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Club Sadowsky!!!

#38,581
Fuzzbass said:
Fact is, though, wooden instruments vary even within the same species. I've owned identical instruments that sounded surprisingly different.
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Yup I had a few ash/maple Standard 4s that sounded different. Then the last 2 I had sounded pretty close to each other. I had an ash/maple WL that was really dark sounding too. By right it should have been bright sounding. But, that's wood for ya!

I had a ash/maple metro Standard 5 that was killer! So, really whether a Metro or NYC it's still a Sadowsky!
 
#38,582
Sadowsky said:
We only charge $150 when we have to make a pickguard from scratch......our production pickguards (better than anything else you can buy) are $75. If I had the time to make a video of how much work goes into making a pickguard by hand, you would understand the cost. We are not trying to profit on pickguards..
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Not to bud in here, but when I worked for Roger I had the pleasure of fabricating quite a few pickguards and I can testify that there is a lot of handwork involved. It is very rewarding once the pickguard is completed.
In a sense I was creating jewelry. Nothing less than perfect is acceptable.
 
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#38,584
Bought 3 NYC basses but never a Metro.
I appreciate lightweight instruments and love an ebony board so that's that for me.
I think the NYC basses are the best on the planet for what I want and am happy paying for the best.
Think of the dosh I'd save if ebony and weight weren't an issue.
Metros have got to be good value.

I've had a '77 Stingray since new which I chose over 6 Fender J's and P's at the time.
Also have a MIJ Fender '62 RI Jazz and a 'souped-up' Chinese Squier P (also '62 CV)
I bought newer Fenders, a Warwick Streamer and a Fodera Monarch over a few years until I got my first Sadowsky.
Since then I've had 3 Sadowsky NYC basses and kept the J5 and J4 while selling the PJ4.
I stopped trying different builders about 6 years ago after a long search.
The customer service ain't bad either!
 
#38,585
My .02 on the Metro v. NYC thing:

The first Sadowsky I owned was a Metro MV5. Took to it immediately; I'd found the make that "talked to me," after going through more boutiques than I'd care to admit to. Got another Metro, an RV5. Bingo! That's what I like--gigged the heck out it. Have since sold the Metro MV5 to a buddy, but kept the RV5.

Got the itch to pick up a Will Lee...and through an odd turn of events (GAS is what it is) wound up with both a Metro WL5 in alder/morado/singles _and_ an NYC in ash/rosewood/soaps. Now I gig the Metro and woodshed the NYC at home.

My experience has been that the build quality is equal; that is to say, the workmanship is impeccable on both. Those two basses do sound different, and I favor the NYC some. It might be that the ash/rosewood combination (unusual) just has the holy grail tone for me. And I figure the chambering makes a difference in the tone; the resonance of the bass against my body feels different. I keep it at home, because acquiring it was something of an indulgence (liquidated a few other basses to get it).

But IME those Metros are top-shelf instruments. That Metro WL5 gets me through my bar gigs, and leaves me asking for nothing more from the bass. And boy, have I owned a lotta basses...
 
#38,586
I wasn't trying to start some sort of Metro vs NYC debate. I will say my experience has been the necks on Metro's have all been chunkier than the NYC models. I haven't played a Metro WL but have played an NYC. It's neck was very nice and I didn't mind the narrower nut.
 
#38,587
maurilio said:
:)

for little tweaks (the need of a "tiny" shim) just a simple sanding of the neck pocket will suffice…
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If this is in fact a simple fix why not addressing it in the building process, eliminating the possible need for a shim? This issue came up more than once before... enough to make a change, IMHO. This is actually a question to Mr. Sadowsky... Just wondering.
 
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#38,590
Can you guys answer me a question. I have a NYC4PJ. As my collection has changed up a bit, I find myself with quite a few PJ's (most of my basses are Spectors), and I sort of wish that I'd built this one as a JJ. I've seen some that were convertible from a PJ to a JJ with a pick guard change. However, Kevin (when he was there) mentioned something about the spacing on the PJ vs. the JJ, so maybe this needs to be planned for at build time and not a retrofit. Any ideas?

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#38,592
NOLA Bass said:
Can you guys answer me a question. I have a NYC4PJ. As my collection has changed up a bit, I find myself with quite a few PJ's (most of my basses are Spectors), and I sort of wish that I'd built this one as a JJ. I've seen some that were convertible from a PJ to a JJ with a pick guard change. However, Kevin (when he was there) mentioned something about the spacing on the PJ vs. the JJ, so maybe this needs to be planned for at build time and not a retrofit. Any ideas?

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Yup, they would make a new PG from your current one but with a J cutout. They would route the body for a J pickup that is almost in line with the bass side of the P pickup. Simple connection to swap pups. But, that would make for a nice JJ bass. It would be less time than a new build but it might take some time depending on their schedule. A good idea though. Call the shop and I'm sure they can give you a time frame. Nice bass!
 
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#38,593
I'll shoot them an email next week. It isn't time sensitive, so I could send the bass back whenever they had the time if it all works out. I think I'd go for a tort guard though. Nice to change things up a bit!

I would hate to sell it and order a new bass. I custom ordered this one from color to woods and got the neck shaved to feel like a Will Lee profile. I just have now found myself with only 1 JJ bass (a Spector NS2J, not exactly a classic Fender inspired J) and 4 PJ's. I think switching the Sadowsky to a JJ would really give me a tone I'd like to have in the arsenal.
 
#38,594
NOLA Bass said:
Can you guys answer me a question. I have a NYC4PJ. As my collection has changed up a bit, I find myself with quite a few PJ's (most of my basses are Spectors), and I sort of wish that I'd built this one as a JJ. I've seen some that were convertible from a PJ to a JJ with a pick guard change. However, Kevin (when he was there) mentioned something about the spacing on the PJ vs. the JJ, so maybe this needs to be planned for at build time and not a retrofit. Any ideas?

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No Problem!!!

Roger
 
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#38,595
Nenor said:
If this is in fact a simple fix why not addressing it in the building process, eliminating the possible need for a shim? This issue came up more than once before... enough to make a change, IMHO. This is actually a question to Mr. Sadowsky... Just wondering.
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I never let a bass leave the shop with the idea that it might need a shim......but sometimes necks pull up a bit more than one expects over time and combined with a player wanting a very low action.....this might necessitate a shim. All of this is within the range of "normal".
 
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#38,597
Sadowsky said:
I never let a bass leave the shop with the idea that it might need a shim......but sometimes necks pull up a bit more than one expects over time and combined with a player wanting a very low action.....this might necessitate a shim. All of this is within the range of "normal".
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Thanks for replying.
If I'm not mistaken this came up regarding Metro line basses only, and not so old. IME, your necks are rock solid, very stable. I can't imagine any of them develop a pull up unless neglected or abused, but I can relate to the concept of within normal neck behavior. It's an easy fix and not really an issue... just thought it may be taken under consideration as a preventing measure, in any case. One way or the other, killer basses. There IS a WL 5 in my future.
 

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