My main jazz is a Lull with Duncans and a Sadowsky pre. It sounds like a Sadowsky.
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I hope the RSD are OK, I have one arriving today. Mine is a PJ 4, with hum canceling pickups and VTC added already (could do myself but time is also an issue these days). This will hopefully compliment my Japanese Metro PJ5, love that bass for nearly 10 years now, but also love the simplicity of a lighter 4 string more and more these days. Fingers crossed, if it doesn't work I will have to unload some extraneous gear to fund a German Metro.
It will be tested tomorrow for me, I'll get back my Blade jazz from my repairman, with new, barely used Sadowsky pre and PU's loaded... hope that will not have any hum/noise issue. It is from a Chinese Metroexpress.
if the shielding and grounding is done well, it should be fine. that all should be part of the installation process.
The Sadowsky flats are great, but not always available.
In lieu of those, I find I prefer either the TIs (spendy) or Labella Low Tension Flats (like TIs, for about half the price).
Some folks like the Chromes, but I find those too stiff for me.
So far my favorites are TI Jazz Flats and Sadowsky Blue Label flats. Unfortunately, both sets are expen$ive! For lower budget flats: Fender is rather reliable, also the LaBella nylon tapes. I tried the LaBella Low Tension flats... feel is similar to TI (though they seem to be polished smoother) and they had excellent string-to-string balance, B included, but the tone... wasn't bad, it just didn't really do anything for me. Maybe too much fundamental? Bottom line: just personal preference.
IMHO, not really... because flats last WAY longer than rounds. WAAAAAAY longer.
I think my TI flats are going on ten years old now. They are, admittedly, on a bass I don't play that often, but given that my rounds usually don't last more than a couple of gigs...
Flatwound have so much less power and bright, you will not feel the difference and have no any sense of the tiring strings.
But I think the string's aging comes not just from the abrasion from the frets and losing brightness from dirt and sweat; the string magnetic abilities are getting weaker and weaker as the PUs magnetise them - doesn't matter that flat or round have.
Flatwound or roundwound choice (should) depends on sound and/or style I think, but I know many bassers have to calculate the string lifetime.
But I think the string's aging comes not just from the abrasion from the frets and losing brightness from dirt and sweat; the string magnetic abilities are getting weaker and weaker as the PUs magnetise them - doesn't matter that flat or round have.
Flatwound or roundwound choice (should) depends on sound and/or style I think, but I know many bassers have to calculate the string lifetime.
IMHO, while this might be true from a point of scientific interest, i'm pretty sure it would take many years for this to have any effect we could notice in actual playing or even recording, so i don't think this is a realistic practical concern.
Just received my new RSD pj4 at work. Initial impressions: Neck feels amazing but a little too squared off right at heel, though I never play that high so no big deal.
Don't care for the string retainer but does its job. Tuning machines are very stiff, hopefully a little lube and use with get more fluid action on those. Everything else is tight and seem fine, only played unplugged more detailed inspection tonight.
Don't care for the string retainer but does its job. Tuning machines are very stiff, hopefully a little lube and use with get more fluid action on those. Everything else is tight and seem fine, only played unplugged more detailed inspection tonight.
Here’s the 2021 version lockdown video we did for Supertramp’s Bloody Well Right.
I've used Sadowsky flats on several fretless basses, and love them. Also consider the DR flats. I've not played the low-tension La Bellas, but they look interesting.
Just discovered this thread …
does a Japan made Metro Sadowsky count? Can I join the club?
does a Japan made Metro Sadowsky count? Can I join the club?
Is that the moment you found the club?
Yes! The Japan Metros are terrific Sadowsky instruments, well represented here in this club.
It’s the best bass I’ve ever owned !!
Amazing sound and the most confortable playability
