Sadowsky SA-200 Head

2007, one channel, simple to use but more controls than I prefer. Compared to most bass amps the controls are fewer, simpler, and that's better IMHO. I hate those para and semi-parametric EQs, slides, switches, buttons, etc.

200w of tube power is far louder than a 200w solid-state amp. It's fine for most gigs but two 4x10 cabs will be fine. Regardless, you can always DI out to the PA.

Very versatile tone from clean to grind and distortion. Superb be it slap, fingerstyle, and pick style.

I have 3 Sadowsky basses. This head with the SA410 cab is the shizzle. I usually leave the conrols flat and just play.

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Customer support: Sadowsky is the benchmark for customer support.

...Playing bass for about 8 years and guitar for about 25 years.

It it were broken or stolen, I'd pray for one to pop up on the 'net or Evilbay and snag it. It's pricy but the tone is pricelss.

The SA-200 is a great all-around product. It has clearly been designed and constructed with the actual needs of working bassists in mind, and achieves a very impressive level of musicality, usability, and durability that would hold up in value even at a much higher cost. As with any product, I have gone a few rounds thinking "if only it had..." (multiple channels, savable presets, etc.), only to come back to recognizing the appropriateness of the simplicity and power of the available features.

Here are some qualities that really stand out for me in the SA-200, as they hit my requirements dead-on:

* minimal and intuitive tone shaping controls. Intuitive means the knobs match how I think of my sound, which in turn means less time and (non-musical) brain cycles getting a great sound. No graphic or parametric EQs, or fiddly arrays of oddly-named knobs to keep me struggling to tweak out a carefully-hidden sound. Regardless of the style I'm playing, from power-pop to funk to singer-songwriter sideman, I can quickly dial in a fitting and distinctive tone. Lots of compliments from folks, too. In short, the amp is musical and designed for playing music *now*.

* very sweet overdrive characteristics. By "sweet", I don't mean to suggest that it can't get very dirty indeed. What is sweet is that the vast majority the overdrive's range is usable for one purpose or another, from warm transient smoothing to deeply affecting nastiness. Included in the documentation are a range of practical example settings for gain and tone to help you quickly explore the range of the unit.

* once you've dialed in what you want from the above, the master volume control magnifies in a linear, balanced way. In other words, you can just make yourself louder without having to dial your sound in again. This characteristic of the amplifier has really exposed to me the limitations of some cabinets and even most rooms. Again, more time playing and sounding great, less time striking a deal with your kit.

My amp spends an unfair amount of time bouncing in the trunk of my car going to gigs and rehearsals (and on other errands when I'm too lazy to take it out of the car). The SA-200 has worked without a single problem or issue despite the moderate abuse that I inflict on all my gear.

Here is where I have to ding the rating a little, as I set it on my dining room table prior to racking it or putting on the included rubber feet, and the non-flush screws on the bottom of it put some serious gouges in the table's finish. I've notified Sadowsky of this issue, which (if it hasn't already been resolved) can be gotten around by racking the unit or putting the feet on it straightaway.

I also own a Sadowsky bass, and throughout its life Sadowsky (the company itself including Roger himself) have been tremendously helpful and supportive. I appreciated Sadowsky's active follow-up when a design issue with the rubber foot screw was found to possibly cause problems with the SA-200 (it didn't cause problems for me).

Nearly 15 years ago, I bought the first bass amp that I truly loved, the SWR Basic Black. This was at a time when the solid state, graphic EQ, "bells and whistles" movement was well underway. What that amp taught me is that it is possible to have an amplification system that you can walk up to, plug into, get a great sound effortlessly, and very quickly be doing what you should be doing, which is playing bass.

Since then, I've been on a search for an amp that can take these qualities to the next level, both in terms of amplitude and versatility, but with a minimum of added complexity. After spending a couple of months with the SA-200 and evaluating other products, I'm pleased to say that I've found the solution in the SA-200.

I strongly recommend racking the unit in a shallow 4-unit box with comfortable handles on it. Doing so yields a reasonably portable package and will help protect the functionality and beauty of your partner-in-crime.

Would *definitely* buy it again if stolen or lost. Also evaluated Ampeg, SWR, Eden, Aguilar, also had some nice stuff but this one was the most musical and to-the-point to my ears.