Club Sadowsky!!!

[xposaune]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Pet Sounds]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

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The flame on that body is gorgeous! Congratulations!

 

[Breeze3]

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.


Blue Stainless strings

 

[Vic]

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

yeah, that's totally no big deal at all, and yeah, always safe to trust Roger's shop. always.

oh, and congrats!!

 

[Spidey2112]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

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That's called character... takes one to know one. Beautiful instrument, btw!

 

[JoshS]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

That thing is gorgeous. Congrats. Personally, I like the "almost-knot."

 

[mmbass21]

We had our second Covid-Era gig last night! Another one today. I'm really digging the setting of playing for diners. Don't get me wrong a full house with bodies thumping is one thing - but the intimacy that a sit-down show provides is like nothing else. Very cool feeling. Anyway I know a lot of you probably aren't on FB, but I had to share the video. It felt so good to be able to play for people again. My Verdine 5 has become my favorite Sadowsky bass that i own, and the Blue Label flats just make it sing. We had the pleasure or bringing our artist friend back to paint again. The one he did during our set was outta sight. It's in the video. Enjoy!

Tone for days! Always on point!

 

[gustobassman]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

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It's just where Roger put the magic sauce into your bass. Sometimes it leaves a mark.

My Verdine 5 has a funky thing going too, but no issues here. I just realized i never posted this.. Half of the neck is much lighter in color and has some light flame in the lighter colored section as well. Looks quirky as heck to me but functions just fine.

EDIT: removed larger pics

 

[Joeykun]

Wood has character. Therefore, every neck and body is unique in its own way. Bottom line is, if it passed Roger’s bench test...it’s good!

 

[RNG1]

NBD - My first Sadowsky arrived earlier this week. One of the last new NYC Satins I could find. Really a breath of fresh air after messing around with Fender JB issues. A work of art.

This one has an interesting "almost-knot" on the back of the neck. It looks cool and makes it easy to find the 3rd fret lol. Ordinarily I'd be a little concerned about it but I'm gonna trust the shop that it's all good.

Am curious if anyone knows what strings ship on these - seems like they are stainless steel but I'm not 100% sure.

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super nice! Enjoy!

 

[ShawnG]

I know that the Tokyo MetroLines are no more, but can anyone educate me a little about the shop and the processes that made these basses?
I’m aware that Yoshi Kikuchi came to NYC and worked at Roger’s side for a year to learn “the Sadowsky way” of building basses, then returned to Tokyo and opened the Sadowsky Tokyo shop.
My question regards the operation of this shop (I’ve seen nothing written or any pics of the operation). Did it operate pretty much like Roger’s shop in NYC, a small number of craftsmen hand-building basses one at a time, or was it more automated? Based on the serial numbers, it appears they made ~1000 basses a year (about 4/day give or take with holidays, etc), so I’m guessing it was more like Roger’s shop than not, minus all of the custom stuff that Roger offers out of the NYC operation.
Any insight, links to stories or pics would be appreciated. Just acquired a 2015 MetroLine RV4 so am interested in the people and process that built it.
Thx!

 

[gigetto]

Here in Europe we're waiting for new Metroline....I'm looking at PJ and for my Birthday could be a good things.

 

[Vic]

My question regards the operation of this shop (I’ve seen nothing written or any pics of the operation). Did it operate pretty much like Roger’s shop in NYC, a small number of craftsmen hand-building basses one at a time, or was it more automated? Based on the serial numbers, it appears they made ~1000 basses a year (about 4/day give or take with holidays, etc), so I’m guessing it was more like Roger’s shop than not, minus all of the custom stuff that Roger offers out of the NYC operation.

Roger will probably chime in, but I think you're right that it was run pretty much like Roger's shop. Some stuff done out of house/automated, but all the important finish/assembly/setup and such done at the shop by him and his people.

 

[Tjluke]

Here in Europe we're waiting for new Metroline....I'm looking at PJ and for my Birthday could be a good things.

Ciao,
new Metroline are already available in Italy...
For instance, there are two PJ Metroline by Warwick available in a store in Naples... (unless you were referring to Metroline Express made in China).

 

[R&B]

Here in Europe we're waiting for new Metroline....I'm looking at PJ and for my Birthday could be a good things.

Ciao,
new Metroline are already available in Italy...
For instance, there are two PJ Metroline by Warwick available in a store in Naples... (unless you were referring to Metroline Express made in China).

There is one MIJ Metroline HPJ remaining in the wild that I know of. It’s at Ikebe in Tokyo.

I’ve been very satisfied with my MIJ Sadowskys. OTOH, Warwick is an unknown quantity to me. The fact that they are doing their little Warwick-y things like the adjustable nut and Schaller strap locks does little to convince me that they will build to Sadowsky standards without superimposing their own. So I’ll let y’all take the first plunge. YMMV, JMHO. I do know that Roger has confidence in them, and we have confidence in Roger.

 

[ShawnG]

Here in Europe we're waiting for new Metroline....

I think everyone is looking forward to the new MetroLine basses and I’m sure the Sadowsky folks would prefer to focus on the future vs. the past.
But, as one fortunate to have found an Tokyo-made instrument within my means, I’d love the opportunity to learn a little more about its place of birth, even if that shop is no longer part of the Sadowsky operation.
I’d also love the opportunity to see the operations at Sadowsky/Warwick and the differences in building a MasterBuilt vs. a MetroLine in Germany.
Thx!

 

[Tjluke]

So I’ll let y’all take the first plunge.

Already done the first plunge.
As written some days ago in this thread, I'm very happy with my new Sadowsky LTD 2020 made in Germany.

 

[staccatogrowl]

. . doing their little Warwick-y things. . does little to convince me that they will build to Sadowsky standards without superimposing their own. .

Have long been a fan of Made In Japan, USA, and Germany. The first two are known and accepted among Sadowsky players.

The latter is unknown, but not really. German precision and design are world renowned. I am positive that Warwick was chosen to improve the Sadowsky offshore brand, while making it available to more players around the globe.

The beloved old Sadowsky USA shop is closed. It is replaced with a new shop which Mr. Sadowsky professes to love. He continues his craft. The Japanese workshop is winding down while new German production is ramping up. They continue his craft.

Mr. Sadowsky worked diligently with a prominent German company to continue and further his brand. The Chinese production will likely ramp up soon, allowing many new players to afford a Sadowsky.

I try to look at these changes and developments in a positive matter. I am also hoping the best for Mr. Sadowsky, his employees, the new overseas production teams, the new instruments, and the lucky players that will benefit from greater availability of a beloved brand.

 

[kobass]

@staccatogrowl Well said! +1!

 

[ShawnG]

This whole handwringing thing re: Warwick must sound very familiar to Mr. Sadowsky.

This was written in TalkBass back in Oct of 2002:

I find this all amusing in that in that Sadowsky started out to make a hand made version of the Fender for those who wanted a Fender sound and look but at a much higher quality and , of course, price. Now the design is being farmed out overseas so a bass can be offered at a lower price for us poor slobs who can't efford the US model.

Mr. Sadowsky's reply, then:
"I really don't like the term "farmed out". Sadowsky Tokyo originated 3 years ago to meet the demand for my instruments in Japan that I was unable to supply.
The project was originally intended for Japanese distribution only. It is only as a result of how impressed I have been with the quality that I decided to offer some select models for sale directly from me.

Roger

PS: This is one of those decisions that for everyone who thinks it is a good idea, there will be someone who will say I have "sold out" or cheapened my reputation, or something to that effect. Ultimately, my customers will be the judge as to whether this is a good idea or not. If they think it is not a good idea, I will stop offering these models. I intend to only sell them through my shop and perhaps, my two US showcases in Nashville and Seattle. All the instruments will receive a final inspection and set-up at our shop. Models and options will be very limited.

These instruments are intended to suppliment my US instruments, not to replace them"


Sounds pretty familiar to what I've seen here since the Warwick announcement.

I'll be honest, I went out in search of a Japanese-made MetroLine, because I have huge respect for the line and wanted to grab one before they either dry up or jump in price. That being said, I am sure the new Warwick operation will work out just fine, just like the then maligned Japanese operation did back in the early 2000s. Change can be difficult and uncomfortable, but that doesn't make it necessarily bad.

SPG