Why buy a Sadowsky?

[Nebadon2000]

I don't think Roger has any input to the manufacture of these basses. It's a Warwick made bass and Warwick staff only manage the Chinese interface and QC.

Yes more likely a Sadowsky division Warwick rep

 

[maturanesa]

I know its a great bass, better than a Fender technically. But if you are looking for a classic sound, alder maple construction, why would you spend 6k if the other guys are winning grammys, sounding awesome with cheaper Fenders

 

[bass12]

I know its a great bass, better than a Fender technically. But if you are looking for a classic sound, alder maple construction, why would you spend 6k if the other guys are winning grammys, sounding awesome with cheaper Fenders

If I was looking for a "classic" sound I wouldn't buy a Sadowsky in the first place.

 

[maturanesa]

If I was looking for a "classic" sound I wouldn't buy a Sadowsky in the first place.

Sadowsky have a line that is called Modern... So the others are?

 

[bass12]

The Modern has soapbars, 24 frets and pickup placement that results in a particular tone which is very different from what J pickups in a traditional position will give you. A regular Sadowsky Jazz is a hi-fi take on the Fender formula. If you want a bass that sounds like a Fender, buy a Fender.

 

[maturanesa]

The Modern has soapbars, 24 frets and pickup placement that results in a particular tone which is very different from what J pickups in a traditional position will give you. A regular Sadowsky Jazz is a hi-fi take on the Fender formula. If you want a bass that sounds like a Fender, buy a Fender.

hi-fi? Sadowsky pickups are just split coils with a preamp. That was invented 30 years ago.

 

[bass12]

hi-fi? Sadowsky pickups are just split coils with a preamp. That was invented 30 years ago.

You're right. Sadowskys sound exactly like Fenders.

 

[rmayer]

A 3k bass is not a standard

I don’t think it is either. It was you that made the statement, for the $6K price of a Sadowsky you could get a quality Fender J and a P, insinuating that they would add up to the cost of the Sadowsky.
I’ve owned, and tried Fenders. They don’t have what I’m looking for. Simple That’s why there isn’t only one bass builder.

 

[Ric Vice]

A 3k bass is not a standard

Perhaps not but we are quickly approaching this price point with a large group of new Indonesian 5 string Basses built for various U.S. companies.

 

[maturanesa]

You're right. Sadowskys sound exactly like Fenders.

No, it sound like an active jazz bass with split coil jazz pickups.

 

[bass12]

No, it sound like an active jazz bass with split coil jazz pickups.

Yes, and all preamps clearly sound the same.

 

[maturanesa]

Yes, and all preamps clearly sound the same.

A preamp is something you can add or replace

 

[bass12]

A preamp is something you can add or replace.

Yep.

 

[rmayer]

No, it sound like an active jazz bass with split coil jazz pickups.

Just for the record, I’ve owned a few Sadowskys with single coil jazz pickups, the Will Lee model being one of them. And you can bypass the preamp and go passive, although I never really saw the benefit.

 

[rmayer]

Yep.

The force is strong in this one, Obi Wan.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I would buy this, but it has the ugliest pickguard in all of human history.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I would buy this, but it has the ugliest pickguard in all of human history.

View attachment 7394515

No G&L holds that title

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I know its a great bass, better than a Fender technically. But if you are looking for a classic sound, alder maple construction, why would you spend 6k if the other guys are winning grammys, sounding awesome with cheaper Fenders

Classic sounds can mean different things to different people. Pick your decade.

 

[scottycameron]

….when you can buy the real thing, a Fender.

I did, twice, American made, they sucked.

Never Fender again...

 

[chris_b]

I don't buy the "Fender is the real thing" line. Maybe there was some truth in that when they had the market to themselves, but when your competitors are making your products better than you do you've got to wake up!!

Fender never hit the spot for me with their 5 string basses. Whereas Lakland, Wal, Lull and Sadowsky (my last 4 #1 basses) did. These basses felt and sounded like home. They left me with such a positive feeling that my next bass will probably come from that list.