Club Sadowsky!!!

[roller]

I like this one a bunch. Aside from the body color, it's spec'd like my first Sadowsky.

The black guard looks great with the thinline '59 burst.

 

[monkeyland]

+1 on the Will Lee Jazz-style pickups being single-coils... although my NYC Will Lee came with soaps.

Of course, because it's an NYC and is infinitely customizable. I'm pretty sure I've seen photos of Will playing one set up that way as well.

 

[roller]

The last few months of Letterman's CBS show, Will was playing with soaps on his Sadowskys a bunch.

On his recent U.S. tour, Will was playing his signature model with what appeared to be the stock Jazz pickups.

Of course, because it's an NYC and is infinitely customizable. I'm pretty sure I've seen photos of Will playing one set up that way as well.

 

[FunkHead]

On my Sadowsky bass watch, I've seen prices from $2k to $2.8k for Metro'..

Quite a big variation.
I expect these prices to revert to the lower...but that is the market rather than indicative of builds, imv

The few current and new Metro's that I am interested in are all over $3k. I am seeing some over $5k. Here's a small sample:Gear | Reverb

 

[marchone]

The few current and new Metro's that I am interested in are all over $3k. I am seeing some over $5k. Here's a small sample:Gear | Reverb

My new MetroLine Will Lee WR4 was only a tad over $3K.

I am totally enamored by this bass. The tonal variations possible are seemingly endless. And the slim neck is a dream. Like a proverbial baby's bottom.

As a Jazz Bass guy I find this Super Jazz a refinement of the highest order at a very accessible price. Many thanks to Roger @Sadowsky and Will Lee for developing this model and making available it through Warwick. It swings.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The few current and new Metro's that I am interested in are all over $3k. I am seeing some over $5k. Here's a small sample:Gear | Reverb

I think the German Metroline basses are going to stay well above $3K. What I think would make sense would be to offer some upgrades on the MetroExpress basses. My recommendation would be to not offer would options i.e. keep the bodies okume, consistently upgrade the fretwork and fit and finish, and offer the proper Sadowsky preamp with the VTC. This would result in a killer bare bones Sadowsky for $1,300. Making humcanceling pickups would bring it to around $1,600, but it might be good marketing to let the humcanceling pickups stay exclusive to the German basses.

 

[FunkHead]

My new MetroLine Will Lee WR4 was only a tad over $3K.

I am totally enamored by this bass. The tonal variations possible are seemingly endless. And the slim neck is a dream. Like a proverbial baby's bottom.

As a Jazz Bass guy I find this Super Jazz a refinement of the highest order at a very accessible price. Many thanks to Roger Sadowsky and Will Lee for developing this model. It swings.

I believe that was a great price for a new one. They just seem to keep going up.
ie;[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[deepestend]

A new stock update just came out, maybe something will tickle your fancy?

If this one was a 5er, I'd be thinking of excuses to the CFO already
View attachment 4811989

And custom ordering from just about anyone these days is going to require a LONG wait... but if you get what you want... don't be hesitant to reach out to Roger either- he was VERY gracious with his time talking to me on the phone and answering emails (those took a bit, but he always replied), and answered all my questions (and got me to upgrade a few things $$$ ), but I'm sure when I get my bass, it'll be amazing. And he has a satisfaction guarantee as well.

I see a lot of Sadowskys and this one really speaks to me.

 

[pepj]

The few current and new Metro's that I am interested in are all over $3k. I am seeing some over $5k. Here's a small sample:Gear | Reverb

Yep..huge variation there.

 

[Lex P.]

My Utra Vintage P has similar markings in the wood. It is a one piece ash body. After all, it was a tree in the forest in an earlier life.

 

[rawchuck]

Hi friends! I’m on the hunt for a bass! I’ve been playing guitar for 30 years, and work in the music industry. I just redesigned my studio where I do session work and film scoring, and have decided to buy a bass. This will be my first bass, and will live in my studio, so I want to make it count! I really want a P Bass, but am curious about a P/J for tonal variety. I’d been looking at Fender basses….first some of the USA line, then I got into custom shop territory, and now I’m discovering the Sadowsky Metro P/J. They seem to be priced in the mid $3K for a five stringer, which is doable for me. I’d love to find out more about this bass and how it compares to fender custom shop basses? Does it still sound like a P Bass?

 

[ShawnG]

View attachment 4812413 View attachment 4812423 View attachment 4812424 My Utra Vintage P has similar markings in the wood. It is a one piece ash body. After all, it was a tree in the forest in an earlier life.

Wow…I’d love to find a MIJ Sadowsky P, if they ever made any. Anyone know if Yoshi and Co. made any P-basses? Maybe some TYOs for Japanese domestic market, but those would be out of my reach $$-wise.

 

[cxcxcx]

Wow…I’d love to find a MIJ Sadowsky P, if they ever made any. Anyone know if Yoshi and Co. made any P-basses? Maybe some TYOs for Japanese domestic market, but those would be out of my reach $$-wise.

There are Japanese Metro P-Basses out there, but they’re pretty rare. I’ve never had the intersection of free cash and a purchase opportunity, but I’d love to own one. They floated around the 2k area used, but this was prior to Covid, Warwick, and the used market insanity all that has brought about. You’re more likely to find P/J Hybrid models.

 

[GRoberts]

Gary, THIS!!

sage advice. these are REALLY important decisions for a MAJOR expenditure. you can't ask other to tell you what to like. only you know that. and if you don't, then i think it's time to experiment more so you do. you've been playing long enough by now, with experience with a lot of high end basses. it's a little bit of a surprise to me that you don't have more self-awareness by now when it comes to specs. i don't say that to be a jerk, it just surprises me noting your experience level, and probably the thousands of times you've read the general tonal characteristics of woods for bodies and boards.

look inside, and think real hard. and if you still can't make up your mind, then maybe you're just so happy with what you already have, you don't need something else (hard to pick what to eat if you're not actually hungry). if that's the case, you're already winning, save your money.

think about it, and good luck bro!

Hey Vic,

This is not intended to sound defensive so consider it expounding for greater background. I am self-aware in that I know what I like. (I.e. My Sadowsky ME5 is my first foray into the world of Sadowky's and it compels me to get another. But I don't necessarily want to replicate what I have) I don't know about basses or wood combinations that I have no experience with at the "Sadowsky level." I've owned very few basses since you and I met in 2007/2008 regardless of countless hours of gig time. I have pretty much only played my Nordstrand VJ5's with a brief stop on a Stingray Special 5H that didn't last. I have a lot less personal data to draw upon than you might think.

I probably should have presented a more succinct list of questions. Here are a few points.

1. I played a Sadowsky Alder/Amazon Rosewood NYC bass years ago and it was amazing but it was a 4 string so it was not an option. I play 5 string basses exclusively. I was blown away and it stuck in my head. A few years later I ordered the Japanese ME5 and it exceeded my expectations. I don't have personal experience with an Alder/RW Sadowsky much less contrasting to my Ash/Maple ME5. My Nordstrand VJ5 is Alder/RW but it has big singles and a Nordy 3 band Preamp. It's heavier too. So I can't use that data as a barometer to determine what an alder/RW Sadowsky would sound like. Too many variables in play.
2. I cannot make a trip to the Sadowsky shop in NYC as much as I would like to.
3. I've never played a "Sadowsky" PJ and it appeals to me. In fact I don't remember playing any PJ's. I don't know what I don't know. I also haven't played a JJ config with an Ebony Fingerboard.
4. These days it's more realistic to locate and buy a bass of interest to find out personally. I'd like to minimize buying and selling hence me asking questions in this forum where others have already traveled a similar road.
5. Yes I'd love to KNOW exactly what I want before making a decision. But sometimes you gotta take a personal test drive to see if it's a good fit. That option is less viable these days. It seems way more realistic to "buy and try" in order to gather personal data point(s).
6. I agree nobody else's opinion equates to what is most meaningful to 'me' based on what I like.

With that, I'm gonna stop asking questions here because you're not wrong; I need to know for myself. There's only one way to find out. Ride the horse for myself.

 

[rowsi]

3. I've never played a "Sadowsky" PJ and it appeals to me. In fact I don't remember playing any PJ's. I don't know what I don't know. I also haven't played a JJ config with an Ebony Fingerboard.

I remember that Sadowsky at one point (and maybe still) offered a sort of PJ/JJ routing option. You get a neck pickup routing where both a J or P pickup can be placed and exchanged according to taste. Needs a slightly bigger pickguard than a standard J bass though.

I can't contribute anything meaningful for the other points, but I'd like to stress that my initial comment was not meant to be snarky in any way if it came across as such.

 

[GRoberts]

I remember that Sadowsky at one point (and maybe still) offered a sort of PJ/JJ routing option. You get a neck pickup routing where both a J or P pickup can be placed and exchanged according to taste. Needs a slightly bigger pickguard than a standard J bass though.

I can't contribute anything meaningful for the other points, but I'd like to stress that my initial comment was not meant to be snarky in any way if it came across as such.

Thanks. No offense was taken whatsoever sir!

 

[57pbass]

Hi friends! I’m on the hunt for a bass! I’ve been playing guitar for 30 years, and work in the music industry. I just redesigned my studio where I do session work and film scoring, and have decided to buy a bass. This will be my first bass, and will live in my studio, so I want to make it count! I really want a P Bass, but am curious about a P/J for tonal variety. I’d been looking at Fender basses….first some of the USA line, then I got into custom shop territory, and now I’m discovering the Sadowsky Metro P/J. They seem to be priced in the mid $3K for a five stringer, which is doable for me. I’d love to find out more about this bass and how it compares to fender custom shop basses? Does it still sound like a P Bass?

And Sadowsky branded bass is going to sound great. If you’re looking in the mid 3K range you might look closely at the classified section here on TalkBass for a used NYC… they appear occasionally.
I don’t have any experience with PJ configuration since I prefer a traditional
P Bass and Jazz bass, but there are many here that can speak to it with great detail.

 

[pepj]

I have all manner of wood combos in a Jazz bass config and I think Alder, with a Rosewood type board is king. Then Alder, maple, but the reason you go with an established builder is because he knows about this stuff, through years and years of experience.
The use of a pre amp further negates this but my recengky acquired Alder Maple has a bottom that Ash doesn't. Sure, I can add bass to kind of get there, but the Alder just resonates as soon as you pick it up.
I go through all my basses pretty regularly and for me the main observation is Alder first for sound, but Maple live.

I'm still looking for a Sadowsky but need to get my head around which bass leaves..
Toughie as I really don't want an extra one. 1 in,1 out.

 

[Mark Ambler]

I have a Metroline Ash Maple 5 Jazz an a ‘Yoshi’ MetroExpress Alder / Morado 4 Jazz.
Both sound excellent, with the Maple/ash a touch brighter and the Alder/ Morado a touch warmer. Both are great and I can easily reduce the brightness with the VTC.
I would suggest more important factors are the number of frets, type of pickups and string spacing, (all 5’s are 19mm with the exception of the new MM model which is 18mm).
DR Pure Blues 40 sets sound amazing on Sadowskys, and the Sadowsky Blue label is also very good.

 

[KaseOfBass]

I know I’ve heard them mention the rubberized pickup covers in a few of the German-made Sadowsky videos.

...(all 5’s are 19mm with the exception of the new MM model which is 18mm)...

Just to clarify on this statement - it's absolutely possible to get an NYC 5-string with 18mm string spacing at the bridge. The neck, however, will be the normal dimensions though as it's simply just a 18mm bridge replacing the standard 19mm bridge. That's why the new German-made MJ 5-string is intriguing, in addition to being 18mm at the bridge, the neck dimensions are also narrower - something that has never been done on any Sadowsky.