gravesbass wrote:
You know, another option if you really like the Sadowsky tone is go with Nino Valenti basses. He works with Sadowsky Guitars building and does his own basses on the side ad is quite good at it. They are Sadowsky clones with Sadowsky preamp, pups and parts on request. AND.. Its half the pric of a NYC Sadowsky.
http://www.valentibasses.com/Just my 2 cents here... I know a few that are interested in this bass but hot damn, near 4k for a 4 string non-exotic bass? It doesnt even have a top.
Shoot, you can build with lefty Warmoth parts and Sadowsky parts for $1200 TOTAL.
I recently tried a Valenti 5-string. You are right, very Sadowsky-like. Great quality and sound, it sounded and felt 90% Sadowsky, BUT, the neck profile was very rounded and thick, nothing like a Sadowsky, and that is deal breaker to many.
BTW, Nino hasn't worked at Sadowsky for awhile, and when he did, he only did the final setup and shipping, not "building." But sure, he learned a lot being there.
Warmoth basses feel nothing like a Sadowsky. Their necks are thick, and tend to be heavy, and the fret work usually needs a good leveling and polishing to come close to a Sadowsky neck. You can put together a nice bass with Warmoth part, but it ain't gonna be no Sadowsky.
Man, this has been discussed to death at Talkbass. Sadowskys are like Mercedes-Benz. Sure, you can buy a Lexus or Infiniti and get all the luxury and ammenities for several thousands less, but an M-B is an M-B, and you know it when you drive one.
If you can afford it, you'll happily pay for one.
My two main basses right now cost me $400 each, and they make me very happy, but I still appreciate the level of craftmanship and precision that a Sadowsky offers.