Well, I will make sure to let you know if I ever decide to let this one go. Please don't hold your breath though, this thing is truly one of the most amazing basses I have ever laid my hands on.
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Well, I will make sure to let you know if I ever decide to let this one go. Please don't hold your breath though, this thing is truly one of the most amazing basses I have ever laid my hands on.
Well the PJ alder/brz is way fatter than the MV5 JJ.
It is due to both the PUs and the wood combo.
As someone noted earlier, mee too, I have the feeling that alder/brz is brighter in the upper treble region as opposed to the upper mids with the ash/maple combo.
But the PJ has thicker low mids, therefore is fatter and as I am concerned has a better pick sound!
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I went through that same debate, but in the end, I am glad that I went with a pickguard on my P/J 5.
+1
The top end response of those two wood combinations are interesting, and it really is a matter of semantics (i.e., how do you define 'bright').
The alder/RW (especially the NYC 'true rosewood' models) actually seem to have a bit of dip in the upper mids, resulting in some 'space' between the mids and the treble (like some bass cabs). This results in the basses not sounding 'bright' through the upper mids and lower treble, but rather full and fat down low, and a bit sizzly up top, with that upper treble sitting out there by its lonesome (especially with the somewhat scooped voicing of the stock HC pickups).
Ash/maple has a real bump in that 'ganky' 1K to 2K area to my ear, making those basses sound 'bright' (i.e., grindy and very present in the upper mids), which masks the sizzle a bit.
So, depending on how you define 'bright' (i.e., aggressive upper mids, or extended high treble), they both can be!
My alder/Madagascar RW Sadowksy JJ was among the sizzliest basses I've ever owned. My ash/maple with Sadowsky singles is much more punchy, and the combination of the punchier singles through the mids and that maple board make it growl and snarl versus the 'warm, smooth with sizzle' voicing of the alder/RW.
IMO... hard to talk about this stuff in general terms sometimes
Yeah, I think one guys "bright" is another guy's "sizzle." I think one reason I'm not a big JJ fan is that 1-2K gank/clack. I do like the hi freq sizzle of a rw board, and that with the fatness of the PJ gives me a more supportive low mid as opposed to what I find a more "out front" of the JJ.
Seems that going ash/rw on the NYC PJ might be a bit of a risk (for some reason I feel like ash is a bit more "hollow"), whereas the alder/rw NYC PJ should be more of a "known quantity" relative to my Metro RV5PJ.
Seems that going ash/rw on the NYC PJ might be a bit of a risk (for some reason I feel like ash is a bit more "hollow"), whereas the alder/rw NYC PJ should be more of a "known quantity" relative to my Metro RV5PJ.
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for a new Metro dealer for France and wondered if any of you might have a recommendation.
Thanks.
Roger
I am looking for a new Metro dealer for France and wondered if any of you might have a recommendation.
Thanks.
Roger
Good idea Roger. It's hard to find your basses in France.
Are you looking for a dealer or distributor ?
Are you looking for a dealer or distributor ?
Dealers only. Going through a distributor only makes things more expensive for the consumer. I want one dealer in Paris and maybe one more somewhere else.
roger
Sorry, I'm just really into natural finishes (especially on NYCs, and especially when the grain is as delicious as what you have there) and nice wood in general. The idea of covering up such gorgeous wood with a pickguard just seems like shame to me. But hey - that's just my taste! Whatever you decide, you'll still have a killer bass there and if it looks good to you then you're set. I'm not even a quilt guy but that top is something special.
Boy, talk about your boutique basses!
Nordstrom, eh?
Nouns and I don't always get along...
+1
The top end response of those two wood combinations are interesting, and it really is a matter of semantics (i.e., how do you define 'bright').
The alder/RW (especially the NYC 'true rosewood' models) actually seem to have a bit of dip in the upper mids, resulting in some 'space' between the mids and the treble (like some bass cabs). This results in the basses not sounding 'bright' through the upper mids and lower treble, but rather full and fat down low, and a bit sizzly up top, with that upper treble sitting out there by its lonesome (especially with the somewhat scooped voicing of the stock HC pickups).
Ash/maple has a real bump in that 'ganky' 1K to 2K area to my ear, making those basses sound 'bright' (i.e., grindy and very present in the upper mids), which masks the sizzle a bit.
So, depending on how you define 'bright' (i.e., aggressive upper mids, or extended high treble), they both can be!
My alder/Madagascar RW Sadowksy JJ was among the sizzliest basses I've ever owned. My ash/maple with Sadowsky singles is much more punchy, and the combination of the punchier singles through the mids and that maple board make it growl and snarl versus the 'warm, smooth with sizzle' voicing of the alder/RW.
IMO... hard to talk about this stuff in general terms sometimes
Firstly, Ken, I wish i had your ability to translate and express, in technical terms and words what you are hearing and how these elements effect tone. It's like "yeah, that's it" but when i turn around and try to 'splain these things it always falls a little short.
Nostatic, as i read your posts i wish there was a way for you to stop by and play this new ald/BRW PJ 5. (going to the Vancouver Olympics?) Aesthetically i gotta say the BrazRW does it for me. Definite eye candy and easy to fixate on. The body is the ultra vintage P body that Sadowsky offers and is perfectly balanced.
I am a little challenged trying to explain the tone difference between this bass and the 10 yr old ash/maple vintage 5str JJ. Suprisingly, I have noticed similarities as well as the obvious Precision rooted differences. The bridge pickups when singled have a similar sounding structure (aggressiveness, decay, etc.) to the notes but there is a definite warmer subharmonic(?) - (help me KJung)- undertone that is not there with the ash/m JJ. The P pickup when singled passive is just what you would expect to hear from a classic P BUT...with a little more thump, richer bottom end, more clarity and more sustain. Go active, start boosting bass/treble and this thing becomes an absolute tone monster. The bottom end becomes HUGE w/o being boomy and the upper register is still very pronounced. I have only had this guy for a couple of weeks but the live show feedback has been very good. I had trouble hearing some of the upper register notes but friends in the audience said thet heard them just fine. i'm sure much of this is me still trying to find the sweet spot. What i really like is the combination of clarity and thump produced by this bass. People in the audience have also commented on being able to feel it in their chest and still hear it very clearly.
Blended pickup positions are a whole other subject and it will probably be a while before i get a good grasp of what this instrument is capable of doing. I can say already that i have never played a bass that is this versatile. Now, add the VTC treble roll off feature....i'm gonna need another lifetime
. Hope this is helpful.
I wish I was going by Seattle. Instead it is Boston in 2 weeks and Ft. Lauderdale the week after.
I agree with what you're describing. My Metro PJ5 is alder/morado and it has the sound I'm looking for. Just to jumpstart your further play, I find that I spend most of my time near center blend, but usually biased towards the P pickup. I also run the VTC at about 50%. I also love the passive sound of the bass.
My sense is that alder/rw is where I'm at for the PJ - fat and warm with sizzle. I'm of the same mind with guitars actually. My favorite strats have always been alder/rw. Right now I have an ash/maple strat and I don't like it much - even though it has the same pickups that I had in a previous alder/rw strat that sounded great.
Different strokes. What was interesting at a gig on Sunday was I did one set with the Rob Allen 5 and another with the Zon Lightwave. Both great sounding basses, but totally different ways of sitting in the mix and supporting the sparse (guitar and harmonica) instrumentation. Funny how the different sounds drove my playing approach in different ways.
I agree with what you're describing. My Metro PJ5 is alder/morado and it has the sound I'm looking for. Just to jumpstart your further play, I find that I spend most of my time near center blend, but usually biased towards the P pickup. I also run the VTC at about 50%. I also love the passive sound of the bass.
My sense is that alder/rw is where I'm at for the PJ - fat and warm with sizzle. I'm of the same mind with guitars actually. My favorite strats have always been alder/rw. Right now I have an ash/maple strat and I don't like it much - even though it has the same pickups that I had in a previous alder/rw strat that sounded great.
Different strokes. What was interesting at a gig on Sunday was I did one set with the Rob Allen 5 and another with the Zon Lightwave. Both great sounding basses, but totally different ways of sitting in the mix and supporting the sparse (guitar and harmonica) instrumentation. Funny how the different sounds drove my playing approach in different ways.
I will be in the market for a used Ash/Maple 59 burst NYC Sadowsky J Bass. So if anyone is thinking of selling one or know someone that is wanting to sell one let me know. I will be moving my MTD 535 to fund this purchase. Thanks,
Mike
Mike
+1 !!! I used to toggle between a '65 P and the ash/maple JJ. Total mood change.
I love my Sadowskys.
My Will Lee with Ash/Braz and SC
This new addition to my arsenal is completely out of this world. Especially for a Metro. It is by far the best playing bass I've ever owned.
I don't understand why SteveC sold it to me but I'm glad.
This one is Ash/Madagascar with HC.
My Will Lee with Ash/Braz and SC
This new addition to my arsenal is completely out of this world. Especially for a Metro. It is by far the best playing bass I've ever owned.
I don't understand why SteveC sold it to me but I'm glad.
This one is Ash/Madagascar with HC.
Those Tokyo Custom Sadowsky's are gorgeous, yeah that Tokyo Vintage 24fret 5 string got me Hot as well ! 
- Feb 17, 2003
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- ........................................EX-Sadowsky Guitars Builder..........................................................
Hmmm... interesting!
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that Tokyo Vintage 24fret 5 string got me Hot as well !
You Guys know that a Metro Vintage 5-24 are now available to order, Right??
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Rob
