Club Sadowsky!!!

[WorktheWood]

The switching being fairly subtle, as you say, is kind of what I expected. In P basses the pickup coils are short and fat which is part of what creates the characteristic tone. I'm not sure how the neck pickup is constructed in this model but I'd imagine they're tall and skinny like a jazz bass. Even if they are short and fat, I don't think they'll sound exactly like an actual P Bass pickup much like when a dual coil is switched to single it doesn't sound quite like a true single coil. That said, I'm sure the bass sounds great and has its own tone.

BTW, I finally got in a full band rehearsal with the new Super P/J last night, and this bass just really nails the tone I prefer. To be honest, the pickup switching options are fairly subtle, but what I like is that they offer slightly different takes on a baseline tone which is right up my alley. It plays like a dream, too! Still the honeymoon, of course, but I am very, very happy with this bass!

 

[Dp1363]

I went by the NYC Sadowsky Shop with my son yesterday. I brought 2 of my basses (NYC PJ4 and Japanese Metro Express) to be tweaked and restrung. Roger Sadowsky himself welcomed me and worked on my basses. He sent me to the showroom and allowed me to try anything I wanted. I tried just about everything there...NYC PJ 4/Soapbar, NYC Jazz 4, German Metroline RV4 (the one Stanley Clarke played) and German Metroline PJ5 were all outstanding!!!
Roger gave me every detail of everything he did to my basses, let me try them and asked if I needed anything adjusted. Talk about great service! He treated me like I was a star! He asked details about my likes and preferences with basses and even took the time to talk casually with my son.
I decided to order another Sadowsky and now he took us into the workshop, showing us around. He even brought my son and I to the fretboard wood storage area and allowed us to pick out our own slab of Brazilian Rosewood!
What a great experience! Mr. Roger Sadowsky himself dedicating 2 hours of his time to us! A class act! So fortunate to have this experience with the Master himself!!!
.

I went to the shop a few years ago and got to meet Roger. Great guy and very down to Earth.

 

[Vic]

The switching being fairly subtle, as you say, is kind of what I expected. In P basses the pickup coils are short and fat which is part of what creates the characteristic tone. I'm not sure how the neck pickup is constructed in this model but I'd imagine they're tall and skinny like a jazz bass. Even if they are short and fat, I don't think they'll sound exactly like an actual P Bass pickup much like when a dual coil is switched to single it doesn't sound quite like a true single coil. That said, I'm sure the bass sounds great and has its own tone.

if you look at the pole spacing, it implies the size/shape of each "quadrant" coil (for lack of a better term) is about the same as one of the blocks in a typical P pickup set, so i would not assume they're narrow J type/size coils... and they're definitely not "tall". one thing that might not have been made clear is how this pickup works... it's four coils under the hood... not two (like the SJ is). it switches between a "forward P" to a "reverse P", or all four coils.

that said, i still agree, nothing sounds exactly like a P except for a P, though i remain completely thrilled about all the sounds in mine at least.

 

[WorktheWood]

if you look at the pole spacing, it implies the size/shape of each "quadrant" coil (for lack of a better term) is about the same as one of the blocks in a typical P pickup set, so i would not assume they're narrow J type/size coils... and they're definitely not "tall". one thing that might not have been made clear is how this pickup works... it's four coils under the hood... not two (like the SJ is). it switches between a "forward P" to a "reverse P", or all four coils.

that said, i still agree, nothing sounds exactly like a P except for a P, though i remain completely thrilled about all the sounds in mine at least.

I'm aware of the coil structure being quad to allow for standard and reverse P. The only way to know if the actual coils are tall and skinny is to take them out of the cover and look at them. The width between the coils doesn't really suggest the coil size one way or the other. They need to be spaced wide as they are to even come close to sounding like a P even with tall coils.

 

[Vic]

I'm aware of the coil structure being quad to allow for standard and reverse P. The only way to know if the actual coils are tall and skinny is to take them out of the cover and look at them. The width between the coils doesn't really suggest the coil size one way or the other. They need to be spaced wide as they are to even come close to sounding like a P even with tall coils.

yep, already understood, which is why i said "implies", so yes, we don't know for sure, but just mainly wanted to make sure you knew WRT your words "tall and skinny" that you did know this was a Z under the hood and not a full length per side like the SJ is. all good.

 

[Sadowsky]

Has anyone swapped out the chrome hardware on a Satin Verdine White 5 to black?
If so, what bridge lined up the cleanest for you?
Hipshot A Bridge, brass, 18mm spacing?

Thanks in advance.

19mm is our standard 5 string spacing. You can go narrower if you want.

 

[blastoff99]

Once again....

DO NOT quote troublesome posts. Any attention is good attention for some folks, and all it does is cause me more work.

Thanks

 

[SteveC]

Looking for some advice. I may sell my Japanese Metro Express 5JJ. Like new condition. 8.0 pounds. Nice case. Not sure yet. I’m not sure what a fair asking price might be. Looking at classifieds and Reverb, I’m guessing $2,500 - $2,600 or so?

There’s a nice 4 string in the classifieds that I may prefer instead.

 

[berklee46]

19mm is our standard 5 string spacing. You can go narrower if you want.

Thank you.

 

[jmain]

Since you asked, that's more on the low end of a Metro used price. Hard to compare given there just aren't much of the MIJ MEs around.

 

[FunkHead]

Looking for some advice. I may sell may Japanese Metro Express 5JJ. Like new condition. 8.0 pounds. Nice case. Not sure yet. I’m not sure what a fair asking price might be. Looking at classifieds and Reverb, I’m guessing $2,500 - $2,600 or so?
View attachment 4717087
There’s a nice 4 string in the classifieds that I may prefer instead.

I feel like the MIJ Metros are special and worth just as much as newer German one. I have one of the last "Metroline" 4 strings made by Yoshi. Serial # M106XX. I can't see letting it go for less than $2900. That may sound crazy to some people but nothing is going down in price, anymore, it seems. And I am done selling basses that I know I will only buy again.

Of course, I heavily prefer dark fretboards over maple so in my mind they are worth a few $100 more to me.

All that being said, A Japan made metro Express may be worth a little less but it's really a great bass and the 5th string adds probably $200~.

I saw that someone traded a Metro for a Stingray Special and I honestly wouldn't do that trade value wise. But the Specials are pretty sweet. Especially if they have an Ebony Fretboard.

I honestly never should have sold my 1st Sadowsky Metro which was an early MS5 in '59 Burst. It was a thing of beauty and I regret it big time. I paid $1900 for it in around 2002.

Edit: Forgot to say that I value yours at $2750 or more because you can't get them anymore. And again: I like them better than the German built models.

 

[WorktheWood]

Considering the Japanese Metro Express basses were around $1900 new I would say right around that price is more likely to sell.

 

[Vic]

Since you asked, that's more on the low end of a Metro used price. Hard to compare given there just aren't much of the MIJ MEs around.

...
Edit: Forgot to say that I value yours at $2750 or more because you can't get them anymore. And again: I like them better than the German built models.

let's make sure we're not mixing terms too much here. i'd recommend limiting things to only the MIJ ME's for his questions on this bass.

in the Roger era of M's and ME's, there was a difference between them, but there is a MUCH bigger difference now. for example, there's no such thing as a "German made" ME. Mixing "metro" and "metroexpress" is especially confusing these days because of the big change post-warwick. the ME's are now Chinese made. the only basses made in Germany right now are the MetroLines and above.

now, keeping in mind the Japanese 5 string ME's sold brand new for $1975, and even factoring in some added desirability due to now their relative rarity, i still don't think "2750 or more" is actually reasonable... at least not unless these things have be come outrageously desirable and hot hot hot on the market... but i'm not aware of that.

personally, i think 2500-2600 is already on the high side for a used MIJ ME J5 (even mint), but if these are actually becoming kinda' hot, i think that makes it a good starting point at the very high end, but i'd also expect lower (reasonable) offers (not talking about the lowballers here).

imho

 

[SteveC]

I appreciate the input. I’m torn. I have 2 fivers right now and really only need one. I’ve had my other 5 for years and the neck is so amazing. This bass is great as well, just not quite the same, obviously. Kinda floating it out there to see. Gonna put some new Blue Label steels on it tonight. New strings sometimes have a way of keeping the bass around for a while. We’ll see.

I get that these seem overpriced considering they were $2K new. The 4 I’m looking at is priced at $2,550. Seems like my 5 - at 1 string more and 1 pound less should command more. IDK. That’s why I’m asking the potential market/current users.

 

[WorktheWood]

I agree with Vic. I'm not sure what happened to my original post but I've since edited it. I personally the Japanese ME's would be closer to $1500-1800.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I agree with Vic. I'm not sure what happened to my original post but I've since edited it. I personally the Japanese ME's would be closer to $1500-1800.

This. I've been seeing MIJ MetroLines going for $2500.

 

[Spidey2112]

This. I've been seeing MIJ MetroLines going for $2500.

I'm still not selling it... I really like my MV4... ain't going nowhere.

 

[SteveC]

I'm still not selling it... I really like my MV4... ain't going nowhere.

I may change my mind as well. I go back and forth. Yeah, the neck is a little thick and wide, but I am getting used to it. It certainly has that “Sadowsky jazz” tone, and it’s a “4 string” minus the thinner nut and B string thumb rest of course. Nothing wrong with having basses by a couple of the best builders around.

 

[Spidey2112]

I go back and forth.

Your new tribal arcade name will be...

... Indecisive Pong.

 

[ElMon]

Sorry to all if my now deleted post offended anyone. My Irish was acting up when someone was talking bad about our Dutch uncle Rog. I find that playing my fretless Sadowsky and learning to love my new to me MIJ UV5 (OK fine… you ash/maple/rounds jazz bass guys have a point he says, for the thousandth time)
is moving me more towards compassion and understanding.

Nah. Imma Stay

whoops.

Namaste