I had Sadowsky GAS 😳 (formerly “I’ve got...”)

[LukeFRC]

  On 08/12/2019 at 13:27, ianrendall said:

Marketing must have decided that single cut was more viable than a sixer or neck through 🙂

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well there you go! 
It does surprise me they don't do a 6 though. But if the demand isn't there I guess there's plenty of other builders who make really nice 6's 

[therealting]

  On 08/12/2019 at 12:35, ianrendall said:

I do find it unusual that Sadowsky don’t offer six string or neck through options. I can’t think of any other custom builders that don’t do this.

But there does exist a sole example of a six string Sadowsky built by Yoshi in Tokyo for a trade show. 

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I’d love one. 

  On 08/12/2019 at 12:35, Kevsy71 said:

This thread has well and truly opened the GAS pipeline -  I'd be interested to hear thoughts on J vs P/J  for a Sadowsky 5 string from those with experience of both configurations. Thanks!

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I have an MV4, and have had Sadowsky preamps put into a Dingwall Super J and a Dingwall Super P. I am a P guy, and I love what the pre does to P pickups. It obviously works incredibly well with J pickups too. All a matter of taste and what you prefer. 

[thodrik]

  On 08/12/2019 at 17:29, LukeFRC said:

well there you go! 
It does surprise me they don't do a 6 though. But if the demand isn't there I guess there's plenty of other builders who make really nice 6's 

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The neck on a five string Sadowsky is already pretty wide as it is. This isn't a criticism as I think it is clearly a design choice to provide string spacing that isn't too dissimilar to a four string, which makes slapping and popping and double thumbing much easier than if there was 18mm (or narrower) string spacing. 

I think that a Sadowsky six string with the similar kind of neck carve and string spacing as a Sadowsky five string would be a pretty challenging playing experience. I think that a Sadowsky six string would need to be designed from the ground up as a six string. It would need a different type of neck carve and perhaps even a revamped body shape as simply adding an even bigger neck to a 60s or 70s-type Fender body shape would result in potential ergonomic and weight considerations (Sadowskys generally never weigh over 9lbs). As the single cuts have shown, I wouldn't rule a Sadowsky Six string out. However, I think that it would need a lot of R&D before Roger Sadowsky would consider the design 'good enough' to be released. 

Roger Sadowsky's philosophy is rooted in the original 4 string Fender designs. In my opinion, the best six string designs are basses that are designed as being a 5 or 6 string bass from the outset rather than taking a Fender Jazz bass design and trying to fit two extra strings on. I have a five string Sadowsky and a five string Vigier Arpege. I love them both equally and would consider the fit and finish of them as equally top notch. However, if you asked me if I wanted a six string Vigier or a six string Sadowsky based on the designs of the two basses I already have, the answer would be Vigier every time. 

I will say though that my main gigging bass for ten years has been a four string Sadowsky Metro. Indie, Rock, Jazz, Stoner/Doom. It covers pretty much every genre and the process of being able to 'find a decent tone' generally takes about 30 seconds after turning the amp on. I love it.

 

Edited December 9, 2019 by thodrik

[chris_b]

Sadowsky basses are are Roger Sadowsky's own basses that just happen to be Fender shaped. He kept the shape due to the constraints of the New York studio world, ie demanding that the bass players only use Fender basses.

They are not "super" Fenders, they are much more than that.

[ianrendall]

  On 09/12/2019 at 12:14, chris_b said:

Sadowsky basses are are Roger Sadowsky's own basses that just happen to be Fender shaped. He kept the shape due to the constraints of the New York studio world, ie demanding that the bass players only use Fender basses.

They are not "super" Fenders, they are much more than that.

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Indeed. In the early days before he made his own basses, he advised players to get an old Fender and bring it to him to improve. Marcus Miller was his most well known client back in 1979, installing a Stars Guitars pre-amp in his ‘77 Jazz.

[thodrik]

  On 09/12/2019 at 12:14, chris_b said:

Sadowsky basses are are Roger Sadowsky's own basses that just happen to be Fender shaped. He kept the shape due to the constraints of the New York studio world, ie demanding that the bass players only use Fender basses.

They are not "super" Fenders, they are much more than that.

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  On 09/12/2019 at 12:29, ianrendall said:

Indeed. In the early days before he made his own basses, he advised players to get an old Fender and bring it to him to improve. Marcus Miller was his most well known client back in 1979, installing a Stars Guitars pre-amp in his ‘77 Jazz.

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Wouldn't that make the original Fender basses that Roger Sadowsky worked on 'super Fenders'?

I think that Sadowsky's own basses, while rooted in the original Fender design, definitely have a different voicing from any Fender I have played. However, the links between the Fender designs and Sadowsky basses are so inter-linked that I would not get upset if someone called my Sadowsky a 'super Fender'. For me, it is just taking the original Fender design into a different direction. Same with a Sandberg, Celinder, Xotic or a Mike Lull take on the Fender designs. The difference is that Roger Sadowsky was really the first one to do it and his take on a Jazz bass is pretty much the reference point by which all other subsequent boutique Jazz basses are judged. Basically, I think that the Sadowsky Jazz bass is a classic in its own right at this point. 

For the record, I would love to hear a 60s Fender with Roger Sadowsky's improvements, just to compare it to a 100% Sadowsky build. 

[ianrendall]

  On 09/12/2019 at 12:38, thodrik said:

Wouldn't that make the original Fender basses that Roger Sadowsky worked on 'super Fenders'?

I think that Sadowsky's own basses, while rooted in the original Fender design, definitely have a different voicing from any Fender I have played. However, the links between the Fender designs and Sadowsky basses are so inter-linked that I would not get upset if someone called my Sadowsky a 'super Fender'. For me, it is just taking the original Fender design into a different direction. Same with a Sandberg, Celinder, Xotic or a Mike Lull take on the Fender designs. The difference is that Roger Sadowsky was really the first one to do it and his take on a Jazz bass is pretty much the reference point by which all other subsequent boutique Jazz basses are judged. Basically, I think that the Sadowsky Jazz bass is a classic in its own right at this point. 

For the record, I would love to hear a 60s Fender with Roger Sadowsky's improvements, just to compare it to a 100% Sadowsky build. 

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I’m not sure how far Roger modified Fenders in his early days but probably not as far as he took Millers Jazz. I reckon he did a bit of fettling, fret work and replaced the electronics with something of a higher standard but still passive and installed a @KiOgon loom.

Edited December 9, 2019 by ianrendall

[ianrendall]

I wonder how successful Roger would have been if he had asked players to bring him old Rickenbackers to modify...

[thodrik]

  On 09/12/2019 at 13:02, ianrendall said:

I wonder how successful Roger would have been if he had asked players to bring him old Rickenbackers to modify...

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He would probably still be working on the first one brought to him...

 

Edit: It was a joke, I like Rickenbackers, don't sue me Mr Hall.

Edited December 9, 2019 by thodrik

[chris_b]

My point is that to talk about Sadowsky basses as if they are just Fenders with some work done on them is to miss the point.

My Lull Precision is really Mike Lull making the Fender that Fender should/could be making. He's making the equivalent of a vintage Fender, just better made.

Sadowsky aren't making a Fender at all. They are totally his take on a bass. . . . except, of course, for the shape.

Small differences I know and if you can't hear those differences then they won't be important.

[thodrik]

  On 09/12/2019 at 14:41, chris_b said:

My point is that to talk about Sadowsky basses as if they are just Fenders with some work done on them is to miss the point.

My Lull Precision is really Mike Lull making the Fender that Fender should/could be making. He's making the equivalent of a vintage Fender, just better made.

Sadowsky aren't making a Fender at all. They are totally his take on a bass. . . . except, of course, for the shape.

Small differences I know and if you can't hear those differences then they won't be important.

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Absolutely, I would agree that the Sadowsky bass is very much Roger Sadowsky's take on a bass. However, Roger Sadowsky's take on a bass is very much based on the original Fender designs to begin with (primarily out of necessity as detailed in other posts above).

To me, the Sadowsky J bass is a very specific and modern take on the original passive Fender Jazz bass design, to the point that the finished instrument is pretty much unique to Sadowsky. The Sadowsky single cuts and Modern series with big Singles are definitely less Fender-like, though there is still element of Fender DNA there.

On a basic four string Sadowsky Jazz bass, the basic nut width, number of frets, pick up size, pick up spacing , pickup blend, four bolt neck join, and 34 inch scale length are all based on the classic Fender designs. Yes, the bridge, pick up voicing, electronics, neck carve etc are all different from a passive 1960s Fender, but so are the bridge, pick up voicing, electronics and neck carve of a lot of other Jazz bass designs (including active Fenders). I just happen to think that Roger Sadowsky's take on a Fender Jazz delivers pretty much everything I could want out of a bass guitar that uses the Fender design as the basic template. 

Similarly, the Mike Lull active Jazz designs to me are Mike Lull's take on a bass but also using a Fender Jazz as the basic inspiration. Though, I actually think that the JT series of Mike Lulls is actually less Fender-like than any of Sadowsky's output (I think that they look brilliant as well). The passive Lulls though are far more like the classic passive Fenders than any Sadowsky for sure. Sadowsky's generally don't do that 'vintage' passive Fender sound. You can get close-ish with the VTC rolled off and in passive mode. However, if you want a vintage Fender sound, then I wouldn't recommend a Sadowsky. 

A Sadowsky is definitely not a Fender, but it is far more like a Fender than a Warwick Thumb is like a Fender. So calling people calling a Sadowsky a 'super Fender' or even worse, a 'Fender on Steroids' isn't something that bothers me. Though long time Sadowsky user Jason Newsted described  his Sadowskys as 'turbo Fenders', so if he described them as such I'm not going to disagree (mostly because even in advancing years he is a big scary dude). 
 

[afterimage]

Would love a  Sadosky but making do with the Sadosky  pedal at the minute for my fenders 

[No lust in Jazz]

I like adore the vibe of the Sadowsky P Bass, after binge listening to recordings of my mid 90's US Fender from various live gigs over the past ten years, I realise that I have the P bass sound covered - sadly this is no cure for lusting after a Sadowsky. 

[BlueMoon]

  On 09/12/2019 at 23:58, afterimage said:

Would love a  Sadosky but making do with the Sadosky  pedal at the minute for my fenders

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Is this the scouser's pronunciation?

[thodrik]

http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sadowsky_USA_NYC_4.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ul4T-ls-8zKhj-U_lfG50LxRBX-xtQBTp7g7YNJ9sW07Kh5JA_PDgPqA

Stunning used NYC in Bass Direct. Almost a four string equivalent of the five string I got from there in 2016. A lot more expensive than mine, though admittedly this one is in better condition than mine.

From the numbering of the serial number I would guess mid 2000s.

[bassfan]

  On 10/12/2019 at 20:27, thodrik said:

http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sadowsky_USA_NYC_4.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ul4T-ls-8zKhj-U_lfG50LxRBX-xtQBTp7g7YNJ9sW07Kh5JA_PDgPqA

Stunning used NYC in Bass Direct. Almost a four string equivalent of the five string I got from there in 2016. A lot more expensive than mine, though admittedly this one is in better condition than mine.

From the numbering of the serial number I would guess mid 2000s.

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That’s lovely. If it wasn’t in burst I’d be very tempted to liquidate some assets! 

[thodrik]

  On 10/12/2019 at 20:29, bassfan said:

That’s lovely. If it wasn’t in burst I’d be very tempted to liquidate some assets! 

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Oh, I love a fancy burst! The top on my five string is very similar.

Translucent Black  over a figured top though...just take my money!

[Kevsy71]

  On 10/12/2019 at 20:32, thodrik said:

Oh, I love a fancy burst! The top on my five string is very similar.

Translucent Black  over a figured top though...just take my money!

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I was in Bass Gallery yesterday and they kindly let me have a noodle on this NYC:

https://thebassgallery.com/collections/all/products/sadowsky-nyc-5-21-standard-21

The good news was that the 19mm string spacing felt very natural and the whole build quality was superb.

The bad news was that the 19mm string spacing felt very natural and the whole build quality was superb, and now I can't stop thinking about it...

[afterimage]

  On 10/12/2019 at 16:32, BlueMoon said:

Is this the scouser's pronunciation?

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Lol😂😂😂 typos after a few beers 

It's a lovely pedal by the way SBP-1 Outboard Bass Preamp/DI Pedal

 

 

[ezbass]

I tried a Metro 5 today and it was very nice indeed. I also played a Lakland J Sonic 5 in the same store, which was also nice, but the Sad was my preference, despite the slightly wider neck, which I thought would put me off the Sad (it didn't). I then went to another store and tried a Metro Express 4; not as immediately impressive as the Metro, but when I then tried a Fender active P/J next to it, it was evident what the extra £s were buying you (or at least me): better neck; more authoritative pickups; a preamp that made a good amount of difference; weight. Dammit! I should have stayed at home and not fed the GAS monster. 😂

[gareth]

  On 03/08/2019 at 12:06, bassfan said:

Help! 

I’ve had a hankering for a Sadowsky for years on and off and it’s getting worse.  

I cant find too many posts on here about them, but I’d like your opinions. I know a few of you guys really rate them... I have a jazz already and I’m looking for a PJ. Should I be looking for an NYC over a metro? Would I really be able to tell the difference.... 

come talk to me... and of course feel free to add your pictures ...it won’t help my GAS but I can look! 😃

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I’ve had one USA and various metros including jazzes and a pj - haven’t had a pure p bass sado 

My opinion?

Get a Fender

[bassfan]

  On 28/03/2020 at 13:47, gareth said:

I’ve had one USA and various metros including jazzes and a pj - haven’t had a pure p bass sado 

My opinion?

Get a Fender

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I’ve got a Fender 😂

[LukeFRC]

  On 28/03/2020 at 13:47, gareth said:

I’ve had one USA and various metros including jazzes and a pj - haven’t had a pure p bass sado 

My opinion?

Get a Fender

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Gareth - you’ve got ond of the best taste in basses on this site, and I’m lucky to have been able to have bought that L1000 if you... can you elaborate a bit? Fender could be anything from custom shop all the way down to made in China.

[gareth]

  On 28/03/2020 at 13:54, LukeFRC said:

Gareth - you’ve got ond of the best taste in basses on this site, and I’m lucky to have been able to have bought that L1000 if you... can you elaborate a bit? Fender could be anything from custom shop all the way down to made in China.

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Yes sorry I’m talking about the better parts of fender which my experience tells me is:

fullerton reissue jazzes and precision’s (1982 to 1986)

some of the later USA reissues that weigh less than 10lbs

custom shop 

japanease fenders 

Mexican classic range and some other Mexicans including cabronita, rascal deluxe pj passive

vintage fenders up to 1974 and some 1975 to 1982 but watch weight, sloppy 3 bolt necks and bullet trusses

Fender signatures - roscoe beck 5 (but not the 4), Tony Franklin fretless , jaco and 60th anniversary p bass

Also squiers:-

jv series

vi string

1980’s bullet

I will add more as I remember them

[gareth]

  On 28/03/2020 at 13:52, bassfan said:

I’ve got a Fender 😂

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So why do want a sado?

Perhaps you’ve had/have the wrong fenders?

Edited March 28, 2020 by gareth