Sadowsky Metro RV-5 vs. Valenti 5

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I want to know too

If the customized features are important to you, then valenti seems to be the way to go. However if all you want is a straight forward bass, with features that are avialable on the metros, then thats another thing. I have not played metros enough to compare, unfortunately.

I have a Metro RV5 that kills, but haven't got my hands on a Valenti to check out. That being said, I've seen enough positive info on the Valenti's that I definately have one on my radar, not to compare, not instead of, but in addition to my Sadowsky. Hey, a guy's gotta have toys!

Wow!!
This is going to be an interesting thread!!!

I have a Valenti coming (a J/MM) and I'm now on Sadowsky #6 (3 Metro-3 NYC) and by what everyone says, Valenti is supposed to be damn nice!!!

The Valenti won't feel quite like a sadowsky, but i bet it will sound awsomely awsome. (especially if you get Nordstrand fat stacks IMO)

so yeah, if you dig the custom options, go with the valenti. I personally would. you can get an instrument more tailored to your liking as opposed to just having to choose between whats in stock.




er..I know some of the sadowsky guys will want to smack me now lol.

I'd like to hear what people say as well.

I should be able to comment by this time next week. PM me if I forget to check in.

I've had 3 sadowskys and have Valenti #12 on the way.

MikeBass said:

Wow!!
This is going to be an interesting thread!!!

I have a Valenti coming (a J/MM) and I'm now on Sadowsky #6 (3 Metro-3 NYC) and by what everyone says, Valenti is supposed to be damn nice!!!

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+1 im tuned here as well!!!!!!!!

nice avatar Pickles... Mahna, Mahna

This thread is about what I've been thinking for a long time. If I ever went to a Jazz this is what it would come down to. I really hope to see this pan out. I think it'd be great. I wish the commercial user policy would allow the builders to post... I'm sure Nino would have a lot to say.

j-raj said:

nice avatar Pickles... Mahna, Mahna

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+1!!

RunngDog said:

Yes, there have been other Sadowsky vs. Valenti threads here, but they all sort of come down to "Valenti's are a great bargain if you can't afford a Sadowsky NYC." Fine. But my question is, how does a Valenti 5, with lots of customized features (including Sadowsky electronics), compare with an "off-the-shelf" Sadowsky Metro 5 at roughly the same price? Has anyone done a real A/B of these two? Pros? Cons?

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I currently own two Sadowsky's and played this one for a while at NAMM




I will say it.....
Valenti's are Valenti's and not Sadowsky's.
Sadowsky's are Sadowsky's...... period.

Both are great basses.


Pro's and Con's don't really go into my discussion, just different.
I don't think that the Sadowsky pre is an option for Valenti basses anymore, but I can tell you that the above J bass sounded very different from my Sadowsky's. It seemed to be a little hotter in the output, and growl a little more when played hard when compared to my NYC UV. Both basses are Alder/Rosewood. The above Valenti has NJ4SV's so this might attribute the sound. This is my only experience playing the Valenti, and it was a very positive one.

Obviously, Sadowsky's have the best build quality IMO in the business. Nino does AMAZING work and the basses I saw at NAMM are top notch with zero defects. Personally, I don't know how he can charge so little for the bass, except that he's doing this for the love of it, and not so much to become rich off this endeavor.

In Summary, play a Metro, if that is what you like and the color is cool, go for it because you tried it, and dug it. If you need options, Nino offers great build quality and almost any option you want at a ridiculously low price. (realtive to other builders with similar options) I think he offers a 7-day trial which is more than generous considering the amount of basses he produces. That shows utmost confidence in himself and his work. I don't know if they can chime in, but I'd imagine that neither party is happy about all of these comparisons. IMO, Nino is not copying Sadowsky, and is doing HIS thing the best he knows how to the the result is producing a great instrument. He is fortunate enough to have been around some of the best builders in the business.

If I hadn't bought a NYC recently, I'd consider heavily about buying the above bass. (cheaper than a Metro) IMO, it's a great value.

albass111 said:

+1!!




I currently own two Sadowsky's and played this one for a while at NAMM

I will say it.....
Valenti's are Valenti's and not Sadowsky's.
Sadowsky's are Sadowsky's...... period.

Both are great basses.


Pro's and Con's don't really go into my discussion, just different.
I don't think that the Sadowsky pre is an option for Valenti basses anymore, but I can tell you that the above J bass sounded very different from my Sadowsky's. It seemed to be a little hotter in the output, and growl a little more when played hard when compared to my NYC UV. Both basses are Alder/Rosewood. The above Valenti has NJ4SV's so this might attribute the sound. This is my only experience playing the Valenti, and it was a very positive one.

Obviously, Sadowsky's have the best build quality IMO in the business. Nino does AMAZING work and the basses I saw at NAMM are top notch with zero defects. Personally, I don't know how he can charge so little for the bass, except that he's doing this for the love of it, and not so much to become rich off this endeavor.

In Summary, play a Metro, if that is what you like and the color is cool, go for it because you tried it, and dug it. If you need options, Nino offers great build quality and almost any option you want at a ridiculously low price. (realtive to other builders with similar options) I think he offers a 7-day trial which is more than generous considering the amount of basses he produces. That shows utmost confidence in himself and his work. I don't know if they can chime in, but I'd imagine that neither party is happy about all of these comparisons. IMO, Nino is not copying Sadowsky, and is doing HIS thing the best he knows how to the the result is producing a great instrument. He is fortunate enough to have been around some of the best builders in the business.

If I hadn't bought a NYC recently, I'd consider heavily about buying the above bass. (cheaper than a Metro) IMO, it's a great value.

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Well put.

BTW, I love the bridges that he's using now.
Classy looking, while not looking like a Fender cheapie!

j-raj said:

nice avatar Pickles... Mahna, Mahna

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I just got the muppet show season 1 DVD. Awesome stuff.

pickles said:

I just got the muppet show season 1 DVD. Awesome stuff.

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you are gonna laugh, but that is what I use for sound check for my gigs, from time to time (for bass and vocal mic in unison).... it used to be Barney Miller or Night Court (when no mic is needed)

I have about 180 seconds total playing time on Sadowskys, so I'm by no means an authority on them. Based on everyone's infatuation with them here on TB, they must be doing something right.

I can tell you though that my Valenti is as well built as any Lakland, Lull, or other J-style, non-handcrafted bass that I've played. If you want a Sadowsky, bite the bullet and get one, but if you want something a little different that's made with no less love and attention to detail, a Valenti is at least worth considering, particularly at the price point.

I've never owned a NYC but at one time had these four basses all with Sadowsky hum-cancelling pups and pre with VTC:

Metro RS4
Valenti 4
Victor Bailey 4
Warmoth 4

All had alder bodies with rosewood boards except the VB. My take?

Metro: Perfect bass, perfect setup and construction, nice
neck (profile, not too thick).
Valenti: Just as good as the Metro in terms of setup and
construction. Warmoth neck profile too thick for me.
A tad heavier than the Metro.
VB4: Excellent setup and construction but not QUITE as good
as the metro or Valenti. Nice weight, best neck of the
four, nice thin profile.
Warmoth: For $700.00 used a great bass. Alder body, flame
maple top, Brazilian rosewood board. Put together
well but once again that thick u-shaped Warmoth
neck but actually narrowest width of the four.

Sound? The Metro and Valenti sounded virtually identical. The Warmoth seemed to have a little less "bite" which I preferred. The VB was a very mellow, sweet sounding bass which sounded especially good for soloing but didn't cut through as well as the others with a full band.

Humabass said:

Valenti: Just as good as the Metro in terms of setup and
construction. Warmoth neck profile too thick for me.
A tad heavier than the Metro.

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Just a quick FYI. I no longer use Warmoth necks.The USACG necks I've been using have been thinner on the 4's and 5's.

Nino Valenti said:

Just a quick FYI. I no longer use Warmoth necks.The USACG necks I've been using have been thinner on the 4's and 5's.

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Nino, do you have a "standard" nut width and bridge spacing on your 5's, or does it vary with the model or customer?

I just ordered a Valenti - should arrive tomorrow. I've also owned Sadowsky NYC and Metro basses. The NYC was an amazing instrument and the Metro was very non-organic sounding to me. I'll post when I've tried out the Valenti.