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Which High-End Jazz Builder (Sadowsky, Lull, ect...) nails this tone best?

Modern Growl

Modern Growl

Jun 7, 2005
3,334
150
NY/NJ Metro Area
#1
So I'm looking to take the plunge and finally spend the cash on a high end Jazz. I love my Fenders, but its time to go for it. Out of all the builders out there, who nails this (below) tone best?

Think 60's tone, w/ 60's bridge pickup placement. Thick low-mid, slightly burpy (but not full on Jaco burpy) warm, round, full tone. Just straight thick is basically my goal!
I love my Alder/Rosewood Fender Jazz... possibly looking to get a more low mid thicker tone though.

Is Sadowsky going to be too hi-fi? I would most definitely get the VTC w/ Single coils if I went Sad. I have a feeling if I went w/ that option, for this tone I'm going after, I would have the VTC at about 50% all the time.

Should I stay Alder/Rosewood (Morado) or go Alder/Maple or Ash(Morado)? Which would yield the thickest, low mid fat tone.

Is a Lull more in this direction? Also wood configurations with the Lull?

Hopefully I was clear with my goal... which would you go with?
 
#2
Modern Growl said:
I would most definitely get the VTC w/ Single coils if I went Sad.
Yes to the above IMO. I have the VTC and singles in my RV4 (which is for sale by the way...). :D

I currently own a Sad RV4 and two Lulls with Bart preamps and Fralin pickups (one humcancelling and one with singles). I think the Lulls sound more like a vintage jazz - the RV4 is a little more modern sounding. I am really impressed with the Lulls; I like them as well as the Sadowsky, even better in some ways.

The RV4 is alder/rosewood and the Lulls are ash/maple - I think you get a slightly warmer tone with alder, but to my ears the difference between the two is minimal.

There was an oly white Lull on ebay yesterday.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
#4
Yeah, I was thinking of going Alleva Copolo as well. 4 string though, alder/rosewood.
A bit expensive though... I mean $250.00 more for a tone control added!!! Wow!

All and all I guess it would come in at around $3200...

I played one at BP live though, it was the spalted maple top 5 string they have on their website... man that thing was exactly what I'm looking for... but a bit expensive. $4K for that!

Anyone else with opinions? Of the Sad/Lull/Alleva ?
 
#6
Modern Growl said:
... man that thing was exactly what I'm looking for...
Click to expand...

Whenever anybody makes a definitive statement like this I always am of the opinion you should do whatever it takes to make the bass yours. Sell the car, sell the house, sell the kids...whatever it takes (just kidding about the kids).

My Sadowsky bias I will always admit to. But if Sadowskys were all about copping the 60's Fender Jazz tone it wouldn't be the bass for me. Sure you can do some stuff to make a Sadowsky sound pretty close, and I'm sure Roger could build you a bass that comes really, really close...but I've never quite understood why anyone would want to buy a bass known for a particular sound and tone and then try to make it sound like another bass with a particular sound and tone.

I've only played a few Lulls and have no experience (other than visually) with the Alleva-Coppolos...but it seems like the 60s Fender tone is what the A-C basses were designed to acheive from what many have said.
 
#7
Actually my MV5 nails a tone like that fairly well. Number one, you need the VTC, number two, get nickel round or flat wound strings. One thing Sadowskys have in spades is round fat low end. It constantly amazes me how players will struggle to get a big fat 60's type tone with a new set of clanky stainless round-wounds. Theirs a reason Marcus uses stainless DR's!
 
#8
I have had two Sadowskys, and I thought they were too modern and active-sounding (although incredible otherwise) . And I played with flats most of the time.

Haven't tried Lulls, but I would think the passive model with Fralins would do the job, and you have to love the price.

As suggested, also, a Lakland JO will do the job quite nicely.
 
#11
if you're looking for cheaper priced high-end jazz basses, you should also look into LowEnd basses, Bacchus, and of course, Atelier Z. They're known more for their 70's ash/maple tone, but I'm sure the alder/rw with a 60's placement would sound just as good. Just a few more options for ya! (and cheaper too, you're looking at about 2500 for "standard" models I believe...):hiding: :bassist:
 

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