Sadowsky 4-String Bass

I bought this bass in November of 2002, a sunburst J-style bass with in translucent red and yellow. All solid swamp ash, four controls: volume, blend, treble, bass. A toggle switches out the pre-amp. The fingerboard is rosewood on a maple neck. Accessories included the hardshell case that has "Sadowsky" molded into it, some documentation, registration card, a few postcards, an certificate/application to a company that supplies insurance for musical instruments, some hardware to fit onto a strap for a locking strapbutton system. A tool for adjusting the bridge. The finish is shiny and beautiful.

The sound is versatile, especially with the blend combined with the bass and treble controls. Seems perfect for either rock, funk, or jazz. With all controls turned up, you might blow a speaker or two unless you're careful with the amp's volume--lots of potential gain. The versatility was one of the deal clinchers for me.

Flawless fit and finish.

Everything is of high quality on this. I don't intend to abuse it, so I expect it to last at least through my lifetime.

I haven't had any dealings with them on this instrument. I think the warranty is for the original owner's lifetime.

I'm mainly a guitar player, but I've played the bass almost as long as I've played the guitar (since 1973). I had a fine '62 Precision Bass that was stolen from my house a few months ago. It was an exceptional instrument. This bass isn't a replacement, but it makes me feel like playing it. It's such a pleasure to play--it's alive and responsive to every pluck, thumb, pick, thump, nail scrape, or variation of touch you can think of.

I am going to post a review of my new/used Sadowsky. I find most of these review are not very helpful as a)they contain superficial and overenthusiatic love/hate of the product and/or b) little or no valuable info about the product. Nevertheless, I'll proceed because
I am bored at work, and perhaps (though perhaps not) I'll do a better job.
Mine is a 4 string, 21 fret Sadowsky style jazz bass. It has: a one piece bolton maple neck, with a birdeye maple fretboard, an ash body with a quilted maple top with an amazing blue translucent finish.
The pickups and preamp are Sadowsky designed. It has lightweight chrome tuners, a badass bridge. The 4 black knobs control master volume, pup blend, bass and treble boost. The is an active passive switch. The neck is comfortable and fairly fast, the body is slightly downsized.
Just enough features that I want/need, nothing I don't.

I never undertood what the description "jazz bass on steroids" means and I still don't. This is the best jazz bass I have ever owned or played for any length of time. I have a Mike Lull, and many Fender jazz basses (old and new). Sound is subjective and hard to put into words. It sounds like the ideal jazz bass should- warm but round, thick but cutting. The eq and preamp are very natural and smooth sounding. Passive mode is excellent as well. Well suited for any style of music, I'd think.

The setup is really low, with no buzz. The fretboard radius is very flat, which helps.
The construction is flawless, at least I can't find any and I'm very meticulous about fit and finish details. It sound be for the price tag.

Built like a tank. I would use it on a gig without carrying a backup.

Can't say. Haven't used it.

I have about 12 basses right now, and have owned many more, high and low end. I traded my Elrick in for this bass, and so far I am not dissappointed with the trade. I like Fender style basses, esp. jazz basses. It the sound in my head I am always searching for, so hopefully this bass will end my GAS. This bass is better than any Fender, Mike Lull, or Lakland JO I've had or played. I can't think of one thing I'd like to change about this bass. I've had many different brands of bass, and this is my all time number one.
How is that for glowing and superficial? The main question with these basses or many highend bass is it worth the money? This is a very relative question. It really depends on how much money you have and how much value you have4money. I am not rich, so money is of high concern for me. Would I buy a new one for $2500-3000 grand? No, only b/c I don't think any bass is worth that to me. But for what I paid used I am very happy. Is it better than other jazz style basses? Well another very subjective question. I would say it is about twice as good as my next favorite jazz bass, a maple neck Fender American Std.
This bass cost me less than one third the price of the Sadowsky, so the law of diminishing return starts to kick in.
Overall, I'm glad I have this bass, and for now am skeptical that I will find another jazz bass I will like as much.

This is a solid-body Jazz bass style 4 string. It was made for me by Sadowsky guitars in New York, 1996. Controls include volume, pickup pan, treble, and bass. Pickups are EMG Jazz-style (active). The electronics consist of a built-in Sadowsky active pre-amp. The body is swamp ash with AAA quilted maple top. The neck is maple with morado (Bolivian rosewood) fretboard. The bridge is fully adjustable and very heavy. Tuners are Gotoh. Scale length is 34". Hardshell case was included.

Sadowsky basses are played by Marcus Miller, Will Lee, Tom Hamilton, and Jason Newstead. They are trully versatile instruments suited for a wide range of music. I play mostly pop-rock and rock-fusion instrumental music. The sound can best be described as thick, powerfull, and punchy. I can hear all the notes plyed very distinctively despite being in a band with a very loud drummer and guitarist. THe sound is so clear and crisp that whenever I try to use compression or chorus (or almost any other processor), I find that they just muddy up the sound. The only effect that I currently use is an EBS octabass for certain songs. I play through a Mesa Boogie Bass 400+. The bass is capable of delivering a very hollow, throaty, singing tone from the neck pickup. I find it useful (with some muting) to emulate upright bass. The bridge pickup is very precise and tight. If you roll off some bass it can sound very sparkly like a guitar. Harmonics stand out all over the place if you want them to. If you like to slap this is theeee bass. My favorite position is with the pickup pan control close to the middle (both pickups at the same volume) with a little hint more on the bridge. The electronics are SUPER quiet. I do a lot of recording at home; if you plug into a mixer and listen with headphones wide open you will not hear any hiss or buzz. Very lovely electronics.

Roger Sadowsky is well known for his superior setups. When my bass arrived, the action and intonation were right on. The finish was beautiful with no buffing or sandpaper marks anywhere. The quilted maple top is beautiful with a lot of 3-D character. The guitar feels solid and balanced.

I play this bass daily. I play it hard. I have had no problems with it. The hardwarwe is black chrome and the tuner posts where the strings are wrapped are loosing some of the finish. I don't see this as a problem since it is purely cosmetic and I do change the strings very often.

All Sadowsky basses are custom made. I ordered mine by calling Sadowsky guitars (Roger himself answered the phone). He was very friendly and helpful. He listened to what I wanted and assured me he would "build me a beaut". I have asked questions through e-mail and he always gets back within a day. I did have to wait six months to get is built; knowing what I know now I would have waited two years. On the downside I dont't get as exited about going to music stores because finding a better instrument seems pretty doubtful to me.

This is the finest instrumet that I own (I do own quite a few as my wife would tell you).