Im debating between these 2 basses. I havent been able to play the sadowsky which is unfortunate but it seems amazing and i love their electronics. I was able to play the MTD and it plays great but its a 35" scale which is longer than i like but with the asymetrical neck it doesnt feel too long. My teacher says the sadowsky is sort of a one trick pony and not very versatile due to the pickup placement. Im looking for other peoples thought and opinions.
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Sadowsky ME 5 vs MTD Kingston Z5
- Thread starter blazekwi
- Start date
Not sure I would ever classify a Sadowsky as a one trick pony. I'm assuming it's a jazz style bass. Between the multiple pickup options, the active preamp and the Vintage Tone Control, you can do a lot with that bass. Between the Sadowsky and the MTD, either would be a good choice.
What model Sadowsky Metro are you looking at? If it is a Jazz or PJ I have no idea where you teacher is coming from. Nether of those would be considered a one trick pony and both would be highly versatile instruments. Even a Sadowsky Modern can be versatile. My Sadowsky Masterbuilt Modern is my main player and one of my all time favorite instruments. Sadowsky's sit in the mix incredibly well.
I'm not a fan of the 35" scale on the MTD's but that is certainly personal preference. I am also not a fan of the necks on the Sadowsky MetroExpress either. Very heavy and chunky feeling and really nothing like a Sadowsky Metroline, Masterbuilt or NYC in feel.
So tough choice. I wish the MetroExpress team would shake up their neck builds/profile to be like the Metroline. Would make the Sadowsky an easy win for me.
Another instrument to look at would be the new Ibanez Mode Jazz basses. Those necks feel much better (to me anyway) than either the Sadowsky MetroExpress or the MTD 35" scale Kingston. The price is right in there too.
I'm not a fan of the 35" scale on the MTD's but that is certainly personal preference. I am also not a fan of the necks on the Sadowsky MetroExpress either. Very heavy and chunky feeling and really nothing like a Sadowsky Metroline, Masterbuilt or NYC in feel.
So tough choice. I wish the MetroExpress team would shake up their neck builds/profile to be like the Metroline. Would make the Sadowsky an easy win for me.
Another instrument to look at would be the new Ibanez Mode Jazz basses. Those necks feel much better (to me anyway) than either the Sadowsky MetroExpress or the MTD 35" scale Kingston. The price is right in there too.
Checkout the Lakland Skyline 5 strings, 35" scale (which I prefer to my Metroline 34") and 19mm bridge spacing.
The Ibanez Mode 5 Basses are 18mm and 34" scale. I much prefer the B string on 35" scale basses.
The Ibanez Mode 5 Basses are 18mm and 34" scale. I much prefer the B string on 35" scale basses.
Lakland basses typically do have excellent B strings. And somehow their 35" scale doesn't always feel as much of a stretch.
However, Sadowsky 34" B strings are fantastic. Especially on the Sadowsky Modern. One of the best.
I was quite impressed with the Ibanez Mode. I bought one and had it for a couple of days. Ultimately it wasn't for me but pretty impressive overall. Especially for the price.
However, Sadowsky 34" B strings are fantastic. Especially on the Sadowsky Modern. One of the best.
I was quite impressed with the Ibanez Mode. I bought one and had it for a couple of days. Ultimately it wasn't for me but pretty impressive overall. Especially for the price.
Purely based on specs, the MTD Kingston basses are built to a higher standard, but are also more expensive by several hundred dollars in most cases. That said, the Sadowsky B is the equal or maybe better than the 35" low B's of the MTD and Lakland. I say this having owned all three brands. Lakland Skyline electronics are the same as USA Lakland. Metro Express Sadowsky's and Kingston MTD's have less expensive electronics except for some MTD's which have US electronics, but they are in the $2.5+K price range.
I actually had a lakland 55-02 skyline and loved it! Maybe i will revisit that!
interesting. I emailed Roger and he said the metroexpress modern has a "medium C shape" and said ".83"-.96"" which idk what that means lol
The Sadowsky 5 do have excellent B strings, but as the 35" scale makes the string a little tighter, for me it makes
a considerable difference, and as I'm usually playing higher on the fretboard than I would on a 4 string, I like the longer scale.
Basically a tighter string is less sloppy. Thomastik flats are too 'loose' for me on my Japan Metroline, but tighten up nicely on a 35" scale.
So yeah, have to disagree that a Sadowsky B string is better than a Lakland, and I own two Japan Sadowskys and Laklands.
a considerable difference, and as I'm usually playing higher on the fretboard than I would on a 4 string, I like the longer scale.
Basically a tighter string is less sloppy. Thomastik flats are too 'loose' for me on my Japan Metroline, but tighten up nicely on a 35" scale.
So yeah, have to disagree that a Sadowsky B string is better than a Lakland, and I own two Japan Sadowskys and Laklands.
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I have a Lakland 55-94 and a Sadowsky Masterbuilt Modern. I prefer the feel and sound of the B string on the Sadowsky.
I also much prefer the feel of the G and D string on 34" scale basses.
I also much prefer the feel of the G and D string on 34" scale basses.
While I would never call a Sadowsky a one trick pony (my PJ5 in passive mode, front pu only, sounds exactly like....a passive Pbass!. And then you get all the other flavors of pu blends, active EQ vs passive, etc etc). At the end of the day it's really about the preamp and the famous Sadowsky Sound. It's a thing. So you'd have to decide if you want that. It really is the Fender sound taken to the next level. If it's a sound that does it for you, you'll know. The first time you play in an ensemble with it, or listen back to a mix when recording, with a little boost on the pre--it can be kind of an epiphany. Oh, and the B on mine kills (I've also owned Dingwall, G&L, and other fivers).
No that familiar with Sadofsky, but I have 3 MTDs and they are phenomenal. I have an MTD Norm Stockton Signature bass (5 string) and 35" is a stretch, but like you said, the neck profile makes the bass fairly easy to play.
Tone if the main reasons I like MTD is the "zero fret". It makes open strings sound like fretted ones. That's a really smart move by MTD and puzzling other builders aren't doing the same. The cost is minimal at best.
If you're looking for something versatile and easy to play you might want to consider the MTD LK5. It's a 32" scale P/J bass that sounds great especially if you buy the upgraded electronics (Bartolini pickups and preamp).
MTD currently has a B-Stock available with the Bartolini stuff for only $1489 with free shipping. Same warranty.
https://reverb.com/item/93527874-mt...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=93527874
Not sure what your teacher is talking about but I have a Sadowsky Metroline PJ ( I know, it's not the same line…), and it is super versatile regarding tone.
The Sadowsky preamp plus the vtc is a great combo.
For the first time in years I'm going back down the 5 string path. I had a 55-02 years ago and everything about that neck felt too big. The 35" and wide nut were too much for me. The specs on the Sadowsky neck are what steered me away. The width at the nut being the main drawback. I have began to really focus on MTDs. Got an upgraded Z5 from guitar center used. It's 35", which isn't my preference, so it's a stretch but the B is awesome and the spacing is just a bit narrower by the nut with the 1.75 width. The neck profile is nice. It's also crazy light at 8lbs. I don't like the Barts so some version of Nordstrand pickups would likely wind up in there if I keep the bass. The P2 pick shape is nice cause you can choose from a ton of pickup styles in that shell. I also have a used Saratoga 5 coming cause it's a standard J setup in a 34" scale. I'll prob keep whichever one I like best.
So you'd have to pick your priorities on features but you could get a used version of either from GC and take advantage of the 45 day return policy if you get it in hand and hate it.
So you'd have to pick your priorities on features but you could get a used version of either from GC and take advantage of the 45 day return policy if you get it in hand and hate it.
Have not played a sadowsky but I have the k5 mtd and it's a great bass. The body shape and neck profile just works and I wouldn't worry about the scale length because the reach of the 1st fret is actually more comfortable and closer than on my other 34" basses. The features you get in an mtd are cutting edge compared to most other brands. Tone is subjective but I like that it has a tone that's not trying to copy everything else. It's a little bit jazz bass influenced but it's absolutely mtd sounding. The recommendation for Lakland was a good one too. You could also look at a g&l but honestly it's hard to go wrong with any of these choices.
Agreed. People play P basses in all styles of music with just 1 pickup. Add another pickup and you can cover plenty of ground. Maybe the OP needs a new teacher along with his new bass?
Soapbar modelAgreed. People play P basses in all styles of music with just 1 pickup. Add another pickup and you can cover plenty of ground. Maybe the OP needs a new teacher along with his new bass?
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