Club Sadowsky!!!

[soflbass]

Absolutely. The geometry is key. Yet my choices seem to be no relief, or just a tiny sliver. Guess I will go with the tiny sliver. May be that the roasted neck is stiffer and more resistant to string tension than the typical neck.

It can be affected by the string tension, i.e. the string gauge. But changes to the relief can sometimes take a day or two especially if the neck has been in that position for a while. Patience!

 

[gustobassman]

A little setup advice perhaps?

I wanted to lower the action on the new Lexus pearl white TYO Modern Edge 4 with roasted neck, so I checked the relief. Flat. I was thinking maybe 0.08" would be good. Went to loosen the truss rod a touch and found that it turned very freely in the counterclockwise direction. Managed to get just a hair of relief at the 7th fret (capo at 1st and fretted at 15th), with action height of 4/64" across the strings measured at the 12th fret. I prefer slightly lower. Is this as good as it gets?

This bass looks so great, sounds so fantastic, and even with medium-low action, plays itself. Heaven help me, I was a P bass guy through and through. I am starting to think this might be (almost) the only bass I need. So optimizing the setup would be good. Any suggestions are appreciated.

I've had the best results for really low action on my Satin series basses with a capo at the 1st fret and fretting the LAST fret, not the 15th. Just about .007 relief and my G is in between 2/64 - 3/64, the B sits at 4/64. All 4 of my Satins are this way (2 modern 5's, a Verdine 5 and a j5). This method may not work on a TYO - I have no experience with one of those.

That said - there is more than one way to cook chicken so i'm sure others will say 350 degrees for an hour or some will say break it down for more even cooking so.... IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.

 

[R&B]

It can be affected by the string tension, i.e. the string gauge. But changes to the relief can sometimes take a day or two especially if the neck has been in that position for a while. Patience!

I've had the best results for really low action on my Satin series basses with a capo at the 1st fret and fretting the LAST fret, not the 15th. Just about .007 relief and my G is in between 2/64 - 3/64, the B sits at 4/64. All 4 of my Satins are this way (2 modern 5's, a Verdine 5 and a j5). This method may not work on a TYO - I have no experience with one of those.

That said - there is more than one way to cook chicken so i'm sure others will say 350 degrees for an hour or some will say break it down for more even cooking so.... IMO, IME, YMMV, etc.

All good stuff. And yes, I meant .008”—though .007” could be killer!

 

[groovin_bassman]

Ok, so is there any new information on the new Metroline basses? I have searched Talkbass, YouTube, Google, Facebook, Instagram and even the Sadowsky website. Except for a few pictures posted from NAMM, it seems nobody has covered these new basses.

 

[Vic]

Ok, so is there any new information on the new Metroline basses? I have searched Talkbass, YouTube, Google, Facebook, Instagram and even the Sadowsky website. Except for a few pictures posted from NAMM, it seems nobody has covered these new basses.

Seems like pricing/availability has already been generally covered, but I did at least get a little bit of hands on time.

It was pretty much impossible to get into the room with the amp, unless you were able to loiter quite a bit or get there really early, etc., neither of which I could do, but at least to me, they seemed pretty comparable to what Roger had before, so as long as these are truly representative of the regular production stuff, which is what I expect, it seems fine.

If anything, with the Metro Expresses going down in price, it leaves kind of a large price gap between the Expresses and MetroLines. I'm curious if Warwick will fill that gap or leave it there.

 

[groovin_bassman]

Seems like pricing/availability has already been generally covered, but I did at least get a little bit of hands on time.

It was pretty much impossible to get into the room with the amp, unless you were able to loiter quite a bit or get there really early, etc., neither of which I could do, but at least to me, they seemed pretty comparable to what Roger had before, so as long as these are truly representative of the regular production stuff, which is what I expect, it seems fine.

If anything, with the Metro Expresses going down in price, it leaves kind of a large price gap between the Expresses and MetroLines. I'm curious if Warwick will fill that gap or leave it there.

Thanks for the reply Vic. From the pictures I have seen from NAMM, the prices compared to the Japanese Metroline basses have gone up. An RV4 would run you about $2575 and one I seen from NAMM (picture) was priced at $3040. The 5 string equivalent was $3165... This is NYC Satin territory. I was hoping for the old pricing because I was planning on ordering one...

 

[Vic]

Thanks for the reply Vic. From the pictures I have seen from NAMM, the prices compared to the Japanese Metroline basses have gone up. An RV4 would run you about $2575 and one I seen from NAMM (picture) was priced at $3040. The 5 string equivalent was $3165... This is NYC Satin territory. I was hoping for the old pricing because I was planning on ordering one...

What pics/prices are you comparing?

I'm looking at a pic we took of a black Metroline 24 fret ash/maple vintage model. The "street" price in the booth was $3090. I found an old 2016 price list, where the same bass was $3190.

 

[groovin_bassman]

What pics/prices are you comparing?

I'm looking at a pic we took of a black Metroline 24 fret ash/maple vintage model. The "street" price in the booth was $3090. I found an old 2016 price list, where the same bass was $3190.

View attachment 3675588 View attachment 3675589

In the attached photo, you can see the Olympic White w/ tort guard alder/morado jj4 for $3040. Bass Club Chicago has a brand new RV4 (alder/morado) for $2590... same as your price list is above. I was just curious about such a large pricing increase, that’s all...

 

[Vic]

In the attached photo, you can see the Olympic White w/ tort guard alder/morado jj4 for $3040. Bass Club Chicago has a brand new RV4 (alder/morado) for $2590... same as your price list is above. I was just curious about such a large pricing increase, that’s all...

Something seems off there... especially going by what they've already posted on their web site previously...

"MetroLine with 100% production in Germany, comparable to the quality of the Warwick Teambuilt series (here, for example, very high quality UV varnishes are used). The prices will be between 2,090 and 2,890 euros."

That translates to roughly 2320-3200 USD right now, and there's no way they're gonna' put a pretty basic 4 string up there with the 5's, will lees, 24 frets, hybrid pj's, etc..

Maybe a mistake on the card? I'd wait until they actually put up models/prices officially on their site before passing judgment on this one.

 

[groovin_bassman]

Something seems off there... especially going by what they've already posted on their web site previously...

"MetroLine with 100% production in Germany, comparable to the quality of the Warwick Teambuilt series (here, for example, very high quality UV varnishes are used). The prices will be between 2,090 and 2,890 euros."

That translates to roughly 2320-3200 USD right now, and there's no way they're gonna' put a pretty basic 4 string up there with the 5's, will lees, 24 frets, hybrid pj's, etc..

Maybe a mistake on the card? I'd wait until they actually put up models/prices officially on their site before passing judgment on this one.

My thoughts exactly! I am hoping that they will not be increasing in price by $500...
It was not my intention to pass judgment. That is the reason I was looking for more info... I would love to see color options that will be available.

 

[Dave Hill]

Where will we see these new MEs turn up?
GC? Sweetwater?

 

[Sadowsky]

So I mentioned a couple of days ago that although I’m a Sadowsky supporter for many years, early Roger repair work, on board preamps etc, I’ve never owned a Sadowsky bass.

About a year or so I made the pilgrimage from NJ to the shop and played a bunch of stuff which of course there is not a bad one out there but I particularly wanted to play a PJ configuration but to my surprise I found myself going back to a modern but fought off making an on the spot decision.

Long story long my emotions calmed down and I just couldn’t justify plunking down that amount at this time due to family stuff currently (kids college etc) and also that my gigging life has slowed a bit this last year as I’ve been focusing on an instrumental recording project that I’m putting some $ into. However the other night a MetroExpress from a guy who got from Japan came up here in metallic sage green and maple neck at a fair price and I was the first to respond and just knew somehow this was the one. I immediately pm’d although never played these ME models and figured worst case I’d have to bring it to the shop to get it to play well thinking these are “entry level” Sadowsky basses, and at this cost I could likely turn it around if I had to.

After I had committed I got paranoid when someone posted that they thought the value of these would plummet given the recent Warwick changes coming but I tried not to think about it and I still felt it would was a good value.

So I received it yesterday and frankly I’m floored. Immediately I see the metallic sage green is incredibly beautiful and far nicer than the pic had illustrated. I plugged it into my console and there it was, everything a Sadowsky should be. Setup and action is dead on, incredibly it was still in tune after traveling across the entire country. Just perfect. After just a few minutes I knew this would be the bass that I would use for the bulk of the rest of this recording project that is pretty much my main focus musically these days. Literally the only thing I’d like to change is after seeing someone post a LPB with a torte pg I thought that would visually make it more “me” and be an awesome combo.

Well I apologize for the long read but hey it took over 25 years to get here...
so it’s good to truly consider myself part of the family.
Did I mention my daughter’s middle name is Sage?
View attachment 3669476 View attachment 3669477

Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy your new bass!
Roger

 

[Sadowsky]

What do you all think of pickguards on Modern's? I'm considering adding one to tighten up the gap between the body and the strings. I don't love the look though... If anything, I'm guessing I would do clear.
View attachment 3671301 View attachment 3671302

The newer standard style models have a deeper neck pocket so the distance between the G string and the body is the same as the vintage style with a Pickguards. if you want that same feel on our older standard style basses a Pickguards is the way to go.

Roger

 

[Sadowsky]

Thanks. I play mostly on top of the neck pickup. The challenge I have with the Modern is that there's too much space between the body and strings for slapping. It's very awkward if you're used to Fender style basses.

Add a half guard to close the gap!
Roger

 

[Sadowsky]

The new Warwick Sadowsky Metro has been named MusicRadar.com Best Bass Guitar!

I am honored to have received this award!
Roge

 

[Sadowsky]

There have recently been multiple threads, decrying the evils of batteries. Seems like there is a concerted action in progress by a significant fraction of players against batteries in basses.

This actually has me somewhat baffled. I just changed out the battery in one of my Sadowsky preamp loaded basses that sees regular action after 30 months of pretty regular use. The voltage was down to 8.3V; but, the preamp was still going strong. I don’t really consider that a major maintenance concern.

No offense intended; but, I am genuinely curious where the issue is? Of course, each to their own; and there are certainly multiple ways to get a useful signal chain. What is problematic about having a battery in a bass?

Our battery life is exceptional. I recommend the Batt-O-Meter we sell if you want to monitor your battery life. Usually you will hear some distortion when the battery is in the 7.5 volt range.

Roger

 

[Sadowsky]

I have been playing active (battery-powered preamps) Bartolini, Lakland, Sadowsky since 1997.

I never had a problem with the battery, but it was always a comfort to know that I could bypass the pre and play passive mode though I never had to, unless I wanted to.

It also helps to have a battery checker, such as this...https://www.amazon.com/-Meter-Guita...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002Q0PPS4

We sell the Batt-O-Meter on our webstore.

Roger

 

[nemo]

Hello Roger @Sadowsky, it is great you are responding now to the older quesitons after all the NAMM craze. Could you please kindly answer my questions below posted couple of days ago when you spare some time? It pertains to electronics/pickups in ME (the NAMM info plate says "Sadowsky Original" pickups - what is this?) and neck profiles accross the lines. Thank you!
Also - great to see PJs in the ME line

Hello Roger @Sadowsky, Happy New Year! I have two more questions about the new production:

- Electronics in MetroExpress - what will be the difference in preamp and pickups between ME and Germany produced basses, if any?

- Neck profile - I tried ME five string couple of months ago and in direct A/B it seemed to have the same neck profile/thickness as my NYC 2006 fiver and also as the Satin 5 I had for trying too at that moment. I remember my former Metro MS5 had slightly thicker neck profile. We discussed it here already in spring 2019 and it seems the consensus was that NYC and ME lines had one neck profile and Metro line had another neck profile, slightly thicker (talking about five string necks only).
What will be the situation now? Exactly the same profile for NYC/Germany/China made five string necks or any difference between the lines as it was in case of Metro line before?

Thank you!

 

[Joelc73]

Add a half guard to close the gap!
Roger

Thanks Roger. Can I order a half guard or do I need to bring it in?

 

[scubaduba]

I spoke with Roger at NAMM, what a nice guy. He clearly cares about his trade and it is evident in the decisions he is making.

But, after seeing all those Sadowsky's hanging in the booth... I'm back in the market for another one. Anybody have a MV5 they'd like to sell?