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I bought my first Sadowsky about 2 weeks ago, this used Metro MS-4. Phenomenal player, love the tone and the feel.
Here's an interesting artist build (Teppei Kawasaki, big-time session player in Japan) made by the guys at Sadowsky TYO.. I'll just list down the rough specs of the bass for convenience but you can run the site through Google Translate to get the full scoop! Invalid Link Removed
Neck: Follows the profile of Teppei's '65 Jazz along with a 1.45" nut & a 10" radius. Comes with vintage frets seated on a Morado board too.
Body: It seems to say that they chose to use Ayous/Obeche after a blind test with 4 prototypes involving Basswood, Light Ash & Roasted Alder and the former.
Electronics: They went for a vintage look with a V/V/T or V/B/T on the front & moved the Bass & Treble EQs to the back panel, adjustable via screw terminals.
Neck: Follows the profile of Teppei's '65 Jazz along with a 1.45" nut & a 10" radius. Comes with vintage frets seated on a Morado board too.
Body: It seems to say that they chose to use Ayous/Obeche after a blind test with 4 prototypes involving Basswood, Light Ash & Roasted Alder and the former.
Electronics: They went for a vintage look with a V/V/T or V/B/T on the front & moved the Bass & Treble EQs to the back panel, adjustable via screw terminals.
Maybe a silly question but...
I am the owner of two sire v7 5ers (1 x maple & q x rosewood fretboard). Last days I am in GAS for a sadowsky metroline. The difference of the sires is so big that worth the big money difference? Or I will get dissapointed (cause I like me sires).
Thanks
I am the owner of two sire v7 5ers (1 x maple & q x rosewood fretboard). Last days I am in GAS for a sadowsky metroline. The difference of the sires is so big that worth the big money difference? Or I will get dissapointed (cause I like me sires).
Thanks
Hard to say how YOU would feel about it. I have 3 Sires (V7-4, V7-5, and M7-5) among my basses and like them all. I recently bought a used Sadowsky metro 4-string. The Sires are great values and I heartily endorse them, and would put them up against most any bass retailing in the $1200 range, maybe even up to $1500 new retail. However, the Sadowsky Metro is a different cut, as it should be for an instrument that retails for 2600-3400 new. It's better than any bass I own, with the exception of a Ken Smith.
At a certain point it's a game of diminishing returns-- every dollar more gets you a little less for that dollar than the last dollar. Whether that's worth it-- Sadowsky Metro with it's much higher price vs Sire-- is entirely dependent on you.
Buying used, of course I paid much less than the new retail, and to me, was totally worth it for the Sad MS4.No regret at all. It's hard to put it down! In fact I like it so well that I am considering (but not imminently acting) selling my Sire V7 5-string to partially fund a Sad Metro 5-string. However, it'd have to be a used one for me to buy it (not ready to pay $3000+); and I'd probably only sell the Sire V7-5 if I had all the rest of the money ready to go; if not a Sadowsky, then I am perfectly content with the Sire V7 5-string.
I'll add this-- my Sire V7 5-string was mistaken for a Sadowsky by a New York African music session guy when he heard it, and saw it from a distance. He was pretty impressed with the sound of that Sire. I really like it as well, and just got done doing some recording with it as well.
If you can stomach the cost, you would not be disappointed with a Sadowsky IMO. Whether the cost difference -- A sad costing five times as a Sire-- is "worth it", well, only you can know, and if you can't try one, you might have to find out by taking the plunge. Sire is the better bang for the buck, the Sadowsky is the better bass. Where you fall on the continuum of value is something I can't say.
Best option is to find a Sadowsky to play before making that decision. I was fortunate enough to be able to play mine before buying, which confirmed everything I'd hoped.
White pearl Satin NYC and dark lake placid blue Metro24.
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,150
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Love the White Satin M4/24. Is that the one that was on the stock page recently?
Been eyeing these for a while and may need to get one soon. How do you like it and compared to your MV4/24?
Been eyeing these for a while and may need to get one soon. How do you like it and compared to your MV4/24?
White pearl Satin NYC and dark lake placid blue Metro24.
Yes I picked it from the in stock page. It has the same feel as the metro, just lighter. Different tone of course. I love them both.
White pearl Satin NYC and dark lake placid blue Metro24.
What kind of pimped out case is that in the left of the picture?
I love the White Satin M4/24 too!! I'm planning on buying a 5 strings version as I only play 5 strings. How does it sound compared to the MV4?
According to where the pickups are placed I would say the M4 sounds a bit more dynamic and a bit less warm than the MV4. Is it a good assumption?
According to where the pickups are placed I would say the M4 sounds a bit more dynamic and a bit less warm than the MV4. Is it a good assumption?
I think that was the point of the "modern" series.
I will say this; that my only regret about getting the Sadowskys I have; is that I didn't do it sooner. That's just me though. But sure; it took a lot to pay them off; (mine are NYCs though); but I do not regret the expence looking back. I'm a fan of getting what you really want (regardless of cost, we're not talking Steinway grand pianos here, you know?) and long term goals also. Say even 4-5 years. I'm thinking about perhaps getting something, that'll take that amount of time for me to pull off. Haven't made the decision yet. I don't really need it; but I would like it. Very, very much. We'll see....
That's the thing I kind of like to mention from time to time, when talking about electric basses generally. That for us; the really high end; is pretty affordable, compared to other instruments. Say if you played the violin, a modern maker Jeff Phillips, that makes Strad and Guarneri copies; start at $24,000!
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The modern pickup config gives a Smith-ish sound for lack of a better term. The dual coil sound. Like a Stingray but more so.
I have a metro modern 4 , was wondering if anyone has done this or would like to comment on this ..I want to exchange the pickups to the nordstram big singles, I'm not in love with the current sound ,it lacks punch,attack, a little too mellow for my taste, I wonder if it would come closer to my pj. Or does the pic up placement make it sound that way regardless of the pickup?
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fwiw, I had an NYC Modern 5/24 that I spec'd with Big Singles. I never played a Modern with the Sadowsky SB's so I can't compare. The Big Singles had a lot of character with harmonic complexity/nice growl and the "neck" pickup solo'ed was able to mimic a P bass "somewhat." Hope this helps!
Here's the Modern 5/24 I had...
Yes, I sold it.
Yes, I am a complete idiot!
Yes, I sold it.
Yes, I am a complete idiot!
I doubt it will sound like a pj. To me a pj sounds like a j on the bottom strings and more stingrayish on the a top two. I suspect this is because the split pickup is closer to the bridge on the treble side.
I'd try new strings and cranking the treble to 1/2 to 3/4 while leaving the bass off and vtc full up.
P/J has a unique sound, I'd just get one if that's what you are after. To me it's the Victor Wooten sound. I once bought a Metro PJ on ebay for 1500. They are around. Perhaps someone would even like to trade.
I'd try new strings and cranking the treble to 1/2 to 3/4 while leaving the bass off and vtc full up.
P/J has a unique sound, I'd just get one if that's what you are after. To me it's the Victor Wooten sound. I once bought a Metro PJ on ebay for 1500. They are around. Perhaps someone would even like to trade.
