Sadowsky Metro 5 Vs Carvin SB5000 or Fender Deluxe 5

Blues Bass 2 · #1 10-15-2011, 11:14 PM

Are the Sadowsky Metros or Lull Jazz 5s that much better than the Carvins or Fenders ? I'm going to have the chance in the next few months to get a new bass and probably want a Jazz 5er . I've had a Skyline JO5 with a J Retro and Fralins and a 2004 Fender Jazz Deluxe with Nordstand singles and was wondering if the extra $1000 for a Metro or Lull was really worth it .

mcglyph · #2 10-15-2011, 11:27 PM

Ok, I'm the most unexperienced bassist on this forum. I'am however the proud and loving owner of an SB5000. My opinion is other than not being a completely custom bass, with just crazy off the wall wood and really advanced electronics options, I can't imagine my bass lacking much. My friends who have been semipro's playing around the world, etc, possessed of the critical eyes of wide knowledgable experience, agree the Carvin I own is crazy bad a$$.

Munjibunga · #3 10-15-2011, 11:53 PM

Wow. If the JO5/J-Retro/Fralins ain't cutting it for you, I don't know what will. I have the U.S. version of that, and it's the ultimate J bass to me. Ditto the Fender with Nordies.

So my answer is no, it wouldn't be worth the extra $1K for a Metro or Lull to you, because they're not going to sound that much better than what you've already had. It sounds to me like you may be one of those guys who is always looking for "his tone" and never finds it. Maybe you're a closet P-bass guy.

MysticMichael · #4 10-15-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blues Bass 2

Are the Sadowsky Metros or Lull Jazz 5s that much better than the Carvins or Fenders ? I'm going to have the chance in the next few months to get a new bass and probably want a Jazz 5er . I've had a Skyline JO5 with a J Retro and Fralins and a 2006 Fender Jazz Deluxe with Nordstand singles and was wondering if the extra $1000 for a Metro or Lull was really worth it .

Boy, so many facets to that one question...

I can only say that I've checked out the Sadowskys, and while they're fine Fender clones, along with many of the other fine Fender clones on the market, IMO they're over-hyped and over-rated - relative to the premium price at which they sell.

Haven't played a Lull - nor a late-model Fender (I've owned a 70's Jazz Bass and a 1966 Precision Bass, but that was back in the day), so I won't hazard a guess.

But I do own a new Carvin SB5000, and I can see why they've generated as much buzz as they have - especially relative to the modest price. Mine has a set of Delano JMVC 5 FE pickups - with the huge 9.5mm exposed pole pieces - and let me tell you, that thing is one aggressive funk monster!

Don't know what else to tell ya. I'm not much of a Fender vintage traditionalist, and am way more into the modern aesthetic - so take that all with a grain of salt.

Happy rockin'...

MM

Blues Bass 2 · #5 10-16-2011, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the replies .

The JO5 I had was just too heavy , 12 pounds , . The Fender was very good , both basses would do what I want so that's why the question about the Sads and Lulls . I'll probably go for a used Lakland or Fender instead of spending $600 to $800 more for Metro or Lull . The Carvin would probably do it for me too but with the other two I wouldn't lose money if I wanted to sell them down the line .

My basses I have now do everything I could want , this is just a chance to add one more bass to my arsenal . My guitar player buddies play PRS and older expensive Gibsons and sometimes I feel like I should get something to brag about too if I get the chance .

Dan Knowlton · #6 10-16-2011, 02:49 PM

I live near the Carvin factory and I would love to like their basses - but they just don't fit my hands...

I have a Sadowsky RV-5 and that does fit - so all I will say is that I like the bit more modern sound than the Fender that the Sadowsky has and also like the more "jazz-bass" sound of the Sadowsky more than the Carvin.

I played the Sadowsky again this morning at Church and it just sits so well in the mix.

Just my $0.000000000000000002!

Dan K.

B String · #7 10-16-2011, 04:30 PM

If you get a chance, check out the Carvin Bromberg B25 bass. I haven't seen anything that can touch it at the price.

There aren't too many of these basses out yet. Very new. But a real stunner. Plays like a race car. (you'll understand when you play it) Has an amazing eq set up with sweepable mids, and very nice sounding "Jazz bass" pickups in radiused covers. Its really cool to hear all the strings equally thanks to the radiused pickups. Just a great bass.

**Chef** · #8 10-16-2011, 07:34 PM

The bromberg has a *great* feature set, but is way too pointy for my ancient sense of aesthetics.

Yeah, 12lbs is way to heavy me too.

Sadowsky Metros are a reasonable value in the Booootique market, I think. If you don't need fancy woods, no need to go NYC. They're voiced on the modern side, so if that's not your thing, you might not like one. If you buy new, they have a 7 day return period, which is nice.

The Lulls are great stuff too, and you can spec the electronics package as you like, which you can also do with Valenti.

pb9717 · #9 10-16-2011, 07:51 PM

If weight is the issue,and all the basses discussed sound acceptable, a sadowsky NYC bass used will be the lightest weight you'll probably find. And the price for a used will be right up there with a new metro or new lull. Your back will thank you , and the quality of a NYC sadowsky is top tier.

west*coast*bass · #10 10-16-2011, 08:10 PM

I have this conversation with a buddy of mine from time to time...is bass "A" thousands of dollars better than bass "B". Many think so, many don't. It's funny, I have not been a Fender fan over the last few years. I think they are making some good stuff now, but there are better basses for the same, or better, price. I think that Carvin is killing it in the bass world with both the SB and Bromberg basses. You simply cannot buy a better new bass for those prices anywhere else. Sadowsky makes killer basses, we all know that. I have played a 5 string Metro PJ which was fantastic, but at close to $3K for that bass, I think the Carvin's would win me over. I am not a Lull fan...nice basses for sure, but never found one that really spoke to me.

Value is ultimately in the hands, eyes and ears of the consumer. A $10K Fodera fits with what some folks want just as a $200 SX does for others. No one is wrong, everyone is right. We bottom dwellers have lots of choices now...isn't it great?!?

B String · #11 10-16-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

The bromberg has a *great* feature set, but is way too pointy for my ancient sense of aesthetics.

Yeah, 12lbs is way to heavy me too.

Sadowsky Metros are a reasonable value in the Booootique market, I think. If you don't need fancy woods, no need to go NYC. They're voiced on the modern side, so if that's not your thing, you might not like one. If you buy new, they have a 7 day return period, which is nice.

The Lulls are great stuff too, and you can spec the electronics package as you like, which you can also do with Valenti.

I don't think I've heard of a 12lb Bromberg bass. I thought the low to upper 9's were the norm.

I also want to throw out the idea of a slightly older Fender American Deluxe J V. I have an 05 with the ever so slightly smaller body. About 8.75 lbs. These are REALLY good basses.
I like the SCN pickups, but if you don't, you could easily throw some Nordy's or something in. Great balance, tone, and ridiculous playability. Especially after I had Carey Nordstrand reshape the neck. WOW!

These basses can be found for a pretty good deal too.

**Chef** · #12 10-16-2011, 10:49 PM

Didn't mean ti imply the Bromberg was 12, the OP said his lakland was; I was just agreeing with him.

B String · #13 10-17-2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

Didn't mean ti imply the Bromberg was 12, the OP said his lakland was; I was just agreeing with him.

oops! I read it wrong. Sorry......

I agree, the Bromberg bass is a different kind of shape. Not too traditional. But I have to tell you it's one of the easiest to play basses I've ever..er..played. Very well balanced. And with a Rosewood board would certainly be in the Jazz bass tonal universe. These basses are just a flat out great deal at the price point.

Blues Bass 2 · #14 10-17-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B String

I don't think I've heard of a 12lb Bromberg bass. I thought the low to upper 9's were the norm.

I also want to throw out the idea of a slightly older Fender American Deluxe J V. I have an 05 with the ever so slightly smaller body. About 8.75 lbs. These are REALLY good basses.
I like the SCN pickups, but if you don't, you could easily throw some Nordy's or something in. Great balance, tone, and ridiculous playability. Especially after I had Carey Nordstrand reshape the neck. WOW!

These basses can be found for a pretty good deal too.

The one American Deluxe Jazz V I had with the Nordstrands must have been an 04 because when I got it it had Fenders Noiseless pickups in it . They were too sterile sounding so I swapped in the Nordies . I agree , they are very good basses and if there is one around after the first of the year when I have the funds I may go that way .

The Bromberg is cool but I already have my pointy bass with my Millennium . If I did go with a Carvin it would be the SB5000 .

datsaxguy · #15 10-17-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Wow. If the JO5/J-Retro/Fralins ain't cutting it for you, I don't know what will.

Ditto +1000

bassjam · #16 10-17-2011, 06:08 PM

+1 to pretty much everything said here.Tough question to answer but the short answer IMO is no.Better for what,for who and in what way? Man is easy to get caught up in TB hype-I know I have- but Id recommend playing as many basses as you can and get what you play best and sounds best to you.It is a tool after all and there is no magic bullet. Quality wise-there are several highly respected builders that make great basses and dont rule out the lesser priced basses-some may surprise you.