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Club Sadowsky!!!

#62,841
StayLow said:
It’d be amazing if generic covers for any 5-string pickup os same dimensions didn’t work.
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Cheers- Finding J bass covers is a breeze. I am sure I have a few here at my bench put away. I am wanting the Sadowsky logo cover (made by Dimarzio at the time) if possible.

Kai Sanchez said:
I just switched from my 2013 Japanese MV5 split coils to Nordstrand NJ5 single coils. The covers look the same just without the sadowsky logo. Btw they sound great.
You could switch pickups or see if you can get nordstrand covers.
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Thanks. I do like Nordstrand pickups and have a couple here on other basses, but I have really enjoyed the stock HC Sadowsky's as they fit the bass tonally as is. Hard to ever ask for more from a pickup than to be a match for the instrument. New pickups would sound excellent too and not much different, but right now I am not seeking to change the tone...if possible.
 
#62,842
Bonafide said:
Sadowsky Japan 5 string J-Bass pickup covers? I have searched the net and this thread (all 98 search results). I am having my 2008 Japan re-painted and would love to replace the well worn, well gigged, well scratched plastic pickup covers if possible. Many thanks in advance!!
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Have you tried calling Sadowsky NYC; they may have some laying around [as you mentioned you do; non Sadowsky]
 
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#62,844
I recently purchased a German made Metroline bass and am really pleased with it. Except for the rear cavity cover.
It’s near impossible to remove it using your fingers (or finger nails). I have to use a flat head screwdriver to move the tabs. I’m sure this isn’t normal.
The bass was built in 2023, if that helps.
Has anyone else had this problem, and does it rise to a warranty issue?

Edit: The odd thing is when closed, the cover rattles a bit, so it doesn’t seem like it’s a really tight fit.
 
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#62,845
rmayer said:
I recently purchased a German made Metroline bass and am really pleased with it. Except for the rear cavity cover.
It’s near impossible to remove it using your fingers (or finger nails). I have to use a flat head screwdriver to move the tabs. I’m sure this isn’t normal.
The bass was built in 2023, if that helps.
Has anyone else had this problem, and does it rise to a warranty issue?

Edit: The odd thing is when closed, the cover rattles a bit, so it doesn’t seem like it’s a really tight fit.
Click to expand...

The cover ist a POS. Period.
 
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#62,847
rowsi said:
The cover ist a POS. Period.
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I had a German Warwick bass in the early 1990s with the same cover and the same issues, lol. One of the tabs eventually broke off, there certainly should have been enough time to improve the design by now. I do appreciate tool free access to the battery, but these covers are hit or miss. Some work somewhat, most are a total pain.
 
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#62,848
Bonafide said:
Cheers. I have an email in but my email has been acting up a bit. Phone support is a 3 hour window 2pm-5pm I haven't been able to catch yet. I have time as the body will take about 5 weeks to finish.
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I’d give the folks over at Warwick/Sadowsky USA a holler, too. They were very responsive and helpful for the one issue I contacted them about.

[email protected]
 
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#62,849
Finally a proud Sadowsky owner. Selling off the chrome hardware if anyone needs it. Sadowsky Bridge, Tuners, Hardware | Reverb
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#62,852
anezthes said:
Replaced or returned? Was the balance manageable when playing standing up?
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I returned it. The balance would be better standing up but I cannot accept that 3000€ bass would feel bad when sitting down. Also the broken bridge pickup is unaccetable also. I really dont understand how it must have been un-noticed at least two times, first in Sadowsky factory and then at Thomann... It also came with really bad setup. For me its OK because I can do my own setups but for somebody else it would be a bummer.
 
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#62,855
pb9717 said:
View attachment 5267781

Uh…yea.
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Obviously it's a fretless* thing, not a Sadowsky thing. Metal is harder than wood, and rounds are textured unlike flats. As was already stated, abrasions from rounds are normal and only impactful if they become deep, which doesn't happen overnight.


*Of course frets also get worn down over time. As the old adage goes, I don't avoid driving my car just to avoid tire tread wear. If fret/fretboard wear is a concern, there's always nylon tapes.
 
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#62,856
NBD yesterday! German MetroLine VJ5. This is the first Bass I’ve bought with weight in mind, this one is 3.9kg, significantly lighter than my Lakland DJ5 and Metro UV70 which are/were my main workhorse instruments. Both are fantastic Basses, but they are heavy, and my back has been getting sore due to the weight the last few months, so I was looking for a lighter 5 string.
I spent an hour or so with it setting the new one up before my gig last night. Setup out of the box was too low for me, the bridge saddles were almost to the deck. Swapped the strap buttons to the Dunlop ones I use on my other Basses, took off the factory stainless strings and put on a fresh set of Sadowsky Blue Label Nickels. Put in a fresh 9v battery, lowered the adjustable nut, and set up to a medium action.

This Bass is a pleasure to play, very responsive and speaks very well. I love the neck profile. It has a bit more depth than my UV70 which I like, it’s maybe closer to the roundness of my Lakland. Nice fat Bass tone with little to no preamp boost. Good comments from the band on the sound too, and the light weight didn’t bother my back.
I see why people might not like the new plastic access cover on the back, it looks a bit cheap for sure. Nothing wrong with the old type cover that screwed in I reckon.

IMG_0226.jpeg
IMG_0227.jpeg
 
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#62,858
Fuzzbass said:
Obviously it's a fretless* thing, not a Sadowsky thing. Metal is harder than wood, and rounds are textured unlike flats. As was already stated, abrasions from rounds are normal and only impactful if they become deep, which doesn't happen overnight
Click to expand...

The pictured bass is new….ish. It came that way outta the box. Could have been a floor model at the music store I purchased it from. So, maybe a bit of demo’ing mighta caused that. Thats speculation though. Came packaged exactly like a new unit.

Either way, It’ll be much much bedda den noo when I’m done.
 
#62,859
KaseOfBass said:
I’d give the folks over at Warwick/Sadowsky USA a holler, too. They were very responsive and helpful for the one issue I contacted them about.

[email protected]
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WD said

"Unfortunately we don’t carry any pickup covers without the pickups themselves. In addition what we do manufacture now would be a different size than what was made by Dimarzio back in 2008.

Have a good one.

Max"

Sadowsky NYC has not replied, but I have never gotten an email response from them for such small matters over the years, I am sure they have better things to do with the limited time. I'll consider another option. Cheers
 
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#62,860
Mark Hughes said:
NBD yesterday! German MetroLine VJ5. This is the first Bass I’ve bought with weight in mind, this one is 3.9kg, significantly lighter than my Lakland DJ5 and Metro UV70 which are/were my main workhorse instruments. Both are fantastic Basses, but they are heavy, and my back has been getting sore due to the weight the last few months, so I was looking for a lighter 5 string.
I spent an hour or so with it setting the new one up before my gig last night. Setup out of the box was too low for me, the bridge saddles were almost to the deck. Swapped the strap buttons to the Dunlop ones I use on my other Basses, took off the factory stainless strings and put on a fresh set of Sadowsky Blue Label Nickels. Put in a fresh 9v battery, lowered the adjustable nut, and set up to a medium action.

This Bass is a pleasure to play, very responsive and speaks very well. I love the neck profile. It has a bit more depth than my UV70 which I like, it’s maybe closer to the roundness of my Lakland. Nice fat Bass tone with little to no preamp boost. Good comments from the band on the sound too, and the light weight didn’t bother my back.
I see why people might not like the new plastic access cover on the back, it looks a bit cheap for sure. Nothing wrong with the old type cover that screwed in I reckon.

View attachment 5268032 View attachment 5268033
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Interesting you make the comment about the plastic cover. I don’t mind it too much but I would be interested to hear from anyone that has static issues with the cover. I noticed some sharp cracking with mine when I brushed across the cover. I took it to a reputable luthier who could only attribute it to the type of plastic used as it was attracting static.

anyone else heard of this?… and if,so, found a cure?. I was thinking of getting a small wooden cover made.
 
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