Sadowsky Metro Express Modern, Sandberg Oliver Riedel, Spector Euro RST. Which one do you prefer?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Four String Bass Showdown - Sadowsky, Sandberg, Spector
- Thread starter Bass Viking
- Start date
I think I liked the Sandberg best after one listen. In terms of looks I like the Sandberg the least, but my ears don’t care what my eyes think 
Nice basses!
Nice basses!
I think the other 2 are prettier. The Sandberg is going for that mean, gritty, rock vibe.I think I liked the Sandberg best after one listen. In terms of looks I like the Sandberg the least, but my ears don’t care what my eyes think
I would have to say I liked the Sadowsky best. Has a a really nice deep bass tone.
I have been moving more towards that type of tone in recent years, first realizing a Jazz neck can be bassier than a P bass and my recent acquisition of a Paranormal Rascal bass with a neck pickup at the neck has confirmed it.
I have been moving more towards that type of tone in recent years, first realizing a Jazz neck can be bassier than a P bass and my recent acquisition of a Paranormal Rascal bass with a neck pickup at the neck has confirmed it.
Hmmm. I hear a substantial mid range modern tone out of the Sadowsky. The lows were not very pronounced.
I’m just not a big fan of that modern Sadowsky, Ken Smith type tone.
The Sandberg and Spector sounded alike on some ways. But the Spector just has sooo much growl. I love
the Spector tone. The Sandberg was close 2nd. I could go with either of these based on sound. Looks , the Spector wins by a lot. Playability , I’m taking the Sandberg every time .
The Sandberg and Spector sounded alike on some ways. But the Spector just has sooo much growl. I love
the Spector tone. The Sandberg was close 2nd. I could go with either of these based on sound. Looks , the Spector wins by a lot. Playability , I’m taking the Sandberg every time .
I liked them all, they have that growly modern kinda sound. I would imagine any one of those would sound good in just about any situation.
Tonally, I liked the Sandberg best. It combined the Sadowsky's smoothness with the Spector's aggressiveness in a way that complements that piece of music.
In terms of looks, I liked the Sadowsky best (though I may be biased since my main bass is also an orange 4-string with 24 frets so I'm all "yay, orange bass!" My main's an Ibanez Prestige Soundgear SR4600).
The Spector... great tone, but too aggressive for that particular piece. And I'm also biased in that I want to love Spectors, but their ergonomics don't love me.
In terms of looks, I liked the Sadowsky best (though I may be biased since my main bass is also an orange 4-string with 24 frets so I'm all "yay, orange bass!" My main's an Ibanez Prestige Soundgear SR4600).
The Spector... great tone, but too aggressive for that particular piece. And I'm also biased in that I want to love Spectors, but their ergonomics don't love me.
How long have you had the MetroExpress? I have had my eye on one of the new Modern 25 5 string models, they look really good, and yours sounds great!
Lovely basses all but I'm not really impressed with the trend to modern sounding basses.
I hear nothing there to entice me away from my - Fender American Ultra II Precision.
Maybe these could be tuned into Fender territory but that would need to be demonstrated.
Obviously not where you want to go.
I hear nothing there to entice me away from my - Fender American Ultra II Precision.
Maybe these could be tuned into Fender territory but that would need to be demonstrated.
Obviously not where you want to go.
Nice demo. To my ears, the Sadowsky sounded best. Deepest bass tone.
I've had it for a few months, not very long. I'm impressed by the price/performance ratio!
Hmmm..........all a bit too bright for my taste in regard to that particular song. If I had to pick one.......Sadowsky. I thought it sounded the cleanest and I'm not a fan of the Sadowsky Modern. I prefer classic jazz pickup (and P Bass pickup) tones.
Nice to see another Rippingtons fan. I've been a fan since they hit the scene. Seen them in concert many times over the years.
Nice to see another Rippingtons fan. I've been a fan since they hit the scene. Seen them in concert many times over the years.
I always think Sandbergs sound just about perfect.
Anytime Basstheworld features one, I just think why do any other content?
Anytime Basstheworld features one, I just think why do any other content?
That is a great backing track! Philadelphia International made really sophisticated Pop Music. I am guessing that the great Ronnie Baker played on the original version of the Ojays Backstabbers.
I preferred the Sadowsky Modern. I just love that midrange heavy tone the Modern has.
Last edited:
