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Club Sadowsky!!!

Thanks, I wouldn't have thought so based on the aesthetics. Did you used to used Gotoh at Sadowsky?

I could swear that the bridges on my past Sadowskys were Gotoh 201s. Was there a change?
Mike

We use to use Schaller (?) Bridges on the older instruments, but My guess would be that we switched to Hipshot about 8-10 years ago.

Roger, please correct me if I'm wrong.
S463C.jpg


Rob
 
Hey you Sadowsky enthusiasts! I was just browsing his site looking at some of the sold basses trying to get a good feel for some of the colors and options offered and I stumbled across one bass with a "lavender" paint job, Im curious to how close it is to burgundy mist or if its just their term for it? Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Hey you Sadowsky enthusiasts! I was just browsing his site looking at some of the sold basses trying to get a good feel for some of the colors and options offered and I stumbled across one bass with a "lavender" paint job, Im curious to how close it is to burgundy mist or if its just their term for it? Any help is greatly appreciated!

If you click on the photo it will open up a page with specs that include the finish color.

roger
 
I'M FINALLY A SADOWSKY OWNER!!

It's used, but it still gets the job done!

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with my MIA jazz (which doesn't compare)
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Our Bridges are made exclusively for us by Hipshot, and are Brass.

Rob

Is there an off-the-shelf Hipshot that would fit on Metro's? I would like to install black on my Metro, I called Sadowsky and didn't get much help. To be honest, I actually thought Kevin was kind of rude to me, don't know if they were busy or just caught them at a bad time, but he was pretty short with me. He then sent me to Roger, who was pretty short too, and basically told me the same thing as Kevin did. I was kind of dissapointed, I was expecting some good laughs and jokes, but that wasn't the case.

I'm not trying to put down Roger or his crew in any way, just disappointed me because this was my first experience with Sadowsky and I've always thought VERY high of their instruments, and I never even played it! It's always been on my dream bass, one those instruments you'd imagine your playing, but look down and it's a Sqiuer instead. Anywho, in the future, I plan on purchase a new bass from them, hopefully the experience will be better then the first.
 
I'm sorry to hear that, but let me say that in my experience, sometimes they're short to me too, BUT, never in a rude or unpolite way. They sometimes just answer your question, nothing more, nothing less, and honestly, what can or would you expect more? They've answered all my questions within very very short time: the same day, sometimes the day after and seldom with a day in between.
If you're ordering a new NYC bass one day, they're also very helpful if you're not sure about the woods you want on your bass, or, actually, on any subject! But, if something 's not possible, they will tell you so as well. In the end, I've got nothing but good words for those guys' customer service.

And, no disrespect, but when you're calling them, they're probably working for all their customers (us!) and they can't talk to every customer for 'hours and hours' (fig. speaking) to make jokes. Sadowsky runs a high-end guitar shop, not a barber shop. Maybe their short replies are typical for the hectic NY-way of life...?

But, to get to your original question: the Metro-line is the no-frills line of Sadowsky. I think the only options they offer on Metro basses are Dunlop straplocks (which you already installed or were installed, as I can see), extra pickguards and a pre-installed hipshot D-tuner. So, for black or gold hardware you'd have to go NYC. I can't recall a Metro with black hardware anyway.

By the way, I kinda like your bass as it is now. It has that classic vibe and black hardware would make it a little bit too much 'stealthy', but that's just my taste :).
 
I'M FINALLY A SADOWSKY OWNER!!

IMG_1756.gif


Is there an off-the-shelf Hipshot that would fit on Metro's? I would like to install black on my Metro, I called Sadowsky and didn't get much help. To be honest, I actually thought Kevin was kind of rude to me, don't know if they were busy or just caught them at a bad time, but he was pretty short with me. He then sent me to Roger, who was pretty short too, and basically told me the same thing as Kevin did. I was kind of dissapointed, I was expecting some good laughs and jokes, but that wasn't the case.

I'm not trying to put down Roger or his crew in any way, just disappointed me because this was my first experience with Sadowsky and I've always thought VERY high of their instruments, and I never even played it! It's always been on my dream bass, one those instruments you'd imagine your playing, but look down and it's a Sqiuer instead. Anywho, in the future, I plan on purchase a new bass from them, hopefully the experience will be better then the first.

Bad Seed,

First...Congrats on the MV4!

Concerning the Bridge....I would have to look into it. I'm not sure if either the A or B style Hipshot will line up with our screw layout. I'll let you know.

The Phone Call.....everyone has there days, and you might have caught them on theirs? Sorry!
I know we were pretty busy this week, so if thats when you called, you might have gotten them in the middle of something.

Again...Sorry.

Rob
 
I'm sorry to hear that, but let me say that in my experience, sometimes they're short to me too, BUT, never in a rude or unpolite way. They sometimes just answer your question, nothing more, nothing less, and honestly, what can or would you expect more? They've answered all my questions within very very short time: the same day, sometimes the day after and seldom with a day in between.
If you're ordering a new NYC bass one day, they're also very helpful if you're not sure about the woods you want on your bass, or, actually, on any subject! But, if something 's not possible, they will tell you so as well. In the end, I've got nothing but good words for those guys' customer service.

And, no disrespect, but when you're calling them, they're probably working for all their customers (us!) and they can't talk to every customer for 'hours and hours' (fig. speaking) to make jokes. Sadowsky runs a high-end guitar shop, not a barber shop. Maybe their short replies are typical for the hectic NY-way of life...?

But, to get to your original question: the Metro-line is the no-frills line of Sadowsky. I think the only options they offer on Metro basses are Dunlop straplocks (which you already installed or were installed, as I can see), extra pickguards and a pre-installed hipshot D-tuner. So, for black or gold hardware you'd have to go NYC.

By the way, I kinda like your bass as it is now. It has that classic vibe and black hardware would make it a little bit too much 'stealthy', but that's just my taste :).


I understand, I know they probably have a lot going on in the shop, but it's just the way he worded things, kinda seemed like he didn't really care and was just telling me something to get me off the phone. I understand though, I have days where I don't want to talk to people, and when I do, it's short. No big deal, hopefully a future experience will be better:cool:

I know the NYC is a more flashy bass, I was just curious is an there was any off-the-shelf option instead of buying a new bass. I've always wanted a black/maple sadowksy with black hardware, but I couldn't pass this metro up though, it was local and a good deal I think.

Might have to black out the MIA jazz, one of them's getting it! Really don't want to drill extra holes in the Metro, would rather do that to the jazz:p
 
I just checked the bridge on my NYC 4-string, and it has a 4-screw layout, which rules out the Gotoh, or B-style Hipshot. Furthermore, its screw layout is asymmetrical, where the Hipshot's A-style is symmetrical, so, if NYC and Metro bridges are the same, I'm afraid it won't fit...
On the other hand, I'm quite positive that finding black tuners, pickguard/control plate/pickup/straplock/etc... screws, and a control plate would be easier, as they seem to have standard measurements.
 
Bad Seed,

First...Congrats on the MV4!

Concerning the Bridge....I would have to look into it. I'm not sure if either the A or B style Hipshot will line up with our screw layout. I'll let you know.

The Phone Call.....everyone has there days, and you might have caught them on theirs? Sorry!
I know we were pretty busy this week, so if thats when you called, you might have gotten them in the middle of something.

Again...Sorry.

Rob

Hey man, it's no big deal, it happens. I'm sure they get plenty of stupid phone calls, maybe mine just caught him at the wrong time!

Yeah if you could find something out, I'd REALLY apperciate it. I could probably find something would work on the tuners, the HB1's actually look similar to what I have. I think I'll have an issue finding a bridge that will mount up with no drilling.

Hey Rob, I have one more question, how does the metro hardware compare to the NYC hardware? I understand that the bridge and tuners are hipshot USA and the Metro's are hipshot licensed correct? Would it benefit me more if I upgraded the hardware on my Metro?

Thanks again for all your help!
 
I just checked the bridge on my NYC 4-string, and it has a 4-screw layout, which rules out the Gotoh, or B-style Hipshot. Furthermore, its screw layout is asymmetrical, where the Hipshot's A-style is symmetrical, so, if NYC and Metro bridges are the same, I'm afraid it won't fit...
On the other hand, I'm quite positive that finding black tuners, pickguard/control plate/pickup/straplock/etc... screws, and a control plate would be easier, as they seem to have standard measurements.

Yeah I noticed that too, it has 4 screws on the back half, and then 2 more screws up front under the E and G saddle's.

We'll see
 
(...)

I know the NYC is a more flashy bass, I was just curious is an there was any off-the-shelf option instead of buying a new bass. I've always wanted a black/maple sadowksy with black hardware, but I couldn't pass this metro up though, it was local and a good deal I think.

(...)

An NYC is by no means a more flashy or better bass than an NYC... It COULD be more flashy, but if you want a standard color, standard woods, I can't see many reasons to go NYC. Ok, the necks have reinforcements and their bodies are chambered unless requested otherwise, making them a little bit lighter overall. The question is if it's worth the upcharge to you. If you're a pro player playing almost every evening, or have problems with your back, I can see a benefit. If you just want fancy woods and go totally custom, or if you're lefthanded like me, then also, NYC is the only option.
But otherwise, a Metro is a very nice option to look at. In fact, I wish I were righthanded, then I would've been able to buy a Metro 70s UV with blocks.
 
To be honest, I actually thought Kevin was kind of rude to me, don't know if they were busy or just caught them at a bad time, but he was pretty short with me. He then sent me to Roger, who was pretty short too, and basically told me the same thing as Kevin did. I was kind of dissapointed, I was expecting some good laughs and jokes, but that wasn't the case.

That's weird... I just called and when Roger answered he asked if I had heard the one about the two bass players that walked into a bar -- and then he launched into a short letterman-esque monologue... ;)

Just kidding... I'm sure they were busy. Those guys are in such high demand, I would have to believe that the phone almost never stops ringing.

Nice bass BTW - enjoy it.
 
If you click on the photo it will open up a page with specs that include the finish color.

roger

Hey Mr. Sadowsky, appreciate the answer! Yeah I had clicked on it before and it was listed as metallic lavender, and when I visited your bass page ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) it wasn't listed with the other colors on the list at the bottom, so I was curious if it replaced burgundy mist...if not, how close are the 2 colors? Again, thanks for any help!
 
My experience is, that, if you go NYC, you can get almost everything you want (except for airbrush artwork). I just ordered an NYC bass and I just attached a picture to my message with the color I'd like the bass to be. It was no problem.
So my guess is, if you want burgundy mist, just put a picture of a burgundy mist bass in your message. Now that we're talking colors, one thing that caught my attention when browsing through their archive was the shift for Shoreline Gold. Their Shoreline Gold now looks much more yellow than the 'real' Shoreline Gold. So, when going custom color, the safest bet is to attach a picture. Oh wait, didn't I say that before :)?
 
Here's the rundown on the bridges I have used. Originally, when I only made 4 string basses, I used the Schaller. When I began to make 5 strings in 1990, the 5 string Schaller was too narrow. I started using a Gotoh bridge which is no longer made and I can not remember the model number. It had individual locks for each saddle and was very difficult to set up and adjust. I wanted a cohesive look between the 4 string and the 5 string. I switched to an early version of what is now the Gotoh 510 and used it on both my 4 string and 5 strings for several years (see attached photo). Then about 10 years ago, I designed my own bridge and Hipshot has been making it for me ever since. We tried several different alloys for both the base and the saddles and preferred an all brass construction. We use a customized HBT1 gear from Hipshot for the 4 string and their Ultralite gear for the 5 string.

The bridge we use on the Metro Line is made in Korea as the costs of shipping the US bridges to Japan is very expensive. It is only available in nickel. 4 string gears are made by Gotoh and 5 string gears are licensed Hipshot Ultralite made in Korea. Metro hardware is only available in nickel.

Hope this answers some questions.

roger
 

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