Club Sadowsky!!!

[ShawnG]

I am seriously considering getting a Sadowsky. I have a few questions to ask here before I talk to them.

1. 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?
2. I prefer TI flats. How does Sadowsky flats stack up against TI flats?
3. With a weight of less than 8 lbs because of chambering, is there much neck dive?
4. Why would I spend 6 times what I have traditionally paid for a very good bass?
5. 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?

Note:
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'm in The Fort. If you would like to take a spin on an unchambered, MIJ MetroLine RV4 Jazz, I'm happy to set up the amp on the back porch and you are welcome to stop by and take a look, and plug it in. Although mine is Japanese made, my understanding is it is a pretty good example of Sadowsky craftmanship. NYC certainly won't be worse!!

 

[rmayer]

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

 

[rmayer]

Sadowsky flats tension is "in between", less tension than Chromes, and more tension than TIs. To me, it's "just right".

My biggest problem with TIs was always the lighter gauge. Especially the D & A strings. I really like the Sadowskys, and especially the Blue Label Flats in the 45-105s. And they used to be so much LESS than TIs.

 

[Vic]

4. Why would I spend 6 times what I have traditionally paid for a very good bass?

Looking at #4 - you may want to try and play one before you dive in too deeply.

I agree with this recommendation, BUT, make SURE you do it in a live performance situation. If that's not possible, at the very least make sure you "audition" the bass playing along with full song tracks (not just drum beats) so you can hear it "in a mix". That's one of the critical points for understanding why people pay for a Sadowsky.

 

[Fuzzbass]

My biggest problem with TIs was always the lighter gauge. Especially the D & A strings. I really like the Sadowskys, and especially the Blue Label Flats in the 45-105s. And they used to be so much LESS than TIs.

I knew TI flats were low tension before I got 'em, but was still surprised by just how low. FWIW I've been a rock banger and enjoy digging in... but eventually I liked the fact that the TIs forced me to become comfortable playing with a light touch. Emphasis on eventually! If they weren't so expensive, I might have abandoned them pretty quickly.

I totally understand why someone would not want to bother changing how they play just to accommodate a particular string set. It worked out in my case: I only use my TI-strung bass with traditional oldies/blues/country/pop bands. Never for hard rock, where I still dig in... on roundwounds, of course.

I have Sadowsky Blue Label flats on my wish list but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I only keep flats on one bass, and flats last a loooooooong time even when played regularly (which I don't; I'm usually a rounds guy), so I'll get to those Blue Labels... eventually.

 

[Robert Darby]

• 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?
  Can't help you here.

• I prefer TI flats. How does Sadowsky flats stack up against TI flats?
  Never tried Sadowsky flats but pretty much I put TI flats on every bass I own.

• With a weight of less than 8 lbs because of chambering, is there much neck dive?
  I have had four Sadowskys. Maybe there is a little dive but nothing that I noticed. I play with a four inch strap.

• Why would I spend 6 times what I have traditionally paid for a very good bass?
  I liked to buy used if possible. I don't see myself buying any bass over 4000. You have some nice options with the Satins, metros and metro expresses.

• 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?
  I had a PJ in the past and swore I would never bother again with the PJ setup. I just wasn't happy with the p tone on that one. The Sadowskys are another story though. I have had three Sadowsky PJs and I think its about as close as you will ever get to the P tone and then you all these other tones.
  The bottom line with myself is how a Sadowsky sits in the mix. Other basses I find I need to tweak them to fix into the mix. Some never get there. With Sadowskys I can just run everything at twelve o'clock and it is amazing how little I need to adjust the tone or pickup settings to get it right. It is like you would have to work at getting it out of the mix. Its got to be that pre-amp. Good luck!

 

[BluesyCat]

Trans Red!!

Trio Photo:
Metro HPJ4 from Mesa Boogie Hollywood
@ElMon's NYC PJ5 that he sold to me
My Custom Build NYC JJ4

 

[B.C.]

I agree with this recommendation, BUT, make SURE you do it in a live performance situation. If that's not possible, at the very least make sure you "audition" the bass playing along with full song tracks (not just drum beats) so you can hear it "in a mix". That's one of the critical points for understanding why people pay for a Sadowsky.

+1 on this. In a mix is where I understood how amazing Sadowsky's truly are. They sound great on their own but in the mix they are first in class. Both engineers and audience members tell me how good it sounds after every show without fail.

 

[ElMon]

I knew TI flats were low tension before I got 'em, but was still surprised by just how low. FWIW I've been a rock banger and enjoy digging in... but eventually I liked the fact that the TIs forced me to become comfortable playing with a light touch. Emphasis on eventually! If they weren't so expensive, I might have abandoned them pretty quickly.

I totally understand why someone would not want to bother changing how they play just to accommodate a particular string set. It worked out in my case: I only use my TI-strung bass with traditional oldies/blues/country/pop bands. Never for hard rock, where I still dig in... on roundwounds, of course.

I have Sadowsky Blue Label flats on my wish list but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I only keep flats on one bass, and flats last a loooooooong time even when played regularly (which I don't; I'm usually a rounds guy), so I'll get to those Blue Labels... eventually.

If you like low-tension flats on a 5, you have to try the LaBella Low-Tension flats. Really interesting string, with a bit more tension than the TI's, and IMO more pitch clarity.

 

[Fuzzbass]

If you like low-tension flats on a 5, you have to try the LaBella Low-Tension flats. Really interesting string, with a bit more tension than the TI's, and IMO more pitch clarity.

I gave LaBella Low Tension flats a try. Amazing string-to-string tonal balance, low B included. Strings themselves are extremely smooth and shiny (polished?), no significant gaps between the windings. As you said, different overall tone than TIs... warmer, I suppose?

Currently I've been trying EB Cobalt flats. They also have good string-to-string tonal balance. Tension seems standard... so does the tone, I guess.

Caveat: I'm an intermittent flats player and these auditions are spaced many months apart. I need to put the TI's back on: my ears always seem to prefer them, but it's been quite awhile so I need to doublecheck.

And yes, the Sadowsky Blue Flats are still on my list. I'll get to them sometime this decade!

 

[Tim1]

Has anyone had any experience of the new German metroline HP4 pj basses? I have just discovered there is one available here. Not too keen on the blue satin transparent finish but I have yet to see it in the flesh. I had been considering a Japan Will Lee but this has made me stop and think.

 

[deepestend]

NBD/UV J5...love the stamp and sig!View attachment 4127006

@kevk, thanks again for letting us use this pic on our social media!

 

[Holdsg]

Sadowsky Flats and Labella Low Tension flats are on 5 of my current 7 basses. Yep. I like them very much.

 

[kevk]

Sadowsky Flats and Labella Low Tension flats are on 5 of my current 7 basses. Yep. I like them very much.

Always been curious about the Labella LTF’s. Are your Sadowsky flats the standard gauge or lights? How do they compare in tension with what gauge Labella LTF’s you’re using? I use Sadowsky Flats (Lights)...trying to get a tension reference point...

 

[Holdsg]

Standard gauge. LTFs are a tad looser. I can’t tell much different beteeen the LTFs and TIs. All YMMV based on my Non scientific opinion.

 

[mickebas]

Hi. What's the actual difference in a Sadowsky Metro from 2005 and a 2018 Metro Express?

 

[R&B]

I am seriously considering getting a Sadowsky. I have a few questions to ask here before I talk to them.

1. 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?
2. I prefer TI flats. How does Sadowsky flats stack up against TI flats?
3. With a weight of less than 8 lbs because of chambering, is there much neck dive?
4. Why would I spend 6 times what I have traditionally paid for a very good bass?
5. 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?

Note:
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.

Others have answered your questions well. Sounds like you are ready to take an all-or-nothing plunge. Couple of suggestions:

1. Before buying a Sadowsky bass, get a Sadowsky preamp pedal. You can get close to the Sadowsky tone with any passive bass. (Playability is another issue.)
2. Try a gateway drug. Mine was a used MIJ Metroline MV4. I now have 3 Metros and 3 TYOs. And an NYC is on my bucket list.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Others have answered your questions well. Sounds like you are ready to take an all-or-nothing plunge. Couple of suggestions:

1. Before buying a Sadowsky bass, get a Sadowsky preamp pedal. You can get close to the Sadowsky tone with any passive bass. (Playability is another issue.)
2. Try a gateway drug. Mine was a used MIJ Metroline MV4. I now have 3 Metros and 3 TYOs. And an NYC is on my bucket list.

Suggestion #2 worked for me in reverse. I bought two nice Metros for cheap, but only *after* buying a used NYC! Point being, used Metros do come up for sale at decent prices occasionally.

 

[rmayer]

Not sure if this has been posted, but has anyone seen a new Metro Express in a Fretless 4 in stock anywhere in the U.S.? I'd love to check one out, but would also like it to be as close to 8 lbs or under as possible. Not sure how I would go about ordering one through Warwick, and if the weight would be a problem.

 

[Vic]

Others have answered your questions well. Sounds like you are ready to take an all-or-nothing plunge. Couple of suggestions:
1. Before buying a Sadowsky bass, get a Sadowsky preamp pedal. You can get close to the Sadowsky tone with any passive bass. (Playability is another issue.)

i admit i haven't tried this, but i don't think i agree. Roger's pickups are also custom wound, and i think a big part of that custom is to tune to his preamps.

2. Try a gateway drug. Mine was a used MIJ Metroline MV4. I now have 3 Metros and 3 TYOs. And an NYC is on my bucket list.

i agree with this.