Fender VS Sadowsky

#41
For a price range of 4-5k$... you will get a Fender CS that will smoke as hard as the sado does. Despite the renown of Fender I really doubt that they can afford to produce crap at that price range.

Now if you compare an average sado with an average fender (us am std) then of course the sado will be better. You can also buy at least a couple of standards for that price as well.

I have yet to play a crap Fender CS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnThomasson, Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati and baxter_x
#42
I’ve gigged both.

With all due respect to Sadowsky, that Marcus Miller V has by far and away the most Jazz Bass feeling neck I’ve yet played on a 5 string bass. The thing you have to watch out for is the standard Fender weight variability; because some of those MM V’s can be weighty. Mine weighed in around 8 pounds 10 oz. I am not a fan of bound and blocked necks; so that was one delta for me. Also, the preamp was....adequate at best. I basically sold mine because Roger was not offering his preamp as after market at the time; and the Fender preamp was finally not what I wanted. But, I do miss that bass. One of those decisions that doesn’t look so good in the rear view mirror.

But, I did use the sale to purchase a Sadowsky Metro 4 string; which was a fabulous instrument and led to a later Sadowsky NYC purchase. Which I still have, and which has one of the best Jazz Bass necks on it I’ve played in spite of the 12” fingerboard radius.

I’ve gigged both the Sadowsky nut widths on their 5 strings, the standard 1 7/8” and the Will Lee. The narrower WL feels a little better; but, in my case the distinction wasn’t a big deal. The thing I can’t get past on the Sadowsky 5 is the girth of the 19 mm neck. Just doesn’t feel Jazz Bass to me. At all. So, unfortunately, my 5 is a Fender Parts Bass with the Sadowsky preamp in it. Which is, despite the lack of pedigree, a pretty great instrument.

Meanwhile, Fender, in their infinite “corporate wisdom” has ditched that spectacular MM V neck taper. They clearly don’t understand when they have a good thing, confusing the design basis with the “signature” baloney/hype. That company mainly cares about selling a lot of guitars to parents of teenagers, and not so much about actual bass players. Their basses can be nice in spite of the reigning business model. Fortunately, Leo’s basic designs allow decent instruments, even when the company is doing their best to mess them up.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bassicg, lowdownthump, Yakamoga and 3 others
#44
Sparkl said:
For a price range of 4-5k$... you will get a Fender CS that will smoke as hard as the sado does. Despite the renown of Fender I really doubt that they can afford to produce crap at that price range.

Now if you compare an average sado with an average fender (us am std) then of course the sado will be better. You can also buy at least a couple of standards for that price as well.

I have yet to play a crap Fender CS.
Click to expand...
Agree 100%
And I hope any brand doesn't make crap at such a price range! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sparkl and MoeTown1986
#45
Isn't Fender's bass an attempt to replicate the sound that Marcus and Roger Sadowsky created for Marcus in a 70's Fender with the addition of a preamp? Instruments from both companies have evolved since then, but I would go to the innovative source and get a Sadowsky. Their pre-amps are my favorite for 2 reasons - musicality (it purrs) and simplicity/easy of use (passive bass with boosts).
 
#48
Seriously, I've owned 6 or 7 Sadowskys and can't remember how many Fenders. I vote Sadowsky. Better neck, more even tone up and down the fretboard, and sits perfectly in any mix. And you don't see the bad 2 or 3 piece body wood matches.
 
#49
cnltb said:
I think I'd go by individual instrument rather than builder vs. builder in this particular case. I have seen very well made Fenders and relatively sloppy Sadowsky basses.

I'd try basses from both and get what feels and sounds best.
Click to expand...
Everyone's experiences vary. I've played quite a few Sadowskys, never seen a relatively sloppy one. I have seen many relatively sloppy Fenders, at all price points, including a Custom Shop Custom Classic I ordered and waited 9 months for. Swirls in the finish, the pickguard didn't match up to the control plate. I'll never buy another Fender.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lesfunk
#50
Two things to consider: consistent characteristics of a model/design and variable characteristics. Every bass model is subject to both. The consistent characteristics are things such as basic design, preamp/components, level of quality control, etc. These are all factors that, barring some unusual oversight, you can expect from a given model or brand. With the Sadowsky you can expect the neck pocket to be tight, you can expect the preamp to sound "like a Sadowsky", you can expect a certain neck profile, etc. The variable characteristics are those which are unpredictable and which make one bass sound different from another in exactly the same model (regardless of wood combination). This is where things get tricky and this is where the notion that "you can't go wrong" with a given brand or model goes out the window. It also helps explain why one person might have a positive experience with a bass while another (with the same tastes/tonal goals where basses are concerned) has a negative experience. I really like the "Sadowsky sound" and I'm a fan of the company but, having owned several and having played a number of others at the Sadowsky shop, I can tell you that there are many Sadowskys that, due to variable characteristics, didn't work for me. These "variable characteristics" included the bass not cutting through the mix the way my other Sadowskys did and tonal inconsistencies from note to note. Such characteristics were not representative of any shortcomings of the Sadowsky brand - they merely represented the reality of wood: that it is, to some degree at least, inconsistent and unpredictable. To make things more complicated, not everyone has the same sensitivities to variable characteristics. While one person might, for example, hear a fingerboard that has tonal inconsistencies from note to note, another might hear a fingerboard that is totally even sounding.

There's no sure bet when it comes to purchasing an instrument based on how it should sound in theory. The only way to be sure that you're getting an instrument that will work for you is by trying some basses yourself and listening with your ears instead of your eyes. Having said all that, if I had to take a chance and buy a bass without first being able to try it there's no question that I'd go with Sadowsky over Fender. :D
 
#51
I think a "good Fender" can be every bit as good as a "good Sadowsky"

I also think Sadowsky's batting average for making "good Sadowsky's" is just about .1000 and Fender's batting average for making "good Fenders is AT BEST about .300 and FAR LESS for some of their lines and ALL of their 5 strings.

But, if you have the time, resources and knowledge to spot a "Good Fender" as it sits on the rack without being set up and wearing meh strings...go for it.

I know I thought I knew how to spot one right up until I got the first Sadowsky. Gawd was I ever wrong
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lesfunk
#54
All the "this one or this one?" threads always end up by making the OP even more confused.

Anyhow, my vote goes to Sadowski for their impecable quality and their in-your-face tone. I'd throw everyone off further saying that ideally, it would be Sadowski to play live and and a more subdued passive Fender Jazz V for recording.
 
#56
Steve said:
I think a "good Fender" can be every bit as good as a "good Sadowsky"

I also think Sadowsky's batting average for making "good Sadowsky's" is just about .1000 and Fender's batting average for making "good Fenders is AT BEST about .300 and FAR LESS for some of their lines and ALL of their 5 strings.

But, if you have the time, resources and knowledge to spot a "Good Fender" as it sits on the rack without being set up and wearing meh strings...go for it.

I know I thought I knew how to spot one right up until I got the first Sadowsky. Gawd was I ever wrong
Click to expand...

I don't know man, but my Elite Jazz V is just a great instrument. OTOH I owned a Stingray5 HH that I just couldn't get rid of. Damn that thing was annoying. Pure lemon by definition.
 
#57
I have a Sadowsky UV70 J5 and I consider it the 'ultimate' jazz bass. I also own a Fender 63 AVRI P-Bass and a Highway One Jazz.

One thing to consider is that you can sometimes get a Fender Custom Shop bass (used) at the same price as a Japanese Sadowsky bass (used), but that is of course deal- and market- dependent. The CS might have a fancy top, etc.

Can't go wrong with a Sadowsky though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back