Club Sadowsky!!!

[SzunaP]

Lovely bass... I would sell half my kidney rather than my M5-24...
Already made some records and 2 albums so far this year, and everyone was excited her sound, regardless of genre - there are not so many around here.

 

[KenMoore05]

Hello Friends! let me preface my post by saying I am in no way speaking ill of the GOAT, Roger. I am simply asking a question. Its just a question!

When did the prices increase so dramatically? Im finally in the market for a custom build and have been pricing instruments to get an idea of what it will cost. I remember pricing builds (Single Cut with roasted neck, ebony board, and a figured top) in the last year or two and being in the $7000-7500 range. But now the base price for a single cut is $6,800.

So I found a recent single cut in the archives [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Serial 8677. The site says it was finished 3/13/2020. I take this to mean it was ordered in roughly March of 2019. It was priced at $6950. But I priced a bass out with the same specs today and it is $8525 now. I get that prices increase, and positive that COVID sure didn't help, but $1500 seems like an awfully steep price increase. Am I wrong for thinking it went up dramatically?

I found a price list from 9/2016 and the base price for a single cut was $5,500, for what its worth (which I know is not worth much, if anything).

 

[ShawnG]

Hello Friends! let me preface my post by saying I am in no way speaking ill of the GOAT, Roger. I am simply asking a question. Its just a question!

When did the prices increase so dramatically? Im finally in the market for a custom build and have been pricing instruments to get an idea of what it will cost. I remember pricing builds (Single Cut with roasted neck, ebony board, and a figured top) in the last year or two and being in the $7000-7500 range. But now the base price for a single cut is $6,800.

So I found a recent single cut in the archives [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Serial 8677. The site says it was finished 3/13/2020. I take this to mean it was ordered in roughly March of 2019. It was priced at $6950. But I priced a bass out with the same specs today and it is $8525 now. I get that prices increase, and positive that COVID sure didn't help, but $1500 seems like an awfully steep price increase. Am I wrong for thinking it went up dramatically?

I found a price list from 9/2016 and the base price for a single cut was $5,500, for what its worth (which I know is not worth much, if anything).

Very fair questions. I’ve also noticed new prices for NYC’s are at a premium. I am guessing it’s a supply vs. demand thing, now that Roger has significantly reduced the size/staff of his shop. If you’re really interested in an answer, I’d reach out directly to Roger via PM here and I’m pretty confident he’ll give you the answer, straight from the GOAT’s mouth.

 

[phillipkregg]

Very fair questions. I’ve also noticed new prices for NYC’s are at a premium. I am guessing it’s a supply vs. demand thing, now that Roger has significantly reduced the size/staff of his shop. If you’re really interested in an answer, I’d reach out directly to Roger via PM here and I’m pretty confident he’ll give you the answer, straight from the GOAT’s mouth.

It’s not just Sadowsky. Most of the other big names in bass have increased prices.

I have 2 basses from another builder, and the same basses a year later costs anywhere from $1000 - $4000 more according to their online quote.

Covid has made access to materials much more difficult. And some woods like ash are becoming more rare or impossible to get.

I’m also an avid bicyclist, and bikes - or parts - are much more expensive and harder to find.

 

[Nick22]

Here’s my NBD for those of you that like to look at photos

Metroline vintage J 4-21 in Olympic White

Very happy with the instrument. Plays like a dream

Might be tempted in future to add a tort pickguard from spitfirepickguards.

 

[Spidey2112]

Here’s my NBD for those of you that like to look at photos

Metroline vintage J 4-21 in Olympic White

Very happy with the instrument. Plays like a dream

Might be tempted in future to add a tort pickguard from spitfirepickguards.

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Very nice!

 

[Joeykun]

A shot of my NYC PJ4 from band practice last night. Love this bass!

 

[sifi76]

Hi all, proud new owner here of a Sadowsky metroline MV 5, in a sparkly candy apple red. I live in New Zealand so Sadowsky metro’s or otherwise are rare as hens teeth, so when I heard that Roger had moved production to Warwick I sat back and waited patiently in excitement as the music stores here are Warwick suppliers. Sure enough a batch came through and I requested for a few to demo them with my amp set up, I fell in love with the candy apple the minute I saw it. I’m normally not a sparkle or metallic finish guy but this bass popped when sitting next to the other black and white ones. I’d love to know what Warwick do with the finishes because it looks super vibrant compared to other brands candy red option. Anyway, the neck is superb, sleek and fast, thin but with just enough chunk for my big hands.. and I’m not normally a five guy but I found this to be way more comfortable a fit than the four string equivalent. Again kudos to Warwick, the fit and finish is impeccable, it’s hard to believe this isn’t a custom shop model considering the care and attention that has gone into the fretwork and profiling. I’m lucky that I got a model with a swirly maple neck, great figure and even some Birdseye present in the grain. And the tone... just wow. Nothing like it if you want it full and comfortable in the mix. My band mates have yet to see it, and I’ll post pics later on. If you haven’t purchased a metro from the new production, I suggest you go give one a go.

 

[Tim1]

Hi all, proud new owner here of a Sadowsky metroline MV 5, in a sparkly candy apple red. I live in New Zealand so Sadowsky metro’s or otherwise are rare as hens teeth, so when I heard that Roger had moved production to Warwick I sat back and waited patiently in excitement as the music stores here are Warwick suppliers. Sure enough a batch came through and I requested for a few to demo them with my amp set up, I fell in love with the candy apple the minute I saw it. I’m normally not a sparkle or metallic finish guy but this bass popped when sitting next to the other black and white ones. I’d love to know what Warwick do with the finishes because it looks super vibrant compared to other brands candy red option. Anyway, the neck is superb, sleek and fast, thin but with just enough chunk for my big hands.. and I’m not normally a five guy but I found this to be way more comfortable a fit than the four string equivalent. Again kudos to Warwick, the fit and finish is impeccable, it’s hard to believe this isn’t a custom shop model considering the care and attention that has gone into the fretwork and profiling. I’m lucky that I got a model with a swirly maple neck, great figure and even some Birdseye present in the grain. And the tone... just wow. Nothing like it if you want it full and comfortable in the mix. My band mates have yet to see it, and I’ll post pics later on. If you haven’t purchased a metro from the new production, I suggest you go give one a go.

Congratulations, another kiwi metroline owner here. I was lucky enough to score about the last Japan built Will Lee 4 from Bass Gear Direct in Sydney and it too is a honey. I saw that candy apple red MV5 on the Rockshop website, so I assume it is the one you purchased. Every metroline I have owned has come impeccably set up, so I am sure yours will play like butter. When they say it is a modern take on a traditional jazz sound that is pretty well accurate, not quite a traditional jazz but close enough but significantly more versatile. I have a hard job choosing between my custom shop Fenders and the considerably cheaper Sadowsky, a testament to its value for money. One big advantage of moving to Warwick production is that Sadowsky is now available through Warwick dealers in countries such as ours.

 

[Plutonium244]

Hi all,

I own a 2011 Metro MS4, which I love. I am contemplating acquiring a Metroline MV5-WL. There are still plenty (well, "plenty" might be a bit of an exaggeration) of Japanese-made MV5-WL's floating around out there, and of course the new Warwick-made versions are on the market (the list price seems to have gone up a fair amount with the switchover too).

Is there any reason to hold out for a Warwick-made version, compared to the Japanese ones? Any difference in quality, finish, tone, playability, weight, etc? The older ones would be less expensive to acquire.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[sifi76]

Congratulations, another kiwi metroline owner here. I was lucky enough to score about the last Japan built Will Lee 4 from Bass Gear Direct in Sydney and it too is a honey. I saw that candy apple red MV5 on the Rockshop website, so I assume it is the one you purchased. Every metroline I have owned has come impeccably set up, so I am sure yours will play like butter. When they say it is a modern take on a traditional jazz sound that is pretty well accurate, not quite a traditional jazz but close enough but significantly more versatile. I have a hard job choosing between my custom shop Fenders and the considerably cheaper Sadowsky, a testament to its value for money. One big advantage of moving to Warwick production is that Sadowsky is now available through Warwick dealers in countries such as ours.

Haha well spotted, yes that’s the one I bought, I AB’d every model they had, the MV5 won out in the tone department, but everyone of the metro’s was perfect in fit. I’ve played a few before in a visit to Bass Centre in Melbourne, but they were Japanese Metro’s and for some weird reason didn’t gel as much as this one. Funny enough I was looking into a fender CS p bass as another option but the sadowsky blew me away in terms of overall tone and feel. It’s a keeper

 

[Tim1]

Haha well spotted, yes that’s the one I bought, I AB’d every model they had, the MV5 won out in the tone department, but everyone of the metro’s was perfect in fit. I’ve played a few before in a visit to Bass Centre in Melbourne, but they were Japanese Metro’s and for some weird reason didn’t gel as much as this one. Funny enough I was looking into a fender CS p bass as another option but the sadowsky blew me away in terms of overall tone and feel. It’s a keeper

Yes It's fair to say that every bass will be a little different within the same range, and you were certainly fortunate to have a few to choose from. I went for a Will Lee this time because I wanted single coils and the mid boost, plus the slightly narrower nut which has grown on me. I just set up the neck with virtually no relief, as Roger recommends - Sadowskys are the only basses I have ever owned where I can do this and still set a low action with no buzz.
I am heading to Auckland next weekend and am curious to try out the whale blue burst limited they have in stock, if it is still there. Sadly finances dictate that trying it out will be all I can do, but it will be my first opportunity to sample a Warwick produced model.
I would be interested to know what the actual weight of your bass is, since Rockshop listed it as a very light 8.4 lbs IIRC.

 

[Tieiririyi]

A shot of my NYC PJ4 from band practice last night. Love this bass!
View attachment 4237107

I miss band practice. I maybe focusing on the wrong thing, but that purple cable looks awesome!

 

[gustobassman]

Super late to the party, but I finally got to play one of the Japanese Metro Express basses today. Ash/Maple. Holy smokes, those were crazy good basses for the money! Kicking myself now for not getting one when I had the opportunity. The feel was really close to my NYC Satin J5 (besides the finish obviously). There were some small quality differences from the Metros I used to own, but man.. I now see why they got snatched up.

I tried a couple of the noisy Chinese ME's after they hit the shores - even if the electronics were in top shape, the Japanese models were leaps above IMO. Not knocking the Chinese ME's.. they are good, cheap basses - but not even close in terms of quality.

 

[Joeykun]

I miss band practice. I maybe focusing on the wrong thing, but that purple cable looks awesome!

That’s a Kirlin Premium Plus Cable.
They ARE awesome!!!
Instrument - Woven Jacket — The Kirlin Shop

 

[loSbabbaro]

Hello Friends! let me preface my post by saying I am in no way speaking ill of the GOAT, Roger. I am simply asking a question. Its just a question!

When did the prices increase so dramatically? Im finally in the market for a custom build and have been pricing instruments to get an idea of what it will cost. I remember pricing builds (Single Cut with roasted neck, ebony board, and a figured top) in the last year or two and being in the $7000-7500 range. But now the base price for a single cut is $6,800.

So I found a recent single cut in the archives [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Serial 8677. The site says it was finished 3/13/2020. I take this to mean it was ordered in roughly March of 2019. It was priced at $6950. But I priced a bass out with the same specs today and it is $8525 now. I get that prices increase, and positive that COVID sure didn't help, but $1500 seems like an awfully steep price increase. Am I wrong for thinking it went up dramatically?

I found a price list from 9/2016 and the base price for a single cut was $5,500, for what its worth (which I know is not worth much, if anything).

I own a very nice NYC satin 4 and I was thinking about a 5 strings modern with flamed Koa top and ebony board but I feel now they went a bit beyond what I am willing to pay. I guess they are not aiming for a mass market so I understand the move.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

That’s a Kirlin Premium Plus Cable.
They ARE awesome!!!
Instrument - Woven Jacket — The Kirlin Shop

I briefly dabbled in making cables as a side business, but things like this made me realize - "keep it as a hobby". My costs for just components is well over double their completed cable price. And then everyone wants a lifetime warranty meaning - I can abuse it as much as I want and just get a replacement when I step on it too much. I did sell one, so IRS, TB commercial use policy rule upholders, come get me. Heh. (Sorry for the MusicMan case)

 

[Sadowsky]

Surprising these shielding issues at the German series - looks like Mr. Kikuchi's team had controlled and concentrated better for it...

All of the issues have been addressed.

 

[Spidey2112]

"Hello, issues!"

 

[Sadowsky]

The balance control is reversed, clockwise being the bridge and ccw neck pu. Is this normal on Sadowsky basses?

Yes....this is the standard for Sadowsky. You can reverse the two pickup hots at the pan piot to change the direction.