. In fact Pete just called me this morning when he saw my post about my bass being out for delivery. These are people making the basses, not faceless corporations, and they care about their craft and their customers. I place a value on that, and I'm willing to pay for it.

Not everyone wants to make their own bass. For some it is a viable option to get "equivalent" (depending on the details) performance. But imho small builders provide value beyond the cost of the parts. Not everyone sees it that way and that is fine - that's why we have choices in the market.
Click to expand...

This is a big part of the "equation" that often gets overlooked. It makes me think of the difference between people who will make an effort to support "mom and pop" shops and those who are only concerned about getting "the best deal" and merrily make their way to Walmart. I'm not saying that anyone who chooses to buy a production instrument is the equivalent of a "Walmart" shopper, mind you - only that there is a lot more to consider for some than just the cost of materials. Is there a furniture forum out there? I can just imagine people having the same disputes about the cost of furniture and how it's possible to build one's own desk for x amount less than the furniture maker down the road. :p
 
#111
I think many of the guys who buy Sadowskys and Foderas pay for the prestige associated with the name/logo as well, but some can care less about prestige. I'll admit, prestige is one of the primary factors I look for when buying certain items, not that I'm all that rich. Sure I can soup up a pocket rocket import car to go as fast as a 911 turbo, but it just wouldn't be the same. Heck, if I wanted an accurate watch, I can get a $10 digital one at Rite Aid that will be a whole lot more accurate than any of the best Swiss movement automatics out there and save myself tens of thousands of dollars!
 
#113
john nam said:
I think many of the guys who buy Sadowskys and Foderas pay for the prestige associated with the name/logo as well, but some can care less about prestige. I'll admit, prestige is one of the primary factors I look for when buying certain items, not that I'm all that rich. Sure I can soup up a pocket rocket import car to go as fast as a 911 turbo, but it just wouldn't be the same. Heck, if I wanted an accurate watch, I can get a $10 digital one at Rite Aid that will be a whole lot more accurate than any of the best Swiss movement automatics out there and save myself tens of thousands of dollars!
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This is also very true. I'll add that a lot of people (myself included) enjoy the idea of playing an instrument that, 1) not many people own and 2) that makes the statement that I take bass seriously enough to make such an investment.
 
#115
And this is why we're such great friends;)

I'm not surprised by this, but, rather, that this hasn't been adopted by more people.

:hiding:


Truth be told, it took a lot of obfuscating by people like Ken/Vic/Tom and nameless (for their own safety and peace of mind) others to get me to try something other than the G&L L2000KeFL that had been my main bass for 30 years or so. I haven't looked back much.
 
#118
Chef said:
You got snow up there yet cap'n?
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It is a late start to Winter in Wisconsin and the lower UP. We had about 2" so far this year, and it is still well above freezing. Looks like some snow coming to the lower UP soon though, which is actually a good thing!

Hope you don't get mashed again this year. The middle of Missouri really can get wumped!
 
#120
Farmer's Almanac says "warmer and wetter than normal."
So far,: accurate. It's not even been slushy. 60 degrees today.

Buying an expensive bass improves local weather, that's what I heard.
 

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