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NBD! Sadowsky Metro Express 5

#22
bikeplate said:
Ive owned 30 Sadowskys and know them up and down. My question to you is comparing the Metro to the Stingray 5? Love to hear your thoughts
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Hi Rob, I'll have more thoughts after my gigs this weekend. Although we are volume policed a bit at this venue. But I'll still get a good sense for the Sadowsky.

At home however, the Musicman Stingray sounds killer, but doesn't get a classic slap tone. (I don't live or die by slap tone but I do love a classic slap/pop chirp that we've heard on hundreds of records. The Sadowsky and Nordy do that better. The SR5 does a more midrange / aggressive slap tone.

The Stingray 5H special I have is 8.3 lbs. Not much heavier than the Sadowsky ME5, but the SR5 balances better on the strap. The body contours are super sleek and comfortable and the string spacing is just a bit tighter. Not sure if its 18mm or not on the SR5? Might be. Killer necks on both basses, but for a guy who doesn't have big hands, I give the nod to the SR5 for the best feeling neck. The Sadowsky neck is great too. The neck shape just seems a but wider. (at 1 7/8", it probably is a little wider?)

The SR5 Special 3 Band EQ is really musical and versatile, but with one PU, it never does the jazz bass thing, or jazz bass on steroids thing. The Sadowsky PU's seem to offer a super wide range of tones. The neck PU solo'd with the Preamp bass boost ..can do somewhat convincing P bass deep tone. The MM SR5 can't do that in the same way. and of course the Sadowsky can go down the Burpy bridge PU road Ala Jaco'ish. I can NOT get the MM Stingray to do that sound.

I need more time with the Sadowsky metro express. But I've been gigging professionally for a long time and feel like I have a pretty good handle on tone and versatility. All in all, the Sadowsky ME5 is going to give me more milage. This is my first SR5 H and It was sooo good I bought. But after having it for a while, I have realized I am not a MM SR5 guy. It has a great sound, but it's not the sound I hear in my head. So it is actually for sale in the classifieds. If it doesn't sell, that's not breaking my heart because its a great bass. But I will grab the Nordy VJ5 or Sadowsky 5 first. Does that help?

I may reach out to you with some Sadowsky questions. This one makes me want another. I really do want a NYC (Maybe just because its NYC and I can spec it the way I want) But I wonder how different an Alder/RW 5 string would be versus Ash/Maple and also wonder a bit about a PJ. Although I have always been a Fender Jazz bass lover (Or Jazz bass on Steroids)
 
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#27
I agree about the SR5, not the “ sound in my head”,I found that in a Fbass BN5, the SR5 was an alder body and around 12 pounds also. I’ve really been wanting to try one of the Metro Expresses but am a little bummed about the slight neck dive,I’m admittedly OCD about it,anything more than my old ‘65 Jazz Bass I can’t handle,because of the heavy alder SR5 it wasn’t an issue,how would you compare your SR5 to the Metro in that regard or a full body Jazz if you’ve played one,thanks.
 
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#29
jim nolte said:
I agree about the SR5, not the “ sound in my head”,I found that in a Fbass BN5, the SR5 was an alder body and around 12 pounds also. I’ve really been wanting to try one of the Metro Expresses but am a little bummed about the slight neck dive,I’m admittedly OCD about it,anything more than my old ‘65 Jazz Bass I can’t handle,because of the heavy alder SR5 it wasn’t an issue,how would you compare your SR5 to the Metro in that regard or a full body Jazz if you’ve played one,thanks.
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I will get back to you about the neck dive. I found a couple of my less 'slick' straps and I will put Dunlop Straplocks on the bass and then try it. For now however, I have a full size Jazz body on my Nordstrand. Both the Nordy and MM Stingray Special 5H balance perfectly on a strap. In fact, I don't think I've ever owned a bass with neck-dive. That might bother me, so I will definitely report back.
 
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#31
I picked a Sadowsky Metro Express a few weeks back to get me through the next few months.. I'm on crutches for a little bit and wanted something nice and light and I knew would sound great, plus I love the Sage Green... It actually kills, my guitar player who has plenty of experience playing and producing loves the sound/tone !!
 
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#32
SCT1422 said:
I picked a Sadowsky Metro Express a few weeks back to get me through the next few months.. I'm on crutches for a little bit and wanted something nice and light and I knew would sound great, plus I love the Sage Green... It actually kills, my guitar player who has plenty of experience playing and producing loves the sound/tone !!
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Did you get that one from Sadowsky shop? I was looking at that a few weeks ago, but green isn't my color. So I passed it up. What does yours weigh?

Side bar: I put on a different strap last night and there is less neck dive. I will install some Dunlop strap locks today with the longer post and I think that should do the trick.
 
#38
Dave Hill said:
How are you feeling about your ME after a few months?
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Absolutely LOVE this bass. I've gigged it a lot and it is in regular rotation. Stunning in the mix. (Sounds great alone too) But it has phenomenally tremendous sound and it is so comfy to play. Super great bass. Easily the best value in a 5 string bass at the price point and equals and exceeds many basses at higher price points for me.
 
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#39
GRoberts said:
Absolutely LOVE this bass. I've gigged it a lot and it is in regular rotation. Stunning in the mix. (Sounds great alone too) But it has phenomenally tremendous sound and it is so comfy to play. Super great bass. Easily the best value in a 5 string bass at the price point and equals and exceeds many basses at higher price points for me.
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Right on. I have a NYC custom P/J that I've fallen head over heals for. Best action of any bass I've ever played.
I toy with the idea of a ME 5-string, but, I've had a BN5 for 15+ years that no other 5-string has been able to come close to, so, I fear an ME wouldn't last long. I bought a Metro and the BN5 at the same time, and although the Metro was nice, it lost the fight. lol
 
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#40
Dave Hill said:
Right on. I have a NYC custom P/J that I've fallen head over heals for. Best action of any bass I've ever played.
I toy with the idea of a ME 5-string, but, I've had a BN5 for 15+ years that no other 5-string has been able to come close to, so, I fear an ME wouldn't last long. I bought a Metro and the BN5 at the same time, and although the Metro was nice, it lost the fight. lol
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Aaah, I LOVE a great BN5. Never shoulda sold mine, but they were heavy and my shoulder was getting fatigued. But what a sound. I love a great VF5 too. That might be my next bass. I played a killer VF5 I probably should have bought. But I played the Sadowsky more cleanly.

I'm not sure how different a Metro is from the Metro Express. I am actually shocked how much I like this bass. I didn't expect it to be as great as it is. The ME-5 makes me want a Satin NYC-5 Deluxe with flame maple top.

My other bass has been with me a long time; Nordstrand VJ5 modern w/Big Singles. It is my constant companion.
 
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