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Ouch! D*mn GAS!!!

Which Sadowsky model should I get?

  • Metro UV Ash/Maple

    Votes: 7 9.6%

  • Metro UV Alder/Rosewood

    Votes: 4 5.5%

  • Metro Vintage Ash/Maple

    Votes: 5 6.8%

  • Metro Vintage Alder/Rosewood

    Votes: 8 11.0%

  • Metro M5-24

    Votes: 6 8.2%

  • NYC UV Ash/Maple

    Votes: 3 4.1%

  • NYC UV Alder/Rosewood

    Votes: 5 6.8%

  • NYC Vintage Ash/Maple

    Votes: 14 19.2%

  • NYC Alder/Rosewood

    Votes: 6 8.2%

  • NYC Standard Ash/Maple

    Votes: 7 9.6%

  • NYC Standard Alder/Rosewood

    Votes: 1 1.4%

  • NYC 5-24

    Votes: 7 9.6%
  • Total voters
    73
  • Poll closed .
dunamis

dunamis

Aug 2, 2004
1,522
25
Charlotte
#1
Why am I suddenly GASin' so bad for a Sadowsky? :help: Roger, if you're reading this, you should know that you are a cruel, cruel man!;)

My dilemma is which to model to get. Please vote and, if you're inclined to elaborate (and what self-respecting TB'er is not?), please post the reasons for your choice.

Here's my situation:

I play contemp Christian music. We play most every Sunday as well as a number of community events each year. Our stuff is pretty rock oriented.

I have PA support, and usually I don't use a backline amp at all. When I do use a backline, or play without PA support, my rig is a Bergantino IP112/EX112 stack, with either a PJB Bass Buddy or Avalon U5 (or both!).

My main bass is a Zon Vinny VB5, but I sometimes break out my '62 RI P-bass. Light weight is major for me-- had back surgery a few years ago and find that 8.5lbs is about the limit.

I play fingerstyle-- no slap.

This bass must be a 5 string.

Thanks for your vote!!
 
#12
dunamis said:
my rig is a Bergantino IP112/EX112 stack, with either a PJB Bass Buddy or Avalon U5 (or both!).

My main bass is a Zon Vinny VB5, but I sometimes break out my '62 RI P-bass.
Click to expand...

Firstly, nice "main" rig you've got going there!

Light weight is major for me-- had back surgery a few years ago and find that 8.5lbs is about the limit.
Click to expand...

I can completely commiserate, having had the majority of T7 - T9 removed when I was 21 due to a non-cancerous tumor infiltration. My question is, just how major is the weight issue for you? I've found I can still play my Ibanez SR-1206 (mahogany/flame maple, 5-piece neck-through, about 12+ lbs.) for hours at a clip since getting a Comfort Strapp. I voted for a M5-24 based on the fact that your other jazz-like bass (the Vinny) is a more modern sounding one than your Precision, but the Metro's do weight at least a pound more than their USA counterparts. If you can control the weight with a good wide strap I'd say go for that. If you can't do so, and have the extra 1K+ to go for the lighter weight and "wood bling" of a USA M-24, so much the better. It really depends in my eyes on how much money you're willing to commit. One thing I'd certainly spring for is the VTC to lower some of the "modern" aspects of the 5-24's when the need calls - at either price range, the $150 is absolutely worth it. Here is a link to Bass Player's Invalid Link Removed of the Metro line.

One non-Sadowsky option I'd bring up is Mike Lull - his basses are of amazing quality, have in general the same "Vintage/Standard/Modern" lines that Sadowsky does, and from all I've heard and played tend to run very light. Just another weight-specific option to consider. Good luck with your search and decision!
 
#13
Alder rosewood is my fav combo. But it's more because a couple of Sadowsky's I had were this combo and I liked them a lot! So, I kinda stuck with that.
But all being said, it really doesn't matter that much to me between alder/rosewood or ash/maple. Traditional tone woods are pretty close IMO and most of the time we are splitting hairs between what we THINK we can hear anyway.
All IMO, so go easy!

And in the end it's a Sadowsky!!!:D

That being said, weight being an issue, NYC models are from what I understand across the board about 1-2 pounds lighter.

KJung just got a NYC Modern 5/24 that comes in at something sick like a tad UNDER 7 pounds!!
PM him for the link on his post about it. But give him a few, I'm sure he'll chime in here anyway!:D

The two Metro's (one 4 and one 5) I owned were both about 8.5-9 pounds. And the 3 NYC 5's I also had, came in about the same weight(they were pre-chambered body models BTW).
 
#14
MikeBass said:
Alder rosewood is my fav combo. But it's more because a couple of Sadowsky's I had were this combo and I liked them a lot! So, I kinda stuck with that.
But all being said, it really doesn't matter that much to me between alder/rosewood or ash/maple. Traditional tone woods are pretty close IMO and most of the time we are splitting hairs between what we THINK we can hear anyway.
All IMO, so go easy!

And in the end it's a Sadowsky!!!:D

That being said, weight being an issue, NYC models are from what I understand across the board about 1-2 pounds lighter.

KJung just got a NYC Modern 5/24 that comes in at something sick like a tad UNDER 7 pounds!!
PM him for the link on his post about it. But give him a few, I'm sure he'll chime in here anyway!:D

The two Metro's (one 4 and one 5) I owned were both about 8.5-9 pounds. And the 3 NYC 5's I also had, came in about the same weight(they were pre-chambered body models BTW).
Click to expand...

:D

Totally +1 on the above.

Your combination of the uber clean IP's with the uber clean Avalon, etc., and no slapping makes me thing the Modern24 might be at least something to think about. It surely does not sound a Sadowsky J AT ALL... but it is about the cleanest, punchiest (scary low mids) bass I've ever played. That bass would seem to match up very well with your ultra clean rig.

+1 on the above... if fancy top woods aren't your thing, the only reason to get an NYC is if you are highly sensitive to weight. The Metro's and 'pre routing' NYC models are still moderate weight... the new routed NYC's can get VERY light!!!!
 
#15
Thanks to all who have voted and especially to those who posted.

I agree that trying them out is best, but I have no opportunity to try even one NYC let alone comparing several models. So, given that, I must rely on my fellow TB'ers, who have never been short on opinions about such things!:D

As far as looks go, I guess I like the 5-24 best but have been concerned with comments about it's tone. I was under the impression that it's a more agressive version of the Sadowsky tone and (this is my impression and may be completely wrong!) is suited well for slap. This led me to believe that it is perhaps less well suited to fingerstyle than some of the other models. Again, this may be completely wrong...

Re: wood combinations and pickup selections, I am under the assumption that both of these choices will have a pretty big impact on tone. I'm hoping the description I gave of my situation and other equipment might bring some suggestions as to which choices might be best for me.

Thanks to Ian and to Ken (KJung) for your comments which, as always, are well thought out and presented. Making me think about an NYC 5-24 for sure! The VTC is an option I'm considering.

I *love* any more suggestions that might help me understand what the best model choice might be.

Thanks,

Matt
 
#16
I've always been a believer that pickups matter MUCH more than woods as far as tone, so your first decision should probably be what type of tone you're seeking. I've never heard a Sadowsky modern, and would love to try one. I'm quite happy with the tone on my ash/rosewood Metro UV, however. It sounds terrific through the IP -- I'm a fingerstyle player almost exclusively.

As far as NYC vs. Metro, it's my understanding that the two are very similar except for weight and color choices. If it were me, I'd be tempted to go with the Metro. Why? Because for the price of a new NYC, I could probably get two excellent used Metros -- one modern, and one J bass. :D

That's what I'd get.
 
#17
dunamis said:
Thanks to all who have voted and especially to those who posted.

I agree that trying them out is best, but I have no opportunity to try even one NYC let alone comparing several models. So, given that, I must rely on my fellow TB'ers, who have never been short on opinions about such things!:D

As far as looks go, I guess I like the 5-24 best but have been concerned with comments about it's tone. I was under the impression that it's a more agressive version of the Sadowsky tone and (this is my impression and may be completely wrong!) is suited well for slap. This led me to believe that it is perhaps less well suited to fingerstyle than some of the other models. Again, this may be completely wrong...

Re: wood combinations and pickup selections, I am under the assumption that both of these choices will have a pretty big impact on tone. I'm hoping the description I gave of my situation and other equipment might bring some suggestions as to which choices might be best for me.

Thanks to Ian and to Ken (KJung) for your comments which, as always, are well thought out and presented. Making me think about an NYC 5-24 for sure! The VTC is an option I'm considering.

I *love* any more suggestions that might help me understand what the best model choice might be.

Thanks,

Matt
Click to expand...


I've talked to Roger himself a number of times.
Give the shop a call and talk directly to them.
You cannot ask for a more helpful bunch of guys.
 
#19
The M-24 will give you a more "modern" tone (hence the "M"), has 24 frets and soapbar pickups. Gets more of an MTD/Smith kinda vibe. Great for both fingerstyle and slap and has somewhat more of a faster feel to the neck.

For what you're doing though...rock fingerstyle...I've got two words for you: single coils.

That means you need J style pickups which are not available on the M-24s. No slap? If you're going for a Metro then you'll want either an RV5 or RS5, depending on whether you want pickguard/control plate or not. Humbuckers are standard for the Metros so the SCs are a custom upgrade.

If you're going to step up to an NYC, then you have far more choices available for customization. Call them and talk to Roger or Kevin...they'll steer you in the right direction.

But whatever you decide....go single coils!
 

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