Club Sadowsky!!!

[burk48237]

I just purchased one of the new Sadowsky Metro Express PJ's. I love the sound of the P Pickup but not thrilled with the J (bridge) or the sound combined. I want to upgrade the Pre to the VTC. Is the stock pre the same as the drop in w/o VTC or is the whole drop in an upgrade?

 

[MikeBass]

Not sure if I can make this a sticky or pin this to the thread….
But it was asked on the Sadowsky Bass Facebook page a few days ago the differences in all the variations of Sadowsky basses over the years, and this was my basic synopsis (minus the MetroExpress):

TYO (or TOKOYO) line made in (assembled actually) Japan from NYC parts. But the preamp had boost/cut on treble, boost only on bass.

Metro line originally made in Japan from Japan sourced parts with NYC preamp. Now made in Germany with German sourced parts. Roger Sadowsky has said many times, if you want a Sadowsky, but do not want a custom built instrument, get a Metro.

NYC is completely hand made in NYC, directly overseen by Roger himself.

 

[Joeykun]

I just purchased one of the new Sadowsky Metro Express PJ's. I love the sound of the P Pickup but not thrilled with the J (bridge) or the sound combined. I want to upgrade the Pre to the VTC. Is the stock pre the same as the drop in w/o VTC or is the whole drop in an upgrade?

The whole Drop in pre is an upgrade.
I actually put the Nordstrand 2b+ pre in mine along with Nordstrand NJ5 pups. Sounds great!!

 

[lomo]

Does any one know exactly what wood species Sadowsky calls snakewood. Apparently there are a number of woods from various continents that are locally referred to as snakewood. I'd love to know which one Sadowsky uses....could be from the Americas, Africa or Australia from what I find on line.

 

[Tim1]

Not sure if I can make this a sticky or pin this to the thread….
But it was asked on the Sadowsky Bass Facebook page a few days ago the differences in all the variations of Sadowsky basses over the years, and this was my basic synopsis (minus the MetroExpress):

TYO (or TOKOYO) line made in (assembled actually) Japan from NYC parts. But the preamp had boost/cut on treble, boost only on bass.

Metro line originally made in Japan from Japan sourced parts with NYC preamp. Now made in Germany with German sourced parts. Roger Sadowsky has said many times, if you want a Sadowsky, but do not want a custom built instrument, get a Metro.

NYC is completely hand made in NYC, directly overseen by Roger himself.

Not entirely sure the Tokyo thing is quite as clear cut as that. I think there were other differences to NYC than just the preamp. I did read a comment somewhere from Roger that clarified it. For example were the Tokyo bodies chambered which one might expect if sourced from nyc? When he considered the Tokyo line to meet his standards he allowed them to use his preamp and the metroline name came about. Perhaps Roger or someone in the know might comment to clarify this again. There was quite a discussion about it once (somewhere).

 

[Sadowsky]

I just purchased one of the new Sadowsky Metro Express PJ's. I love the sound of the P Pickup but not thrilled with the J (bridge) or the sound combined. I want to upgrade the Pre to the VTC. Is the stock pre the same as the drop in w/o VTC or is the whole drop in an upgrade?

The preamp is the same with or without the VTC. Installing the entire Onboard Preamp Assembly is much easier than installing the VTC. It is difficult to wire up the switch portion of the VTC kit.

Regarding the PJ configuration. I do not think you will be happy with any other J bass pickup in combo with the P.
The P and the J combo has always been the PJ bass's weak link. If you do a lot of funk style, you will see some benefit from doing a reverse P or installing a Super P pickup. In the reverse P, the treble coil is in the same location as a neck position J pickup, resulting in a better tone when popping the G string.

The output of the P pickup will always be louder than the J. I like to bring the J pickup to my normal spec height and then lower the P until the balance is better. I suggest you replace the J pickup with our hum=canceling J to eliminate the single coil hum (only on the MetroExpress). If you want something hotter and fuller sounding, I would consider the DiMarzio Model J or the DiMarzio Relentless J pickup.

Is this a 4 string or 5 string

Roger

 

[Sadowsky]

Not sure if I can make this a sticky or pin this to the thread….
But it was asked on the Sadowsky Bass Facebook page a few days ago the differences in all the variations of Sadowsky basses over the years, and this was my basic synopsis (minus the MetroExpress):

TYO (or TOKOYO) line made in (assembled actually) Japan from NYC parts. But the preamp had boost/cut on treble, boost only on bass.

Metro line originally made in Japan from Japan sourced parts with NYC preamp. Now made in Germany with German sourced parts. Roger Sadowsky has said many times, if you want a Sadowsky, but do not want a custom built instrument, get a Metro.

NYC is completely hand made in NYC, directly overseen by Roger himself.

Please allow me to clarify all of this.

The Tokyo line was made by my team in Japan before I proceeded with the MetroLine series. It was all made in Japan and used a different preamp.

The MetroLine began in 2003 and eventually duplicated most of my NYC models. They all featured Japanese-made bodies and necks. Sadowsky preamps, pickups, and bridges were used. They were not chambered. Production was ended in 2020.

The MetroExpress was made in Japan from 2017-2020. This was a full-on factory-made Sadowsky in only the 4-21 and 5-21 models and the 4-24 and 5-24 models. We also did the Verdine White model. They were chambered. Production ended in 2020.

The TYO models were Japan "Custom Shop" models made for the Japanese market only.

Since 2020, MetroLine production moved to the Warwick Factory in Germany. The MetroExpress is made by Warwick in China.

Roger

 

[Jerry J]

Please allow me to clarify all of this.

The Tokyo line was made by my team in Japan before I proceeded with the MetroLine series. It was all made in Japan and used a different preamp.

The MetroLine began in 2003 and eventually duplicated most of my NYC models. They all featured Japanese-made bodies and necks. Sadowsky preamps, pickups, and bridges were used. They were not chambered. Production was ended in 2020.

The MetroExpress was made in Japan from 2017-2020. This was a full-on factory-made Sadowsky in only the 4-21 and 5-21 models and the 4-24 and 5-24 models. We also did the Verdine White model. They were chambered. Production ended in 2020.

The TYO models were Japan "Custom Shop" models made for the Japanese market only.

Since 2020, MetroLine production moved to the Warwick Factory in Germany. The MetroExpress is made by Warwick in China.

Roger

Thank you, Roger, for the evolution of the Metroline series.

I have an early M2xx JJ4 that is a phenomenal bass. It is definitely in the same league as my 2009 NYC JJ4. This Metro sure seems to have a different preamp or pickups than my 2009. It seems a bit hotter and tending to be a bit stronger in the mid-range. The bass is alder/rosewood whereas the NYC is ash/maple. I'm just wondering if the preamp/pickups are actually the same in both basses.

 

[Lammchop93]

What is the string spacing of the 5 string metro lines?

 

[IotaNet]

What is the string spacing of the 5 string metro lines?

19mm

 

[Joeykun]

What is the string spacing of the 5 string metro lines?

Metroline: 19mm
MetroExpress: 18mm

 

[Sadowsky]

Thank you, Roger, for the evolution of the Metroline series.

I have an early M2xx JJ4 that is a phenomenal bass. It is definitely in the same league as my 2009 NYC JJ4. This Metro sure seems to have a different preamp or pickups than my 2009. It seems a bit hotter and tending to be a bit stronger in the mid-range. The bass is alder/rosewood whereas the NYC is ash/maple. I'm just wondering if the preamp/pickups are actually the same in both basses.

Jerry.....our vendors for the preamp have changed a few times over the years, as well as the design of my hum-canceling J pickups. It is impossible to say what the changes are between your two basses without having them on my workbench.

 

[Jerry J]

Again, thank you, Roger. That is what I was thinking. Both basses are simply incredible instruments. The tone and playability are tops and I so enjoy playing all of my Sadowsky's!

Funny side note: I took the Metro to several band practices and the lead guitarist told me he didn't like the bass. He said it cut too much and was too noticeable in the mix. I just smiled.

 

[Sadowsky]

That guitarist needs a good smack!

 

[BluesyCat]

Please allow me to clarify all of this.

The Tokyo line was made by my team in Japan before I proceeded with the MetroLine series. It was all made in Japan and used a different preamp.

The MetroLine began in 2003 and eventually duplicated most of my NYC models. They all featured Japanese-made bodies and necks. Sadowsky preamps, pickups, and bridges were used. They were not chambered. Production was ended in 2020.

The MetroExpress was made in Japan from 2017-2020. This was a full-on factory-made Sadowsky in only the 4-21 and 5-21 models and the 4-24 and 5-24 models. We also did the Verdine White model. They were chambered. Production ended in 2020.

The TYO models were Japan "Custom Shop" models made for the Japanese market only.

Since 2020, MetroLine production moved to the Warwick Factory in Germany. The MetroExpress is made by Warwick in China.

Roger

I love my just-happen-to-stumble-upon MetroLine. Went to Mesa Hollywood in 2014 for a quick trip. Hubby wanted to buy a guitar so I wandered over to the bass department....I could feel something calling me...and that MV4-HPJ was hanging on the wall, feeling lonely. I brought it home.

 

[burk48237]

The preamp is the same with or without the VTC. Installing the entire Onboard Preamp Assembly is much easier than installing the VTC. It is difficult to wire up the switch portion of the VTC kit.

Regarding the PJ configuration. I do not think you will be happy with any other J bass pickup in combo with the P.
The P and the J combo has always been the PJ bass's weak link. If you do a lot of funk style, you will see some benefit from doing a reverse P or installing a Super P pickup. In the reverse P, the treble coil is in the same location as a neck position J pickup, resulting in a better tone when popping the G string.

The output of the P pickup will always be louder than the J. I like to bring the J pickup to my normal spec height and then lower the P until the balance is better. I suggest you replace the J pickup with our hum=canceling J to eliminate the single coil hum (only on the MetroExpress). If you want something hotter and fuller sounding, I would consider the DiMarzio Model J or the DiMarzio Relentless J pickup.

Is this a 4 string or 5 string

Roger

It's a 5 string Okuma/Roasted maple.

 

[Doug Bright]

That guitarist needs a good smack!

With the back of the headstock.

 

[Sadowsky]

It's a 5-string Okuma/Roasted maple.

I don't think any of the DiMarzio pickups I suggested come in a 5-string version.

 

[Bassdudeman]

"The P and the J combo has always been the PJ bass's weak link."

I agree with Roger's statement above.

There is a weird phase thing that goes on between two different pickup types, ie. P & J IMHO.

Not so with a J/J or equally matched pickups...P/P per Lee Skar, for example.


I love a good P sound, and I owned an NYC PJ for a while but used each pickup solo, but never mixed.
The P and J sounded fine that way.

Mixed they sounded weird to me... YMMV.

 

[Holdsg]

agree, that's why a P with dual coil in the bridge is so much better (IMO) than a single coil there.
just IME and IMO