Fender Jazz Bass Elite 5 or Sadowsky MV5

[Big_Nate]

Question guys.... If I buy used and its 10 plus years old will there be a difference in the sound/feel compared to a recent model? Are these basses that good and retain there value so well that I shouldn't care if the bass is 10+ years old?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

You say you prefer the sound of the Sadowsky so I would say you at least need something with a Sadowsky preamp in it. You now need to play a Sadowsky and see if you like the feel of the instrument. My first Sadowsky was a four string Standard Jazz. I also had a Fender Jazz at the time and preferred the overall feel of the Fender (I preferred the feel of the neck and I wasn't a huge fan of the Sadowsky's undersized body). I have also owned some Sadowsky five string jazzes and very much like their necks. Still not a big fan of the undersized bodies but I can work with them (I'm not sure if the Metros have dinky bodies or not). If you find you do like the feel of Sadowskys then the next step is to find not a Sadowsky but the Sadowsky for you. This is an important point because choosing a bass is kind of like choosing a cat from a litter. Just because they come from the same place and share the same DNA doesn't mean they are all the same. Each Sadowsky has its own subtle character differences (just like any other bass brand/model). So take it with a grain of salt when someone posts saying "I tried one Sadowsky and it was amazing - you can't go wrong!" or, "I tried one Sadowsky and it was lifeless - Sadowskys are lifeless instruments". Sometimes you luck out on the first try and sometimes you have to shop around for the right one. If it turns out that you don't like the feel of Sadowskys then the good news is that the primary component in achieving the Sadowsky sound is the preamp and that preamp can be dropped into another bass if you so desire. Lastly, I would be suspicious of the "NYC is by definition better than Metro" hype. Good luck finding your bass!

I will add that running a Sadowsky outboard preamp through a quality bass will give you great results. I have used a Sadowsky preamp on both a Fender Standard V and my current Lakland DJ5, and I was very happy with the sound. I don't know why I get bored and sell Sadowsky preamps because I think I am in the market for one again. The next time I get bored with it, I will just put it away until the urge comes back.

 

[Whippet]

Question guys.... If I buy used and its 10 plus years old will there be a difference in the sound/feel compared to a recent model? Are these basses that good and retain there value so well that I shouldn't care if the bass is 10+ years old?

If you are talking about the Sad, yes there is a difference. I believe from the fall of 2014 or early 2015, the Metro's neck (internal) pretty much became the same as the NYC. It now features a twin spar carbon stabilizer rods.

The string retainer (tree) I think is a little different too, if I remember correctly.

Anyway it's minute but the guys I know said it makes a difference. Long story short the Metros are now very similar to the NYC. No chamber and no fancy wood but otherwise pretty much the same.

 

[MattB88]

Question guys.... If I buy used and its 10 plus years old will there be a difference in the sound/feel compared to a recent model? Are these basses that good and retain there value so well that I shouldn't care if the bass is 10+ years old?

If you go metro there were a couple changes in the past decade like adding the graphite reinforcement in the neck in 2014 and changing from 250K to 500K pots mid 2009. Mine is a 2008 and it sounds every bit as good as newer Metros. Not a single dead spot on the neck.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I have a sadowsky mv5 and it is 10 times better than any fender I've played. I don't believe any fender bass is worth more than MAYBE $1500. You can find a lot of sadowsky MV5's for $2000/$2200 and thats totally worth it to me. That B string is so much better than any fender i've played.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Sadowsky all the way, go for it!

 

[barry irwin]

Hello all,

I'm plotting out future plans and have been doing research on these two basses. I've played the Fender Jazz Elite (love it) but never got my hands on a Sadowsky (Columbus Ohio doesn't have boutique bass options). Every time I've heard a Sadowsky played I've loved the tone so much. I love fenders but compared to what I've heard from a Sadowsky it trumps it. Sadowsky's have the exact sound I want. My question is this...Is it worth the extra $800? I can save up some more bucks to get it but without playing it I'll never know exactly what I'm purchasing.

I played a Fender MIM for 10 years and loved it until the bridge got funked up. I'm looking to make a sound investment and want this to be my baby for some years (hopefully the bridge will stay intact).

Roger does make a preamp for less than $300 you can fit into the Fender if money is an issue. Unless you buying a US Sadowsky you not really making an investment,so if you love the Elite no reason not to buy it and buy the Sadowsky preamp that you can install yourself.Later you can buy the US Sadowsky and still have the Fender Elite bass as a spare.

 

[Doug Parent]

It is affordable but this is my first big invest on a bass and I want as many opinions as possible on the subject. Everything is much appreciated.

Your first large purchase for a bass over $2000 is always a big deal. Been there done that, your concerns are understandable. The Fender is 18mm and the MV5 is 19mm. That alone is going to represent a significant change in feel at least it did for me. Others may disagree. The Sadowsky "tone" is not just the pickups and preamp. The size and mass of the body and neck all factor in as well as wood choices. Alder/Morado VS Ash/Maple is huge comparison. The Fender has it's own vibe for sure. The Sadowsky can be flipped if you don't bond with it and you can get most of your money back out of it. All equipment purchased is really just rental anyway, you can't take it with you. At some point it will be sold. Sadowsky and Fender both have good resale value. If you have dollars in hand, go try it. They are truly worth the cash.

 

[Bass Viking]

I didn't think of this actually thanks but I really want to go to a store that has boutique basses. I got some other bass on my radar for the future and I want to get my hands on them too. I feel like the Sad will be my bread and butter tho.

I bought my Sad at Bass Central some years ago. I tried others while there: 2 Elricks, a Zon, a Modulus, a Roscoe LG3005, and a Mike Lull 5 string Jazz style bass. The Sadowsky was the winner and the least expensive as well. Mine is the Modern, it sounds like you're going for a different tone than me.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I'm basically looking for a morale boost towards getting the Sad...and if anybody opposes I wanna hear why. This will ultimately sway my decision left or right.

The main reason for opposition IMO would be the fact that you haven't actually played the bass you "love". I love Halle Berry but I haven't slept with her yet. After I sleep with her I may be like, meh, and want my wife back.

 

[5nofrets]

I've plotted on Bass Club Chicago. It's like 5 hours from me and thats nothing (I've driven to NYC).

I would take the drive, play as many as you can, I've had a few basses over the years, cheap univox(that would probably fetch some cash now)gibson RD artist, steinberger copy, fender jazz reissue fretless, G&L L1000( first year, still have it), custom 1 piece neck 5 fretless, tacoma acoustic bass. still have the custom, the G&L and Tacoma. The fender jazz had narrow spacing, the g&L the widest at nut I've ever found, the custom is in the middle, super thin neck but very wide overall as I tend to use heavy vibrato and was constantly pulling the string off the side of the neck(G&L). they all sounded different, had a different feel, inspired me in different ways. so take your time, sounds like you have a really good idea what you want, make a pro's and cons list. happy searching

 

[bassbully]

I'm sure Fender might make a good active five, but I have never heard or played one in person. Sad all the way.

 

[adam on bass]

Anything Sadowsky is top notch. I have never been happy with the B on any Fender I've owned. Save your dough and get the NYC you want. I will never get rid of my gamer – NYC PJ5 – EVER.

 

[Spidey2112]

For Trade - FT FEELER: SADOWSKY WILL LEE 5 (3 SETS OF P'UPS) | TalkBass.com
For Trade - FT FEELER: SADOWSKY WILL LEE 5 (3 SETS OF P'UPS)

 

[Big_Nate]

Anything Sadowsky is top notch. I have never been happy with the B on any Fender I've owned. Save your dough and get the NYC you want. I will never get rid of my gamer – NYC PJ5 – EVER.

I would but I need to get a cab and head. The most I would do maybe if I liked it that much is 4 grand but if I'm getting the same basic bass just a little less fancier I'm sticking with the Metro.

 

[Mockyngbyrd]

I can't comment on 5's, but I can on Fender vs. Sadowsky. I prefer my used 2010 WL Metro to my MIA Fender. I bought my Sadowsky without ever playing one. It's my favorite bass I've ever played. Tone is a matter of opinion, but playability and quality give the Sadowsky the win.

Good luck and please report when you get what you get.

 

[G On Bass]

I've had Fenders and Metros. Metros take it by a wide margin. Not even close.

 

[jimmyjames77]

I'm basically looking for a morale boost towards getting the Sad...and if anybody opposes I wanna hear why. This will ultimately sway my decision left or right.

Having been on this board for quite a while now and having owned a Sadowsky 5 string 24f modern and a Sadowsky "Jazz" I can say they are incredible instruments with a stellar reputation and you'll be hard pressed to find someone to say a negative thing about a Sadowsky. They don't feel or sound like fenders but if a moral boost is what you need then just do it.

 

[pickles]

Everything has pretty much been said here. A couple final things to think about:

Sadowsky Satin series. No-frills NYCs for under 4 grand. I have an NYC and still want to order a Satin Deluxe just because they are such a great deal and look fantastic.

When you try the basses keep in mind the stock strings are really different. Thick, tight steels on the sadowsky and more supple (and dull sounding) nickels on the fender. You have to imagine what they would each be like with your preferred strings.

I have a bunch of great passive Fenders but the only active basses I like are Sadowsky, Music Man, and Spector (which is a different animal). I wouldn't personally buy an active fender.

 

[gustobassman]

The Sadowsky single coil pickups are just killer too, if you are not into the humbucking thing. I think you would have to buy them aftermarket for a Metro, but you can specify HB or SC for ordering an NYC. My Metro came with them already installed and it's another flavor of Sadowsky awesome..