Chef
In Memoriam
thanks, I found that;;--))
I wanted the build sheet/specs to print and put in the case.
I wanted the build sheet/specs to print and put in the case.
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- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
- 4,666
- Disclosures
- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
I also found the picture on bajistas.org, apparently it beat out an American Deluxe Jazz Fender in a shootout.
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
- 4,666
- Disclosures
- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
No photos on the Internet Wayback Machine, but here's the info:
#M4168 | Metro MV5
FINISH |
Vintage Tint Natural
BODY |
Swamp Ash
FINGERBOARD |
Maple, 12" Radius, 1 7/8" Nut Width
PICKGUARD |
Tortoise
HARDWARE |
Chrome
PICKUPS |
Sadowsky Humcancelling J
PREAMP |
Sadowsky Preamp with Vintage Tone Control | Download PDF
STRINGS |
SBS45B • Blue (Stainless Steel 45-130T) | BUY STRINGS
Chef
In Memoriam
Is there a filter on that photo, or is that the real color of the wood? I assume it’s roasted? The color is amazing! When I get my custom 5er built, it will definitely have a roasted maple neck (with ebony board) and I want them to roast the heck out of it (within reason) to get a super dark tint/color.
Adjusted slightly, but that’s pretty much the tint color. I’ll try and get an outdoor daylight pic soon. The neck looks amazing in person...btw, it’s the standard roasted (non-master grade) option.
I am seriously considering getting a Sadowsky. I have a few questions to ask here before I talk to them.
This is not a troll. I think I am actually trying to talk myself out of doing this. I already have 11 basses, mostly Fender and G&L, but there is some mystic about Sadowsky that attracts me.
Thanks in advance for your input.
- I would like to know about their colors. I want a flamed maple top, but I don't want to hide it with an opaque finish. I would like a transparent red. Of their reds, which would be translucent enough to allow the grain to show through the finish?
- I prefer TI flats. How does Sadowsky flats stack up against TI flats?
- With a weight of less than 8 lbs because of chambering, is there much neck dive?
- Why would I spend 6 times what I have traditionally paid for a very good bass?
- And finally, I am traditionally a P guy and that is what I would be looking at. I have two PJs (F&L Sb2T and Fender Aerodyne) that I like. Will I get a true P sound from a Sadowsky PJ?
This is not a troll. I think I am actually trying to talk myself out of doing this. I already have 11 basses, mostly Fender and G&L, but there is some mystic about Sadowsky that attracts me.
Thanks in advance for your input.
- If you're talking NYC or the high end Warwick made, I'm SURE you can get a color and wood combo you love. LOTS of options. Metros should have their available colors and wood combos posted on the web site. Go look.
- I haven't done a lot of compares on these, but I think the Sadowskys are going to be a bit more typical of a electric flat... stiffer and maybe brighter than the TIs. The TI flats tend to feel slinkier to me, but I also feel they sound and feel really nice (my faves) and last a long time.
- My Metro Express is actually slightly under 8lbs, and I don't notice any. The rest of my Sadowskys are 8.5-9ish pounds, also don't notice it there. Different kinds of straps can help here too if you do have a bass that has that tendency (which is also affected by your playing position).
- Because it's worth it to you due to the purchasing/owning/playing experience. There is no other reason. Instrument selection is a VERY personal/individual thing. For me, Roger Sadowsky and his instruments get me there every time, so it's easily worth it to me.
- I just recently brought this up, and I think it depends on how particular you are. If you're really particular, the answer is probably no. If you want a pure P, get a pure P. Period. For me, the P sound in a PJ gets me there.
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Sadowsky flats tension is "in between", less tension than Chromes, and more tension than TIs. To me, it's "just right".
I congratulate you, excellent decision, friend, I have spent a great amount of money on all the brands, and as they say, buy a Sadowsky and don't look back. Really with a Sadowsky NYC it is the best decision that you will not regret, starting with the fact that they are ridiculously lightweight instruments but with a giant sound, in the painting you have the master Pat Wilkins that I assure you if you ask that if you asked for a transparent blue, cherry sunburs or transparent red,in The flame maple top will look like looking through a fish tank with a 12K image. but what's really going to blow your mind is the Sadowsky NYC Tone on a Pbass. The tone is wonderful, in my opinion I love the Sadowsky NYC more than anything.
- @BluesyCat has a spectacularly gorgeous trans red over figured maple J-bass, perhaps she (or someone else with trans red) will show
- Can't comment on Sadowsky flats, though I plan to try a set
- I have three Sadowsky NYCs, no neck dive, but none are under 8 pounds
- I feel my NYCs are worth it because of superior fit and finish, plus low weight, and great tone (see below) -- however "worth it" is always a judgment call
- Depends on how you define "true P sound". It's not like there's only one: woods and strings make a difference, even if passive is assumed. I'd say by default the Sadowsky tone is on average somewhat more modern than Fender (which is why I prefer Sadowsky to Fender), but I can get vintage-style tones out of my Sadowsky P5, especially when strung with flats. The VTC is a wonderful thing
Here's my PJ w/trans red Satin finish. The grain pops much more in person and has a 3D effect. (Check the pic in my avatar).
As Vic noted above, the solo'ed P pu is close enough for me.
As Vic noted above, the solo'ed P pu is close enough for me.
A Sadowsky NYC 5-string jazz has always been one of my dream basses. I was finally able to get a new Sadowsky Satin last March. It took a while to get used to 19mm string spacing on a 5-string, but I’m there now. The bass plays great; as well as, if not better than, many high-end basses I’ve owned and played. But the tone, in the context of playing with a full band, has floored me. It’s inspiring to play. Every time I play live, I’m enamored with how good my Sadowsky sounds amongst all the other instruments. I consider myself primarily a P bass guy, but I keep grabbing my 5-string Sadowsky Jazz every time I head out to play.
Looking at #4 - you may want to try and play one before you dive in too deeply. The $$ side held me back for a long time. Wasn't convinced I could find better than my Am Std Fender V. Then it happened - I had just lost my main Fender V of 15 years to a burglary. I went through plenty of $1000-range basses, I couldn't find an acceptable replacement. I saw a Metro J5 on the classifieds and said -"@#$% it". Since then I've been through two Metros and currently own 4 of the NYC Satins.
Regarding #5 - My Verdine 5 does an excellent P sound when I solo the P pickup, although I find it excels with some of the rear pickup blended in.
For #3 - One of my Moderns is under 8lbs and I've never noticed neck dive, although I do use a wide strap.
As for #2 - have not used TI flats, but I absolutely love the Sadowsky Blue Label flats. Can't say much else, they work great!
I would still recommend trying one if you can, but in my case once I went down the Sad road there was no coming back, lol.
Dyed in the wool P-Man here.
Yes. My unchambered ash/brazilian RW PJ5 sounds like a P-Bass. In the mix/to the ears of the non-bass-playing musicians I play with.
But ... after I got an Olinto P5, which is much more period-correct (bent plate bridge, no graphite reinforcement in the neck/chrome flats and a foam mute) I can say that my Olinto sounds more like a 'true' 60's PBass.
I've had them both on the same gig, and let me tell you , it's real close.
I can tell, but no-one else seems to notice.
Thing is, my Olinto doesn't have that (to me) uber-cool blended PJ sound, it's not nearly as playable, and the neck moves a lot with weather changes.
Worth repeating and it doesn't get spoken about enough: the 'Sadowsky Sound' ... and I'm primarily talking about the J5/PJ5 designs because the Moderns are their own 'Ken Smith on Steroids' tone discussion ... produce a sound that non-bass-playing musicians are used to hearing and IME greatly prefer.
- Big and fat in the mix
- Every note stays full, clear and pitch-focused
- Makes every drummer I play with give me the 'stanky face' of approval
- Sound Engineers (natural curmudgeons) stick that seldom-used thumb into the air.
You do realize that you came to the exact place where NO ONE will try to talk you out of buying a Sadowsky don't you? It's like asking an addict if the drugs are good
