Club Sadowsky!!!

[Jerry J]

So, as a few of you know, I started this whole “club” back in 2007.

But long before that I’ve been using Rogers basses. Since 1998 to be exact- I had a used Modern 5 for a bit.
I ordered my first Sadowsky from Roger in late 1998/1999 and it came sometime in 1999, I believe it was late spring/early summer.

Played the snot out of it until roughly 2006 or so and sold it to a TB’r -Jonathan Starr, who I just found out sadly passed this last March.

He had the bass up until his passing and his estate was moving his instruments when I saw it pop up on the Sadowsky NYC Bass Owners Facebook page.

I IMMEDIATELY jumped at it to get her back. Jonathan reached out about 10-12 years ago asking if I wanted to buy it back, and at the time I wasn’t in a place to be able to get it unfortunately and since then I lost touch with Jonathan and never knew where the bass was. Figured it was sold and someone was hanging on to it.
But oddly, I was speaking with a gear nerd guitar player buddy like a few months ago and said there’s two basses I’d move hell and high water to get if I ever came across them- my very early Smith Chuck Rainey 5, and 3144.

Well, deals were made and she showed up today.
After a good thorough cleaning and a restring, she’s exactly like I remembered.
So, 3144 made its way back to me via Maui and NYC, now back in the Detroit area never to leave again.

It’s great for me, and I sincerely wish that circumstances in how it popped back up didn’t occur, as Jonathan was a great guy, and I’d happily still be wondering where it was if he was still with us.

So, RIP and GodSpeed Jonathan Starr. Thank you looking down and for allowing me to have her back. I’ll play her in your honor my friend.

Hello Mike!!!

I am number 50 and I remember when you started this thread. I was really excited to be part of this club and still look forward to each new post, every day. What an incredible story about getting your treasured bass back in your hands. If we were all together, with Roger, it would be an honor to toast him for these legendary basses which have been a big part of our lives.

 

[tr13ce]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

 

[Nebadon2000]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

I would have guessed the opposite
Your MIJ Metro should be more sought out even over German Metroline
At that price should sale soon

 

[MikeBass]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

That’s a GREAT price you have it listed at.

 

[Vic]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

I agree with Mikebass... that seems like a great price to me. I hope that devaluation hasn't happened... I wouldn't think it should.

 

[Vic]

Hello Mike!!!

I am number 50 and I remember when you started this thread. I was really excited to be part of this club and still look forward to each new post, every day. What an incredible story about getting your treasured bass back in your hands. If we were all together, with Roger, it would be an honor to toast him for these legendary basses which have been a big part of our lives.

82 - Vic.

 

[John D Harris]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

Beautiful bass guitar!

 

[tr13ce]

Beautiful bass guitar!

Thanks!

 

[tr13ce]

I agree with Mikebass... that seems like a great price to me. I hope that devaluation hasn't happened... I wouldn't think it should.

I appreciate it!

 

[tr13ce]

That’s a GREAT price you have it listed at.

Thanks! I think it’s an excellent deal. Hopeful it’ll find a new home soon.

 

[mrniceguy715]

Got metro express modern sorted out. Figured out the original issue was the mostly ground issues after going through the cables. Installed the vtc version and the 20mm bridge this morning and its sounding and feeling great.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Thanks! I think it’s an excellent deal. Hopeful it’ll find a new home soon.

It is indeed a good deal! I'd consider it myself if I didn't already have two MIJs. I also own an MIA and a couple MIGs, and the Japanese ones are maybe even nicer than the German ones except for the weight difference due to chambering. It would be crazy if the MIJs dropped in value.

 

[R&B]

Question: Do you think the the Made in China MetroExpress models have led to a devaluation of Made in Japan MetroLine models? I think so.

I listed a mint 2018 MetroLine for $1,800 on TB, FB and CL weeks ago. I think that’s an excellent price; but I wonder if potential Sadowsky buyers would rather buy a new, non-VTC MetroExpress for $1,000-$1,400 instead of an older MIJ VTC model.

Anyone else noticing this as a trend?

Sadly, the MIC naming convention (originally RS Designs, now MetroExpress) has confused a lot of bass players. Japanese Sadowsky instruments are all super high quality IMO/IME, from top-of-the-line TYO to Metroline to MetroExpress. My estimate is that Japanese Metrolines have taken a $500-1000 hit in perceived valuation at the moment due to the similar name of the budget-oriented Chinese line. Once people figure out which basses are the really good ones, my hope is that it will all sort out. A Japan Metroline is north of $2K all day long.

 

[pertyman]

Question for Super J pickup owners.
I'm debating whether to order a bass with this pickup, but there aren't many videos on YouTube, and from what there are, the difference between the three modes is very small.
How is your experience with this pickup?

 

[tr13ce]

I would have guessed the opposite
Your MIJ Metro should be more sought out even over German Metroline
At that price should sale soon

Thanks for your perspective. I would have thought the same. Hopeful a buyer pops up in the coming weeks.

Sadly, the MIC naming convention (originally RS Designs, now MetroExpress) has confused a lot of bass players. Japanese Sadowsky instruments are all super high quality IMO/IME, from top-of-the-line TYO to Metroline to MetroExpress. My estimate is that Japanese Metrolines have taken a $500-1000 hit in perceived valuation at the moment due to the similar name of the budget-oriented Chinese line. Once people figure out which basses are the really good ones, my hope is that it will all sort out. A Japan Metroline is north of $2K all day long.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that there’s confusion in the market. A reputable Dallas area store misidentified a used Japan MetroLine as MIC and sold it for $550 earlier this year. I’d like to think my bass is worth more than $1,800, but the current market says otherwise.

 

[R&B]

Thanks for your perspective. I would have thought the same. Hopeful a buyer pops up in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that there’s confusion in the market. A reputable Dallas area store misidentified a used Japan MetroLine as MIC and sold it for $550 earlier this year. I’d like to think my bass is worth more than $1,800, but the current market says otherwise.

Your bass is worth much more than $1800. I’d wait.

 

[Vic]

Thanks for your perspective. I would have thought the same. Hopeful a buyer pops up in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that there’s confusion in the market. A reputable Dallas area store misidentified a used Japan MetroLine as MIC and sold it for $550 earlier this year. I’d like to think my bass is worth more than $1,800, but the current market says otherwise.

if i was more of a 4 string player, you'd have a deal already.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Question for Super J pickup owners.
I'm debating whether to order a bass with this pickup, but there aren't many videos on YouTube, and from what there are, the difference between the three modes is very small.
How is your experience with this pickup?

I’ve got two NYC’s with the Super PJ setup, and I’ve found that I tend to match the Super J positioning to complement the setting that I’ve selected on the Super P. A couple of my favorites to my ears at least:

• Traditional P with 70’s J for a bit of bite to complement the P.
• Reverse P with 60’s J adds some nice smooth high end.

To be clear, this is all while adjusting the pickup pan and VTC to taste.

It could be a cool idea for someone to have two Super J’s on an NYC, sort of a Sadowsky take on Fender’s Roscoe Beck V!

 

[pertyman]

I’ve got two NYC’s with the Super PJ setup, and I’ve found that I tend to match the Super J positioning to complement the setting that I’ve selected on the Super P. A couple of my favorites to my ears at least:

• Traditional P with 70’s J for a bit of bite to complement the P.
• Reverse P with 60’s J adds some nice smooth high end.

To be clear, this is all while adjusting the pickup pan and VTC to taste.

It could be a cool idea for someone to have two Super J’s on an NYC, sort of a Sadowsky take on Fender’s Roscoe Beck V!

So, you are saying that there is a different sound and feel for each position in the super J. Thanks

 

[projectapollo]

Thanks for your perspective. I would have thought the same. Hopeful a buyer pops up in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that there’s confusion in the market. A reputable Dallas area store misidentified a used Japan MetroLine as MIC and sold it for $550 earlier this year. I’d like to think my bass is worth more than $1,800, but the current market says otherwise.

Your lack of feedback is probably having some effect on getting this instrument moved. The bass looks terrific and I'd love to buy it if I didn't already have a Japan Metro.