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Sadowsky Metro or Keep my AM Jazz Special?

#21
Just a small note in favour the Sad. I bought a used Metro - from 2004, was of course sceptic if it was an authentic Sadowsky cause they started the Metro Line that year. There were also a question of the stringheight which was waaaaaaay off on this guitar. So, I mailed the support at Sadowsky and the man himself answered (mr. Roger Sadowsky, that is). Not only did he verified that it was a genuine Sadowsky (one of the first to come from the Tokyo branch) but also gave me the initial string heights and some other useful tips to finetune the instrument.

Now, to me that shows what the Sadowskys are - not massproduced but individually built by peeps who care and keep on careing

Then again, if you want the Fender sound, you go for a Fender.. Or maybe a Line6 :-)
 
#22
Don't sell your bass!
The American Special jazz is a great bass (I've actually got an Am Special jazz neck on my P bass) especially now you've upgraded the crucials.
One thing you should consider is that Sadowski Metros are renowned for being HEAVY (weight wise) as they use cheaper denser woods (the USA Sad's are chambered. Take into consideration that your Am Special Jazz is probably very light and resonant (the Am Specials are renowned for this), it has a slightly slimmer body (front to back) than a trad jazz bass and in my opinion, the finest, fastest and easiest to play jazz neck ever (also thin front to back) means you've already got a hell of a bass there already. Also your jazz neck has the graphite support rods so there's none of the problems further up the neck that was mentioned earlier. It will be rock solid all the way no matter what you throw at it (like mine is)
Want the Sadowsky sound? Get the Sad floor pedal as mentioned earlier. Want a wicked traditional jazz bass sound? Stomp on the pedal to bypass it.
Don't get misled that you're somehow upgrading into boutique bass-ville by getting a metro. They are good but not good enough to lose your current bass over (at great expense) imo.
 
#23
I am not sure I totally agree with that... The Metros are terrific basses for the money. The electronics and build quality are right there with the NYC Sadowskys. The differences as you mentioned are chambered bodies with fancy tops on the NYC versions. Roger Sadowsky mentions on his site if you aren't looking at these options buy the Metro. I have had 4 of them, and only one was heavy(still under 10 lbs).

I would recommend you go out and play a few Sadowsky basses. See if they are something you might be interested in. They do NOT sound like Fenders. They have a very signature tone to them that sits very nicely in the mix. Frankly I like both brands. You really need to find out for yourself which one works best for you in your situation.
 
#24
I sold two Fender jazz basses to but my Sadowsky. I have had three Fender Jazz basses. They are great. I made the switch because the quality of construction, tone and feel far surpass Fender. The Fender custom shop stuff is in a different league.

Roger openly states that he builds basses for working musicians and not collectors. I made the switch six years ago and have not tried any other other brands of basses since. I have no need to.

I used the Sadowsky belt clip preamp for a few years and then switched to the floor model. To me, that preamp is made for jazz basses. Despite the huge improvement in tone, changing to a Sadowsky bass was another leap. Having played the metro and NYC models, I am challenged to spot differences.
 
#26
I think I'd rather have the American Special over the American Standard. I like the old style bridge and tuners much better than the modern stuff.

The Specials aren't a cheaper version of the American Standards, like the Highway 1's were. My only complaint is such a nice bass doesn't come with a hardcase.
 
#27
All great info.....I like the feel of my fender but I love the tone of a sadowsky. I guess im the only weirdo who is trying to rid the j bass sound to get more of a modern tone. Plus I have no idea what my current bass I worth. I'm sure people would be pissed that I removed orig fender pups and put in nordy's. But anyway, I do really dig that sad. sound a lot!
 
#29
sandwich5027 said:
Hello guys, I'm new to posting but have been on this site for a long time. Anyway, my question is should I sell my Fender special J bass (upgraded tuners , bridge and installed Nordstrand NJ4 SE pups) to put towards Sad. Metro? I've read multiple opinions on both basses but just wanted to hear some specific pros and cons with the whole J bass vs Japan made Sad J Bass.....I play slap and rock style and really always liked MM sterling and soapbar bass sound.......Thanks for any feedback
Click to expand...

I'd strongly suggest that you pick up a Musicman Sterling then. There's no other bass that does The Musicman Sterling better than... well, a Musicman Sterling! It's a fantastic bass.
 
#30
LOL I have one! I was trying to explain tones I like and style I play. But I did want a bass that sounds a little different than a MM sterling.

My other bass is my spec j bass but didn't really like sound of orig. pups too much so I took them out.

only pondering selling j bass.... never my MM!!!
 
#31
I completely agree with the suggestion of picking up a new or used Sadowsky pedal preamp and giving that a go with your Fender J. I have heard some really great results with just such a combo. If that ultimately doesn't end up doing what you're searching for, you can easily sell the pre.

For me personally, I love the Sadowsky sound. I love a big tone, with a thick booty, and my Sadowsky J does that in spades. Just as importantly, it also cuts through in a extremely musical way. I find the tone to be modern, yet familiar, and yes... it sits in the mix exceptionally well, just as so many have already stated. Add in that Roger and his crew's CS is beyond fantastic - then BAM! Done deal. Anyway...hope you find what you're looking for.
 
#32
In my experience, the Sadowsky sounds better to my ears. My Metro P/J is the tops when I want the P/J sound, and the best Jazz I own is a Lakland USA Joe Osborn Jazz. My Sadowsky 70s Jazz is no slouch, either.

As much as I want a bass that says "Fender" on the headstock and sounds great in my hands, it's the companies that copy them where I have the best luck. Lakland and Sadowsky just out-Fender Fender.
 
#33
Having been in your shoes with a similar scenario I dumped the Fender. The Sadowsky Metro's are fantastic and sound better and felt better than pretty much any Fender I've ever picked up. Best advice is to find a used Metro. I believe there's a couple in the classifieds right now.

As for US Fender holding value better... Maybe... Maybe not. At the end of the day if you aren't happy with your sound does it really matter which bass will "hold it's value" better? Buy a used Metro and you'd likely take very little hit when trying to resell.

Trying a Sadowsky floor pedal preamp is a good idea too. You could always unload it easily.
 
#35
sandwich5027 said:
All great info.....I like the feel of my fender but I love the tone of a sadowsky. I guess im the only weirdo who is trying to rid the j bass sound to get more of a modern tone. Plus I have no idea what my current bass I worth. I'm sure people would be pissed that I removed orig fender pups and put in nordy's. But anyway, I do really dig that sad. sound a lot!
Click to expand...

Sadowsky now has a drop in on board preamp. I would rather have on board than a pedal. I have a Metro and it sets up and plays better than any bass I've owned and I've owned quite a few Jazz basses. If it were me...I'd buy a used Metro and if I liked the Fender more I would move the Metro on for what I paid for it.
 
#36
miles'tone said:
Don't sell your bass!
The American Special jazz is a great bass (I've actually got an Am Special jazz neck on my P bass) especially now you've upgraded the crucials.
One thing you should consider is that Sadowski Metros are renowned for being HEAVY (weight wise) as they use cheaper denser woods (the USA Sad's are chambered. Take into consideration that your Am Special Jazz is probably very light and resonant (the Am Specials are renowned for this), it has a slightly slimmer body (front to back) than a trad jazz bass and in my opinion, the finest, fastest and easiest to play jazz neck ever (also thin front to back) means you've already got a hell of a bass there already. Also your jazz neck has the graphite support rods so there's none of the problems further up the neck that was mentioned earlier. It will be rock solid all the way no matter what you throw at it (like mine is)
Want the Sadowsky sound? Get the Sad floor pedal as mentioned earlier. Want a wicked traditional jazz bass sound? Stomp on the pedal to bypass it.
Don't get misled that you're somehow upgrading into boutique bass-ville by getting a metro. They are good but not good enough to lose your current bass over (at great expense) imo.
Click to expand...

Simply not true, I've never seen an RV or MV Metro come in at over 9 1/2 in a fiver. And as far as quality of the woods, I'll take a Metro over anything I've seen from the Fender Custom Shop, much less their production stuff. While you can certainly get fancier wood in a NYC (I've owned two), the two Metros I've had were very resonant light basses and sounded great unplugged including my current MV4 that is my main bass now.

Like I said before they aren't for everyone, and they aren't perfect, and I've played some other great super J's (Celender, Alleva, Lakland, and Nordstrand). But Roger has a unique and very playable package, a great neck contour (maybe the best five string neck contour), no neck dive, and the reduced body sizes seem to fit me better. And used Metros, 1500-2000 are great buys.
 
#37
So, if I want to sell my bass wth is the value after mods? I played my friends metro UV and I want one badly!!! Sucks I wasted time and money on mods just to dump Fender so quickly.
12 Weeks old fender Am. special white with added 4 ply tort guard
Nordstrand NJ4 SE pups
Gotah 201 Bridge
Schaller vintage tuners
Fender Hardshell case Tweed (Red interior)
 
#40
sandwich5027 said:
So, if I want to sell my bass wth is the value after mods? I played my friends metro UV and I want one badly!!! Sucks I wasted time and money on mods just to dump Fender so quickly.
12 Weeks old fender Am. special white with added 4 ply tort guard
Nordstrand NJ4 SE pups
Gotah 201 Bridge
Schaller vintage tuners
Fender Hardshell case Tweed (Red interior)
Click to expand...

I don't think those mods will hurt the value of your bass at all. The Nordstrands are a step up from Fender, the Bridge is an improvement (if installed correctly). You want get your money back on the improvements, but I'd add about 50% of what you paid for them if you go to sell (less installation).
 

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