Are Sadowsky basses over rated?

[Stranger Danger]

Well, I've owned more than 130 basses over the years.

I now own and play just 3 Sadowsky's. That ought tell you something.

That's quite a few. I am glad I haven't kept count lol

 

[Stranger Danger]

I am not qualified to address the NYC offerings but I've had 6 Metro's in my life..

Remember when they came out they were branded as an option for someone who did not need the finish or hardware options or chambering NYC offers?

With that in mind of the 6 I've had 3 of were solid, with no issues but I always thought the NYC's must be better then these.

I've had 2 duds. One, when they first came out that had fret issues. I did not even think to contact Sadowsky. I should have, they probably would have made it right. The other one was used bought online and not as described. At over 10lbs, with electronic issues, no fault of the manufacturer- just a dud for me.

Then we have my current Metro... this bass is exceptional in every way. The seller says it is probably one of the last to be made in Japan. Very resonant, great weight and balance and so playable! It makes my Fender Am Pro II J feel like a toy. Dead quiet, and with the pre you have so much flexibility at your fingertips. This bass leaves me wondering how an NYC could be any better then this one!

I have run the DI pedal for the last 5 years on my other basses, but i much prefer the onboard.

Just a well thought out working mans tool.

My Japanese Metro MV5 is everything a Fender is supposed to be but never is.

 

[bluesblaster]

well made instrument, that being said for me I just didnt care for the pre amp so I never bought another one

 

[RSmith]

My Japanese Metro MV5 is everything a Fender is supposed to be but never is.

No doubt. My biggest complaint is noise. At any price point I've never had a Fender that was not noisy

 

[Stranger Danger]

No doubt. My biggest complaint is noise. At any price point I've never had a Fender that was not noisy

I love Fenders but Sads are just next level.

 

[FRoss6788]

I love Fenders but Sads are just next level.

...and at their price point they had better be.

Sadowsky's are great instruments, very expensive great instruments. Not at all over-rated.

However, for me, Fender just fits the bill. I love 'em and they have had staying power in my stable that a Metro 5 did not.

 

[blowinblue]

You could say the same thing about Mike Lulls at this point.

One of the things I love about TB is that no thread is ever truly dead. Allow me to add that (for some) every bass is overrated if you can't afford it. My second sentence is not directed at you, TonyP. Carry on, Brother.

M. M.

 

[Snakeman1066]

They are great well made instruments...

overrated = valued too highly... the answer here is no they are not valued too highly...however having played a couple I think they are priced to high for what they are...is it worth it to me to pay $7,500.00 for what is basically a jazz bass on steroids...the answer is NO...I would much rather buy a Lakland @ around $4,000 and call it a day... (I much prefer the Lakland neck profile 10" vs. 12" and the Sadowsky pre is an acquired taste IMHO)

but i'm the same way with vehicles...

Is it worth it to me to buy a Ford Raptor for $80,000.00 or an F-150 4x4 for $60,000.00 ? meh the raptor has more bells and whistles and looks cool...but has less towing capacity albeit more horsepower but then again less fuel economy (Raptor = Sadowsky)... for my money I'm going with the standard F-150 4x4 (Lakland)

they both get your where you are going but each have their advantages over the other...

I'm the same with tools...is Snap-On tools really that much better than older Craftsman tools!? Some would say yes...Are Snap on Tools overrated!? Some would say Yes....you get the idea...

at the end of the day only the person playing the instrument and paying the asking price can answer that question...what works for some don't for others...and we all have or needs, wants, and price points to think about...as for me I won't be buying a bass than cost the same as a good used motorcycle...never happen...

 

[BluesyCat]

Yeah ^^^….Well said.

Overrated is wrong terminology. These manufacturers put their heart and soul into these instruments. Not every bass manufacturer is going to build something that speaks to you and the way you play. Finding that brand/model is a quest and I feel I have found it in my gear. You really don't know until you try. I went thru a few major brands before getting my first Sadowsky and then realized I could stop searching.

 

[TrevorG]

I tried one that was far from overrated, it was amazing. It was also £4500 second hand!! Somebody snapped it up but I couldn't justify it. That said, I've never forgotten playing it. Tried others that I hated but I could afford those. Typical.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Well, I've owned more than 130 basses over the years.

I now own and play just 3 Sadowsky's. That ought tell you something.

I've heard this more than once too!

 

[Spidey2112]

Japanese MV4 owner... not overated, just right... for me. Love playing it.

 

[pertyman]

The best bass I've ever had is my current Sadowsky

 

[chris_b]

The best bass I've ever had is my current Sadowsky

Likewise.

Mine is a lowly Japanese Metro MV5. Maybe I was lucky and found a unicorn, but I've played several US chambered Sadowsky's and, to my ears, they just don't sound as good.

 

[r_bnks]

My understanding is the basses are made over seas and then he just puts them together in Brooklyn.

Then work a little on your understanding.

 

[micguy]

To me they just seem to be enhanced Fender jazz basses.

Fender charges the same level of money for some of their custom shop stuff, which by definition are enhanced jazz basses. And maybe not as enhanced as a Sadowsky.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Japanese MV4 owner... not overated, just right... for me. Love playing it.

Come on Spidey...You can't just say you like yours, you have to bad mouth someone else's! That's the way forums work now.

 

[Spidey2112]

Come on Spidey...You can't just say you like yours, you have to bad mouth someone else's! That's the way forums work now.

Man, I must have been asleep during that part of the lecture.

 

[Green Lantern]

Granted they are good bass guitars, and people like Will Lee and others would not play them if they did not like them. My understanding is the basses are made over seas and then he just puts them together in Brooklyn.

To me they just seem to be enhanced Fender jazz basses. I know Fender also makes jazz basses with active electronics for under $2,000 that appear to be just as good as the Sadowsky's. I played their Metro basses and thought they were good but I was not blown away by their sound or quality. They actually sound similar to the Fender sound, but the active electronics help it sound a little more modern. Am I missing something here?

I am older and wiser now. The Sadowsky quality control I find is better than Fender. The attention to detail is really excellent. The pickups have a little more open clear sound while still having a Fenderish vibe to it. I like the active preamp alot which Mr. Aguilar helped design and I love the Tone Hammer amps and pedals.
Being able to play passive and active os great Nd the tone control another plus.
Roger also works on getting the weight down and this is another big plus. I have a Fender American jazz 5 and the fret edges are not as smooth as my Sadowsky P/J bass. I added the Sadowsky preamp to my jazz. It helped it be a more flexible bass. But I like the neck so much on my Sadowsky that I dont like going back to the Fender. There is a refinement to the Sadowsky neck. I am tempted to sell my Fender and replace it with a Sadowsky 5 string due to the lighter weight and preferred neck.

 

[marchone]

Since receiving my NYC Sadowsky Will Lee 4 I'm considering selling my other basses. It's that good.

Yes it was crazy expensive. Yet the quality will remain long after the price is forgotten.

The entire experience was worth it to me. I ordered mine at the shop and got a full tour by Roger. His wood library is extensive. He was very generous with his time. Then I waited about a year.

Not only is the fit and finish above anything I have had, the set up was perfect. So Roger's service is exemplary. The neck is fast and feels great. Even better than my CS 64 Jazz. The entire experience was positive and the bass is a keeper. Maybe to be the only ONE.

He won't be making them forever so if you want a new NYC you'd better move on it.