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I’ll probably do a NBD thread about this, but I wanted to post here first. I was looking for a five string bass, and I got sucked in and spent a bunch of time on the “recently sold” pages of the Sadowsky website. I’ve always wanted a Sadowsky, but I really didn’t want a Metro. I’m not knocking those great basses, but I wanted an NYC.
My main basses are Dingwalls, G&L’s and a Spector Euro. My new Sadowsky outclasses my G&L’s (which are incredible basses!). The Spector is a different animal entirely. The Sadowsky made me painfully aware that my Super P needed a set up.
Anyway, I found this with a seller in California. I think I am the third owner, and I doubt there will be a fourth for a good long time. I’m not sure the first two owners ever played it. This thing is indistinguishable from new, and it plays, sounds, looks, and feels even better than I hoped.
View attachment 4120777
Yeah, I know it is missing a string with respect to what I was looking for. I'll manage.
I don't blame you for holding out for a NYC. They are very special. Its funny I have about 15 basses right now and occasionally I will do a shot out and sell the one that loses. So I recently had a three Sadowsky shot out.
NYC VW PJ Satin
METRO PJ
METRO EXPRESS J
When I did the shot out it lasted about an hour just banging throw songs I know and going back and forth between the basses. It was unlike any other shoot out I did THEY WERE ALL GREAT. But slowly I was more attracted to the Metro Pj. Now the Metro PJ is an older bass and broken in nicely but not abused. It is also the heaviest out of the bunch. Both the NYC VW and Metro Express are under 8 pounds. When I first got the Metro PJ I was a little taken back by how much darker sounding it was compared to other Sadowskys I have owned but now I have really kind of grown to love the tone. I believe the fingerboard is rosewood its so dark it almost looks like ebony. I even tried to clean it up when I first got it I figured it must be dirty. So long story short it proved to me how great the Sadowsky basses really are it took a good 30 minutes before the Metro PJ started to pull slightly ahead. I am also thinking that it might be the solid body (sorry Roger) of the Metro. It just has this nice growl to it and has this vibration that goes from the body of the bass right through you. The only bass out of all that I currently own that will touch my Sadowskys is the Fender Roscoe Beck 4 string that I got a while back. She will never be in a shotout she is a keeper. Bass On!
From my point of view, the only test equipment you need are your ears!
And above all don't use your eyes!
Make a blind test with the 3 and someone else to play...
Thank you. I recently acquired it earlier in 2020 .. played a few shows and Covid hit so I haven’t really had a chance to work with this bass.
I can’t see myself selling this anytime in the near future.
I understand. Let me know if anything changes. Thanks
"Believe not everything you see, and only half of what you smell."
Confunkalicious, circa 13:44
Ooo... lots lf love on that SB-P. Just what Roger likes to see! I, on the other hand, only pull my NYC out for performances and practice on a less expensive Jazz. Can't bring myself to ding it with something stupid like a kitchen chair or a low hanging light.
he makes a good point, but inductive loading is a real thing, and i do believe some (though i'm sure not all) ears can tell the difference... especially someone discerning enough to invest in something like a Sadowsky. it may be subtle, but if you hear it, it'll bother you. i vote stay the course. you know what you want. a "near miss" can be pretty annoying.
Definitely, definitely this.
And I'd personally hesitate on the advice to get someone else to play. For me, feel in my hands means so much. That may (or may not) lead to "listening with the eyes" but my buddy's fingers with my bass may not sound like me. True objectivity may be a myth when it comes to your own gear.
A
If it isn't pearloid or tort for me it's no guard like on my #1 Verdine.Pearliod in for the win!
Sure.
Volume
Tone/Push-Pull Passive-Active
Active Bass Treble Control
The same on both basses.
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Well...got “the email”...UV J5 (ash/ebony) inbound this week...
Yummy.
