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Hey, everyone!
Looking for a little advice and/or recommendations.
My lefty Inca Silver Satin Series NYC is my main bass right now and it simply blows everything else away. I mean, literally nothing else compares to it. I'm not going to get into a bunch of hyperbole, but for me and my needs, it's everything I've ever wanted.
I gig a lot in a pretty active and aggressive band and want a backup for it, but, being a lefty, a new satin series is not an option anymore and a custom order NYC won't happen until I can sell a few other basses I never play. Used lefties are pretty much impossible to find.
Until I can order the bass of my dreams - I'm thinking about a Metroline as a backup - or even my main bass, so I don't destroy the love of my life playing it 100% of the time. I've read mostly positive things, but I'm worried about weight and any other considerations I might be missing in my thought process.
Can anyone share any thoughts about their Metroline experiences and what I might expect with a morado fingerboard? The only other bass I ever had with a morado board was a 6 string Roscoe, so it's a bit tough to compare. I've read a few things scattered here and there, but some recent thoughts would be great.
Anyway, here's a couple pics from my last gig - hope you enjoy and thanks in advance for your thoughts!
-Chris
Looking for a little advice and/or recommendations.
My lefty Inca Silver Satin Series NYC is my main bass right now and it simply blows everything else away. I mean, literally nothing else compares to it. I'm not going to get into a bunch of hyperbole, but for me and my needs, it's everything I've ever wanted.
I gig a lot in a pretty active and aggressive band and want a backup for it, but, being a lefty, a new satin series is not an option anymore and a custom order NYC won't happen until I can sell a few other basses I never play. Used lefties are pretty much impossible to find.
Until I can order the bass of my dreams - I'm thinking about a Metroline as a backup - or even my main bass, so I don't destroy the love of my life playing it 100% of the time. I've read mostly positive things, but I'm worried about weight and any other considerations I might be missing in my thought process.
Can anyone share any thoughts about their Metroline experiences and what I might expect with a morado fingerboard? The only other bass I ever had with a morado board was a 6 string Roscoe, so it's a bit tough to compare. I've read a few things scattered here and there, but some recent thoughts would be great.
Anyway, here's a couple pics from my last gig - hope you enjoy and thanks in advance for your thoughts!
-Chris
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I have never played a better 5 string neck than a Roscoe. I did have a Modern 5-24 back in the day and I did like that bass. I guess while playing my cheap G&L jazz I started thinking hey, I remember why I played jazz basses for many years before going to the soapbar type basses with Modulus and Roscoe. Kind of like with the P, I’m digging the more traditional tones these days.
Hey everyone! Just got a Sadowsky Tokyo Jazz bass but I can't find much definitive information on these.
Is there a way to look up build sheet by serial number?
Is there a way to look up build sheet by serial number?
I am right with you… also starting to gravitate back to 4 strings
Picked this up used from the shop a short time ago…. Always wanted to try a Sadowsky P ( not PJ) and you almost never see a NYC P for sale. Metros are also rare and I never saw one with the RW/Morado board….but I was finally able to snag one. Loving it so far
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I own a Metroline Modern 5-String, albeit the 2021 limited edition. Therefore, I can't comment on a morado fretboard.
However, the bass is pretty light. I don't have a sufficiently precise scale, but it feels to be well below 4 kgs, which translates to well below 8.8 lbs. The quality of the woodwork is impeccable, fretwork is great, hardware is great, electronics are dead silent (early Metroline basss from Germany were prone to humming sometimes from a misplaced wire if I remember correctly).
There are literally two things to complain about. For one: warwicks plastic cover for the electronic compartment. It is a cheap plastic POS which's design should have been dumped in a fire a long time ago. The thing breaks just from looking at it.
There are Metroline basses from Germany without this plastic cover. At least all Will Lee models won't have the stupid plastic cover and many pictures of regular J and P/J models show the basses without that plastic cover.
The other thing: The new Portabag "Express", comes with every german Metroline bass. It is an okay gigbag, but in no way comparable to the regular Portabag. Where the regular Portabag oozes reliability and sturdiness, this flimsy "Express" thingie is not adequate for transporting a precious bass. If you're already set with other bags or cases, this point can be disregarded.
To put my post into sperspective: I'm in the process of aquiring a second german Metroline. The points above are in no way dealbreakers for me, just honest criticism.
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Chris, I see this way too often. Ask yourself one question, and be HONEST with yourself... did you buy that bass only to be the keeper of it for the next owner, and only enjoy it once in a while, where you feel it wouldn't "offend" the next (real?) owner, OR, did you buy that bass because it inspires you to excel, advance, and be more passionate about your music?
If the latter, as I hope/expect, PLAY THE TOTAL S**T OUT OF THAT JEWEL, EVERYWHERE, 100% OF THE TIME. I mean, be responsible about protecting it in "lesser" venues, but please DO NOT leave it at home. You'll suffer, the band will suffer, and it constitutes a waste of the money you spent on it.
Even using your own analogy, why wouldn't you be with the "love of your life" every possible second you could be?
IMHO!!
Maybe I even saved you some time and money... on what sounds to me like maybe an unnecessary purchase. Though I know I'm a blasphemer going against GAS in this forum. lol
You make excellent points, although I'm guilty of the "keeper for the next owner" behavior with a few of my basses. *sheepish*
Extreme example I know, but this is the Sadowsky NYC P5 I got back in 2005. It quickly became my #1. It stayed clean for awhile, but picked up the inevitable dings from bar gigs and at that point I said "this bass is a keeper, I don't give a rat's butt about resale value, so why worry about belt buckles?" I also sandpapered the nitro on the back of the neck for that well-broken-in vintage feel (love it).
It's got wear on the front, too... less noticeable. Some of the pickguard screws are tarnished black from sweat because I've played the hell out of her.
I have no regrets about any of the wear. To the contrary: it's a huge relief to play a roadworn bass.
I still have a few basses that are close to pristine, including two other Sadowskys, and I still fuss about them even though I think they are all keepers. So Chris (and others), I understand the concern. But overall, I'm with Vic: if you love the bass, play the bass.
I'm a bar band guy, often crammed into a corner rather than on a proper stage. Whatever #1 bass I have is gonna pick up some wear from frequent use. If it wasn't the black one, it would be another one.
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This is the sort of stuff Roger loves. Yes, his NYC instruments may be museum grade, but dang it, they were meant to be played!
Ha! Not a blasphemer to me at all!!
Let's just put it this way: I'm definitely NOT a "keep it beautiful for the next guy" owner. I mean, I take exceptional care of my gear, but I play it like I'm going to be buried with it if I love it. And I LOVE this bass.
With that said, I might not have been clear enough in my original post. What I'm really looking for is a "we're getting pretty close for 1/3rd of the money of another NYC" backup bass, that I might play all night at some of my more ... errr ... unrefined-type gigs - but, it would mostly just kind of be there if I needed it in an emergency situation, e.g., break a string during a gig (rare, but it's happened), my main bass gets stolen and I'm waiting for insurance to cover it, the trailer flies off going to my next gig in the middle of a blizzard, I trip and fall and a tuner explodes - those kinds of things.
So, a better question to ask probably would've been, is a Metroline a worthy backup to the love of my life - not a replacement for it. ESPECIALLY considering that I'm a lefty and lefty Sadowsky basses don't grow on trees.
Nothing can replace that Satin Series NYC - my god, what a bass.
Just curious if anyone is selling an NYC P or P/J bass, vintage style with a Jazz width neck. Prefer a chambered body in the eight pound or less range.
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
I've been looking for a NYC Sadowsky P on here for forever it seems.
given the new version of the question, essentially backup only, but still worthy, yah, I think so. I have both a Metro Express and a Metro, and they're both totally legit. Plenty of the Sadowsky pedigree... BUT... neither one will take the "first call" spot from my NYCs. At least for me.
I've saw one on the other (UK) forum some time ago. Maybe It's sold, maybe available....
There's a 2004 NYC P on Reverb currently. Spotted it yesterday.
https://reverb.com/item/47721742-sadowsky-nyc-p-5-2004-black
That's a nice one. I am looking for a NYC 4 P.
That is a Tully Kennedy instrument.
