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Club Sadowsky!!!

#41,861
bdgotoh said:
Snagged a really nice Sadowsky Jazz off ebay, when did they start using the spoke wheel truss rod adjustment? This bass has a serial number in the low 3000s and has a normal Fender style truss rod nut. It also has a 4 bolt neck plate.
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Sounds like a UV model. Does it have the plastic Fender knobs too?
 
#41,864
baxter_x said:
I always feel these gigbag/portabag can't protect the instrument. I feel way better with a softcase or a real case.
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I believe you just don't have to worry about the poratbag quality, they are rock solid, I use the Portabag travel all over the world without problem once.. no matter how tough the place I went..

Going to take this with me tomorrow for tour again :)
 

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#41,869
Does anybody know where I could find some black hardware for my Metro MV5? I emailed Sadowsky and they told me they don't sell black hardware for the Metro line. I was expecting that actually ;)
I know hipshot Ultralite Bass Tuners HB6C-3/8 should fit on my Metro, but what about the bridge? Is it possible to find a black one or a replacement one?
 
#41,870
baxter_x said:
Does anybody know where I could find some black hardware for my Metro MV5? I emailed Sadowsky and they told me they don't sell black hardware for the Metro line. I was expecting that actually ;)
I know hipshot Ultralite Bass Tuners HB6C-3/8 should fit on my Metro, but what about the bridge? Is it possible to find a black one or a replacement one?
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I've converted all mine through all parts. The string retainer is the Floyd roe design you can buy in black and the output jackplate is the football design you can get on there as well. The strap buttons are dunlops I ordered them in black as well. I got the black Hipshot tuners as well. I'm going to have to bridge plates Satin Black.
 
#41,877
TimothyGroovy said:
I believe you just don't have to worry about the poratbag quality, they are rock solid, I use the Portabag travel all over the world without problem once.. no matter how tough the place I went..

Going to take this with me tomorrow for tour again :)
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When you love your Sadowsky, it flies first class, while you enjoy peanuts in the baggage hold...

images(7).jpeg


... that'll be 5$ for the nuts, sir.
 
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#41,878
Lots of Sadowsky motion at my end the past few days.

First, I navigated a deal with TB'er @RSmith, a great cat, to exchange my Shoreline Gold Fendowsky +cash for this:
RSmith said:
View attachment 1027397 View attachment 1027398
Just got home this Will Lee 5.. Love it, great B, plays great, sounds very even across the fretboard!!
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My Fendowsky is a very cool bass; but it would have become redundant for me when my NYC build gets completed in another 6 weeks +/-. So, Robert is now enjoying a very hip Fendowsky; and, I'm greatly enjoying this new-to-me WL5; which is my third Metro. Win - win deal; which is one cool aspect on TB.

Now, to this RV5-WL:
First, this is a VERY hip bass. My first Metro was an RV5; which I adored, but, was always non-plused about the nut width. It played just fine in the hand; but, always just seemed too large, if that makes any sense at all. I readily admit that was more perception than function on my part. In any case, the neck on this WL5 is just simply stellar off the charts. One of the best bass guitar necks I ever ever had the privilege to wrap my fingers around.:thumbsup:

Second, there are a couple of things that are different from my past two Metros, which I need to ask you cats about. One of those is the preamp and pickups. This, being a newer Metro 5, has the Nordstrand SC's. The overall output and tone requires that I boost both bass and treble about 2/3 to get into the same ballpark as my previous two Metros; which only required about half that much boost to deliver even greater output. Is the difference due to the Nordstrand pickups? Or were there recent changes in the 2 band boost taper?

Roger recently posted this info:
Sadowsky said:
Although we have made no changes to our circuit, we recently improved the taper on the pots on the Preamp/DI Pedal to more closely match the taper of the pots on our basses and our drop in circuits. The box is a bit more substantial as well. All improvements have been made to make the Pedal more reliable....there have been no changes in the sound other than the improved taper of the pots.
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But, that seems to be specific to the Outboard. I'm rather surprised by the significant difference in the gain/output characteristics compared to my previous two Metros.

Regarding the Nordstrand pickups; they do seem very evenly voiced. They do produce all the tones I use. If I had no previous experience with the older SD SC's, I think I would like them just fine. But, between the Nordy's and what I remember of the SD SC's, I think I like the SD's a bit better. I may have to consider seeing if the shop still has some of those. But, I would appreciate any feedback regarding this output question before going there.

Then, I also have some questions about the tuners. This bass has the licensed 3/8" post tuners. They seem adequate. But, if I am keeping this bass, I would prefer the more robust USA 1/2" posts. I see this informative post.
Maiden Bass said:
If you look on the Hipshot website for the 1/2" Ultralite Licensed and 1/2" Ultralite USA, they are showing different size holes! I believe this is what Sadowsky uses now, because they told me the headstock holes need to be slightly larger for USA, and that is exactly what the Hipshot website shows for 1/2" versions.

USA:
  • Solid machined aircraft grade aluminum housing gives you high durability in an extremely light package.
  • Small footprint easily installs on 4, 5, and 6 string headstocks.
  • 20:1 gear ratio for super quick and accurate tuning.
  • Tuning keys are easily reversible for conversion to bass or treble side.
  • Available in Clover Leaf, Lollipop and Y shaped keys. (select dropdown for appropriate color and key style)
  • 3/8" string post fits 9/16" headstock holes. 1/2" string post fits 11/16" headstock holes.
  • Tuners are sold individually.

Licensed:
The Licensed Ultralite™ Features:

-20:1 Gear ratio
-Compact footprint installs on even the smallest headstocks.
-Full sized clover and Y key keeps the classic look of your headstock.
-available in chrome (satin), shiny chrome, gold, and black.


The 3/8" diameter version fits basses with a headstock hole size of 14mm (9/16"). The 1/2" version fits basses with a hole size of 16mm (41/64").

Licensed Ultralites™ are not reversible. Tuners are sold a la carte.
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My question is whether the enlarging of the holes in the headstock actually requires sending the bass off to Pat Wilkins? I've had bad experiences trying to enlarge holes with a hand drill in the past, and performing that alteration with a rat tail file seems to be an even worse idea. Comments?

On other fronts, I'm waiting on photos from Peter for the shop build in progress, due in 6 weeks +/-. And, I am sending my parts Fender bass off to Pat Wilkins for installation of a battery box, the side jack, and a Sadowsky Onboard, which just arrived two days ago; just because I still like my Fendowsky's!

Lastly, looking back through this thread for the quotes I had recalled above, it struck me just how knowledgeable and awesome all you cats are, who participate in this thread! Major props all around!:thumbsup:
 
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