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TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
A German Customshop review I promised earlier.
After months I had my German Customshop Singlecut, been through some real world tests, I think I can share my fair thoughts to those who actully feeling interested besides the Production MetroLine.
Solid Wood quality from neck to body, I’m totally impressed with their wood top options, stunning Master Grade Quilted Maple Top you can see from the picture.
Body finish - Thin enough and close to what NYC line is doing, wood grain is actually showing more after a week I received the bass, also I'm totally happy with their painter ability on matching the mockup finish I made on this one, they called it Bleached Nirvana Black Burst.
Neck feel - Taper is slightly thinner compared to a NYC, similar to German made MetroLine, no good and bad here, just different, I’m fine with both.
Build Quality - No complain and rock solid so far, my bass is actually considered as more “complicated” than most of their current builds since mine was the first batch of customshop Singlecut build featured Super J with coil tap, mid boost and LEDs side dots, everything is spot on from wiring, also I love the invisible frets more actually. (Please noted Super J is no longer offered by Germany customshop).
Playability - I can setup the bass to my liking without any issues. Pure classic Sadowsky tone right out of package.
One importnt thing. I’m lucky enough to involve and able to give some of my feedbacks to Roger and German team on these Customshop builds, they do actually listen and eager to improve the builds, I know the price point is not for everyone and some people do preferred a NYC build, but then I could say German Customshop builds can definitely act as an good alternative simply because they are totally up to NYC level and for those who want a faster build (4-5 months).
After months I had my German Customshop Singlecut, been through some real world tests, I think I can share my fair thoughts to those who actully feeling interested besides the Production MetroLine.
Solid Wood quality from neck to body, I’m totally impressed with their wood top options, stunning Master Grade Quilted Maple Top you can see from the picture.
Body finish - Thin enough and close to what NYC line is doing, wood grain is actually showing more after a week I received the bass, also I'm totally happy with their painter ability on matching the mockup finish I made on this one, they called it Bleached Nirvana Black Burst.
Neck feel - Taper is slightly thinner compared to a NYC, similar to German made MetroLine, no good and bad here, just different, I’m fine with both.
Build Quality - No complain and rock solid so far, my bass is actually considered as more “complicated” than most of their current builds since mine was the first batch of customshop Singlecut build featured Super J with coil tap, mid boost and LEDs side dots, everything is spot on from wiring, also I love the invisible frets more actually. (Please noted Super J is no longer offered by Germany customshop).
Playability - I can setup the bass to my liking without any issues. Pure classic Sadowsky tone right out of package.
One importnt thing. I’m lucky enough to involve and able to give some of my feedbacks to Roger and German team on these Customshop builds, they do actually listen and eager to improve the builds, I know the price point is not for everyone and some people do preferred a NYC build, but then I could say German Customshop builds can definitely act as an good alternative simply because they are totally up to NYC level and for those who want a faster build (4-5 months).
Great looking bass! Is there a bit of an Inception effect looking at the picture? It feels like the top 2/3's starts to warp back towards me. Or maybe I put something other than Stevia in my coffee. Heh. Congrats!!
I haven't seen that, but it's usually done so that the strings won't grind into the frets during shipping.
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I know this is probably gonna be a long shot - does anyone have soundclips of a Modern or Metro 5-24 with pickups (P2 shape) other than stock? I'm on the fence... hard.... about trying a different set in one of mine. Of the two Moderns I own, one seems to be slightly thinner sounding overall even though they both use the same string sets/setup specs. It's also right around a 1/2lb less than the "beefier" one so that may have something to do with it. Any suggesstions? Aguilar, Nordy, other?
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
have you tried the Zen Blades? wonder if Nordstrand can put those in the P2 shape? Would be a change of pace from your other soap bars out there.
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
TimothyGroovy
Commercial User
- Aug 3, 2000
- 2,374
- 2,097
- Disclosures
- Owner: Uni•Sound Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars, Olinto Bass, LaBella Strings
Yes, Nordstrand 5 strings can fit into the P2 size routing but you do need to grill two extra holes for the pickup mounitng on the bass side.
They are NYC Satin models. Same materials.
I have not. The ZB's sound really nice.. very open and clear on the video I watched. I'm not sure if that's going to thicken things up or not? Its so hard to tell based on a video alone, but they sound great.
I love the Nordstrand stuff but there are so many options, I don't even know where to start. Unfortunately not many vid reviews with pickups in the "modern" position either, hard to get a judge on things.
No kidding: so many options with Nordstrand, including custom builds. Also, the pickup descriptions are written rather humorously (hint: look at the tone numbers instead). Bottom line: Adrian and the crew love to talk pickups. Contact them via the website.
Finally about to get my custom Sadowsky ordered! I’m going to email the shoot tonight or tomorrow to ask some questions, but I thought I’d start with a few here.
5er w/ebony board with roasted maple neck is a must. From what I’ve read alder is the go to for ebony, is that mostly correct? Secondly, roasted alder vs regular? It looks like the consensus is that roasted is lighter and warmer (maybe?).
Since prices have gone up a bit, I’m trying to save some money where I can. So does anybody have a roasted alder body with no top wood? I want a trans color finish (bora blue or aqua teal), and am not sure if I absolutely need a top wood, since the GOAT himself said the top woods don’t affect tone.
Any input on those questions is welcome!
5er w/ebony board with roasted maple neck is a must. From what I’ve read alder is the go to for ebony, is that mostly correct? Secondly, roasted alder vs regular? It looks like the consensus is that roasted is lighter and warmer (maybe?).
Since prices have gone up a bit, I’m trying to save some money where I can. So does anybody have a roasted alder body with no top wood? I want a trans color finish (bora blue or aqua teal), and am not sure if I absolutely need a top wood, since the GOAT himself said the top woods don’t affect tone.
Any input on those questions is welcome!
Roasted alder would be quite a dark wood to start with. Not best for a light finish like Bora blue. But would makre a cool black burst, somewhat like TimGroovt’s single cut a few pages back. Or a tobacco burst. Just something to think about.
not a Sadowsky, and a neck, not a body, but this is similar to the color I would envision with roasted alder.
not a Sadowsky, and a neck, not a body, but this is similar to the color I would envision with roasted alder.
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