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Yeah, I'm a 5 string P-bass guy, had to get NYC builds to scratch my itch. They are awesome basses of course, but it would have been nice to have a less expensive option. That said, mine are P, not PJ, which is an especially hard sell for a 5 string.
Curious as to why that may be, as I do not own any version of a straight up P bass. (Heathen!)
B string just too foreign sounding for the ultra-traditional P sound?
B string just doesn't translate well through the P?
MTD's CRB series is a P that's not available in a 4. Only 5 = confused.
I won't speculate why a 5-string P is not more popular. I don't get it.
Certainly some of it might be because the traditionalist P bass players tend to play 4s.
And I'm very aware that Sadowsky and other-brand PJ5s are very popular, esp. for folks like Tully Kennedy.
So there may be a very good reason, I just don't know what it would be.
I love mine (not a Sadowsky). And I've used it for both country and R&B/horns bands with equally good results.
Certainly some of it might be because the traditionalist P bass players tend to play 4s.
And I'm very aware that Sadowsky and other-brand PJ5s are very popular, esp. for folks like Tully Kennedy.
So there may be a very good reason, I just don't know what it would be.
I love mine (not a Sadowsky). And I've used it for both country and R&B/horns bands with equally good results.
I believe many worry that low B would not be punchy enough without a bridge pickup (the Music Man SR5 pickup is significantly closer to the bridge than a standard P pickup). And overall, most bassists prefer two pickups to one. Last but not least, P-bassers do tend to be traditionalists, which often means 4 string (and sunburst and tort guard...
).
I'd buy a 5 string Sadowsky P in a heart beat. . . . if it was in budget.
I play a Mike Lull PJ5, but with the J off a lot of the time, I see/hear no downsides to a 5 string P.
I play a Mike Lull PJ5, but with the J off a lot of the time, I see/hear no downsides to a 5 string P.
Mr. Sadowsky - thank you for answering my question on the necks in the latest YouTube video () about ~5:00 minutes in.
The reason I was asking though (maybe its an error in the manual?) is that for my 2023 Metroline, in the 'Neck Care' section of the manual it says: "You can wipe all necks that are sealed with a Varnish-Wax Finish (all standard MetroLine and MasterBuilt instruments) clean with a dry cloth. For perfect protection and the best possible care, you should treat and seal the neck again with appropriate wax if necessary". Which I assumed was correct because the back of the neck on my metroline certainly feels like a wax-like finish.
Just want to make sure I don't clean mine with a polish or cleaner as you said in the video and mess anything up!
The reason I was asking though (maybe its an error in the manual?) is that for my 2023 Metroline, in the 'Neck Care' section of the manual it says: "You can wipe all necks that are sealed with a Varnish-Wax Finish (all standard MetroLine and MasterBuilt instruments) clean with a dry cloth. For perfect protection and the best possible care, you should treat and seal the neck again with appropriate wax if necessary". Which I assumed was correct because the back of the neck on my metroline certainly feels like a wax-like finish.
Just want to make sure I don't clean mine with a polish or cleaner as you said in the video and mess anything up!
Which year was the VTC introduced in the Japan Metroline basses? I’m asking as I’ve seen a 2008 (according to the serial no guide) Metroline that has hipshots and a ‘straight bar’ string retainer. Thanks.
I have a 2009 MIJ Metro with VTC and a straight bar retainer.
I also own a 2004 Metro with no VTC and a straight bar retainer.
I also own a 2004 Metro with no VTC and a straight bar retainer.
We have made many 5-string P/J basses, which are very popular, especially with the Nashville players (Michael Rhodes, Mike BRignardello, Tully Kennedy, etc). My philosophy is that adding a J or soapbar bridge pickup does nothing to take away from the P by itself, but adds additional versatility. That being said, a true P-only P-bass is on the drawing board for the MetroLine production.
I've owned well over 100 basses over the last 40 years of playing, many of which were high end to include Fodera, Smith, etc. I've owned many Sadowsky NYC basses but never really connected to any of them. I like Roger and company and have always wanted to find a keeper.
A few years ago I picked up a used NYC 5 with an alder body, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and true single coils. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass! It's the best bass I've owned. It absolutely sounds like a 5 string 60's jazz bass. Last year I decided I wanted an ash/maple NYC 5 to compliment my alder bass. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass! It just depends on my mood which bass I prefer. I'm very happy to finally have found my keeper Sadowsky basses and they have totally stopped me from looking anywhere else. Thanks, Roger.
A few years ago I picked up a used NYC 5 with an alder body, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and true single coils. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass! It's the best bass I've owned. It absolutely sounds like a 5 string 60's jazz bass. Last year I decided I wanted an ash/maple NYC 5 to compliment my alder bass. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass!
It just depends on my mood which bass I prefer. I'm very happy to finally have found my keeper Sadowsky basses and they have totally stopped me from looking anywhere else. Thanks, Roger.Attachments
Nice! I love Sadowsky (non-HC) singles. My first NYC was a 2016 4-21 that I got directly from the showroom and the pups just blew my mind. Still do!
I agree that is true in my experience BUT many here on TB don't and seems some here on this thread don't; based on asking for 'P Only'
I am sure you will make a Great one and the 'P Only' crowd will be ecstatic
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I agree that is true in my experience BUT many here on TB don't and seems some here on this thread don't; based on asking for 'P Only'
For the record: I know a muted second pickup does not affect the P pickup, but after being an early P to PJ modder (or P/soap or whatever), I eventually realized that I do not need or want a bridge pickup on a P-bass, and therefore prefer the cleaner P-only look!
I've owned well over 100 basses over the last 40 years of playing, many of which were high end to include Fodera, Smith, etc. I've owned many Sadowsky NYC basses but never really connected to any of them. I like Roger and company and have always wanted to find a keeper.
A few years ago I picked up a used NYC 5 with an alder body, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and true single coils. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass! It's the best bass I've owned. It absolutely sounds like a 5 string 60's jazz bass. Last year I decided I wanted an ash/maple NYC 5 to compliment my alder bass. Holy sh*t is this a fantastic bass!
How much of a difference in sound is there between the two, in your opinion? I've got a Japan Metro 4 Will Lee in Alder and Morado and a Japan Metro 5 Will Lee in Ash, Maple and they sound very different. They both have single coils and the 5 string is actually lighter than the 4!
My original opinion (before I ever actually had any experience with a PJ) was similar to Fuzzbass's, I didn't see the point. Now that I actually have some experience with one I'd have to side with Mr. Sadowski - it does add additional versatility, kind of like having another tone control option. Maybe don't really NEED it if you're going for a purely P bass tone but having the option to add some definition by adding in the J just a bit is a nice option to have. IMO of course.
Certainly, most bassists prefer the versatility of Moar Pickups. The modding craze essentially started with adding pickups, often P to PJ, but not always:
