Club Sadowsky!!!

[rodneyat]

OK, I am on a Sadowsky roll. #4311 is the one I posted that I picked up a while back. Since then, I have added a Metro M5-24, ordered a NYC 5-24 and just today purchased an NYC P/J 5. I will get some better pictures of the P/J when I get it. These are a little fuzzy.

 

[Vic]

OK, I am on a Sadowsky roll. #4311 is the one I posted that I picked up a while back. Since then, I had added a Metro M5-24, ordered a NYC 5-24 and just today purchased an NYC P/J 5.

DANG DUDE!!!!

 

[kobass]

DANG DUDE!!!!

+1! Yeah, save some for the rest of us!


Seriously though, congrats, man! Sweet basses!



Cheers,
Kevin

 

[B.C.]

DANG DUDE!!!!

No kidding, wow!

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Rodney is a beast. I need to move to Atlanta so we can share

 

[rodneyat]

Rodney is a beast. I need to move to Atlanta so we can share

Well, it is amazing what getting a decent bonus check AND selling a Fodera will do for your bass fund.

OK, I won't say that I am getting ready to order a new Smith too (19mm BSRGN5).

 

[DrGroovenstein]

you saw the light. Back to the smith!

 

[rodneyat]

Actually, never got out of the light...I still had another BSR5GN the entire time. Now, the order is placed and I will be back to 2 of them again. Ken actually has a Elite G with 19mm spacing in stock. I just could not quite justify the extra cash and I do not really like the gloss finishes on a Smith anyway. So, I ordered a BSR5GN with 19mm spacing...Now I am waiting on a Sadowsky and a Smith.

OK, Back on topic...The P/J 5 Sadowsky is on it's way!

 

[Vic]

Ok, so I got sick and f'n tired of Ken's ravings about his ash/maple JJ5 , so I'm "joining" the club "again" with the bass below. Should be here the end of this week or early next. I'm pretty stoked.

Nothin' special about this one other than it's an NYC Sadowsky, but that's what I was after, so it should be good.

I may still do something new for early/mid '09 delivery, but we'll see how this works out first.

Link:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pic:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[tombowlus]

Ok, so I got sick and f'n tired of Ken's ravings about his ash/maple JJ5 , so I'm "joining" the club "again" with the bass below. Should be here the end of this week or early next. I'm pretty stoked.

Nothin' special about this one other than it's an NYC Sadowsky, but that's what I was after, so it should be good.

I may still do something new for early/mid '09 delivery, but we'll see how this works out first.

Link:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pic:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That is a smokin' bass, Vic! Based upon what I know of your preferences and based upon our correspondence, I really think that bass is going to scratch your itch!

Now for my own NYC JJ dilemma....

 

[fcoda]

The last time and only time I played a Sadowsky was back in 87 or 88. Wanted one ever since , it was always one thing or another and I never did get one. Going to Brooklyn in a couple of weeks to get my kid his grad gift - probably a Metro 5 and have the SCs dropped in. I'll get to use it from time to time - so I guess i can join the club.

 

[tradernick]

Ok guys, I'm officially requesting admission into the inner sanctum, having taken deliver of a Metro RV4 '59B #M2425.

One question I do have for you guys (and yes, this is a worried Dad question that probably doesn't make much sense but here goes).

One of the main reasons I decided to buy this bass is that when I played one in a shop, I couldn't believe how few dead spots there were on the neck and most importantly, how in tune it was. The octaves were basically perfect up to the 12th fret.

My bass isn't quite there. Now, of course shipping can cause things to move around a bit. I do also know that Roger sets up these basses before they walk out the door, and the setup on mine would have been done within the past 10 days.

I know I'm in a room with a lot of Sadowsky fans, but can anyone tell me about their Metro experience? Did you have to get the intonation done on yours when you got it? I guess I kind of expected it to be very very close right out of the box.

Thanks, I'm playing the bass acoustically for the next 48 hours. Sounds very nice.

 

[Vic]

Ok guys, I'm officially requesting admission into the inner sanctum, having taken deliver of a Metro RV4 '59B #M2425.

One question I do have for you guys (and yes, this is a worried Dad question that probably doesn't make much sense but here goes).

One of the main reasons I decided to buy this bass is that when I played one in a shop, I couldn't believe how few dead spots there were on the neck and most importantly, how in tune it was. The octaves were basically perfect up to the 12th fret.

My bass isn't quite there. Now, of course shipping can cause things to move around a bit. I do also know that Roger sets up these basses before they walk out the door, and the setup on mine would have been done within the past 10 days.

I know I'm in a room with a lot of Sadowsky fans, but can anyone tell me about their Metro experience? Did you have to get the intonation done on yours when you got it? I guess I kind of expected it to be very very close right out of the box.

Thanks, I'm playing the bass acoustically for the next 48 hours. Sounds very nice.

While I do prefer the NYC's enough to pay the extra cash, I have never had any intonation problems that I noticed with the Metros I've owned and at least spent major time (multiple gigs) with. My guess is it just needs to be tweaked a bit more and you'll be fine.

 

[KJung]

Ok, so I got sick and f'n tired of Ken's ravings about his ash/maple JJ5 , so I'm "joining" the club "again" with the bass below. Should be here the end of this week or early next. I'm pretty stoked.

Nothin' special about this one other than it's an NYC Sadowsky, but that's what I was after, so it should be good.

I may still do something new for early/mid '09 delivery, but we'll see how this works out first.

Link:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pic:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

MMmmm... non routed ash and single coils.... mmmmmmm Nice!

 

[tradernick]

While I do prefer the NYC's enough to pay the extra cash, I have never had any intonation problems that I noticed with the Metros I've owned and at least spent major time (multiple gigs) with. My guess is it just needs to be tweaked a bit more and you'll be fine.

Thanks Vic. Well, I've donned my asbestos suit and done last rites for my username here at TB, so here goes.

I will preface this by saying that I first played a Sad about a year ago and was absolutely blown away by the neck and the sound. I have been plotting to get one ever since.

I played my new Metro for about 30 minutes and right away notice a bunch of problems.

1. There is a rattle in the headstock somewhere. I can't make it go away by holding any of the tuners.

2. The intonation is out - the octaves aren't in tune

3. the D string sounds dead

4. Most troublesome, though is the general sound of the instrument. I have read that Roger feels the acoustic sound of an instrument is extremely important to the eventual tone. The Metros I played in the shop were just beautiful, with a singing tone in which you could hear all the detail including an ominous extremely low-end frequency that spoke of serious response through good gear.

This one just does not have anything like that tone coming off of it. I compared it to my main Jazz and the difference was clear.

At this point I am feeling bad, so I called my guitar tech. My guy is one of the best guys in Toronto and probably in Canada. Any working guitarist or bassist here would know him or know of him. When I told him I was getting a Sad he was very happy and told me that he has worked on several and loves them. He agreed to see me right away.

I went over and he played the bass. He didn't say much for a long time. Then he told me that

1. The rattle is a loose screw somewhere in the tuner assemblies. He confirmed that it's not the truss rod.

2. He asked me what kind of strings were on it and I said Sadowskys. He said that he didn't think much of them.

3. He said that the nut needed to be shaved. He said that it was about 1/5 as bad as the new Fenders that he sees, but it still needed to be done

4. Regarding the tone, he looked uncomfortable and then finally said something like 'I see lots of really expensive guitars that don't sound as good as $500 ones'.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm actually surprised at how bummed out I am. I know that guitars are like women - no two are the same and they are pieces of wood. I can't expect every one to be perfect. I have never purchased anyinstrument without playing it. What can I say.

I just had to vent and maybe get some advice. I have 7 days to ship it back. My tech asked me to change the strings before he would look at it further. I guess I could do that and take it back to him. If he fixes the rattling headstock, does that void my return capability?

I realize that complaining about a Sad in the shrine of Sad is not the best way to get an objective opinion. If this just turns into a flame-fest I'll start a thread. Once again... I decided to buy a Sad because I was blown away by every one I played until this one.

 

[etinsley]

Ok, so I got sick and f'n tired of Ken's ravings about his ash/maple JJ5 , so I'm "joining" the club "again" with the bass below. Should be here the end of this week or early next. I'm pretty stoked.

Nothin' special about this one other than it's an NYC Sadowsky, but that's what I was after, so it should be good.

I may still do something new for early/mid '09 delivery, but we'll see how this works out first.

Link:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pic:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That's awesome Vic! I can't wait to check it out. Also, I still have my Sadowsky hum-canceling pickups if you ever want to give them a go.

 

[Craig Garfinkel]

Thanks Vic. Well, I've donned my asbestos suit and done last rites for my username here at TB, so here goes.

I will preface this by saying that I first played a Sad about a year ago and was absolutely blown away by the neck and the sound. I have been plotting to get one ever since.

I played my new Metro for about 30 minutes and right away notice a bunch of problems.

1. There is a rattle in the headstock somewhere. I can't make it go away by holding any of the tuners.

2. The intonation is out - the octaves aren't in tune

3. the D string sounds dead

4. Most troublesome, though is the general sound of the instrument. I have read that Roger feels the acoustic sound of an instrument is extremely important to the eventual tone. The Metros I played in the shop were just beautiful, with a singing tone in which you could hear all the detail including an ominous extremely low-end frequency that spoke of serious response through good gear.

This one just does not have anything like that tone coming off of it. I compared it to my main Jazz and the difference was clear.

At this point I am feeling bad, so I called my guitar tech. My guy is one of the best guys in Toronto and probably in Canada. Any working guitarist or bassist here would know him or know of him. When I told him I was getting a Sad he was very happy and told me that he has worked on several and loves them. He agreed to see me right away.

I went over and he played the bass. He didn't say much for a long time. Then he told me that

1. The rattle is a loose screw somewhere in the tuner assemblies. He confirmed that it's not the truss rod.

2. He asked me what kind of strings were on it and I said Sadowskys. He said that he didn't think much of them.

3. He said that the nut needed to be shaved. He said that it was about 1/5 as bad as the new Fenders that he sees, but it still needed to be done

4. Regarding the tone, he looked uncomfortable and then finally said something like 'I see lots of really expensive guitars that don't sound as good as $500 ones'.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm actually surprised at how bummed out I am. I know that guitars are like women - no two are the same and they are pieces of wood. I can't expect every one to be perfect. I have never purchased anyinstrument without playing it. What can I say.

I just had to vent and maybe get some advice. I have 7 days to ship it back. My tech asked me to change the strings before he would look at it further. I guess I could do that and take it back to him. If he fixes the rattling headstock, does that void my return capability?

I realize that complaining about a Sad in the shrine of Sad is not the best way to get an objective opinion. If this just turns into a flame-fest I'll start a thread. Once again... I decided to buy a Sad because I was blown away by every one I played until this one.

Trader, you can put away that asbestos suit and ditch any plans to change your name, because nobody here is going to flame you over this. I can confidently say especially Roger or anyone at Sadowsky. That's why they have the 7 day return policy. Roger has said many times and in many places that he wants every one of his customers to be happy, even if they're ultimately happy with someone else's bass. Don't be bummed...if it ain't "the one" then it ain't the one, and you should send it back. I would recommend you call the shop first though and tell them exactly how you feel and about the problems you're having with the bass. I have the utmost confidence they will do whatever it takes to address any problems you have, and they're going to want you to ultimately end up with a bass you truly love.

 

[tradernick]

Trader, you can put away that asbestos suit and ditch any plans to change your name, because nobody here is going to flame you over this. I can confidently say especially Roger or anyone at Sadowsky. That's why they have the 7 day return policy. Roger has said many times and in many places that he wants every one of his customers to be happy, even if they're ultimately happy with someone else's bass. Don't be bummed...if it ain't "the one" then it ain't the one, and you should send it back. I would recommend you call the shop first though and tell them exactly how you feel and about the problems you're having with the bass. I have the utmost confidence they will do whatever it takes to address any problems you have, and they're going to want you to ultimately end up with a bass you truly love.

Craig, I appreciate that, man. This sucks because I can't magically let everyone know that I'm not a whiny little snot or that I'm not having some sort of buyer's remorse or that I need the money for rent or some crap like that. I have been telling everyone I gig with that I was getting this bass and since most of them are inveterate gearheads, they were all happy and looking forward to seeing and hearing it, and no one more than me. It's been in the works for a year, ever since I played the first one, then tried for a while to get one through here.

I played that first one in the shop and I was very impressed... but I walked out of the shop. I couldn't stop thinking about it though and I went back just a few days later and it was gone. That one... man, I can't believe I let it go. It is identical to the one I have here, though.

Rob has been very much in touch since he read this thread and I hope Roger will have some advice for me.

EDIT: Just one more thing. I am not in the habit of blowing my own horn, but techs quite often come up to me and say 'man, your bass (my main player Jazz) sounds great, what is it? What pickups are in it?' I tell them it's a stock Jazz but that I've played it for 20 years. The point is that tone is in your hands, not in the bass. I do know this.

 

[Vic]

That's awesome Vic! I can't wait to check it out. Also, I still have my Sadowsky hum-canceling pickups if you ever want to give them a go.

Cool, and yeah, I'd love to hang with you sometime. Also, I may just take you up on the HC test... if for no other reason than to really hear the diff for myself.

 

[Vic]

Thanks Vic. Well, I've donned my asbestos suit and done last rites for my username here at TB, so here goes.

No need.

Rather than go point by point, let me just say these things...

If you aren't happy with the bass, like Craig says, call the shop, and if necessary, return it. That's what the eval period is for, and it's true that Roger doesn't want anyone to be unhappy with their instrument.

On the tone, this is one of the reasons why the NYC's cost more. The same careful pre-manufacturing wood selection is something that the Metros aren't subject to, and as such, suffer the same downfalls of any other production instrument. Some will be great, others, not so great. Also, the necks don't have the graphite rods, which also improves tone. This isn't to say there's no such thing as a fantastic Metro, because there are. They're just not ALL that way.

That said, it sure sounds like this one has some particularly significant issues, and it should probably end up back at Roger's shop to be analyzed.

IMHO, while they're not my all-time faves, I do like Sadowsky strings. I have great results with them on my NYC 24F-5. FWIW.

I'm also not surprised at how disappointed you are. You're justified in feeling that way. Your experience should have been completely different.

I have one piece of advice... do NOT let this experience sour you entirely to Sadowsky instruments. Trust me, if you get a more typically great one, it'll be totally worth it, just as you were, and should have been, expecting this time.