Side-By-Side: Sadowsky Metro vs. NYC

[john nam]

I know there are many posts about the NYC vs. Metro discussion, but none of them really answered all of my questions and so finally, I have both in my possession; an NYC 24-5 and a Metro MV5-24, so here goes:

Neck
The overall feel of both basses is surprisingly similar, especially because they both have 24 frets and undersized J bodies, but the NYC neck feels a tad faster and thinner (front to back). I wish I had calipers to measure both, but it’s a very minimal, but still noticeable difference to me. If you didn’t do a side-by-side, you’d never notice. Maybe it’s a slight difference in neck shape? Maybe the NYC’s necks can be thinner because it has the graphite stiffening rods? Also, the NYC’s neck does not thicken at the bottom, making it effortless to play high notes, whereas the Metro’s neck definitely thickens near frets 20-24.

Fretboard
The slight Sadowsky dip on the fretboard near frets 20-22 is present on both, making low action a breeze. Frets were dressed perfectly on both.

Weight
The NYC is 8.3 lbs and the Metro is 9.0 lbs. However, the Metro is ash/maple; if it was alder/rosewood, it would have likely been heavier.

Sound (in passive mode)
It’s hard to compare the NYC’s soapbars to the Metro’s single coils, but I’ve played and listened to my buddies NYC Vintage 5 with hum-cancelling pickups a lot and I much prefer the single coils because they have more growl and presence. I was really surprised at how little hum there was when the bridge pickup was soloed. They are, by far, the quietest and high output single coils that I’ve ever tried. Great shielding work.

Cavity
The Metro’s cavity actually looks neater and the wires are cinched with a zip tie, and shielding is done in silver. The NYC’s cavity is pretty neat, signed by the maker (Rob), and shielding is done in black. There are more wires and parts in the NYCs cavity though, I guess it's part of the soapbars.

My Conclusion
If you want a fancy top, ultra light bass, with an incredible neck, go for the NYC. If you don’t really care for fancy tops, can live with 9-10.5 lbs (per Sadowsky site), but still want a Fender style boutique with 19mm, 34”, passive option, undersized J body option, excellent neck and B string, go for the Metro. If you’re into ash/maple, that’s even more reason to go for the Metro because there’s not much a weight difference between it and the NYC. Lastly, if you prefer 18mm and a full sized body, get a 2008/2010 American Fender V, which are very comparable, IMO.

[gazman_res]

Might want to ad this into the discussion.

Sadowsky | Metro FAQ

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

If the quality is just as good as a NYC Sadowsky, why should I consider spending the extra dollars for a NYC model?

If all you need is a basic ash or alder bass, you do not need to purchase a NYC instrument. The Metro Line was created to offer "basic" Sadowsky models at a more affordable price.

Any options, including maple tops, hardware other than chrome, premium woods, Ultra-Vintage models and custom configurations need to be ordered as an NYC instrument.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by john nam

I know there are many posts about the NYC vs. Metro discussion, but none of them really answered all of my questions and so finally, I have both in my possession; an NYC 24-5 and a Metro MV5-24, so here goes:

Neck
The overall feel of both basses is surprisingly similar, especially because they both have 24 frets and undersized J bodies, but the NYC neck feels a tad faster and thinner (front to back). I wish I had calipers to measure both, but it’s a very minimal, but still noticeable difference to me. If you didn’t do a side-by-side, you’d never notice. Maybe it’s a slight difference in neck shape? Maybe the NYC’s necks can be thinner because it has the graphite stiffening rods? Also, the NYC’s neck does not thicken at the bottom, making it effortless to play high notes, whereas the Metro’s neck definitely thickens near frets 20-24.

Fretboard
The slight Sadowsky dip on the fretboard near frets 20-22 is present on both, making low action a breeze. Frets were dressed perfectly on both.

Weight
The NYC is 8.3 lbs and the Metro is 9.0 lbs. However, the Metro is ash/maple; if it was alder/rosewood, it would have likely been heavier.

Sound (in passive mode)
It’s hard to compare the NYC’s soapbars to the Metro’s single coils, but I’ve played and listened to my buddies NYC Vintage 5 with hum-cancelling pickups a lot and I much prefer the single coils because they have more growl and presence. I was really surprised at how little hum there was when the bridge pickup was soloed. They are, by far, the quietest and high output single coils that I’ve ever tried. Great shielding work.

Cavity
The Metro’s cavity actually looks neater and the wires are cinched with a zip tie, and shielding is done in silver. The NYC’s cavity is pretty neat, signed by the maker (Rob), and shielding is done in black. There are more wires and parts in the NYCs cavity though, I guess it's part of the soapbars.

My Conclusion
If you want a fancy top, ultra light bass, with an incredible neck, go for the NYC. If you don’t really care for fancy tops, can live with 9-10.5 lbs (per Sadowsky site), but still want a Fender style boutique with 19mm, 34”, passive option, undersized J body option, excellent neck and B string, go for the Metro. If you’re into ash/maple, that’s even more reason to go for the Metro because there’s not much a weight difference between it and the NYC. Lastly, if you prefer 18mm and a full sized body, get a 2008/2010 American Fender V, which are very comparable, IMO.

I've been scandalized!

[osuok88]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I've been scandalized!

I have been too, lol

[Dan Knowlton]

Originally Posted by john nam

Lastly, if you prefer 18mm and a full sized body, get a 2008/2010 American Fender V, which are very comparable, IMO.

I disagree.

Dan K.

[john nam]

Everyone is going to have their own opinion, but I really think the new Fenders are that good. I was never much of a Fender fan until the new ones came out. My 2008 American P 5 had an amazing neck (same neck as on the American Jazz 5s, very Sadowsky-like profile), low action, sounded great passive (American Standards are passive only), perfect fit and finish, even string-to-string volume, great B, string through body, and was 8.5 lbs! All this for $1150 shipped, new from Bass Ctrl, Florida, what more can you ask for? Unless, as I mentioned, you must have 19mm, an undersized body, and perhaps, ultra light weight.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by john nam

Lastly, if you prefer 18mm and a full sized body, get a 2008/2010 American Fender V, which are very comparable, IMO.

I got a good chuckle out of this part simply because, usually, all I ever see from Sadowky owners is how they're superior in practically every way to any Fender bass, haha.

However, I think that it's important to note that not all American Fenders (standards and deluxes alike) after 2008 are ash bodied.

[cnltb]

When discussing fender clones I'd mention FGN too.
All the basses I played by them were rather good indeed.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I got a good chuckle out of this part simply because, usually, all I ever see from Sadowky owners is how they're superior in practically every way to any Fender bass, haha.

However, I think that it's important to note that not all American Fenders (standards and deluxes alike) after 2008 are ash bodied.

+1

[JeffplaysBass]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I got a good chuckle out of this part simply because, usually, all I ever see from Sadowky owners is how they're superior in practically every way to any Fender bass, haha.

However, I think that it's important to note that not all American Fenders (standards and deluxes alike) after 2008 are ash bodied.

Alot of people have been liking the new Fender products especially the new Fender American Deluxes...and they dont cost $3k like the sadowskys.

[DanHibiki]

I think it is funny that the OP made an interesting and useful comparison between the Sadowskys and every reply has been about his comment on the Fender

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by JeffplaysBass

Alot of people have been liking the new Fender products especially the new Fender American Deluxes...and they dont cost $3k like the sadowskys.

For the last year or so, I've been one of those people . Though my Fender is from somewhere in the 2003-2006 region.

Originally Posted by DanHibiki

I think it is funny that the OP made an interesting and useful comparison between the Sadowskys and every reply has been about his comment on the Fender

It is, isn't it ? I think it's mostly because most people seem to agree that NYC vs. Metro Sadowskys isn't an apples to oranges comparison but usually when Fender gets thrown into the mix things get hairy, haha.

I personally had a pretty hard time drawing any sort of real line between the Metros and NYCs (about 9 total at this point with at least 4 Metros) I played. Both were great, not for me really, but great. An NYC might pique my interest if I could get it without Sadowskys pickups and pre (I'd want a 3-band) and no chambering. But even then, I couldn't afford one, haha.

[StuartV]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

An NYC might pique my interest if I could get it without Sadowskys pickups and pre (I'd want a 3-band) and no chambering. But even then, I couldn't afford one, haha.

If that's what you want, why not just get a Metro and replace the pickups and pre - and pocket a lot of change?

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by StuartV

If that's what you want, why not just get a Metro and replace the pickups and pre - and pocket a lot of change?

1) Because the NYCs are prettier.

2) Because for the price it would cost to do that to a Metro I could go custom with another builder.

If I do happen across a nice NYC at a stupid low price I plan on buying it and then gutting it .

[john nam]

Hey Kwesi, I wish I was less biased, but I am a Sadowsky fan and more specifically, I think the NYC 24-5 with soapbars is the best playing and sounding bass I've tried after having owned Fender CS, Warrior, F Bass, Ken Smiths, and others. BUT, if the NYC Modern wasn't my main bass, I wouldn't really need my #2 bass to have a similar feeling neck (34"/19mm/1.875 nut/wide board towards bottom) and I would totally go for a 2010 Am. Deluxe J 5, in fact, I almost did anyway. By the way, I still can't believe you sold the Clement!

[osuok88]

Originally Posted by StuartV

If that's what you want, why not just get a Metro and replace the pickups and pre - and pocket a lot of change?

I own both the Metro and NYC model jazz basses and there are no different on the sound or handling. The only different is the NYC is 1.5 lb lighter. I think the Metro bass is the best bang for the money.

[StuartV]

What IS involved in "chambering" a body? Can it be done to a finished bass?

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by DanHibiki

I think it is funny that the OP made an interesting and useful comparison between the Sadowskys and every reply has been about his comment on the Fender

I just find it funny that there are folks who are offended by the idea that a Fender inspired bass can be compared to an actual Fender.

[willgroove2]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

1) Because the NYCs are prettier.

2) Because for the price it would cost to do that to a Metro I could go custom with another builder.

If I do happen across a nice NYC at a stupid low price I plan on buying it and then gutting it .

I have always viewed Sadowskys NYC or Metro as the sum of all the part's (neck,body,electronics) gutting it would defeat the idea of the instrument concept IMO although I know people who have done it and regretted it

[mstott25]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

An NYC might pique my interest if I could get it without Sadowskys pickups and pre (I'd want a 3-band)...

That kind of defeats the purpose, no?