About a week ago, my dream bass arrived: A NYC Sadowsky P/J (converts to JJ) that's just what I've been looking for. But now I have to sell something to help pay it off.
There are two basses competing for the number 2 slot (top five string): A EBMM Dargie Delight 5HH Stingray, and a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5, with single coils and VTC. I can keep one of them, but not both. If I sell the Stingray, I'll probably also have to sell my Tacoma Thunderchief 5-string ABG to come up with the amount I need to raise.
I do have some other basses, but for a variety of reasons I'm not considering selling them.
So I had a few minutes by myself in the house today, and I went back and forth between them. This is all IMHO, and specific to these two basses and my personal situation.
EBMM “Dargie Delight” Stingray 5HH versus Sadowsky Metro UV70 w/single coils and VTC.
Tone:
SR 5HH is more flexible, and more of a change from my main bass (Sadowsky PJ) and the rest of my basses (most are passive). Very satisfying.
I like the overall tone of the Sadowsky better, though. It kills with single coils in passive mode – my favorite tone of any of my basses. While the PJ Sadowsky is similar in general, it has many differences from the Metro: Humcancelling vs. single coils, Alder vs. Ash, '60s vs. '70s pickup location, so that it does sound noticeably different.
This is the aspect that is driving me nuts – it kind of boils down to great variety vs. killer tone.
Playability/Ergonomics:
My right hand prefers the speed and fingerstyle playability of the more narrow spacing on the ‘ray, as well as the plethora of thumb anchor locations on the HH, but my left hand likes the spacing and profile of the Sadowsky neck better. They feel pretty different, but I’m not sure I can pick a clear winner. I kind of go back and forth – they’re both nice in different ways.
Feel of the back of the neck is very different – the Metro has a satin finished feel that is wearing nicely and is super smooth – the SR has an almost unfinished super-sanded neck that has a really soft feel to it. No clear winner here, either – I like them both.
Weight:
Stingray weighs 9.5 lbs., while the Metro weighs 11 lbs. I think the weight may also help the tone of the Sadowsky – it’s got a great ‘70s sound that might be due in part to the heavier body. My tech described it as a real “man’s bass” due to the weight and size. Still, the difference in weight is pretty substantial. I’ve had back surgery, and this is becoming more important for me. SR wins easily in this respect. No problems with neck dive on either bass.
Construction:
Outstanding on both basses. No complaints about either of them. Both sound great unplugged (Sadowsky “sings” a little more, perhaps due to stainless strings), have great action, straight necks, etc. No clear winner here. Possible slight edge to the Sadowsky, but likely too close to call.
Appearance:
I absolutely love the look of a good ash three-tone burst with the rosewood and the blocks.
The SR though has an amazing green finish, and the Martini inlays are neat without being overly flashy or noticeable. The Stingray has a slight edge in flair by being such a limited edition (1 of only 23 SR5s with HH pickups in this color). The SR edges out the Sadowsky here, but this is one of the least important considerations.
So which should I keep? It sure does stink to have to let one of them go, but that was the deal I'd made with "the management."
EDIT: Another option, which I'm leaning toward now is borrowing a term from sports, I'm thinking of selling my old '81 Ric and the Tacoma, along with a "bass to be named later." Then I'll see what's not getting played several months from now. If it can't crack the top 4 or 5 in playing time, there's not much point in keeping it.
There are two basses competing for the number 2 slot (top five string): A EBMM Dargie Delight 5HH Stingray, and a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5, with single coils and VTC. I can keep one of them, but not both. If I sell the Stingray, I'll probably also have to sell my Tacoma Thunderchief 5-string ABG to come up with the amount I need to raise.
I do have some other basses, but for a variety of reasons I'm not considering selling them.
So I had a few minutes by myself in the house today, and I went back and forth between them. This is all IMHO, and specific to these two basses and my personal situation.
EBMM “Dargie Delight” Stingray 5HH versus Sadowsky Metro UV70 w/single coils and VTC.
Tone:
SR 5HH is more flexible, and more of a change from my main bass (Sadowsky PJ) and the rest of my basses (most are passive). Very satisfying.
I like the overall tone of the Sadowsky better, though. It kills with single coils in passive mode – my favorite tone of any of my basses. While the PJ Sadowsky is similar in general, it has many differences from the Metro: Humcancelling vs. single coils, Alder vs. Ash, '60s vs. '70s pickup location, so that it does sound noticeably different.
This is the aspect that is driving me nuts – it kind of boils down to great variety vs. killer tone.
Playability/Ergonomics:
My right hand prefers the speed and fingerstyle playability of the more narrow spacing on the ‘ray, as well as the plethora of thumb anchor locations on the HH, but my left hand likes the spacing and profile of the Sadowsky neck better. They feel pretty different, but I’m not sure I can pick a clear winner. I kind of go back and forth – they’re both nice in different ways.
Feel of the back of the neck is very different – the Metro has a satin finished feel that is wearing nicely and is super smooth – the SR has an almost unfinished super-sanded neck that has a really soft feel to it. No clear winner here, either – I like them both.
Weight:
Stingray weighs 9.5 lbs., while the Metro weighs 11 lbs. I think the weight may also help the tone of the Sadowsky – it’s got a great ‘70s sound that might be due in part to the heavier body. My tech described it as a real “man’s bass” due to the weight and size. Still, the difference in weight is pretty substantial. I’ve had back surgery, and this is becoming more important for me. SR wins easily in this respect. No problems with neck dive on either bass.
Construction:
Outstanding on both basses. No complaints about either of them. Both sound great unplugged (Sadowsky “sings” a little more, perhaps due to stainless strings), have great action, straight necks, etc. No clear winner here. Possible slight edge to the Sadowsky, but likely too close to call.
Appearance:
I absolutely love the look of a good ash three-tone burst with the rosewood and the blocks.
The SR though has an amazing green finish, and the Martini inlays are neat without being overly flashy or noticeable. The Stingray has a slight edge in flair by being such a limited edition (1 of only 23 SR5s with HH pickups in this color). The SR edges out the Sadowsky here, but this is one of the least important considerations.
So which should I keep? It sure does stink to have to let one of them go, but that was the deal I'd made with "the management."
EDIT: Another option, which I'm leaning toward now is borrowing a term from sports, I'm thinking of selling my old '81 Ric and the Tacoma, along with a "bass to be named later." Then I'll see what's not getting played several months from now. If it can't crack the top 4 or 5 in playing time, there's not much point in keeping it.
I would stay with the Stingray as well, I think it would be redundant to have two Sadowskys.
