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Club Sadowsky!!!

#65,106
Tjluke said:
Hi all,
does anyone know what factory in Japan was in charge for the production of the MetroExpress basses?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Japanese MetroExpress Basses - Sadowsky Guitars

Update 12/30/19: We are not taking new orders of the current, Japanese-made MetroExpress basses. All previous orders will ship by March and the new MetroExpress basses will be available sometime in the spring.The Sadowsky MetroExpress Roger Sadowsky has always been committed to making the...
sadowsky.com sadowsky.com
 
#65,108
So this is how I spent my Saturday morning... Cleaning, restringing, and setting up this very cool, first-year, Japanese-built, Sadowsky Metroline. I haven't had a maple fingerboard in my arsenal since about 2007/08. The other cool thing about this particular bass, other than it being year #1, is the neck. It's a player for sure, and you know the moment you grab it. As all good Sadowskys are...

20250621_113538.jpg
 
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#65,109
HeavyJazz said:
So this is how I spent my Saturday morning... Cleaning, restringing, and setting up this very cool, first-year, Japanese-built, Sadowsky Metroline. I haven't had a maple fingerboard in my arsenal since about 2007/08. The other cool thing about this particular bass, other than it being year #1, is the neck. It's a player for sure, and you know the moment you grab it. As all good Sadowskys are...

View attachment 7259243
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Just curious, you mention the neck. Have you found that the neck profile is a bit different from the NYC Sadowsky's?

BTW, I am a sucker for the 'burst with maple board. Sweet looking bass, for sure!
 
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#65,110
Jerry J said:
Just curious, you mention the neck. Have you found that the neck profile is a bit different from the NYC Sadowsky's?

BTW, I am a sucker for the 'burst with maple board. Sweet looking bass, for sure!
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I don't detect a notable difference in contour between NYC and MIJ, but I believe the finishes are different. NYCs are more satin while MIJs a bit more glossy. Both finishes wear very well and settle into a lovely texture after several years of regular play. Roger is very picky about what the back of his necks are coated with, and rightfully so.
 
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#65,111
HeavyJazz said:
I don't detect a notable difference in contour between NYC and MIJ, but I believe the finishes are different. NYCs are more satin while MIJs a bit more glossy. Both finishes wear very well and settle into a lovely texture after several years of regular play. Roger is very picky about what the back of his necks are coated with, and rightfully so.
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The reason I asked is, I have a first year JJ4 (M2xx). And I have a '08 NYC JJ4. I've never really sat down to try and pin-point what the difference is that i feel with each neck. Both are spectacular necks. The other difference, between the two is that the Metro seems to be a bit bolder in the mid-range. Definitely not obnoxious, by any means, but may be just a nudge more present. That bass has really PO'd several guitarist due to being a bit more forward in the mix. :) I do tend to play low volume with that bass but it sure shows up proud. The metro is maple (? - not certain what body wood was used then) with a Morado board. The NYC is Ash w/maple board. Both basses have none of that chambering stuff (9 Lbs) or VTC circuits. Both basses have the perfect fit'n finish, playability and tone that anyone would hope for and expect from any of Roger's basses.

Congrats on your JJ5! I'm certain that it ia a keeper.
 
#65,112
I have a 2004 MIJ Metro...I don't think it has graphite strips in the neck. It has thicker profile.
Great sounding bass!

My 2009 MIJ Metro neck has a little thinner profile, I think it has graphite strips in the neck from what I read.
It is lighter than my 2004 Metro.

Neither bass is chambered.
 
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#65,116
Tight and Tasty said:
Question to the brains trust. Is it normal for the J pu to have a lot less gain than the P pu on a PJ Metroline
I have tried adjusting the heights as much as I dare so the J is 2.8mm and the P is 3.8mm from the B string but it’s still quite a noticeable difference. Can I go more extreme to get parity?
Thoughts?
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I always bring the bridge pickup up to full height and then lower the P until I get a good balance between the two. One of the reasons I have been doing more P/Soapbar combos. The output of the soapbar holds it's own against the P, better than the J does.
 
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#65,117
MindinAction said:
Edit with update: My Sweetwater rep's bass-playing colleagues agree with you -- don't change anything until you've heard the bass. Also offered to pay shipping back to them if I did want to change the preamp. So there we are.

Post before edit: I agree with what you're saying. Please don't misinterpret -- I respect the Sadowsky brand and this bass appears superior to the other options in the price range. (I should have thought of that before I bought the Ibanez.)

I need a stable, workable fretless, less than 8.5 lbs, that checks most of my boxes, for under $2000. Buying new gives me confidence that I have a decent, well-intonated bass that has been through some checks (thanks, Sweetwater rep). Buying a Sadowsky is even better.

Truth is, I prefer a three-band eq and I have some extra $$ to buy one. My question is, which three-band eq? The Aguilar is easy, Sweetwater can do it for less than taking it to my not-so-local luthier. A John East would be cool, and also easy. I'm sure there are more I haven't thought about. It would help a lot to have ideas from you guys.
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Haha - my rep said the opposite. His colleagues think I'm going to love my metroexpress with the VTC preamp installed.
 
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#65,118
That's funny. Ha ha funny, not weird funny. There's probably no right answer; everyone has different reasons for their choices. Ask a roomful of bass players what's the best bass for metal.... I'm unboxing mine today and I'll see how the existing electronics work for me.
 

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