• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Club Sadowsky!!!

#6,961
It's the fact that the site implies that the products are identical that concerns me - the implication is that if you don't want a fancy topwood , or colour, or black tuners, then the Metro is the same deal. Then (after some digging) you find that there are no chambers, no graphite reinforcement, and licensed tuners are used. This may or may not matter to anyone, but it's not very obvious, and I think this might explain the "well mine's a NYC" snobbery thing that you must admit rears its head now and again.
The price difference, it implies on the site, is explained by the location of manufacture, and lack of options (as I have already stated)
As to the sarky remark about licensed tuners, if they are so great, then why not use them on the NYC models as well? It seems a bit cheeky to save a few dollars on licenced tuners when you're paying top-end prices (my original point).
And no, I can't hear the difference between USA made and licesed, but I can FEEL it. I can't hear the difference on my son's £200 squire either, but they're not much to write home about, and I'd be surprised to find them on a top-end Fender.
"The quality is the same" - discuss.
 
#6,962
Hullaballoo said:
It's the fact that the site implies that the products are identical that concerns me - the implication is that if you don't want a fancy topwood , or colour, or black tuners, then the Metro is the same deal. Then (after some digging) you find that there are no chambers, no graphite reinforcement, and licensed tuners are used. This may or may not matter to anyone, but it's not very obvious, and I think this might explain the "well mine's a NYC" snobbery thing that you must admit rears its head now and again.
The price difference, it implies on the site, is explained by the location of manufacture, and lack of options (as I have already stated)
As to the sarky remark about licensed tuners, if they are so great, then why not use them on the NYC models as well? It seems a bit cheeky to save a few dollars on licenced tuners when you're paying top-end prices (my original point).
And no, I can't hear the difference between USA made and licesed, but I can FEEL it. I can't hear the difference on my son's £200 squire either, but they're not much to write home about, and I'd be surprised to find them on a top-end Fender.
"The quality is the same" - discuss.
Click to expand...
Well, we should be clear about what the website actually says:

Sadowsky.com said:
The Metro Line represents all the basic models of Sadowsky NYC basses but are made by our staff at Sadowsky Tokyo.

The Metro Line offers most of the same features as their NYC siblings including the same pickups, preamp and bridge. The quality of the Metro Line is as high as our NYC instruments.
Click to expand...

It clearly says "most of the same features" and "including pickups, preamp and bridge". It doesn't say or imply, IMO, that all they are identical nor does it imply that the tuners will be the same. Again, I'm really not sure what you're concerned about. Then again, if the tuners are a big deal, it would still be cheaper to buy a Metro and install Hipshot USA tuners than to buy a US spec'd instrument that was otherwise the same spec as the Metro. As for the saving dollars on parts when you are paying top prices: you aren't paying top end prices, you are paying $1000 less (at least) than top-end so you should expect some cost savings.
 
#6,963
I'll chime in on the Metro vs. NYC bass (I have a Metro R24-5).

What's the same between the two is their tone. If you want a alder bodied, rosewood fretboard, average weight, 24 fret Sadowsky toned bass, get either the NYC or Metro. They'll sound the same.

(Expect slight variations with each individual bass; two identical NYCs will sound slightly different, two identical Metros will sound slightly different as will a similarly spec'd NYC and Metro. I would bet that this slight variation would not be the weakest link in the players chain and certainly not noticeable by anyone listening in the audience.)

Now, what if I want to add a manhogany body tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want to add a ebony fretboard tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want to add a fretless tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want a dead sexy top to get the girls? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want an uber light bass? - Get the NYC.

Now, what if I want the standard, super "in the mix", "driving the freakin' bus tone"? - Get either.

Yes there is a difference between the two. And I'm sure it justifies the difference in price. But, tone isn't one of the differences.

LeonD
 
#6,966
Hullaballoo said:
I like the sound of the "get the girls" bit.
They usually just tell me to pi** off, so maybe I DO need a NYC.
Click to expand...

Well, I would first wait for the shop to put it up on the site as an option (NYC only of course) and only then place an order ;-)


Just a pick into the hot subject on the agenda here,
I think the specs on the site do take care of the Metro/NYC differences ok. However if you don't read it again and dig in a little bit more one might get the impression the instruments are identical except for wood options and place of birth. I'm a very happy owner of both Metro and a NYC, BTW.

 
#6,967
LeonD said:
I'll chime in on the Metro vs. NYC bass (I have a Metro R24-5).
...
...But, tone isn't one of the differences.
Click to expand...
Only with identically spec'd models, and even then some particularly discerning players may still disagree somewhat. However, since you have so many more wood options with the NYC, you also have more tonal options. The core Sadowsky preamp character is still always there, but just as you said the character can vary somewhat even with identically spec'd basses, you start changing woods and I think it becomes a lot more significant. There's also a lot more electronic options with the NYCs and that opens up even more doors.

FWIW.
 
#6,969
IMO the best way of looking at it is like this:

Metro's: The Sadowsky Tone, Feel and Quality in a more basic package at a more affordable price.

NYC's: The Sadowsky Tone, Feel and Quality that can be tailored to suite ones tonal and asthetic preferences.

Either way, you're getting a Sadowsky thats going to sound, feel and play great. If you need something more than "basic" than a Metro, opt for a NYC.
 
#6,973
thisSNsucks said:
IMO the best way of looking at it is like this:

Metro's: The Sadowsky Tone, Feel and Quality in a more basic package at a more affordable price.

NYC's: The Sadowsky Tone, Feel and Quality that can be tailored to suite ones tonal and asthetic preferences.

Either way, you're getting a Sadowsky thats going to sound, feel and play great. If you need something more than "basic" than a Metro, opt for a NYC.
Click to expand...
One of the best summaries I've read yet. Nicely done.
 
#6,979
LEOND Now, what if I want to add a manhogany body tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want to add a ebony fretboard tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want to add a fretless tone? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want a dead sexy top to get the girls? - Get the NYC.
Now, what if I want an uber light bass? - Get the NYC.
Click to expand...

That dead sexy top thing hasn't worked AT ALL for me, I think I want my money back.:D
:hiding:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back