NBD - Sadowsky Metroline Modern LTD 5

[bass12]

What does yours look like?

It's basically a two-tone burst but because the top is cocobolo (if I remember correctly) it just looks like black in the front. I don't find it looks bad, just ordinary. If you look more closely you can see a yellow stripe down the middle - so the "fancy" top isn't a total write-off. But yeah, koa is one of my favourite woods. I once had a custom-made bass with an all-koa body and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. I miss looking at that bass!

 

[Bass Viking]

It's basically a two-tone burst but because the top is cocobolo (if I remember correctly) is just looks like black in the front. I don't find it looks bad, just ordinary. If you look more closely you can see a yellow stripe down the middle - so the "fancy" top isn't a total write-off. But yeah, koa is one of my favourite woods. I once had a custom-made bass with an all-koa body and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. I miss looking at that bass!View attachment 7481995View attachment 7481996

I see what you mean about ordinary. Most cocobolo I've seen is a beautiful mix of red and darker shades. I once had a Taylor acoustic guitar made of koa. It had an amazing flamed back!

 

[bass12]

I see what you mean about ordinary. Most cocobolo I've seen is a beautiful mix of red and darker shades. I once had a Taylor acoustic guitar made of koa. It had an amazing flamed back!

I've wondered about getting the bass refinished to better show off the wood grain, but then I consider the cost and trouble - and can just imagine discovering that I'm in possession of a particularly ugly piece of cocobolo.

 

[bass12]

Just listened to the clip. That bass sounds great. Nice upper harmonic content. Very solid playing too (and the B-52's are always appreciated).

 

[Bass Viking]

Just listened to the clip. That bass sounds great. Nice upper harmonic content. Very solid playing too (and the B-52's are always appreciated).

Thanks! It’s strung with Sadowsky Blue Label stainless steel which happen to be my strings of choice.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Question, since I don't fully understand the VTC. If VTC is "wide open," is that the same as not having VTC on the pre? I play my MX (no VTC) with bass and treble only boosted about 20%, so are we at the same (de facto) settings?

I don’t think it is exactly the same. The bass now has the passive tone on full plus the active partially booted. I have a VTC installed on my MX and I can definitely tell the difference.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It's basically a two-tone burst but because the top is cocobolo (if I remember correctly) it just looks like black in the front. I don't find it looks bad, just ordinary. If you look more closely you can see a yellow stripe down the middle - so the "fancy" top isn't a total write-off. But yeah, koa is one of my favourite woods. I once had a custom-made bass with an all-koa body and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. I miss looking at that bass!View attachment 7481995View attachment 7481996

I love that basic black!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Interesting. It should be more “Smithy”.

I think that is just my hands and how I play.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This was me at church today and I think this is a really a good representation of the tone I get out of my bass. It can definitely get more Smithy, like today, when I played through a Mark Bass/Bergantino rig at GC (I bought some headphones there today,) but I think my regular finger tone can sound pretty Fenderlike on my Modern. I played that used Sadowsky JJ4 at my local GC. I see they put some rounds on it. I love the Sadowsky JJ tone and frankly, my Modern sounds so good to me that simply getting a more expensive Modern may be a waste. I know I will love a JJ5 if I buy one. Two Moderns would be cool, but most likely redundant. I know I would love a JJ5.

One final point, I was not in my usual spot because a special program today. My iPad was about five feet in front of my amp instead on top of my amp and I think the tone sounds much in today’s position.

 

[pb9717]

I got this bass last week and wanted to let a few days go by before postings my observations.

The tuners: I've seen some complaints about the Sadowsky tuners being sticky. Yes, they could be smoother but they're not terrible and they seem to hold tuning well. I see no reason to switch them unless I was looking for something lighter.

When I got the bass I needed to adjust the relief and action, which is normal. I noticed that the truss rod spoke wheel was a bit loose and had some play in it. After a bit of internet research I removed the neck and tightened the Allen screw in the center of the spoke wheel. That fixed the issue. Putting this here for future reference and in case anyone else has the same problem.


Any questions, just ask!

I gotta couple questions……

Is this bass BRAND NEW? Or did you buy it as a used piece?

You had to REMOVE THE NECK to tighten the truss rod adjustment wheel? Meaning you had to disassemble the neck from the body?

You feel the tuners are sticky and could be smoother?

How much was this bass? (Ball park is fine)

Its very pretty, and sounds great , like a modern does but…..what da?

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[Bass Viking]

I gotta couple questions……

Is this bass BRAND NEW? Or did you buy it as a used piece?

You had to REMOVE THE NECK to tighten the truss rod adjustment wheel? Meaning you had to disassemble the neck from the body?

You feel the tuners are sticky and could be smoother?

How much was this bass? (Ball park is fine)

Its very pretty, and sounds great , like a modern does but…..what da?

It was 4285 euros plus 70 euros shipping. On top of that Canadian taxes which are 13%. Sold as new.

Yes I took the neck off. I’ve done this on other instruments so I wasn’t afraid. Yes, I know I shouldn’t have to but it seemed a better alternative than shipping it back to Germany.

The tuners: there is some resistance when you first start turning but after that they’re OK.

Now stop raining on my parade!

 

[Bass Viking]

. I love the Sadowsky JJ tone and frankly, my Modern sounds so good to me that simply getting a more expensive Modern may be a waste. I know I will love a JJ5 if I buy one. Two Moderns would be cool, but most likely redundant. I know I would love a JJ5.

You’re probably right about not needing a Metroline Modern. You’ve already upgraded your electronics.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

You’re probably right about not needing a Metroline Modern. You’ve already upgraded your electronics.

I certainly agree with not having a need for both import versions.

However , my thoughts are to make your most expensive and higher quality instrument the one you will play the most. Based on what I’ve observed over the years from @Dr.Cheese , that is most likely to be the Modern.

I would think buying a Modern like yours will get him closer to that Smithy sound due to the ash/ ebony / koa combo.

Then he could possibly trade for a ME Jazz V version. I’ve also suggested possibly just buying an additional fretted neck for his Fretless Jazz V ME. He has an outboard Sadowsky preamp and could add the VTC if needed.

But hey, I’m not trying to tell people how to spend their money. I’m just making friendly bass conversations and observations . That’s what talkbass is for.

P.S. The sound of your Metroline Modern 5 has completely blown me away. . I honesty think it’s the best Sadowsky I’ve ever heard .

 

[Bass Viking]

I certainly agree with not having a need for both import versions.

However , my thoughts are to make your most expensive and higher quality instrument the one you will play the most. Based on what I’ve observed over the years from @Dr.Cheese , that is most likely to be the Modern.

I would think buying a Modern like yours will get him closer to that Smithy sound due to the ash/ ebony / koa combo.

Then he could possibly trade for a ME Jazz V version. I’ve also suggested possibly just buying an additional fretted neck for his Fretless Jazz V ME. He has an outboard Sadowsky preamp and could add the VTC if needed.

But hey, I’m not trying to tell people how to spend their money. I’m just making friendly bass conversations and observations . That’s what talkbass is for.

P.S. The sound of your Metroline Modern 5 has completely blown me away. . I honesty think it’s the best Sadowsky I’ve ever heard .

Thanks for the compliment about my Modern. It really is magnificent sounding.

If the good doctor travels to Sweetwater to demo Sadowskys that will help answer the question. Who knows, the bass might pick him.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Thanks for the compliment about my Modern. It really is magnificent sounding.

If the good doctor travels to Sweetwater to demo Sadowskys that will help answer the question. Who knows, the bass might pick him.

I think I will email my sales rep at Sweetwater and see if I can arrange a trip this summer.

 

[Bass Viking]

I think I will email my sales rep at Sweetwater and see if I can arrange a trip this summer.

Good plan and you can make sure the basses you want to try are in stock.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It looks like the Fourth of July weekend will be a good time to visit and hopefully bring something home that day from Sweetwater. It is a 360 mile drive.

 

[pb9717]

It was 4285 euros plus 70 euros shipping. On top of that Canadian taxes which are 13%. Sold as new.

Yes I took the neck off. I’ve done this on other instruments so I wasn’t afraid. Yes, I know I shouldn’t have to but it seemed a better alternative than shipping it back to Germany.

The tuners: there is some resistance when you first start turning but after that they’re OK.

Now stop raining on my parade!

Oh man, its a stunner. I'm VERY happy for you and I'm sure every moment with it will be magic. Enjoy it to the fullest, and i dig your vids too.

Peace.

 

[Bass Viking]

Oh man, its a stunner. I'm VERY happy for you and I'm sure every moment with it will be magic. Enjoy it to the fullest, and i dig your vids too.

Peace.

Thanks man! I was just enjoying it this evening.

 

[Jugghaid]

I got this bass last week and wanted to let a few days go by before postings my observations. This is a limited edition, number 62 out of 135 built. Chambered swamp ash body, 3A koa top, roasted maple neck and a tigerstripe ebony board. First of all, this is a very well constructed instrument. The woods are beautiful, especially the koa top, and the fingerboard is smooth and polished. It's satin finished so no finger drag anywhere. I checked the fret work with my fret rocker and didn't find any high spots. The control cavity is very neat and clean. The neck joint is tight with no gaps. It weighs only 8 lbs 3 oz.

The sound is just magnificent, clear and meaty with excellent sustain. I brought it to the last couple of band practices and it worked really well. They want me to bring it all the time! As we all know, Sadowskys are designed to work in a mix. They cut and blend just right. Check out my video below.

The neck is quite wide. No surprise there as I previously owned a Japanese Metro Modern. If you have small hands you may want to look elsewhere. The fret ends are nicely rounded.
There is neck dive, mostly while seated but less so when standing. A good strap helps.

The tuners: I've seen some complaints about the Sadowsky tuners being sticky. Yes, they could be smoother but they're not terrible and they seem to hold tuning well. I see no reason to switch them unless I was looking for something lighter.

When I got the bass I needed to adjust the relief and action, which is normal. I noticed that the truss rod spoke wheel was a bit loose and had some play in it. After a bit of internet research I removed the neck and tightened the Allen screw in the center of the spoke wheel. That fixed the issue. Putting this here for future reference and in case anyone else has the same problem.

The bass arrived in a Sadowsky gig bag, same as my Metro Express. Nice bag! I really like that Warwick has added their own touches to an already great design - invisible fret technology, the quick access control cavity cover, and the adjustable nut.

Any questions, just ask!

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That B string is ridiculously defined. Sounds fantastic.

Love my modern as well, though it is a very different animal than yours.