Sadowsky Bass Preamp/DI

There is not much to say here, three knobs (Volume, Treble, Bass) and two switches (on/off; mute). One input, three outputs (out; tuner out; xlr out with ground lift switch). works on 9V battery and/or powersupply. Can hardly be any easier to use.

I have been using the unit live and in the studio since 1 year now on many occasions. My main observation is, that it does much more favours to the sound enhancement of passive instruments. Active basses also may improve, but not necessarily. However, I use the unit regularily with my passive Bass lineup consisting a 65 Fender Precision, a Yamaha BB Ltd. 4-String (JB), a Yamaha BB Ltd. 5-String (JB), Squire Jazz Bass and Gibson "Grabber" G-3.

There is no doubt, that all these basses enjoy a really nice sound improvement once you turn the Sadowsky pre-amp on. Even if you just turn the treble and bass knobs in very little, there is a clear audible smooth enhancement of clarity and punch in the tone. With my Jazzbass type instruments there is certainly an audible "Marcus Miller effect", however, it helps to have a bass rig which is able to reproduce the necessary frequencies for that sound, especially in the treble range. I used it with Gallien Krueger RB1001 and Ampeg SVT 4 Pro units and several 10" speaker Systems with horns (like the Ampeg BXT series). Since this is an outboard unit in can luckily used for all kinds of basses and situations.

I also tried the unit with many active basses like Yamaha NE-II, Yamaha TRB 6; Tobias; Music Man Sting Ray, WAL 5-String, several Fretless Basses but as I said in the beginning, I don't think the sound of active basses necessarily needs a Sadowsky treatment. It rather makes a passive bass "sound" active.

So far there have been no problems. Would consider it being very solid and reliable.

Never had to approach them so far.

I play bass since about 25 years, 20 years professionally including all styles from punk rock to musical, from jazz to metal, blues to pop, etc., having played approx. 4,000 gigs. The Sadowsky Pre-Amp makes sense, no matter which style you feel home with. However, passive basses are the ones you should focus on using the Sadowsky with. I also use the Sans-Amp Bass D.I. Driver from time to time. These units get compared to each other quite often, however, I think they are not really comparable. The Sans-Amp is a unit which enhances the sound in a way, that gives the impression of using a tube-amplification circuit, also good for dirty overdriven sounds. The Sadowsky cannot be driven to distortion at all, it serves in all aspects to clarity, bass and treble enhancement and allover punch. I actually have used the Sadowsky and Sans-Amp together (Sadowsky first, then chained to the Sans-Amp) and it was quite an interesting combination.

No matter which rig I use, whenever I bring one of my passive basses, I also use the Sadowsky - it makes the difference. You won't die not having it, but you will certainly miss it, once you had it.

Didn't really have a manual, but came with a couple of pages touching on proper use of the device. Has a useful 'low battery' light, and the compartment is very easy to get to. Very easy to get a good sound out of it, because it only has treble and bass boost knobs. There's a bypass footswitch, which is pretty straightforward. The unit also has a 'thru' audio jack , which gives an un-affected bass signal for use with an amp or effects unit.

I am using a Carvin LB70 active, 4string bass. This DI is extremely quiet and powerful. The treble knob adds a nice, thick sparkle, instead of making the bass sound thin and weak. The bass knob adds serious low end rumble, and seems to make the bass pitch more clear and authoratative. Both knobs are 'boost only'. Dialing the e.q. knobs to half way gives a really dramatic result. The DI doesn't really color the tone, it just adds hugeness and clarity to what is already there. It really enhances the character of my bass. The tone seems to be brought forward, or made more present.

This unit has a solid weight to it, and the casing is built very, very well. However, the two e.q. knobs are kind of fragile feeling. They can be jiggled a bit, are made of plastic and feel a little loose. No doubt the only negative with this product.

I went to the shop in Brooklyn to buy the unit. I was met by an employee who took me to a big testing room with a bass rig and some instruments inside. He insisted on hooking me up and letting me try one unit out, prior to buying it. He was very pleasant, as was another gentleman, I believe to be Mr. Sadowsky. He wished me well as I left his shop, and they even let my fiance's sons play with their dog in the store. It's a small, very simple looking operation, so I'm sure you'd get much attention. When I called to get their hours, I believe Mr. Sadowsky even answered the phone. I doubt the unit will break, but I don't see them having a problem with addressing such issues, based on my brief visit.

I compared this with a Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver, which I will be promptly returning to the music store. It (the SansAmp) could not even remotely compare to the huge bottom end that the Sadowsky gave my bass. After all of the great reviews about the SansAmp, I was skeptical of the Sadowsky. Boy, was I ever wrong. It was the Bass Driver that came up short in comparison.

The price is a bit much after tax, but once you hear what it does, you feel like you have made a great investment. This unit doesn't try to alter your characteristic bass tone or try to model amps, it just greatly and tastefully magnifies and intensifies what is there. It makes my Carvin bass and 8" Event 20/20 monitor speakers sound huuuuuuge!!!! My fiance' even noticed that in a blind test, and she doesn't know zip about music gear. There's a 7 day money back trial period, but you'll only need one day to realize that you'll keep it.

Has three knobs. Volume, Bass boost, and Treble boost. Has an on/off switch and a mute switch. It doesn't get any easier than this. You will find excellent tone very easily with this little black box.

I am using a Warwick Corvette Standard through an Ampeg B2R head and an Ampeg BSE410HLF cabinet. Before the little black box came along my tone was thin and sterile and not very loud. I now have the warmth and thickness that I have been hearing in my head but was lacking before! I did not think it was possible but you really can have amazing room shaking depth with crystal clear clarity. You will be heard in the mix with this. Thank you Roger Sadowsky for a product that actually delivers the goods.

Don't have enough data on this since I have only owned it for a week. But it is made very tough and comes with a 1 year warranty. With Sadowsky's reputation I am not very worried about this having problems.

Roger Sadowsky answers the phone personally. What does that tell you?

The Sadowsky preamp is expensive, but if you are a tone freak like I am than this is $250 very well spent. I am freakin' addicted to my tone now! The only thing better than the Sadowsky Outboard Preamp would be an actual Sadowsky Bass!

Its all pretty basic, you've got your main 3 knobs (Volume, Treble, and Bass) and 4 jacks (In, Out, Tuner, and XLR). Also there's a mute switch and on/off. It sounds rather simple, but the thing that got me was "How much do you turn up the treble and bass?". It doesn't give a recommended setting section to the instructions. I wasn't quite sure what levels would be good to have it on for my bass. Other than that it was a breeze.

It sounds good, but the change is subtle. If you play your bass without it on, it probably sounds alright. When you turn it on, its not that that much of a difference. It boosts the highs and lows well, and definitely makes it bassier, but its not all that drastic from the original sound. Plus, if you already have a really nice sounding bass (I have a Jeff Berlin signature fretless that sounds AWESOME), and you turn on the preamp, it will just sound different and not necessarily out of this world.

Its very reliable. The guys at Sadowsky know what they're doing, this thing is built like a tank. I wouldn't worry about it breaking, unless you're doing just play stupid things to it, like running it over with your car. Personally, I would never do anything of the sort to any of my children, oh, oops, I mean "equiptment". (But what is the difference, really?)

They're nice people at the company. I like the fact that you actually talk to a person as apposed to a recording. You get to talk to the people that actually made the thing, and they're quite concerned as to how they're equiptment is doing. If there's a problem, they'll be sure to fix it tout suite.

This is my personal opinion, but I personally don't think this thing is worth $250. It sounds good, and is built well, but I was expecting somewhat of "instant Marcus Miller". I personally sent it back, after having it for a couple of days and agonizing over the decision of getting it. In the end, I decided that it wasn't a big enough change in sound, and it just wasn't worth spending $250. There are plenty of other preamps, I'd suggest checking one of them out. Oh yeah, and a lot of those other ones are CHEAPER.

This Unit is easier than shit to use. This is the newer model built as a stomp box. Everything is clearly marked and there's only three knobs to push (volume, treble, bass)the knobs are a little bit small though. There's a mute switch and bypass switch. an XLR out a tuner out as well as guitar in's and out's(Duh)

I use an ibanez ex series (with EMG pickups)through the preamp and into a fender bxr amp. The tone is unbelievable. My bass was often to pingy, and when the bass was increased the guitar started to fart. Then the little black box came along and i've managed to get that ernie ball musicman phat tone. I dont know how they did it but they did. I turn up the bass a little bit and I get that Marcus Miller sound. It rocks

This box is the shit. It's a goddam tank

I bought this box right from their office in new york. They said they would answer any of my questions and concerns. The box also came with a one-year warranty. But i've never had to use it

The box is perfect for PJ basses. It gives that professional tone and quality. it beats the fodera premap hands down and your never limited by what it can do. It is a little to expensive but the sound is unbelievable. If you want to salvage your favourite bass that might not have that tone your looking for consider investing