Not just better! Sounds great! Enjoy.I am happy when I play.It’s good to know I’m getting better. Thanks!
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One is a MasterBuilt one is a MetroLine.
The MasterBuilt has a high polish finish with a matching headstock cap and Snakewood fingerboard. Also a higher grade of Snakewood in general.
The MetroLine has a satin finish, birdseye maple fingerboard.
The MasterBuilt also has a different grade gig-bag as well.
Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this. But I viewed the “RSD” marque as a lucky break. Let me explain.
In the MIJ series, there was relatively little difference in quality (and but a modest difference in price) between the team-built Metro Line and assembly-line Metro Express basses.
Now that Warwick has taken over Metro Line production, the German Metros I’m seeing are gussied up and pricey (IMHO) - sort of like the masterbuilt TYO line. So in marketing terms, Metro Line has moved upmarket.
RSD, OTOH, is Chinese mass production with a downmarket price point and a number of differences to make them affordable. It’s nice that players of lesser means can afford them. But calling the the Chinese basses Metro Express will muddy the waters. A lot.
That’s why I think “RSD” really was a lucky break for Warwick, Sadowsky, current owners, and the resale market. JMHO! Flame away.
Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this. But I viewed the “RSD” marque as a lucky break. Let me explain.
In the MIJ series, there was relatively little difference in quality (and but a modest difference in price) between the team-built Metro Line and assembly-line Metro Express basses.
Now that Warwick has taken over Metro Line production, the German Metros I’m seeing are gussied up and pricey (IMHO) - sort of like the masterbuilt TYO line. So in marketing terms, Metro Line has moved upmarket.
RSD, OTOH, is Chinese mass production with a downmarket price point and a number of differences to make them affordable. It’s nice that players of lesser means can afford them. But calling the the Chinese basses Metro Express will muddy the waters. A lot.
That’s why I think “RSD” really was a lucky break for Warwick, Sadowsky, current owners, and the resale market. JMHO! Flame away.
They already are marked MetroExpress. Mine says RSD, not Sadowsky and that is fine with me. I knew I was buying a bass with Sadowsky features built to an affordable price point. I am really happy with it. The name on the headstock means a lot to many people, and I think that people will get used to Sadowsky badged basses at different price points. It works for Warwick, Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez, etc.
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Glad you like yours (and it sounds great!). Loved your video.
Yet “RSD Metro Express” is as distinct from “Sadowsky Metro Express” as “Squier by Fender” is from “Fender.” And personally, as the owner of a passel of MIJ Metro Lines, TYOs and one NYC, I prefer the current branding. Again, JMHO.
EDIT: I’m not *trying* to sound entitled, really. Just fortunate and grateful. And trust me, the War Department will have me listing more basses soon.
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I thought this was in relation to the new 2022 Limited Edition. I found your post where you asked this.
One is in the USA
One is in Japan
Resellers in the USA have a different pricing policy.
International sellers are not supposed to ship to the USA just as USA sellers are not supposed to ship outside of the USA. if you purchased an instrument from outside of the USA, no warranty applies within the USA and you may need to pay import duty and brokerage fees.
Those 2 are exactly the same both metroline one happens to have beautiful figuring on back of neck and headstock so he's charging more for that one.plus he's overpriced either way
Just click on the two links and you'll get two different prices depending on where you are!
There's a wide range of basses available from Germany, from Metroline up to the Custom Shop. So, they can be anywhere from ~$3k on up to the $8k range - maybe even more on the Custom Shop end.
Choir practice today: my intonation is good but can get better.
I just had my RSD weighed, it is 8lbs 10oz! That is a great weight for a boutique bass, let alone a budget bass.
After a CAO refinish by Pat Wilkins and a pair of new pickguards I thought it was time to post an updated photo of my trio. Couldn’t be happier.
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This is my first service with the RSD. The clear and usable low end on this bass is amazing. This bass was loud and cut through everything. I will have to practice harder because it will tell on me if I don’t!
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Ok, deposit submitted. 
Specs:
5-21 Left handed
Control Layout - Vintage
Roasted Swamp Ash Body
Target weight: 8 pounds
Shell Pink Nitro Finish
Hum-cancelling pickups with new coil cut switch
60's Location (JJ)
Volume-Pan-T-T/B (Will Lee Mid Boost)
Chrome Hardware
Tort pick guard
Roasted Flame Maple Neck(Master Grade)
Brazilian Rosewod Fingerboard (Master Grade)
Large Luminlay side dots
Standard fingerboard dots
Matching Headstock
I’m having heart palpitations… going to be a loooooooooong year.
Specs:
5-21 Left handed
Control Layout - Vintage
Roasted Swamp Ash Body
Target weight: 8 pounds
Shell Pink Nitro Finish
Hum-cancelling pickups with new coil cut switch
60's Location (JJ)
Volume-Pan-T-T/B (Will Lee Mid Boost)
Chrome Hardware
Tort pick guard
Roasted Flame Maple Neck(Master Grade)
Brazilian Rosewod Fingerboard (Master Grade)
Large Luminlay side dots
Standard fingerboard dots
Matching Headstock
I’m having heart palpitations… going to be a loooooooooong year.
Ok, deposit submitted.
Specs:
5-21 Left handed
Control Layout - Vintage
Roasted Swamp Ash Body
Target weight: 8 pounds
Shell Pink Nitro Finish
Hum-cancelling pickups with new coil cut switch
60's Location (JJ)
Volume-Pan-T-T/B (Will Lee Mid Boost)
Chrome Hardware
Tort pick guard
Roasted Flame Maple Neck(Master Grade)
Brazilian Rosewod Fingerboard (Master Grade)
Large Luminlay side dots
Standard fingerboard dots
Matching Headstock
I’m having heart palpitations… going to be a loooooooooong year.
Killer spec and matching headstock FTW!
Any idea when the RSD will be retired and the normal Sadowsky logo will start being sold for the Metro Express line?
