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And you can get the preamp board alone for 28 EUR.
Sadowsky Will Lee Electronic Replacement for PCB Board
To do or not to do... ?
the board, but not the preamp.And you can get the preamp board alone for 28 EUR.
Sadowsky Will Lee Electronic Replacement for PCB Board
To do or not to do... ?
I think that when it comes to MetroExpress basses, the plan seems to be to offer basic Sadowsky features at bargain prices. It seems that the goal, for now, is to keep these basses $1,400 and under. For instance, they could offer a ME Will Lee with all of the fixings for $1,700, but odds are that would take a serious chunk out of Metroline sales because odds are no one could tell the difference in how they sounded.
After two decades and hundreds of gigs, the zipper broke on the case of my Portabag. I noticed this when setting up for my gig yesterday.... bass is trapped inside (still is), but I played the gig with my backup bass so it wasn't a problem.
The damage might be self-inflicted, maybe I scraped it against asphalt when loading out of my previous gig? Anyway... I certainly got my moneys' worth out of the Portabag and would like to order another, but I don't see a way to order on the Sadowsky page: Portabag - Sadowsky Guitars
Any suggestions?
And you can get the preamp board alone for 28 EUR.
Sadowsky Will Lee Electronic Replacement for PCB Board
To do or not to do... ?
Would you drill holes on the back cover plate to get direct access?
1kinal
Supporting Member
- Jan 18, 2006
- 1,068
- 445
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: SIT strings
I just got a natural/maple MJ 4 strings a few days ago.
I'm lucky to own many Japan Metro's:
When the Warwick production started, I have to admit that I had doubts if they could build basses on par with the quality of the Japan shop. After seeing youtube videos of the shop I was pretty impressed with the production techniques and respect of the Sadowsky brand they seemed to have.
I then listen to the many videos of German Sadowsky's (most of them played by Lars) and while the basses looked great, I personally found them to sound a bit thin and too bright for my taste. When Lars said "bass and treble at 50%-80%" I was like "No, that's too much boost!"
Then they came out with the MJ serie which I became interested in since I'm a big MM fan and I still own a Classic SR4. Last week a shop in Netherlands had a sale (on reverb) for two MJ4. They had a sunburst/maple and a natural/maple. I took the night to justify the need for a new bass and when I asked the weight of the sunburst one, they told me it just sold in store and counter offered a good deal on the natural one. I really wanted that sunburst but the price was too good to pass the occasion to try this new model so I went ahead and bought it. Two days later it arrived in Canada and here's my observations after a few days playing it.
The good:
I'm lucky to own many Japan Metro's:
- PJ4 (ash/maple) natural
- PJ5 (alder/morado) red
- J4 (alder/morado) LPB
- P4 (alder/morado) sunburst
When the Warwick production started, I have to admit that I had doubts if they could build basses on par with the quality of the Japan shop. After seeing youtube videos of the shop I was pretty impressed with the production techniques and respect of the Sadowsky brand they seemed to have.
I then listen to the many videos of German Sadowsky's (most of them played by Lars) and while the basses looked great, I personally found them to sound a bit thin and too bright for my taste. When Lars said "bass and treble at 50%-80%" I was like "No, that's too much boost!"
Then they came out with the MJ serie which I became interested in since I'm a big MM fan and I still own a Classic SR4. Last week a shop in Netherlands had a sale (on reverb) for two MJ4. They had a sunburst/maple and a natural/maple. I took the night to justify the need for a new bass and when I asked the weight of the sunburst one, they told me it just sold in store and counter offered a good deal on the natural one. I really wanted that sunburst but the price was too good to pass the occasion to try this new model so I went ahead and bought it. Two days later it arrived in Canada and here's my observations after a few days playing it.
The good:
- The sadowsky sound is intact. The preamp really sounds the same as all my Japan made Sadowsk'y. The thin and bright sound I was earing in the youtube videos was their choice and not representing of how I use this preamp.
- The construction of the German factory is incredible. The bass feels so solid with not a single buzz on ANY notes. It really feels incredible playing this bass. One constant I use to describe Sadowsky's is how even they sound anywhere on the neck and the MJ is no exception. It's not a Warwick, it definitely is a Sadowsky in my book.
- The rubber coating on the pickups feels incredible! It probably sounds stupid for someone who hasn't played it but yeah, it's really something! Pickup manufacturers should follow that trend.
- It is the most quiet bass I have ever heard. Not a single noise no matter the pickup configuration you use. Impressive!
- The satin finish on the body feels and looks great. It's kind of weird at first to feel the grain in the wood as if it's not sanded completely but it's really unique is these days of hard poly finishes of most instruments. The German finish really is something to see and feel.
- The body resonates very well. It might have to do with the chambering to reduce weight and the satin/invisible finish on the body.
- The serie/parallel/single coil switch for the bridge pickup makes a big difference in sound. While on most basses I finish to always use serie, on this one the switch makes a big enough for me difference in sound. I like single coil for slap, parallel for fingerstyle (low-mid bump) and serie for a more agressive sound which can practically be used as a boost. On that point, I would have prefered a not so big difference in volume boost when switching to serie mode but I guess that's the nature of electronics.
- The invisible fret technology is killer. No fret ends to grab my hand in my cold Canadian weather!
- The tuning gears feels awesome. As good if not better than the Hipshot on the Japan line.
- The instrument comes with Sadowsky strings, which I really like and are top quality.
- I still prefer the Japan logo placement on the headstock. It's kind of weird to have the G string in the way of the German logo when you have all that space on the headstock. Maybe that choice was made to make a difference between Japan and German but for me it looks weird.
- The wood figuring on the fingerboard is really bland. No figuring at all on a bass of this price is not normal for me. Obviously I was fully aware of this before buying that particular bass.
- The neck seems to have no tint (color) at all. I prefer maple necks to have a slight vintage (yellow) tint like you see on my PJ4.
- The neck finish is also a very thin satin finish while (I think) the Japan made were nitro. I know I'm probably at fault here but I too often associate satin necks with cheap basses. It sure fits well the satin finish on the body though.
- The neck profile is different than the Japan made basses. The biggest difference is in the first frets where the German has more meat (less flat). Surprising at first or when you A/B both but after that you get used to it.
- I would have prefered to have the MM pickup in the exact MM sweetspot. It's actually 0.5 inch closer to the bridge. Close enough to sound like a MM but I wonder why many manufacturer refuse to put it in the "right" spot.
- The easy access electronics compartment: not sure it will stand up 20+ years. Really, how often do we need access to the compartment? Two times a year? Then I can use a screwdriver and remove a few screws for a more solid feeling (and hopefully wood) cover plate.
- I'm not sure (like many of you) that I like the pickguard shape. Having a transparent one will help me get used to it I guess. A very round (like the SR4) pickguard would probably not look great because of the J-body shape of the MJ4 so after complaining I don't have a solution to this "problem".
- I'm not crazy about the volume knob placement. I feel that it blocks the vision of the pan knob which is probably the knob that I use the most. This is very personal obviously but I feel the volume knob could have been placed closer to the edge of the body to clear the view of the pan pot.
- The bass comes with straplocks which at first I thought might be compatible with the Schaller system I use on all my instruments...but it's not. I did replace the strap pins in order to use my strap on this bass. I'm probably the minority that use the same strap on many instruments so I need the same strap pins on all of my basses.
- I saw posts of early MJ basses with two trim pots inside the cavity. Mine has no trimpots and the preamp volume output is equal to my Japan made Sadowsky's.
Glad to hear a nice report on the German Metro from an MIJ owner. I certainly love my MIJ MetroLine and think it’s a very special instrument. I’m glad to hear that Warwick is keeping quality on par.I just got a natural/maple MJ 4 strings a few days ago.
I'm lucky to own many Japan Metro's:
- PJ4 (ash/maple) natural
- PJ5 (alder/morado) red
- J4 (alder/morado) LPB
- P4 (alder/morado) sunburst
When the Warwick production started, I have to admit that I had doubts if they could build basses on par with the quality of the Japan shop. After seeing youtube videos of the shop I was pretty impressed with the production techniques and respect of the Sadowsky brand they seemed to have.
I then listen to the many videos of German Sadowsky's (most of them played by Lars) and while the basses looked great, I personally found them to sound a bit thin and too bright for my taste. When Lars said "bass and treble at 50%-80%" I was like "No, that's too much boost!"
Then they came out with the MJ serie which I became interested in since I'm a big MM fan and I still own a Classic SR4. Last week a shop in Netherlands had a sale (on reverb) for two MJ4. They had a sunburst/maple and a natural/maple. I took the night to justify the need for a new bass and when I asked the weight of the sunburst one, they told me it just sold in store and counter offered a good deal on the natural one. I really wanted that sunburst but the price was too good to pass the occasion to try this new model so I went ahead and bought it. Two days later it arrived in Canada and here's my observations after a few days playing it.
The good:
The not so great (or things I'm not sure):
- The sadowsky sound is intact. The preamp really sounds the same as all my Japan made Sadowsk'y. The thin and bright sound I was earing in the youtube videos was their choice and not representing of how I use this preamp.
- The construction of the German factory is incredible. The bass feels so solid with not a single buzz on ANY notes. It really feels incredible playing this bass. One constant I use to describe Sadowsky's is how even they sound anywhere on the neck and the MJ is no exception. It's not a Warwick, it definitely is a Sadowsky in my book.
- The rubber coating on the pickups feels incredible! It probably sounds stupid for someone who hasn't played it but yeah, it's really something! Pickup manufacturers should follow that trend.
- It is the most quiet bass I have ever heard. Not a single noise no matter the pickup configuration you use. Impressive!
- The satin finish on the body feels and looks great. It's kind of weird at first to feel the grain in the wood as if it's not sanded completely but it's really unique is these days of hard poly finishes of most instruments. The German finish really is something to see and feel.
- The body resonates very well. It might have to do with the chambering to reduce weight and the satin/invisible finish on the body.
- The serie/parallel/single coil switch for the bridge pickup makes a big difference in sound. While on most basses I finish to always use serie, on this one the switch makes a big enough for me difference in sound. I like single coil for slap, parallel for fingerstyle (low-mid bump) and serie for a more agressive sound which can practically be used as a boost. On that point, I would have prefered a not so big difference in volume boost when switching to serie mode but I guess that's the nature of electronics.
- The invisible fret technology is killer. No fret ends to grab my hand in my cold Canadian weather!
- The tuning gears feels awesome. As good if not better than the Hipshot on the Japan line.
- The instrument comes with Sadowsky strings, which I really like and are top quality.
- I still prefer the Japan logo placement on the headstock. It's kind of weird to have the G string in the way of the German logo when you have all that space on the headstock. Maybe that choice was made to make a difference between Japan and German but for me it looks weird.
- The wood figuring on the fingerboard is really bland. No figuring at all on a bass of this price is not normal for me. Obviously I was fully aware of this before buying that particular bass.
- The neck seems to have no tint (color) at all. I prefer maple necks to have a slight vintage (yellow) tint like you see on my PJ4.
- The neck finish is also a very thin satin finish while (I think) the Japan made were nitro. I know I'm probably at fault here but I too often associate satin necks with cheap basses. It sure fits well the satin finish on the body though.
- The neck profile is different than the Japan made basses. The biggest difference is in the first frets where the German has more meat (less flat). Surprising at first or when you A/B both but after that you get used to it.
- I would have prefered to have the MM pickup in the exact MM sweetspot. It's actually 0.5 inch closer to the bridge. Close enough to sound like a MM but I wonder why many manufacturer refuse to put it in the "right" spot.
After all these details, I have to say that I'm really impressed with this bass. It stands up the name on the headstock big time and it's one of the best built bass I've played with innovative technology paired with great construction makes for an incredible bass. If you're interested in this model, I'd say don't hesitate!
- The easy access electronics compartment: not sure it will stand up 20+ years. Really, how often do we need access to the compartment? Two times a year? Then I can use a screwdriver and remove a few screws for a more solid feeling (and hopefully wood) cover plate.
- I'm not sure (like many of you) that I like the pickguard shape. Having a transparent one will help me get used to it I guess. A very round (like the SR4) pickguard would probably not look great because of the J-body shape of the MJ4 so after complaining I don't have a solution to this "problem".
- I'm not crazy about the volume knob placement. I feel that it blocks the vision of the pan knob which is probably the knob that I use the most. This is very personal obviously but I feel the volume knob could have been placed closer to the edge of the body to clear the view of the pan pot.
- The bass comes with straplocks which at first I thought might be compatible with the Schaller system I use on all my instruments...but it's not. I did replace the strap pins in order to use my strap on this bass. I'm probably the minority that use the same strap on many instruments so I need the same strap pins on all of my basses.
- I saw posts of early MJ basses with two trim pots inside the cavity. Mine has no trimpots and the preamp volume output is equal to my Japan made Sadowsky's.
Plz let me know if you ever want to sell your MIJ p-bass, I’d love to have one!!
The VTC knob on my 22 MIG Metroline has failed. It just spins and will not pull up to disengage. Is there a direct replacement? I really think it is just the knob. Thanks for the help
Thanks, all.
I keep forgetting about the Warwick thing. It would be nice if the Sadowsky Portabag page had a link to the Warwick order page, but I work in web development myself and know how tough it is to think of every convenience for your customers.
I'd point you to one of these versus the Warwick version of the former Sadowsky bag:
www.accessbagsandcases.com
All my Sadowskys that didn't come with the original portbag, get stored in these. Superb quality.
ACCESS Stage Five Electric Bass Bag - the Ultimate Hybrid Bag for your Bass
The ACCESS Stage Five Electric Bass Bag is the strongest, most durable hybrid bag available on the market. Professionals agree - Stage Five is the ultimate.
www.accessbagsandcases.com
All my Sadowskys that didn't come with the original portbag, get stored in these. Superb quality.
Those are great bags but for the money I would rather have the Protec Contego. They are made similar and you can get 2 Contego's for the price of 1 Access Bag.
The Sadowsky has way more storage than the Access. The Contego is ok; smaller and cheaper. But, imo has a PIA flaw in that there is no grab handle on the front of the bag, as it is on the Sadowsky and Access. Also not as much storage as the Sadowsky.
I love the huge pockets on the Sadowsky bag. However on the first trip where I had to walk through several airports and endless hotel hallways with a Sadowsky bag with stuffed pockets on my shoulder, plus a backpack and a carry-on suitcase, I started to question the wisdom of fully utilizing the pockets 
.
.
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These 2 have become my go to basses for literally everything. Both are made in Germany metro lines.
There are very few 5 string basses on the market that are this good and this light weight. I lean toward the pj more but both are so good.
Played 2 outdoor gigs this past weekend with the blue one and got so many compliments on how good the tone was and how clear it could be heard in the crowd.
Now if Warwick would just stock the god damn pickguard for a 24 fret jazz I could be the tortoise pickguard the blue bass desperately needs.
There are very few 5 string basses on the market that are this good and this light weight. I lean toward the pj more but both are so good.
Played 2 outdoor gigs this past weekend with the blue one and got so many compliments on how good the tone was and how clear it could be heard in the crowd.
Now if Warwick would just stock the god damn pickguard for a 24 fret jazz I could be the tortoise pickguard the blue bass desperately needs.
I love the Protec Contego, amazing quality for the price, I own 3 of them. But for my Sadowskys I prefer the Portabag.
