Chinese vs. German Sadowsky Modern

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

A nicer neck and fingerboard is nothing to sneeze at! I’m pretty sure MX is under 9lbs. Some of the Metrolines are too light and are really neck heavy. That can be a pain like it was with that Tobias Growler I had for a while.

Experience has shown me that it’s not about one or two key features . It’s the sum of all parts combined that make a bass a right or wrong fit.

I personally don’t mind a 5 string bass that weighs around 9 1/2 lbs . If it’s balances great ( I play seated) it works for me . I don’t get leg numbness or have circulation issues. A neck heavy lightweight bass is a drag. But so is a 10lbs brick house. My leg will not be happy.

 

[Bass Viking]

You know we are waiting to hear from you on this. When is your bass due to arrive ?

I figure sometime this week. Last I heard it’s in Toronto. I’m hoping to take it to band practice but it may not get here in time.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I don’t understand the reasoning behind 18mm string spacing on the ME 5’s. Squire has made 19mm fives that were fine for the money.

I'm not sure why either but I have read that some get Metroline 19mm
to replace Metroexpress bridge they say neck handles it as do pickups

There is a little Fenderish vibe in that you can change/upgrade Tuners, Bridge, Pickups and of course add VTC preamp or New VTC pre with mid boost

 

[bucephylus]

Just looking at photos, the ME instruments appear to have 18mm bridges on 19mm necks. So, a 19mm bridge should be no issue.

Personally, the 19mm spacings are no issue for my playing; but, I don’t favor the “bulky feel on the strap,” that the 19mm neck calibrations produce. Just feels like driving a truck. YMMV for sure.

I have had some interest in the 18mm calibrated M/J instruments; but, the ML versions have been rather limited in the US.

Plus, my reality is I can cover all my gigs with my 4 bangers with the HipShot Extender; making my motivation somewhat low. Those few extra low notes just don’t matter for my parts. So, my interest is restricted to window shopping for the moment.

 

[Quadzilla]

Having owned both, is the ML better, yes (slightly). I had the ML 1st and then got the "cheap" MX to gig more. When the MX arrived, it shocked me on just close the build quality was along with the playability and tone. The ML is not worth the nearly 3x price difference in my humble opinion. I put 3 new,Sadowsky, 3-band w VTC and it's now even more versatile than the ML (while still saving about $2k. As always, YMMV...

 

[prndltech]

My suggestion , buy from a store with a good return policy if you can’t find one local to try. Do an A/B comparison and judge for yourself.

Roger Sadowsky told me to play it for a week and if I didn’t like it, send it back

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Having owned both, is the ML better, yes (slightly). I had the ML 1st and then got the "cheap" MX to gig more. When the MX arrived, it shocked me on just close the build quality was along with the playability and tone. The ML is not worth the nearly 3x price difference in my humble opinion. I put 3 new,Sadowsky, 3-band w VTC and it's now even more versatile than the ML (while still saving about $2k. As always, YMMV...

I could see putting a 19mm bridge on my bass and calling it a day. Since I got my bass on sale at the start of the holidays, a new bridge would still keep my investment well under $2K.

My only concern for my bass is how far I can turn my trussrod. I lowered the bow a little, but I think I need a stronger trussrod tool to turn it any further.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Maybe someone will put up a Video of German Metroline vs Sadowsky NYC that sound the same and we all can then feel good buying Metroline

The quality of German Sadowsky’s has never been something I questioned. They are made by Warwick. Warwicks are not everybody’s cup of tea, but their build quality has never been in doubt as far as I am concerned.

 

[Nebadon2000]

The quality of German Sadowsky’s has never been something I questioned. They are made by Warwick. Warwicks are not everybody’s cup of tea, but their build quality has never been in doubt as far as I am concerned.

Roger seems to agree with you on build quality: Why he choose to work with Warwick and it seems to be a Win-Win partnership

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I cannot hear a difference between the two in the demo.

 

[Ric Vice]

A nicer neck and fingerboard is nothing to sneeze at! I’m pretty sure my MX is under 9lbs. Some of the Metrolines are too light and are really neck heavy. That can be a pain like it was with that Tobias Growler I had for a while.

Easily remedied for my Lakland 55-94’s with the Gruv Gear Duo Strap.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Easily remedied for my Lakland 55-94’s with the Gruv Gear Duo Strap.

My MetroExpress Hybrid 4 fretless balances perfectly. My Fender Jazz Plus is a bit neck heavy, but I can correct it with a good strap. One of the reasons I didn't go for the Tony Franklin fretless is it's a neck diver.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I cannot hear a difference between the two in the demo.

The -Line seems to have a little more bass than the -Express when I was listening to it on the TV with a sub. A slight twist of the controls would have changed that.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I know sounding alike has nothing to do with feel or build quality, but they sound nearly identical.

Hey Doc! With the finger style part the German one has a little brighter sound all around and clearer notes on the B string. When it gets to slap, I can't really tell the difference because slap tends to add some distortion to the notes. But with the finger style that green Sadowsky definitely sounds better to me. Since I rarely do slap, my choice would be the Green, German Sadowsky.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hey Doc! With the finger style part the German one has a little brighter sound all around and clearer notes on the B string. When it gets to slap, I can't really tell the difference because slap tends to add some distortion to the notes. But with the finger style that green Sadowsky definitely sounds better to me. Since I rarely do slap, my choice would be the Green, German Sadowsky.

My Metro Express sounds good finger style. I had the VTC installed.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It looks like Davie504 likes a Metroline Modern.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This guy always gets the tightest slap tone out of a Modern and he is using a modded Metro Express.

 

[Dbassmon]

ME editions of Sadowsky basses are extraordinarily good values. You will find most of the Sadowsky improvements that Roger has honed into Fender Jazz Bass and Hybrid Pbass designs, as well as his Modern line instruments.

With two upgrades, you get a bass that is very comparable to Metro Line basse which cost $3500

ME line uses high-quality wood, but you will not find chambered Ash or Alder used in these instruments. Instead, the MEs use Okume, which is very similar to mahangony. ME's will be heavier, and bodies are not chambered. You can shop around and find them @9 Lbs., which is a reasonable weight.

The Chinese hardware is not great. While the bridge functions well, the tuners are imprecise and don't tune smoothly. So if you buy one of these instruments, just order better Hipshot tuners.

The pre-amp in the ME is fine, but if you want more traditional Fender tones, you want the VTC. That adds a couple of hundred bucks, but that upgrade gives many more sonic choices. If you want to go for just a little more, get the Will Lee version of the Sadowsky Preamp, which has a mid boost - that's $250 instead of $200. Go for that Will Lee Pre.

With these upgrades ($400 - $450), you are still paying about the same price as a Mexican Fender Player Plus, and you're getting an instrument very close to the Metro Line German Sadowsky basses. To me, it's a no-brainer.

Re: 5 string neck - the neck is not a Louisville slugger baseball bat, it's a modern C comparable to what a Fender 5 string neck feels like with a very flat 12" radius. If you are looking for an Ibanez style with a very thin neck, this is not your bass.

 

[Bass Viking]

My only concern for my bass is how far I can turn my trussrod. I lowered the bow a little, but I think I need a stronger trussrod tool to turn it any further.

The included truss rod tool is useless, too soft. Mine bent. Nicolas Wilfer told me they were making a stronger one.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

ME editions of Sadowsky basses are extraordinarily good values. You will find most of the Sadowsky improvements that Roger has honed into Fender Jazz Bass and Hybrid Pbass designs, as well as his Modern line instruments.

With two upgrades, you get a bass that is very comparable to Metro Line basse which cost $3500

ME line uses high-quality wood, but you will not find chambered Ash or Alder used in these instruments. Instead, the MEs use Okume, which is very similar to mahangony. ME's will be heavier, and bodies are not chambered. You can shop around and find them @9 Lbs., which is a reasonable weight.

The Chinese hardware is not great. While the bridge functions well, the tuners are imprecise and don't tune smoothly. So if you buy one of these instruments, just order better Hipshot tuners.

The pre-amp in the ME is fine, but if you want more traditional Fender tones, you want the VTC. That adds a couple of hundred bucks, but that upgrade gives many more sonic choices. If you want to go for just a little more, get the Will Lee version of the Sadowsky Preamp, which has a mid boost - that's $250 instead of $200. Go for that Will Lee Pre.

With these upgrades ($400 - $450), you are still paying about the same price as a Mexican Fender Player Plus, and you're getting an instrument very close to the Metro Line German Sadowsky basses. To me, it's a no-brainer.

Re: 5 string neck - the neck is not a Louisville slugger baseball bat, it's a modern C comparable to what a Fender 5 string neck feels like with a very flat 12" radius. If you are looking for an Ibanez style with a very thin neck, this is not your bass.

I have not had any problem with the tuners. I may get the 19mm spaced bridge and call it a day as far as Moderns are concerned. I already had a VTC installed.