I have to say that I still don't really like the idea of a bass body full of holes. I much prefer solid. My next Sadowsky will probably be a Metro for that reason alone.
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I was so pressed to buy a NYC will Lee until I received me new metro will Lee! At 8.2lbs it feels great on the shoulder, and sounds great! I'm going to send it out to pat Wilkins next week to get it refinished in candy tangerine and to put a vintage tint to the neck! Can't wait for the end result. I may keep my other metro will Lee as a backup and maybe out hc pickups for a different flavor. At 8.8lbs it's not too bad at all too!
Since getting my chambered ash/maple Im craving a chambered alder/braz. I had one other chambered NYC I didnt bond with but the latest one is amazing. I also have two great metros. I suggest trying a few with an open mind.
I been thinking about buying a NYC but there's been mixed reviews about chambered bodies. My metro is already light, 8.2lbs, for a 5 string. How does the tone compare between a metro and a chambered NYC.
I'm not looking for fancy tops or anything just ash/maple solid color
I dont think I have enough data to comment on trends. I can just vouch that I have a great chambered bass and two great nonchambered basses. Lots of variables and these are my favorites of a dozen or so sadowskys I have owned. You just need to hold them, feel them, hear them to know if you've got the right one for you.
My three Sadowskys are chambered, and sound wonderful. They are also wonderfully light. I have some non-chambered basses that also sound wonderful, however they are heavier by at least a little, and sometimes a lot.
That's all I can say, really. I'm aware that some are nervous about chambering. Some builders don't do it because they claim it negatively impacts tone. It stands to reason that chambering does affect tone to at least a small degree (Roger acknowledges this), however I believe that, as with most factors, it's a matter of 'different', not 'better/worse'. I also believe that it's a relatively small difference.
I'm not trying to change anyone's mind (I understand why some might be unsure, especially with an instrument in this price range), just sharing my experience.
That's all I can say, really. I'm aware that some are nervous about chambering. Some builders don't do it because they claim it negatively impacts tone. It stands to reason that chambering does affect tone to at least a small degree (Roger acknowledges this), however I believe that, as with most factors, it's a matter of 'different', not 'better/worse'. I also believe that it's a relatively small difference.
I'm not trying to change anyone's mind (I understand why some might be unsure, especially with an instrument in this price range), just sharing my experience.
"Better" is a term that is pretty relative to the player. I have not played the chambered basses; so, I can't comment on the specific differences. I will say that I find lighter Jazz Basses to have a preferable tone for pizz playing and heavier Jazz Basses to have a preferable tone for plectrum and slap playing. If I were buying an NYC, this experience would be in my mind when deciding how to roll with the body. Roger has said that he had noticed a tonal advantage to the lighter Jazz Basses, and that this influenced his development of the chambered basses. I agree with his observation for some styles but not others. If I were going fretless, I would no question go chambered. If I wanted an all round bass, I really don't know. I would have to go to the NYC shop and try a few instruments to know one way or the other.
I went and did it! Got to practice last night and BL said it was really full and cut through. Still getting used to tuning the D-tuner after watching the Hipshot video, but otherwise I really enjoyed playing it. They are in the process of getting some really nice leather straps up on the site, so I'll grab one of those when available. Love the soft case too!
Will Lee Metro 4 with D-tuner. Black cherry metallic with pearloid guard.
Will Lee Metro 4 with D-tuner. Black cherry metallic with pearloid guard.
Good point! My Warwick just sold on Reverb, so I do need to change it.Beautiful and Congrats! Now change your avatar!
Congrats, love your build!
As for the D-tuner -- before I switched to five string, I had them on every one of my fours. Once you become familiar with them, they are amazing devices. When set up properly, and your strings are broken in, you can alternate between low D (or whatever) and E within the same song and not go out of tune (graphite in the nut slot may help). Also, with practice, playing in drop-D tuning will become second nature.
Thanks for the tip. I'm used to a five as well, so it's weird being in drop D for me. Will hit Home Depot for some graphite. Tried with a pencil tip and it didn't work so well.
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