I bought this bass recently on a whim to see what they were like. As much as I like it, I have been on a buying spree lately and I need to let a few go. This is a unique bass that the previous owner did some very nice upgrades on.
These are quotes from the previous owner which really explain what makes this one special!
"This is a Proto Sadowsky MetroExpress in Sage Green Metallic, mint shape. The only difference between this and production models is that non-proto have a roasted neck and their battery box is magnetic and doesn’t have screws. Both those things on this Sadowsky make it look like a Metro or NYC which is the style I like anyway so those are perks for me. Everything they upgraded from series 1 is here, rolled fingerboard, fully shielded, Metro Will Lee J pickup.
I’ve done most of the other major upgrades people are doing minus the pickups because they sound great to me. If I were to keep it I might upgrade for a different flavor but it’s my only PJ right now so it sounds different enough as is. I had Warwick/Sadowsky install a VTC preamp at the shop here in Nashville and I installed some USA Hipshot Ultralight tuners because the MIC ones were too wonky for me. I also installed Dunlop strap pins. The color is great, the neck is great, all these prototypes were inspected by Roger himself.
The reason I’m thinking about letting it go is the nut width. I’m not sure if all the production models have this or if it was a fluke for the prototypes or just this one, but the nut is 1 3/4, not 1 7/8 like all of my Japanese Sadowsky 5 basses and how these are supposed to come. It’s basically a Will Lee neck, narrow nut and normal board width at the base. Not sure if China had the wrong necks made for these for the first run or what, but I just can’t get comfy with it. I like wider nuts. The prototypes (and production models as far as I can tell) all came/come with an 18mm bridge too, which is another weird thing. I had Sadowsky replace it with a normal 19mm bridge."
This is a very cool bass but I need to pass it on!
I will split the actual cost of shipping in the CONUS. It will ship in the pictured Sadowsky Gig Bag also in mint condition!
Please message me directly if you have any questions.
Thanks for looking!
These are quotes from the previous owner which really explain what makes this one special!
"This is a Proto Sadowsky MetroExpress in Sage Green Metallic, mint shape. The only difference between this and production models is that non-proto have a roasted neck and their battery box is magnetic and doesn’t have screws. Both those things on this Sadowsky make it look like a Metro or NYC which is the style I like anyway so those are perks for me. Everything they upgraded from series 1 is here, rolled fingerboard, fully shielded, Metro Will Lee J pickup.
I’ve done most of the other major upgrades people are doing minus the pickups because they sound great to me. If I were to keep it I might upgrade for a different flavor but it’s my only PJ right now so it sounds different enough as is. I had Warwick/Sadowsky install a VTC preamp at the shop here in Nashville and I installed some USA Hipshot Ultralight tuners because the MIC ones were too wonky for me. I also installed Dunlop strap pins. The color is great, the neck is great, all these prototypes were inspected by Roger himself.
The reason I’m thinking about letting it go is the nut width. I’m not sure if all the production models have this or if it was a fluke for the prototypes or just this one, but the nut is 1 3/4, not 1 7/8 like all of my Japanese Sadowsky 5 basses and how these are supposed to come. It’s basically a Will Lee neck, narrow nut and normal board width at the base. Not sure if China had the wrong necks made for these for the first run or what, but I just can’t get comfy with it. I like wider nuts. The prototypes (and production models as far as I can tell) all came/come with an 18mm bridge too, which is another weird thing. I had Sadowsky replace it with a normal 19mm bridge."
This is a very cool bass but I need to pass it on!
I will split the actual cost of shipping in the CONUS. It will ship in the pictured Sadowsky Gig Bag also in mint condition!
Please message me directly if you have any questions.
Thanks for looking!
