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Sadowsky Basses

Orlan

Orlan

Mar 13, 2008
233
64
#1
Hi guys! I'm hoping to grab a Sadowsky bass in my next visit to The States... I might have the chance to go to NY for a couple of days and won't miss to play one.

So, I come here to ask you from your experience with them; is there a difference in the sound between the Vintage model and the Ultra Vintage model in the Metro line? What about the Vintage NYC bass?

Any thoughts and comments will be very appreciated, thanks in advance!


Orlan.
 
#2
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450206


:)

Edit: Regarding your question on the NYC UV's, while the Metro UV's are meant to cop a 70's look, the NYC UV's that I've seen seem to be meant to be a more late 60's vintage thing... Nitro finish, full size body, single coil pickups, and most seem to have 60's pickup position, and I believe a lower radius board. You don't see too many of them. Of course, since the NYC's are custom, you can mix and match the spec's on the NYC basses.

You might want to keep your eye on the 'in stock' NYC and Metro page on the Sadowsky site as you get closer to your trip, since those are the basses that will be available at the Sadowsky shop.
 
#3
Thanks a lot for the link, mate! Very helpful... I have GAS attacks for the looks on the metro UV... The blocks and the biding looks awesome on the Olympic White, but that undersized body in the Vintage model should be very confortable. I'm glad to know that the diferrence is on the look more than on the tonal side.

One thing I haven't realized id that both NYC's UV and Vintage basses are very similar in appearence... but, in their specs or tone?
 
#4
Orlan said:
Thanks a lot for the link, mate! Very helpful... I have GAS attacks for the looks on the metro UV... The blocks and the biding looks awesome on the Olympic White, but that undersized body in the Vintage model should be very confortable. I'm glad to know that the diferrence is on the look more than on the tonal side.

One thing I haven't realized id that both NYC's UV and Vintage basses are very similar in appearence... but, in their specs or tone?
Click to expand...
The UV basses have a fullsized body and nitro finish, whereas the Vintage have a poly finish and a downsized body. In the Metros, if you want blocks and binding you would need to get the UV models which mean fullsized body.

In the NYC models, the only way to get blocks and binding is to put a metro neck on an NYC body (which is not recommended - at least by Kevin at Sadowsky). Roger feels that his basses are pricey enough without a further upcharge for blocks and binding on NYC models (to paraphrase Roger).

I have a vintage NYC model (although its P/J) and personally think the downsized body looks better than the full sized. But that's personal preference. Whenever I see a fullsized J bass I think the headstock looks too small! :D
 
#5
Mark Latimour said:
The UV basses have a fullsized body and nitro finish, whereas the Vintage have a poly finish and a downsized body. In the Metros, if you want blocks and binding you would need to get the UV models which mean fullsized body.

In the NYC models, the only way to get blocks and binding is to put a metro neck on an NYC body (which is not recommended - at least by Kevin at Sadowsky). Roger feels that his basses are pricey enough without a further upcharge for blocks and binding on NYC models (to paraphrase Roger).

I have a vintage NYC model (although its P/J) and personally think the downsized body looks better than the full sized. But that's personal preference. Whenever I see a fullsized J bass I think the headstock looks too small! :D
Click to expand...


+1... it gets a little confusing, because the Metro UV is a very specific thing... a 70's J bass type thing but still with the 'Sadowsky tone' (i.e., the stock HC pickups, etc.).. full body, blocks and binding, poly finish... that's what it is.

The NYC UV is more of what seems like a 'general approach' than a specific model... as you describe... full size body, nitro finish, typically single coils, and I think from what I've seen posted by Roger, more of an attempt to do a more 'vintage Fender type' instrument in the Sadowsky line.... I believe with a more 'old school' feeling radius (lower, rounder), the single coils, Nitro, etc.... moving the bass toward the 'Fender' side of things feel and tonewise.

The Metro UV is full-on 'modern, updated' Sadowsky tone, and is much more similar than different sounding to the MV's and RV's.

The NYC Ultra's can get pretty darn pricey. The Metro UV's are a pretty good deal if you want the look and at least somewhat the feel of a 70's J with the 'Sadowsky' sound.
 
#6
KJung said:
The NYC Ultra's can get pretty darn pricey. The Metro UV's are a pretty good deal if you want the look and at least somewhat the feel of a 70's J with the 'Sadowsky' sound.
Click to expand...
I only note that "pretty darn pricey" is a relative term when you are talking about Sadowsky guitars! ;)

If you are looking to "pick one up" when you are in NYC, then you will be relying on what is "in stock". However, don't be afraid to order one from Sadowsky and have them shipped to you. I have had two shipped to me in the UK with absolutely no hassle. They use the second quickest FedEx option (usually takes 2 days to get here) and have always arrived in perfect condition.
 
#7
Specs on the NYC Vintage basses can be different. My bass #4666 is a Vintage 4 with a full size body. It also has an Alder body and a Maple neck. I love this bass!!!! Go and try the basses and see if one feels right to you. Good Luck and Enjoy!

Cheers,
Jim
 
#9
As if that weren't enough to consider, you might also want to factor in whether you want the standard HCs or the single coil pickups. Most folks are quite thrilled with the HCs, but I'm a single coil person as some others are.

My Metro UV70-5 has single coils, and it kills. It sounded great with the HCs as well, but the single coils get me closer to that aggressive tone I was seeking (IMO).
 
#10
The NYC UV is going to have Reinforcement in the neck, most likely single coil PUPS (but not always) and will have a 9" radius versus the 12" radius on the standard NYC (also reinforced neck but with Humcancelling PUPS) versus 10" radius on the Metro UV (and no reinforcement in the neck) The body size does not necessarily influence the weight too much IME. I have played and owned light UV70s in the 8-8.5 lb range. They are all different flavors of great IMO/IME but there are definitely HUGE differences within the lines you are mentioning here, sonically, aesthetically, and feel wise. The Metros are damn fine basses, especially the UV70s! You really won't get the same thing in the NYC UV that you get in the Metro UV70 IME. I have owned numerous UV70s and a couple of different NYC UVs as well as a NYC UV P bass. They are all totally different animals in terms of feel but the finish is going to be impeccable no matter what you get. If I knew what you are looking for tonally I could probably give you some ideas of where to start. I am one of the nuts that have owned 24 Sadowksys and played a lot more than that so I feel pretty sure I can point you in the right direction. :D

For what its worth, I am under the impression that they are not doing any more Nitro finishes so it may be just a question of where they are in the production process as to whether they may have or will have any more. Personally, I love my Nitro NYC UV and wish I still had her but she is resting comfortably in Nashville at the moment thanks to my ex wife!! Tell us what you are looking for tonally and maybe we can get you close...

Peace,

T
 
#11
Searched for many years for the "ultimate jazz" ...
now I've found it

I bought a Rv5 metro and I'm very happy with it.. sadowsky are truly great...
expecially the preamp and pickups... they sound awsome and stand out in every situation...

In the future I'm going to buy another one for sure.
 
#12
First of all, thank you guys for taking your time and share your thoughts and experience. It's really appreciated... been reading the forum for a while, but hadn't posted yet. Glad to be here!

It's good to know that in any possible choice, it could be great anyway and have no doubts the finish would be amazing. I was thinking about confortable regarding to the size (The Vintage Metro), as I'm 5'8 maybe I could take advantage of this option. Not that I can't handle a full size one or anything, but as It's aviable... hehe.

Tom; 24 Sadowsky?? man, sounds like fun! hahahah.... I'm digging so much a UV-70 4 STRING in Olympic white... It's just got that look, but that would be secondary as the main thing or me should be the tone. I'm into Funk, Latin, Pop... of course I can never step away from rock but it's not my main style. So, I'm after a warm, fat tone...


Thanks in advance to all!
 
#13
HI

Good luck finding the one you like. They are all nice. The NYC's are typically a pound or so lighter. There are more options available with them, also. Metros Rock!! You dont have to get an NYC to get a great bass.

Nitro, from the last I heard, isnt gonna be used on their bodies any longer. To hard to work with, too many inperfections for the shops liking. So I've heard

Any JJ, full or downsived body, should do the trick for the music you play. Have fun in NYC

Rob
 

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