Sadowsky NYC vs Metro

J fingaz · #1 04-21-2011, 01:07 AM

I've read many of the posts and it seems that on paper these basses are very similar. However I now live in Japan and have some friends here who own NYC's and have also played the metro side by side. They swear the metro is completely different and not on par. They also say the wood here is just not even close to the american wood. One went as far as repeatedly telling me to stay away from the metro. Anyone who's played both have any thoughts? Sound, feel?

ModuMan · #2 04-21-2011, 02:11 AM

Aside from the weight, fancy tops and hardware options I couldn't tell the difference between them.

That said, I got a NYC for the weight, fancy top and hardware option.

Kwesi · #3 04-21-2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModuMan

Aside from the weight, fancy tops and hardware options I couldn't tell the difference between them.

That said, I got a NYC for the weight, fancy top and hardware option.

Haha, I'd say the same thing. I went into the Sadowsky shop maybe a year ago and played on 7 Sadowskys. I know at least 3 were metros but I couldn't possibly draw some sort of "quality line" between them. They were all spectacularly crafted basses.

CHRISDABASS · #4 04-21-2011, 05:14 AM

Sounds like NYC Snobbery to me!

If Roger Sadowsky himself says the quality is the same i'd be inclined to believe him!!

harrybosch · #5 04-21-2011, 07:36 AM

My experience has been, and I'm not a Sadowsky owner or fan, is that the NYC are much better than the Metro's in terms of playability and feel. I greatly preferred the NYC necks to the Metro's. Overall the Metro's just felt...cheap to me. If I were to ever buy a Sadowsky(doubtful) it would have to be an NYC.

low2groove · #6 04-21-2011, 07:47 AM

Truthfully they're the same bass and roger will tell you that. They're crafted in Japan by a hand picked team of Luthiers. If you don't need anything fancier than what they offer like special woods of multi lams I'd go with the Metro.

After playing for the last 45 years and building basses the last 30 years I've owned several Sadowsky's, NYC and Metro. I find very little difference in the playability and or feel of the basses.
The Sadowsky is one of the few basses I've owned that I didn't have to set up upon delivery, it just played great right out of the box. Try and do that with any Fender, ha ha, it'll never happen!

I just sold my last Sadowsky here on TB yesterday and I'm strictly playing my own builds now.

Either one you buy you'll be pleased with and you'll never pick up another Fender!

B.Anderson · #7 04-21-2011, 07:49 AM

I own both and IMO they are pretty close in every aspect.
I still favor my NYC probably since it has been my main axe for 3+ years.
B.

StuartV · #8 04-21-2011, 07:49 AM

I just received my first ever Sadowsky last night. A 2010 Metro UV70-5.

Comparing it to my US G&L L-2500, MPG Level 5, US Peavey Cirrus, or Peavey B Quads (the "nicest" modern basses I have), it seems at least equal to all those, in terms of "quality".

The only nit I can pick with my new Metro (so far, anyway) is the Blend knob doesn't turn completely smoothly. There's a spot or two where it gets harder to turn and then frees up again. But, I haven't even tried to fix that yet. That could just be adjusting the knob position on the shaft by a tiny bit.

StuartV · #9 04-21-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low2groove

Either one you buy you'll be pleased with and you'll never pick up another Fender!

Admittedly, I've only had my Metro for less than 24 hours. And I love it already. But, I don't see it kicking my '66 P to the curb, ever.

Bass Club Mark · #10 04-21-2011, 08:27 AM

The difference is noticable, but subtle. Biggest difference IMO is the action and playability is better on the NYC's. Tone is close, with the exception that the NYC's seem to be a little more piano-like and resonant. Keep in mind that if you are comparing an NYC with a topwood verses a Metro solid body, the top is going to add some complexity to the tone. Overall, I think if money was no object my customers would choose the NYC everytme, but the Metros are a great value.

BIGREDSIX · #11 04-21-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Club Mark

The difference is noticable, but subtle. Biggest difference IMO is the action and playability is better on the NYC's. Tone is close, with the exception that the NYC's seem to be a little more piano-like and resonant. Keep in mind that if you are comparing an NYC with a topwood verses a Metro solid body, the top is going to add some complexity to the tone. Overall, I think if money was no object my customers would choose the NYC everytme, but the Metros are a great value.

+1 IME and IMO.

harala · #12 04-21-2011, 08:46 AM

i have owned about 7 metro basses, love them think they are fantastic, but got my first NYC bass yesterday and first time i have tried one...... and, well i love it it, there is a difference between them, however subtle it may be it's still noticable, love, that's not to say i wouldn't get another metro but i would rather wait and get a NYC anyday... Tone, feel, playability, NYC just feels in a different class..

lowfreq1 · #13 04-21-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Club Mark

...Keep in mind that if you are comparing an NYC with a topwood verses a Metro solid body, the top is going to add some complexity to the tone...

Well.. you mean chambered hollow bodies versus solid body?
I definitely prefer solid body. i.e. Metros for me.

bucephylus · #14 04-21-2011, 10:08 AM

Roger will build solid body at the now Queens shop, if you ask. That's what he does - make you happy.

I thought the main idea behind the Metros was to offer a mid priced equivalent that was essentially the same, but just did not have any options. I assume the CNC on the tooling is identical. Variations in wood? Who knows, but of course wood lots vary and individual pieces vary. Likely that in the NYC shop, they take the time to hand select different pieces to make sure the whole comes together in a certain way. In Japan, I believe the mission is to produce a bunch of really good instruments - so there the Fender variation thing might be more going on. Same electronics, same pickups...

I agree that if I was to sell everything and get one bass, it would be a spec'd NYC. But, for dragging instruments around in the club scene, the Metros are absolutely awesome.

IMO.

JoZac21 · #15 04-21-2011, 10:14 AM

I play a RV5 Metro... and as every time I pick it up, I know I'm playing the best bass I, personally, have ever played...

Of course, I've never actually played an NYC... so, I dunno. I want one, and, hopefully one day will own one, but that's entirely in hopes that it's really just my RV5 w. more bells and whistles.

Sadowsky · #16 04-21-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartV

The only nit I can pick with my new Metro (so far, anyway) is the Blend knob doesn't turn completely smoothly. There's a spot or two where it gets harder to turn and then frees up again. But, I haven't even tried to fix that yet. That could just be adjusting the knob position on the shaft by a tiny bit.

This is just a matter of tweaking the knob....it is either too low or not centered well on the shaft.

Roger

Fretless5verfan · #17 04-21-2011, 01:41 PM

You doubting my advice, Jimmy? lol.

BigOldHarry · #18 04-21-2011, 01:43 PM

I've played a few of both...

The Metro's I've played have been nice.
The US Sadowsky's have been N I C E.

Both are overpriced, if you ask me.

osuok88 · #19 04-21-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I've played a few of both...

The Metro's I've played have been nice.
The US Sadowsky's have been N I C E.

Both are overpriced, if you ask me.

Overpriced is relative term, just like Ken Smith, Fodera etc.. I think Sadowsky prices are right, it is worth every penny. I own 2 Sadowskys now and will buy one more soon.

slopeshoulder · #20 04-21-2011, 01:53 PM

Roger told me that they are the same but for the wood. The wood is heavier and less resonant in my experience (this was before he was chambering).