leroydiamond Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 heres the deal. i have been using a Sadowsky NYC jj bass for the 18u months. Yep a fab bass no doubt. light as a feather with hum cancelling pickups and a fabulous sadowsky pre amp with the lovely VTC control. No complaints. This weekend however i decided to take out my 1964 fender jazz bass and it simply kicked the sadowsky into touch. The neck is super fast and the sound just cut through the mix like a monster. The guys in the band were blown away by the fender and are begging me to stick with it and retire the sadowsky.So how does a 44 year old instrument rock so good when compared with a modern precision crafted top of the range boutique bass ?. Any comments welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 It's all wood and wire. It either works or it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'm dead jealous that the guys in your band could tell the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkonthehill Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' post='1259087' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:41 PM']I'm dead jealous that the guys in your band could tell the difference.[/quote] Yeah my lot didnt even notice I was 40 minutes late!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 [quote name='munkonthehill' post='1259095' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:49 PM'] Yeah my lot didnt even notice I was 40 minutes late!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote] For a gig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' post='1259087' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:41 PM']I'm dead jealous that the guys in your band could tell the difference.[/quote] Darn right!! But that old vintage grunt seemed to get their attention!!. In fairness the Sadowsky is a fine instrument and i am sure that the wood and wire is of the highest standard but the old fender beats it hands down, no contest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 IMO, the Fender will have that 'full on' jazz tone. It can be very upfront and aggressive! I've yet to hear a Sadowsky match that grunt and aggression. No doubt the quality of the Sadowsky is at least a touch higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 6, 2011 Author Share Posted June 6, 2011 [quote name='Musicman20' post='1259108' date='Jun 6 2011, 11:06 PM']IMO, the Fender will have that 'full on' jazz tone. It can be very upfront and aggressive! I've yet to hear a Sadowsky match that grunt and aggression. No doubt the quality of the Sadowsky is at least a touch higher.[/quote] Yea the build quality on the sadowsky is better. Fret finishing is perfect and the neck pocket tight as you like. The fender falls behind on both these counts, yet curiously the fender wins hands down. Heading away for a couple of days so will not be online. Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 No problem if that is what you prefer. On paper it seems you have two very nice choices, but you can't judge these things on paper and supposed spec. A 44 year old bass has no devine right to be any good...but if it has been in business that long there may be a reason it survived being chopped for firewood. I suggest you are very lucky. I've played my mate's '62 P-bass which is worth a lot of money and frankly, it is a dog, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I find the same with my '62 P Bass. I have quite a collection of very nice basses but when it comes to recording I go to my P Bass every time. It just has something that the others don't, and it sits so well in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Different basses suit different things. That's why we have more than one. You should use the bass that suits the type of music you are playing for looks and sound. BTW is cutting through the mix a good thing? Unless you're Mark King or Hooky most bass parts need to sit in the mix holding the sound of the band together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 One factor to bear in mind here is cost and availability ? Second hand Sadowsky NYC (which will likely be in excellent original condition) £2k One, very second hand 1964 Fender Jazz - £8k? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 [quote name='munkonthehill' post='1259095' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:49 PM'] Yeah my lot didnt even notice I was 40 minutes late!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 [quote name='leroydiamond' post='1259043' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:14 PM']....So how does a 44 year old instrument rock so good when compared with a modern precision crafted top of the range boutique bass ?....[/quote] Age doesn't make a bass sound good and a boutique bass can easily sound better than a Fender. You have to get the sound out of the bass and this time you get a better sound out of the Jazz in relation to this band. Never mind the make; you should always go with what sounds best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1259352' date='Jun 7 2011, 01:37 AM']BTW is cutting through the mix a good thing?[/quote] This could be another thread but I've always felt that was a funny goal too. Either way I've found the knobs on my amp can give any bass too much or too little cut so I've never wanted a bass for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1259352' date='Jun 7 2011, 09:37 AM']BTW is cutting through the mix a good thing?[/quote] Good question, and IMO... no. Horses for courses, tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 [quote name='munkonthehill' post='1259095' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:49 PM'] Yeah my lot didnt even notice I was 40 minutes late!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote] [quote name='chrismuzz' post='1259099' date='Jun 6 2011, 10:54 PM']For a gig? [/quote] Coming back in after the drum solo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Some thoughts. The Sadowsky is always active, even when the preamp eq is bypassed, so you never hear it without the preamp..even if its only acting as a buffer. Also the Sadowsky pickups are spec'd and voiced by Sadowsky, even though they're probably made by DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan. Given Sadowsky's origins as a "hot rodder" for Fenders I'd guess they are voiced for a bit more edge or bite than stock Fender pickups...as that was what a lot of players were looking for back in the late 70's and 80's. The Marcus and Will Lee approach needed an impact that stock Fender basses couldn't do without some active help. With current amps stock Fenders can sound a lot better than they did back in the old days (!) - may be some of what you're hearing is improved amplification of what was always there...and the more "modern" voicing of the Sadowsky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 [quote name='BassBod' post='1260373' date='Jun 7 2011, 10:03 PM']Some thoughts. The Sadowsky is always active, even when the preamp eq is bypassed, so you never hear it without the preamp..even if its only acting as a buffer. Also the Sadowsky pickups are spec'd and voiced by Sadowsky, even though they're probably made by DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan. Given Sadowsky's origins as a "hot rodder" for Fenders I'd guess they are voiced for a bit more edge or bite than stock Fender pickups...as that was what a lot of players were looking for back in the late 70's and 80's. The Marcus and Will Lee approach needed an impact that stock Fender basses couldn't do without some active help. With current amps stock Fenders can sound a lot better than they did back in the old days (!) - may be some of what you're hearing is improved amplification of what was always there...and the more "modern" voicing of the Sadowsky?[/quote] I think this is a good point. I share your view that modern bass amps are an improvement on what was available in the old days (I use markbass). However I have used a number of stock fenders and they were just ok. None of them matched my 1964 jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1259352' date='Jun 7 2011, 09:37 AM']Different basses suit different things. That's why we have more than one. You should use the bass that suits the type of music you are playing for looks and sound. BTW is cutting through the mix a good thing? Unless you're Mark King or Hooky most bass parts need to sit in the mix holding the sound of the band together.[/quote] thanks for the comment. I guess its the degree of a bass guitars ability to cut through the mix that is the issue for me. Its important that a bass sound honours its role of sitting in the pocket and holding the sound together. Also its important that the sound of the bass can be heard clearly. Many bassses I have tried can have a good frequency response but sound a bit muffled and lack clarity. My 1964 jazz projects each and every note distinctly and is very even across the fretboard. Together with the sound of the bass playability is important and again the 64 jazz is just like butter, better than anything i have ever played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 [quote name='JTUK' post='1259291' date='Jun 7 2011, 08:20 AM']No problem if that is what you prefer. On paper it seems you have two very nice choices, but you can't judge these things on paper and supposed spec. A 44 year old bass has no devine right to be any good...but if it has been in business that long there may be a reason it survived being chopped for firewood. I suggest you are very lucky. I've played my mate's '62 P-bass which is worth a lot of money and frankly, it is a dog, IMO.[/quote] Thanks for the comment. Firstly my math suck. The bass is 47 years old. Agreed I have come across a couple of vitage fenders that have been less than impressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1259352' date='Jun 7 2011, 09:37 AM']Different basses suit different things. That's why we have more than one. You should use the bass that suits the type of music you are playing for looks and sound. BTW is cutting through the mix a good thing? Unless you're Mark King or Hooky most bass parts need to sit in the mix holding the sound of the band together.[/quote] thanks for the comment. I guess its the degree of a bass guitars ability to cut through the mix that is the issue for me. Its important that a bass sound honours its role of sitting in the pocket and holding the sound together. Also its important that the sound of the bass can be heard clearly. Many bassses I have tried can have a good frequency response but sound a bit muffled and lack clarity. My 1964 jazz projects each and every note distinctly and is very even across the fretboard. Together with the sound of the bass playability is important and again the 64 jazz is just like butter, better than anything i have ever played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.