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I would just like one with black hardware.. do you have to go US or custom shop in order to do that?
I’m about the same timeframe as you, so I’ll tag along for the answer as well
- Sep 8, 2010
- 453
- 608
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Sadowsky Hipshot David Gage Czech-Ease Mono Kala UBass
24 fret Sadowskys are awesome! For me the smaller lower horn makes it way easier to jump into the upper octave. I found it less easy with a 21 bass to actually reach frets 20,21. The body is slimmer and a little lighter. My nyc 5-24 is exactly 8 lbs (alder/roasted maple/Brazilian rosewood)
Question/info needed…
I have 2-NYC’s and 1-Warwick-Sad Custom Shop bass. The Warwick CS tuners are definitely NOT the smooth-turning quality tuner like my NYC’s (Hipshot USA UL’s)…want to replace the Warwick version asap.
Can anyone confirm that buying the 1/2” USA UL’s from Hipshot would be the same as on my (pretty recently built) NYC’s? Or does Roger get a special-made version?
I have 2-NYC’s and 1-Warwick-Sad Custom Shop bass. The Warwick CS tuners are definitely NOT the smooth-turning quality tuner like my NYC’s (Hipshot USA UL’s)…want to replace the Warwick version asap.
Can anyone confirm that buying the 1/2” USA UL’s from Hipshot would be the same as on my (pretty recently built) NYC’s? Or does Roger get a special-made version?
Tone wise, is it the same? I find the B string not wobbly but kinda "boomy", not as tight and punchy as I would like - maybe is a pickup thing and not a scale etc
I agree, the Hipshots are smoother, though I’m basing that on what was on my German Metroline MJ5. But yes, I can confirm, the ½” USA Ultralites fit the German-made basses as I replaced mine.
- Sep 8, 2010
- 453
- 608
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Sadowsky Hipshot David Gage Czech-Ease Mono Kala UBass
The scale length would be identical. Basically, there's an extension off the fingerboard with added frets.
Check out Roger's specs listed on his website for set up, pick up height, string, height, etc. I found that going by those numbers gave me the best sound. I've never noticed a difference in the tension of a sadowsky B string from one to another. Tone wise I find the 24 fret Sadowskys to be a little more clear and less wooly than the 21 and 22 fret ones. And I was wondering if anybody had that experience with that. I've played every bass at Rogers shop and depending on what's there at the time and I did not feel a difference in any of the B strings in terms of tension. Tone wise, perhaps slightly different, depending on body and neck wood. A lot of other things factor like amps, pickups and string gauge. And for me, the string gauge makes a huge difference. I have a recording test where I recorded a stock jazz bass with 45/65/80/100 and then with 45/65/85/105. It almost sounded like a different bass all together. Even in switching from a .125 to a .130 there was a noticeable difference for me in the overall boom and feel of the B. Steel or nickel also a huge difference.
Awesome. I prefer the 24 fret body. It feel smaller and access to upper fret is better. That might not matter to you depending on your style. From a tone perspective, I think they are pretty similar. I'm told the 24 fret basses might sound a bit more open or more defined but honestly between the EQ, pickup height and vintage tone control that is possibly a moot point. The neck does look longer.
Here's a pic of a 24 fret Jazz second from left and 24 fret modern compared to standard length PJ and standard J body and neck (albeit 18mm string spacing) on the far right.
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I can't help but think that this is because most 24 fret Sadowskys have the "Modern" config where pickups are closer to the bridge than standard JJ, which results in more punch and "tighter" low end. And maybe the soaps typically used in Moderns have more clarity than the vintage Fender-style pickups, but I wouldn't know.
Aside from that: a 24 fret Sadowsky with vintage pickup config should be essentially equivalent in tone to a 20/21 fretter with the same pickup config, same woods. Caveats would include organic differences in tone even within the same wood species, and the fact that some players use slightly different technique on 24F than they do on 21 (mostly applies to slapstyle).
Thanks…ordered a set of USA UL’s today. Having both tuner versions (USA vs W “Sadowsky” labeled)…it’s easy to notice—been kinda annoyed with the ‘W’ tuner version, since it’s an equally expensive bass….love the bass overall though!
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I had been curious if the Metros were built with the same hardware as the German Custom Shop and Masterbuilt basses - guess that answers the question regarding tuners at least. Based strictly on my personal experience with the one German Metroline I’ve played and own, they seem very well built, but the tuners were definitely lacking. I’m glad I upgraded to the USA Ultralites.
I have bought 3 german metros and have had NO issues with the tuners, they seem perfectly fine
How were the tuners lacking? I have a German Sadowsky Will Lee RW4 for reference.
Wobbly and did not turn smoothly - noticeable “catches” in them. One, no matter how adjusted, tightened, loosened, etc. always felt like it was grinding against something.
I took the offending units off, attempted to fix whatever I could, make sure everything was tightened appropriately, but without resolve. I liken it to the few Hipshot Licensed Ultralights I’ve come across that had the same issues. But, the USA versions have always been perfectly stable and smooth.
Might’ve been a fluke, but I know of at least one dealer that’s had plenty of German-made basses come through that will agree that the USA Ultralites are better than the German-made tuners they’re using.
Ain’t bashing, I love my German Metro and have thought about a possible custom shop order, just my experience from the one I own.
When was it made? My Will Lee is a July 2022 build with no issues whatsoever.
I’m not sure how to decipher the serial numbers, but mine ends in 11787-22. Figure that’s a 2022, but I’m not sure of the month based on that or any documentation I received.
