• 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.

Club Sadowsky!!!

#53,984
NYC Satin/MIJ Will Lee Metro? Are you a P/J person, or a J-bass person? As an "investment" proposition, the NYC Satin is the stronger choice. But are you buying to trade, or buying to play? Right now, I have a gorgeous NYC 5 single-cut, with the vintage pickups - humcancelling dual-J at the bridge, and the WL circuit - and a roasted flamed maple neck that literally feels alive in your hands. I also have a Metro WL-5, although somewhat tricked out - an NYC preamp and aftermarket body work by Pat Wilkins. It's the darndest thing, but I'm kind of digging the WL more! I've always preferred 24 frets, but 22 ain't bad, and the upper fret access on the WL is fine. Body ergonomics on the WL might be a tad better than the SC, for me. The WL metro neck does not approach the comfort of the SC, and the broad functionality of the SC pickups is superb. BUT...it turns out that I'm in love with single coils in 60's position. Who knew? For years I've preferred P/J or soapbars over J-bass. But this Metro, with the Sadowsky/Nordstrand singles, is delivering tones to die for - and absolutely no single-coil hum. So I'm seriously thinking of selling the SC, even though in many ways it's the greatest axe I'll ever own, and perhaps ordering an NYC WL5. But if I could have only one bass for the rest of my days, this Metro WL5 would easily suffice. [That said, if I did go NYC WL5, I'd be looking for roasted-non-flame neck, ebony board, non-chambered ash, translucent blue finish, black hardware.]. So I guess I've made the case for NYC superiority, but am also suggesting that other basic issues - ergonomics, electronics - might better drive your train.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC
#53,985
Tim1 said:
So I'm really looking for some help here. I have been deliberating for a while and just cannot decide. I have the opportunity to purchase new at a very reasonable price either a Japanese metro Will Lee RV4 59 burst or a NYC satin deluxe flame maple. The price difference between the two will not be huge so price does not come into it. Both are obviously last of their lines since Warwick now have taken over the metro and the satin series no longer exists. Pluses for me of the Will Lee are the slightly smaller nut, the single coil pickups, the mid boost, and maybe the Warwicks might not be quite up to the standard of the Japanese metros. Plus of the Satin DLX is, well, it is a NYC and I doubt if I will ever be able to afford one again...... I will not have the opportunity to try before I buy, but I do trust the dealer totally. Your thoughts, please, I just cannot decide and am in danger of procrastinating to the point of getting nowhere.
Click to expand...
These are actually the same two 4-string Sadowsky models I currently own (along with a Metro MV5-24). Although both basses, of course, feel phenomenal to play, and I like the light weight of the NYC, I have found over the past year and a half that it's actually the Metro WL-4 that is my absolute go-to for gigs! That thing just kills every time!

On the other hand, the satin deluxe series is hard to turn down. Lots of NYC goodness in there at a reasonable price! Honestly, my friend, you can't go wrong on this one.

Whatever you do - Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC and kobass
#53,989
I think I have the one that you used to have.... looking at my PM’s April 2011 from TBer @Chasarms.

Installed Sadowsky SC pickups ....I replaced all of the hardware with black hardware and actually found a used Sadowsky black bridge. Took me forever to find that Bridge. Definitely never getting rid of this one!

G-MonRV5 said:
Antman! How's it going? I believe you and I have shared our admiration for the MV5-24 in the past. I should have taken your advice on the single coil upgrade, though. They're a little harder to find these days!
Click to expand...
G-MonRV5 said:
Antman! How's it going? I believe you and I have shared our admiration for the MV5-24 in the past. I should have taken your advice on the single coil upgrade, though. They're a little harder to find these days!
Click to expand...
 
#53,990
HawgDriver said:
Hey club! I just recently acquired an SA-200 (#49) and trying to find some matching rack ears. Any ideas where I might find them?
Click to expand...

I’d also very much like to know if there is a chance my own SA-200 could find some rack ear hardware of it’s own. Mr @Sadowsky is there any hope we could get some? Or perhaps the builder Koch can provide those measurements for us to have the rack ears built ourselves by a fabricator nearby.
 
#53,991
@Tim1, I'd love to try out and potentially own a Will Lee, and I have two MIJ Metros that are great. I also have an NYC. I don't think you can go wrong either way, but I'd go with the NYC. As you said, this may be your best chance to get one at an affordable price.
 
#53,992
Tim1 said:
So I'm really looking for some help here. I have been deliberating for a while and just cannot decide. I have the opportunity to purchase new at a very reasonable price either a Japanese metro Will Lee RV4 59 burst or a NYC satin deluxe flame maple. The price difference between the two will not be huge so price does not come into it. Both are obviously last of their lines since Warwick now have taken over the metro and the satin series no longer exists. Pluses for me of the Will Lee are the slightly smaller nut, the single coil pickups, the mid boost, and maybe the Warwicks might not be quite up to the standard of the Japanese metros. Plus of the Satin DLX is, well, it is a NYC and I doubt if I will ever be able to afford one again...... I will not have the opportunity to try before I buy, but I do trust the dealer totally. Your thoughts, please, I just cannot decide and am in danger of procrastinating to the point of getting nowhere.
Click to expand...
If the price is close I would go for the satin. I have a metro express and the tone is pretty dam close to the satin I have but the satins are NYC and I love mine. Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: JoshS
#53,993
I currently have two NYC basses and have owned two Metros from Japan - all five strings. The Metros are definitely up there quality-wise with the NYC basses and I’d have no qualms about buying a Metro again.

I don’t own any four string basses, but one of my current NYCs is a Will Lee and I really like the small differences on the five string model compared to the normal specs - 1.75” nut width, 22 frets, and slightly different body. I’ve only experimented with the mid boost, but have never found a need for it live (I rarely boost any of the preamp controls - VTC adjustment gets me everything I need).

I’d go with whichever has the features you know you want. Pickups are an easy enough swap, but might be a little tough to come by at the moment. Seems like the 22 frets and mid boost pre would be the deciding factors here. I’m not sure that the nut width difference on the four strings would make as big of a difference as it does on the five strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Antman3820
#53,994
C0C4E396-16B8-4E91-9DC8-736FE13532A7.jpeg

My Weapons of Mass Destruction!
From Right to Left:

* 2012 NYC Standard 4 Custom
* 2018 NYC Modern 4 Satin
* 2020 NYC Standard PJ4 Satin
* 1986 USA Jackson San Dimas
 
  • Like
Reactions: walking Bass, R&B, JoshS and 17 others
#53,996
Tim1 said:
The price difference between the two is marginal given the satin was always aimed at making an nyc model more easily accessible. But I do prefer single coil pickups and this was what caused me to sell a metro rv4 I previously owned. With hindsight I should have swapped out the pickups. Are the humcancelling pickups in the nyc the same as in the metro?
Click to expand...

A student of mine has a Japanese Metro Will Lee 5. Bloody lovely bass!
 
  • Like
Reactions: kobass
#53,997
ShawnG said:
If you want the Will Lee Signature features, you won’t be disappointed by the MIJ MetroLine. Roger himself has stated that the reason to order an NYC vs. a MIJ Metro were wood choices (really nice on that NYC Satin Deluxe!) and other custom options (chambering/lower weight also nice to have). But, he said, and others who own both have confirmed, that a MIJ Metro is every bit the Sadowsky bass that an NYC is.
Before I bought my used MIJ Metro, I asked a professional musician who had several Sadowskys, both MIJ and NYC, about the differences. He told me that if he A/B’d them in a studio, same strings, same everything, he could hear a very slight difference between a chambered NYC and the non-chambered Metro. But he said the difference was so small as to be insignificant anywhere other than in a studio setting, and even there it was very small. Fit and finish (woods aside) he stated were equivalent, flawless on both.
If it were me, and the cost wasn’t an issue, I’d probably pony for the NYC Satin DLX, but that is because I’d like the upgraded veneer and prefer the hum-canceling pickups. If I wanted the mid-boost, smaller nut and single-coils (which you do), I’d absolutely pull the trigger on the Metro. While you can swap pups on the NYC, you can’t make it into a WL Sig.
Choices, choices...
Click to expand...
+ 1
I couldn't have said it better.
 
#53,998
geggy spoiger said:
I’d also very much like to know if there is a chance my own SA-200 could find some rack ear hardware of it’s own. Mr @Sadowsky is there any hope we could get some? Or perhaps the builder Koch can provide those measurements for us to have the rack ears built ourselves by a fabricator nearby.
Click to expand...
I did speak with Ellis at the shop and they didn’t have any stored away. I left an email with Koch hoping for help...I’ll be sure to post if any luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: geggy spoiger

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back