Fender vs Sadowsky: Help choosing a modern active/passive bass

[DniviE]

I'm currently looking to purchase a modern active/passive P-type bass.
Narrowed it down to either a Fender American Ultra Precision Bass or a Sadowsky MetroLine Hybrid.

I already have a Metroline Vintage (J-J) that sounds awesome, but worry that The Hybrid (P-J) might be a little sterile for what I'm looking for; Need to be able to get the "classic P"-sound: Raw and open, but punchy. I'm also looking for variety, and wondering about the differences in pickups and preamps in particular.

I'm not in a position to be able to try any of the basses before purchase, so I would love some input – particularly if anyone has played both types and is able to compare them directly.
Thanks!

 

[Norman Hunter]

My intuition tells me that only a passive Precision Bass can give genuine passive P-Bass tone that you seek. One option would be to get a Passive P-Bass and then purchase an outboard Sadowsky preamp. I have one and ran an American Jazz bass through it and the. sound retained the passive characteristics without any active bass artifacts. The benefit was less with a Precision Bass because it is the midrange that makes a P-Bass sound like a P-bass. I think that the Sadowsky outboard preamp is boost at 40hz and 400hz.

 

[Nebadon2000]

My intuition tells me that only a passive Precision Bass can give genuine passive P-Bass tone that you seek. One option would be to get a Passive P-Bass and then purchase an outboard Sadowsky preamp. I have one and ran an American Jazz bass through it and the. sound retained the passive characteristics without any active bass artifacts. The benefit was less with a Precision Bass because it is the midrange that makes a P-Bass sound like a P-bass. I think that the Sadowsky outboard preamp is boost at 40hz and 400hz.

I know this is a dead thread; but for others who may come upon it;

The Ultra Precision is a Passive P Bass with a great Vintage P sound

That also has with a flick of a switch an Active Pre Amp that also gives even more of the 'Open, Punchy' along with the Raw.

But the Sadowsky is well a Sadowsky but seem better known for their J Style Basses

 

[wvbass]

I know this is a dead thread; but for others who may come upon it;

The Ultra Precision is a Passive P Bass with a great Vintage P sound

That also has with a flick of a switch an Active Pre Amp that also gives even more of the 'Open, Punchy' along with the Raw.

But the Sadowsky is well a Sadowsky but seem better known for their J Style Basses

The Sadowsky has the same capability. The tone control is a push/pull active/passive switch. I'm sure the Ultra is a great bass, but both have a passive mode.

Having said that, I have no idea which sounds better. I do wonder why the OP was looking at these two basses if they wanted a traditional P bass tone.

 

[Nebadon2000]

The Sadowsky has the same capability. The tone control is a push/pull active/passive switch. I'm sure the Ultra is a great bass, but both have a passive mode.

Having said that, I have no idea which sounds better. I do wonder why the OP was looking at these two basses if they wanted a traditional P bass tone.

Yes there are a lot of other choices if all you want is traditional P Tone with similar Quality level of those 2 Basses

but OP may have had reasons for choices? He did mention 'Modern'

The best P tone I have heard recently [online only not in wild] is Fender AV II 54P

 

[TrevorG]

I think the Ultras are closer to the custom Sadowskies than the Metroline. Tried all three. Wish I could afford the custom but that just made the Ultra more attractive to me. Getting hold of a few to try will land you with the right one but either bought online are a gamble. Good luck.

 

[GIBrat51]

I know this is a dead thread; but for others who may come upon it;

The Ultra Precision is a Passive P Bass with a great Vintage P sound

That also has with a flick of a switch an Active Pre Amp that also gives even more of the 'Open, Punchy' along with the Raw.

But the Sadowsky is well a Sadowsky but seem better known for their J Style Basses

Just so...
Although I have no place in my herd for either another P-Bass, or an active bass (of any kind), if I were in the market? I would probably get the Fender Ultra precision. About 6 weeks ago, I took a Harley ride over to the Sweetwater HQ in Fort Wayne. Primarily for accessory stuff, but also to look at a lefty Ultra Precision Bass. I was mainly interested in the neck. My '78 P-Bass has the Jazz Bass sized "A" neck that was an option back then, and I wanted to see how the Ultra-P's neck compared. I was favorably impressed, but... not impressed enough to break my Bass Herd rules. But, if there was a spot for it? I'd have one...