why the heck does Roger Sadowsky install his blend knobs "backwards"??

[quadrogong]

i can only imagine how many times this has been asked,
why the heck does he do that??

I discovered this after using it for 3-4 rehearsals,i felt like a real dumdum..seems like the only thing on that bass that isn't spot-on perfect,I guess I'd reverse it,but..I'll wait till I need some work done,no biggie, but WHY?

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

To be unique?

 

[PilbaraBass]

why do some countries drive on the left-hand side of the road?

it's a convention...there's no "backwards"....

if you don't like it, it's a 20 minute resolder job by a tech to change...(notice I said "change", not "correct")

 

[ehque]

Which way is this, clockwise to neck pup or clockwise to bridge?

 

[PilbaraBass]

Which way is this, clockwise to neck pup or clockwise to bridge?

clockwise looking down on the bass, or clockwise looking at the bass from behind?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Just think about the bottom of the knob instead of the top.

 

[BigMikeW]

That's just ROgers way. Everyone I have talked to scratches their head at it but that's what he thinks is right. Personally, I rewire all mine to the other way. I won't say "the right way".

 

[seebee]

I always reposition the pan knob on my Sadowsky's with the line pointing straight down as a visual reference. So like a mixer left of center is front, right is back is back pickup. But even with the stock position it makes sense to me. What I never understood is why some think it is backwards.

 

[BigMikeW]

I always reposition the pan knob on my Sadowsky's with the line pointing straight down as a visual reference. So like a mixer left of center is front, right is back is back pickup. But even with the stock position it makes sense to me. What I never understood is why some think it is backwards.

Interesting. With every bass I have ever had with a blend/pan pot; rolling clockwise always rolled up the neck pickups and counter rolled up the bridge pickup. Just use to it.

 

[mikezimmerman]

For what it's worth, the Wal blend works the same way as the Sadowsky. Fortunately, the Wal bland knob is labeled "B" and "T" for Bass (front) and Treble (rear) pickup. You do get used to it pretty quickly.

Mike

 

[climb]

Sadowsky is NOT the only luthier that does this. My Sukop is like this as well, and I believe I played a Zon that was like that also. On my Sadowsky, the line on the knob is actually on the far side, so using his knob rotation makes complete sense...

 

[ehque]

Sadowsky is NOT the only luthier that does this. My Sukop is like this as well, and I believe I played a Zon that was like that also. On my Sadowsky, the line on the knob is actually on the far side, so using his knob rotation makes complete sense...

oh right then. Sadowsky has it right, everyone else has it backwards . I suppose it depends where your pointer points, up or down.

I always thought i liked the was sadowsky did it was because i was a left hander. i usually got thrown off by blend pots, which is why i have a vol vol set up.

 

[JimS]

It always seemed intuitive to me.

 

[MikeBass]

I suppose it depends where your pointer points, up or down.

Well on a good day, mine points up!!!
But not in a Mike Winnen Brokeback Mountain kinda way....

And, 'cause Roger is cool like dat'..........

 

[MobileHolmes]

My carvins feel backwards too. I suppose there is some logic to it, but I don't get it.

 

[Herrlster]

My Ibanez is "backwards" I guess too...

 

[Obese Chess]

...why not?

 

[knarleybass]

I wonder if he took it from Paul Reid Smith, his rotary picup selector switch is backward as well, you turn the selector up and you get the back pick up, thus making the guitar louder.

 

[Vic]

I believe I played a Zon that was like that also...

Yep, Zon's are "backwards" (so to speak) unless you order them wired specially or unless you redo it yourself (as I do, since it's a trivial change).

 

[atrapp]

hmm, my Status has the blend knob first and then the volume... but it is British after all...

I can see the logic in rotating the pointer down in neutral postition... but really the Sadowsky blend knob is just plain WRONG... now there you have it... Maybe this makes it not a "clone" bass...