Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The neck profile on the MetroExpress is same CNC cut as NYC. I felt right at home when I was playing my friend's MetroExpress as it's nearly identical to my NYC Satin deluxe. The Metro that I own has a slightly thicker neck and the finish on it is gloss poly.
I would cautiously say that opinions on the Japanese MetroExpress may not be super accurate compared to the forthcoming Warwick Express.
Thanks, I'm not sure I am following you though. I am inquiring about the existing Metro Express basses made prior to Warwick's builds.
I'm sure there are others, but I specifically recall @Vic having all three and his comments have been nothing but positive regarding the ME model. I also remember reading previously in this thread that the ME basses are an exact replication of the NYC necks whereas the Metros were a bit different. From my experience with five-strings only, between a couple of Metros and a couple of NYC basses, the NYC basses had a slightly thinner front-to-back profile, but were otherwise about the same. Quality-wise, the Metros I've had were every bit as good as a NYC. I don't have any experience with the ME.
I see. I assumed you were referring to buying a new bass. I wonder how many Japanese ME got produced. A couple have come up used but I can’t imagine that there is much supply out there
Depends. The Japan ME is a great instrument by all accounts. There are a lot of unknowns around the Warwick ME. We all know Roger won’t allow any junk with his name on it but you might be one of the few that could give us an actual first impression since you’ve seen them in person.
The new price of the Warwick ME is definitely less than the used price of a Japanese one if that’s a driving factor for you
I have an alder/morado Metroline 4, and an ash/maple MetroExpress 5 str, previously had a NYC Satin 4. I sold the Satin in favor of the Metroline, I just prefered it, color mostly.
The NYC felt more refined to me by just a tiny bit, hard to quantify, and it was a bit lighter than the Metroline.
The MetroExpress gives no ground to either the NYC Satin or the Metroline in terms of *build quality, feel/playability, or sound IMO. Sustain is great, B string is great, the Sage green/maple combo looks great. *As to build quality, there is one screw that the hole is stripped at the control access cover on the ME, and the wiring inside is not as cleanly dressed as the others. Neck is straight and frets are perfect. Enough so that the action on the ME is as good if not even better than the other two. I did install SCs in both basses because I like the sound a little better than the HCs.
In short, my MetroExpress is the bomb and the only reason it's not my main player is that the 4 str covers 99% of the songs I play with the band, and with the Hipshot D-tuner it's 99.9%. I play the ME at my church gig and routinely pull it out and play it at home as well. Love it.
The NYC felt more refined to me by just a tiny bit, hard to quantify, and it was a bit lighter than the Metroline.
The MetroExpress gives no ground to either the NYC Satin or the Metroline in terms of *build quality, feel/playability, or sound IMO. Sustain is great, B string is great, the Sage green/maple combo looks great. *As to build quality, there is one screw that the hole is stripped at the control access cover on the ME, and the wiring inside is not as cleanly dressed as the others. Neck is straight and frets are perfect. Enough so that the action on the ME is as good if not even better than the other two. I did install SCs in both basses because I like the sound a little better than the HCs.
In short, my MetroExpress is the bomb and the only reason it's not my main player is that the 4 str covers 99% of the songs I play with the band, and with the Hipshot D-tuner it's 99.9%. I play the ME at my church gig and routinely pull it out and play it at home as well. Love it.
Thanks a lot. Did I miss the pricing sheet in this thread somewhere for the new Warwick ME?
One major change in Warwick MetroExpress is going to be the body wood. No more ash or alder, it’s going to be Okoume.
The 5 string Hybrid PJ is priced at $949 in these NAMM Photos.
949 for a PJ5? Sir, your 'buy it now' button-link-thing isn't working.
I'll check back.
I had one of the older ones. I took it to the Shop in NYC and the man himself looked it over. I got a chance to play it and others there and the only difference I noted was just the finish and that the preamps in the older Japanese models were a bit hotter.
My new Metro Express is a great instrument, and well worth every penny I paid. I've always felt similarly to the Metroline, recently acquiring that hybrid PJ5 I posted about a while back, and couldn't be happier with it. I can heartily recommend the Metro instrument family without reservation.
However, at least to me, the NYCs have always felt more "alive", and seem to just somehow play even better. How significant that differential is, and whether it's worth the price difference, will be highly subjective, but I can say two things at least regarding myself; I don't regret my Metro Express/Line purchases for one second and play them regularly, and I don't regret any of my NYC purchases, and will be doing a new NYC build this year.
Hope this helps.
However, at least to me, the NYCs have always felt more "alive", and seem to just somehow play even better. How significant that differential is, and whether it's worth the price difference, will be highly subjective, but I can say two things at least regarding myself; I don't regret my Metro Express/Line purchases for one second and play them regularly, and I don't regret any of my NYC purchases, and will be doing a new NYC build this year.
Hope this helps.
The 5 string Hybrid PJ is priced at $949 in these NAMM Photos.
Oh yeah. My own photos. Guess the NAMMthrax is wearing on me.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,171
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
We haven't had a lot of SlapMasters in the shop, but we actually do have a 5-string listed now if anyone is interested in checking one out.
