Oh no worries man! I just sometimes feel like we talk more about strings than anything else. There is plenty of reason to talk about strings, I didn’t mean to discount your observations. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of replies to answer any questions.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Will Lee is fantastic in every way and my nr 1
It is fantastic in every way, best 4-string I ever had. Sound, build quality and playability are just superb. Later I also wanted to order the 5-string, but I just couldn't wait 5 months or more. The MJ was available, so I ordered that one.
Hi Gary,
I change strings for something a little different. My 2004 RV4 came with Sadowsky Black lable steels. I did not like those. I changed to DR Highbeams. I used those for years. Recenty I changed to Dunlop Super Bright Nickel strings. Different feel and a little more mid range. I thinks strings are very personal. For me the feel on my fingers is important.
I’ve just installed some ghs boomers… I suppose it’s only by giving different strings a chance I can begin to tell the difference and assess my likes and dislikes. How do you see the difference between Sadowsky steels v Nickel. I did have steels on but also picked up some nickel strings to install at some stage as part of the learning process!
You don't really see the difference between steel and nickel, at least I don't. I can feel it. To me, nickel seams a little more flexible. Just try different string with different materials and see what suits you best.
They are exactly the same!
Ditto²... not on the MV4, but on my Highway One Jazz. They're the light 40-95 set... standard tuning, but the strings feel as if the bass is detuned a half step.
Taking it to rehearsal, tonight.
Roger, I understand that the circuit is precisely the same; but it seems that one thing that continues to evolve is the mechanics. The solderless form of the preamp, which I believe is used in your NYC instruments, is an engineering marvel; in particular, very user friendly. The soldered versions are not quite so great to work with. I understand there are manufacturing cost considerations. FWIW, as a customer, I would be vastly more inclined to pay the incremental cost increase to have the solderless version. My $0.019.
with all due respect, why do you say that? generally speaking a soldered connection is always more reliable than a solderless one. the only benefit to solderless i know of, is if you want to tinker around and swap things in and out a bunch.
if you're a tinkerer, that's fair, but keep in mind (just as with a lot of us here on TB) the tinkerers represent the vast MINority of the market for production instruments... even high end ones such as the metrolines.
top of the line custom instruments, that market is different and probably has a higher percentage of tinkerers.
my .00000000000002. lol
Good question. For one thing, there is the issue of the pan direction; which, I’m not trying to promote debate about that; but it is not uncommon to switch up the pickup feeds at the preamp to get whichever preference. Whole lot easier using the terminal blocks; and BTW, I’ve yet to have issues with the terminal block connections. Yes, the solder joint is more “reliable,” but the screw terminals have been pretty robust.
Also, there is the issue of pickup swaps; which are possibly tinkering, but also IME part of optimizing a given instrument.
I’m only a tinkerer in the sense of getting the instrument to be correct. After that I’m set and forget; get on with the playing. FWIW.
the pan swap is a decent point, but man, that's SUCH a simple change even with soldering, and it's a one time thing. i guess i still feel like most people don't do what you mention after that... some do, maybe a "majority" of us fanatics here on TB, but i still feel that's a vast minority of the metroline market.
my opinion would be opposite for the masterbuilts and nyc customs, however.
fwiw.
Awesome, glad to hear. I have the 5 string version of that same one and it is incredible. I currently have a couple NYCs and have owned other NYCs I've since sold, but I never had any Japanese Metros for comparison. That said, I'm extremely happy with mine.
I actually have. I have an older NYC that's just straight ash/maple, no fancy woods, etc. I have directly compared that bass to a Japanese Metroline, and the Metroline was completely legit on every level... tone, fit/finish, playability, all of it. I've always told people in the past, if you don't need fancy woods or special finishes, or maybe more recently, don't mind a little bit heavier of a bass, get the Metroline and save a few bux, because Yoshi's company did a HELL of a job on those.
I don't have any experience with the newer German Metrolines, but since you were specifically asking about the Japanese ones.
FWIW
Side note... I also owned a nearly identical Lull J bass... plain ash/maple, 34" scale, singles, and while that bass was great, I still preferred the Sadowsky overall. Mike Lull (RIP) was a gifted builder/luthier for sure.
Last edited:
my gut feeling on those is they'll represent, but you can tell us when you get it. I think the only niggles people have had is the move away from Dunlop to Schallers, and the new just-a-nut. That's got some people happy and some sad, but neither of those will affect the most important things about the instrument, so I figure that's super minor stuff.
Can anybody tell me what potentiometers go in a 2007 Sadowsky Metro P bass? Vol - Vtc/Active Passive(push pull) and the Bass/Treble pot. All the pots are scratchy and I've tried everything to clean them, so it's time to just replace them. If anybody has any info on this I'd appreciate it. I imagine Stewmac has whatever I need .Thanks!
Looks like Fretnation got a bunch of the SadowskyMan basses in stock.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
