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Club Sadowsky!!!

#55,261
Bergerman said:
Tort on blue looks most excellent! Wouldn’t have thought so before seeing it, but Tort is always full of surprises!
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Here’s a better one:
261BA72D-485E-4180-9E9F-4B26E1E7525A.jpeg
 
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#55,262
I was just looking at the Warwick/Sadowsky site and it says nothing about chambered bodies under the info for there Sadowsky Custom Shop basses now under the info for there Sadowsky Masterbuilt they use the wording that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg), the Metroline basses are worded that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg) as well, the Metro Express basses are worded that all basses are lightweight with max 9.5 lbs (4.3kg).
 
#55,263
gwangi said:
I was just looking at the Warwick/Sadowsky site and it says nothing about chambered bodies under the info for there Sadowsky Custom Shop basses now under the info for there Sadowsky Masterbuilt they use the wording that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg), the Metroline basses are worded that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg) as well, the Metro Express basses are worded that all basses are lightweight with max 9.5 lbs (4.3kg).
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For Masterbuilt I believe you'd contact a US dealer to put in the custom order. It may not be the only option but I think that's the easiest way to order something not off the shelf even for a MetroLine.
 
#55,265
JoshS said:
Are those still considered Metros? There's one of the limited whale metros locally I wouldn't mind checking out, as I'm thinking about a(nother) metro myself.
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MasterBuilt and Metro basses are built in the same (German) Warwick factory, but MasterBult is a custom shop line.
I own the JJ Metro limited edition 2020 5 strings and, although it weighs almost the same of my NYC Satin Modern 5, the body is not chambered.
 
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#55,266
gwangi said:
I was just looking at the Warwick/Sadowsky site and it says nothing about chambered bodies under the info for there Sadowsky Custom Shop basses now under the info for there Sadowsky Masterbuilt they use the wording that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg), the Metroline basses are worded that the bodies are lightweighted with approximately 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg) as well, the Metro Express basses are worded that all basses are lightweight with max 9.5 lbs (4.3kg).
Click to expand...

Sadowsky MasterBuilt: The series is 100% made in Germany and stands for the high-end instrument range. The new MasterBuilt series can be compared to the previous basses from Sadowsky (including the well-known tone chambers). Special designs and custom orders are also available through the Custom Shop.

Sadowsky Guitars
 
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#55,268
Tjluke said:
That is correct, but it has to be noted that some pickup models, like Super J and Super P are only available in NYC Series. I was thinking to order a Sadowsky Masterbuilt equipped with these pickups but no way.
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Super J is available for Germany made customshop build and I had those on the new bass I just received.
Will post more about the new basses in this few days.
 
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#55,270
Robert Darby said:
Well I received my RSD 5 PJ Yesterday. I got a good deal on Presidents Day a shop had them 15% off. First impression was these basses are really nicer than the pics would you to beliefe. Just to give you a little back ground I have owned 5 Sadowskys previously.
2 NYC Satins
2 Metros (Japan)
1 Metro Express (Japan)
So this is just my opinion others may have different experiences. All my previous Sadowskys I would rate as 10s. I always do a little research before a purchase. I was aware of some hum issues with these RSDs. So here are my pros and cons.
Pros:
  • Paint job is excellent
  • Hardware quality is nice
  • Gig bag was better than expected
  • Little to no hum from the pickups
Cons:
  • I miss my VTC!
  • Action on the high side with the saddles almost on the deck
  • Hard to get it to fit into the mix which is the opposite of every other Sadowsky I have owned
Am I disappointed no not really. I have the tools and the ability to make some changes. I had some Sadowsky flats handy and I already decided it needed a shim in the neck. So I stripped her down and took the neck off. After getting the neck off I was a little surprised to see so much paint in the neck pocket and it looked like the guy that drilled the holes for the neck screws was having a bad day and was a little off on one hole. I am also wondering if the big B on the neck means it should have been a B stock. The dealer didn't list it as a B stock though. So I did some sanding in the pocket to at least get it smooth and flat. So I installed a stewmac .025 shim. I didn't realize I only had four string shims. I will order the right one today. I will order one of the blanks and drill the holes myself. The holes in the shim for some reason barely lined up. I did notice when putting the neck back on I had to do a little wiggling to get that holes to line up. The neck lined up fine though as far as the strings. Played it again today with the flats on. Again I am not sure about that pre-amp. It just has a more modern tone to it. It just sounds kind of thin to me. It is like the bass is out of tune if that is possible. There is a shop in Indiana that sells these and they offer to upgrade them with a drop in pre-amp with the VTC. The VTC unit alone is 100 the whole drop in unit is 200. They said they had a hard time with just the VTC unit alone and recommended the 200 dollar setup. I think I may upgrade to the 200 setup. I may just check out if I could get a Audre pre-amp. I have a Warmoth with an Audre pre-amp and it just sounds killer. I will include some pics of the bass and neck pocket. So after all this I picked up my Sadowsky Metro (Japan) 5 string (thanks chef) I got a little awhile back and the Metro Japan just blew it out of the water. It reminded me of what it must have felt like when that first mid-size battle ship ran into the Bismark. Again I am not bashing the RSDs. It was 800 dollars. I learned years ago that there is a magical price point that you get all you need. If you spend anymore the return for the money is hard to justify. I believe after 2000 dollars you have reached that price point with basses. I am thinking though with a few man hours and another 200 dollars this just might be a killer bass. So I guess the bottom line if the other Sadowskys are out of your price range go for one of these. I will followup after I make the upgrades to the RSD. Bass On!
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Thanks man, for the detailed review! I supposed something like that, but havent read about these series yet.
 
#55,272
Tjluke said:
Sadowsky MasterBuilt: The series is 100% made in Germany and stands for the high-end instrument range. The new MasterBuilt series can be compared to the previous basses from Sadowsky (including the well-known tone chambers). Special designs and custom orders are also available through the Custom Shop.

Sadowsky Guitars
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction.
 
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#55,273
rmayer said:
Masterbuilt also seems to be NYC prices so I think I would just go with an NYC built Sadowsky. I’m sure the Masterbuilt is a great instrument but I chose the bass because Roger’s name is on the headstock. I’m just referring to this price point.
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Yes, I agree, but here for us, EU guys, the German made Masterbuild series should be affordable without import cost as NYC - maybe.. I didn't calculated it, not for me none of them just tipping.
 
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#55,279
kevk said:
Question...my UV J (sc’s) arrived with “Sadowsky” logo stamped on the pickups.View attachment 4178687
I don’t recall seeing any of my NYC’s over the years, with the logo on them. My UV P (pj) from 3-ish years ago doesn’t have anything on the pu covers. Just curious—when did this start occurring?
Click to expand...

I have a 2014 Metroline MV5 Will Lee and a 2020 NYC Satin with soapbars. Both have logos on the covers.
 
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#55,280
kevk said:
Question...my UV J (sc’s) arrived with “Sadowsky” logo stamped on the pickups.View attachment 4178687
I don’t recall seeing any of my NYC’s over the years, with the logo on them. My UV P (pj) from 3-ish years ago doesn’t have anything on the pu covers. Just curious—when did this start occurring?
Click to expand...

both sets of NYC pickups that I have have a logo on them
 

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