Club Sadowsky!!!

[KaseOfBass]

Portabag is the sturdiest (non-hardshell) case…that I’ve found. Agree, it’s a bit heavy, but you know a bass is safe inside!

Also like the Gator Pro Go series a lot!

My 30” scale MTD came in a TKL electric guitar gigbag (and Roscoe basses also ship in the full size version…) It’s a fairly decent padded bag, lightweight (and not floppy)…not a lot of storage, but it’s also the thinnest bag if you have minimal storage space. I like them better than my old Contego’s…maybe C’s have been improved???

TKL Vectra® IPX™ Electric Bass Impact-X™ Case

Finally, I’ve never liked Mono’s…tried all the versions—they seemed to be quite popular, but they just didn’t do it for me.

That TKL looks like a nice bag. Did some searching and see that they make a double bag in that same format, too. Looks like it's the style that has one compartment with a divider rather than two separate compartments, which is not my choice, but not a deal breaker I don't suppose. American Musical has the double bag on sale right now for $179.95 (from $269.99). I tempted to try one since I know it's just a matter of time before my Mono is done.

But, knowing the quality of the Access bags, I'm tempted to try their double bag, which does have a compartment for each bass and appears to have more storage space. Decisions, decisions...

 

[KaseOfBass]

Sadowsky Professional Road Bag - Electric Bass Gig Bag

Is this portabag you fellas are talking about?

That's it. Looks just like the former Access-made bag, but I'm not sure anyone has been able to confirm if that bag offered by Warwick is the same or now made by Warwick.

 

[cxcxcx]

Has anyone been able to get their treble control to sit as snugly as the bass control on the stacked preamp?

I don’t think that’s possible, if I understand the question right. The treble control is mounted to a shaft that is very long. Because of that, it can’t be as firmly mounted in the base pot as the much shorter bass boost shaft control is. As a result, there’s a lot more side-to-side play in the treble shaft, and it’s going to feel a little looser. There has to be looseness involved to allow independent rotation of the bass and treble knobs. Every four knob VTC control setup I have exhibits this behavior. I’ve never touched any of them with an allen wrench, so you’d surmise that this is how it is out of the factory.

Maybe a change could be made, but I remember some mention years ago that the pot used for the VTC is uncommon and requires healthy minimum orders to buy. We may be lucky that such a pot is even on the market.

Edit : I just reread my post. For all you “Archer” fans, I’ll say it : phrasing!

 

[scubaduba]

Anybody recently get a German Metroline? What’s the weight? Several I am seeing online for sale seem to be 9.5+ lbs. Isn’t that heavier than many of the Japanese Metrolines?

 

[gustobassman]

Ruh roh... What did I do? I decided to clean my frets/board on my Verdine 5 today and took off my Blue Label flats. These strings have been on the bass for well over a year and a half and now and have had tons of 3+ hours shows.

My B string is doing wacky things. It's having a hard time tuning up, much less intonating. Once I get it there, the D and G are sharp, others flat... Is the string toast? It seems like where the string breaks over the nut the windings are a little looser than the other strings. Any help appreciated!!

 

[danclaro]

Sadowsky Professional Road Bag - Electric Bass Gig Bag

Is this portabag you fellas are talking about?

That looks like it. Great bag.

 

[Bassdudeman]

Ruh roh... What did I do? I decided to clean my frets/board on my Verdine 5 today and took off my Blue Label flats. These strings have been on the bass for well over a year and a half and now and have had tons of 3+ hours shows.

My B string is doing wacky things. It's having a hard time tuning up, much less intonating. Once I get it there, the D and G are sharp, others flat... Is the string toast? It seems like where the string breaks over the nut the windings are a little looser than the other strings. Any help appreciated!!

IMHO, You have to make sure that ALL THE Strings are up to pitch...this affects the relief of the neck... the bow from the tension on the neck from string tension.

But, maybe bad string??

 

[Clark Westfield]

Ruh roh... What did I do? I decided to clean my frets/board on my Verdine 5 today and took off my Blue Label flats. These strings have been on the bass for well over a year and a half and now and have had tons of 3+ hours shows.

My B string is doing wacky things. It's having a hard time tuning up, much less intonating. Once I get it there, the D and G are sharp, others flat... Is the string toast? It seems like where the string breaks over the nut the windings are a little looser than the other strings. Any help appreciated!!

Pic of the headstock pegs after you put the strings on please.

 

[gustobassman]

IMHO, You have to make sure that ALL THE Strings are up to pitch...this affects the relief of the neck... the bow from the tension on the neck from string tension.

But, maybe bad string??

Pic of the headstock pegs after you put the strings on please.

I'm pretty proficient in setups, I am using the right amount of wraps as well. I did buy these "lightly" used as I was told, I've had probably 100+ gigs of 3 hours or more on them plus rehearsals, home jams, etc.. they aren't fresh or new by any means... very far from it, lol. I know they have a pretty rigid core to start with - I can only assume any major unwinding at the post this late in their life could affect that core, especially after a long period under tension. Or may be not, I don't design strings for a living .

I made that original post about the B string halfway through rehearsal, the other strings were a little off as well by the end of the session. My money says they've had it..

EDIT: had an extra set of the blue label flats in a drawer - only like 4-5 gigs on these- strung those up and they tune/intonate perfectly. The other strings were definitely on their way out.

 

[Chris Breese]

Anybody recently get a German Metroline? What’s the weight? Several I am seeing online for sale seem to be 9.5+ lbs. Isn’t that heavier than many of the Japanese Metrolines?

I own a German Metroline 5 string. The weight is 9.5-ish pounds. It is a bit heavier than I would like, for sure. I bought one of those close out Sadowsky straps, which really is a good strap, and it helps.
Anyway, it’s the best bass I’ve ever owned. I haven’t had the opportunity to play a NYC bass, so I don’t have a point of reference to the ‘real thing.’

 

[TimothyGroovy]

Anybody recently get a German Metroline? What’s the weight? Several I am seeing online for sale seem to be 9.5+ lbs. Isn’t that heavier than many of the Japanese Metrolines?

I never received any German MetroLine basses weight more than 9lbs, but I knew some 9lbs+ basses do existing, if you wanna get a 8lbs ish bass without trying one, better contact dealers beforehand and also AFAIK, German MetroLine production will soon have chambered body as well just because of more consistent weight control. (considered If you have no strong perference on solid or chambered body)

 

[gustobassman]

It's just my week with my Verdine, lol... Yesterday while I was swapping out the dead flats I noticed the G string tuning key was VERY loose. I know you need to tighten the little hex at the bottom of the key. So this morning I removed the string, loosened the hex first to make sure it moved freely. When I applied the slightest pressure to tighten it, the hex wrench just spun. Fully stripped. IIRC the NYC Satins have the Hipshot Licensed tuners, I'm guessing probably not as high quality as the USA ones.

So now I have this floppy tuning key. Yay. Other than getting new tuners, any suggestions on this? I was gonna call the shop but I wanted to see if anyone had a quick fix, I'm pretty sure I'm well past any warranty

 

[Bassist30]

I own a German Metroline 5 string. The weight is 9.5-ish pounds. It is a bit heavier than I would like, for sure. I bought one of those close out Sadowsky straps, which really is a good strap, and it helps.
Anyway, it’s the best bass I’ve ever owned. I haven’t had the opportunity to play a NYC bass, so I don’t have a point of reference to the ‘real thing.’

I wonder if the metroline can be ordered chambered. I know my NYC is.

 

[Dave Hill]

It's just my week with my Verdine, lol... Yesterday while I was swapping out the dead flats I noticed the G string tuning key was VERY loose. I know you need to tighten the little hex at the bottom of the key. So this morning I removed the string, loosened the hex first to make sure it moved freely. When I applied the slightest pressure to tighten it, the hex wrench just spun. Fully stripped. IIRC the NYC Satins have the Hipshot Licensed tuners, I'm guessing probably not as high quality as the USA ones.

So now I have this floppy tuning key. Yay. Other than getting new tuners, any suggestions on this? I was gonna call the shop but I wanted to see if anyone had a quick fix, I'm pretty sure I'm well past any warranty

I would not hesitate to call the shop. They are THE standard for customer service.

 

[TimothyGroovy]

I wonder if the metroline can be ordered chambered. I know my NYC is.

AFAIK, Metroline will soon come standard with chambered body for their new production.
While you can order both solid and chambered body from NYC/German Customshop

 

[Chris Breese]

AFAIK, Metroline will soon come standard with chambered body for their new production.
While you can order both solid and chambered body from NYC/German Customshop

 

[cxcxcx]

It's just my week with my Verdine, lol... Yesterday while I was swapping out the dead flats I noticed the G string tuning key was VERY loose. I know you need to tighten the little hex at the bottom of the key. So this morning I removed the string, loosened the hex first to make sure it moved freely. When I applied the slightest pressure to tighten it, the hex wrench just spun. Fully stripped. IIRC the NYC Satins have the Hipshot Licensed tuners, I'm guessing probably not as high quality as the USA ones.

So now I have this floppy tuning key. Yay. Other than getting new tuners, any suggestions on this? I was gonna call the shop but I wanted to see if anyone had a quick fix, I'm pretty sure I'm well past any warranty

Day late and a dollar short, but the first thing with adjusting any Hipshot tuner tension hex nut is to use the correct allen key. This is a must. That said, I don’t know exactly what that measurement is I think it’s 1/16, but please do not quote me on that. I use the wrench that came with the bass or one that I got from Hipshot and I labeled them.

Also important to note is a Hipshot seems to use a little low-strength thread lock Loctite stuff in the mechanism of the tuning machine. With this in mind, a firm and deliberate touch must be used to loosen.

I don’t think the OP got to this point, but you don’t need to crank on the hex nut to noticeably give the key a “tight” feel - smooth operation is good enough. Any more can damage the internals.

 

[Lex P.]

Speaking of string tuners. The Sadowsky branded tuners on my NYC Ultra Vintage P have been a bit disappointing. Have the set screws just snugged up, definitely not over tightened! The A string has to be turned over a half turn to even show any detuning and almost a whole turn down to be able to tune up to pitch with proper tension. The E isn’t much better. D and G strings are ok.

My Fender P with Fender branded ultra lights work perfectly as do my Hipshot ultra lights on my Gibson DC bass. Both basses very responsive to tuning key turning. Always figured it should be the other way around.

Not a big deal and the good thing is the UV P stays in tune forever. However I have been considering ordering some Hipshot USA made replacements, just because…

 

[phillipkregg]

AFAIK, Metroline will soon come standard with chambered body for their new production.
While you can order both solid and chambered body from NYC/German Customshop

My German Modern 5 weighs in at a comfy 7 lbs, 15 oz.

Don't want it any lighter than that, but good to know the option is there!

 

[gustobassman]

I would not hesitate to call the shop. They are THE standard for customer service.

Yup, will agree 100%! Roger answered when I called. He was so kind to offer to replace the tuner outright - he ended up giving me a killer deal and we are upgrading my baby to US Hipshot Ultralites. Suh-weet! Will have to enlarge the existing holes a little bit but that's no big deal.