Sadowsky Metro RV-5 vs. Valenti 5

[echo008]

Subscribed... I have Val17 coming in on a trade!
and Ive owned 2 Metros.
- Tom

 

[bikeplate]

HI

I own 2 Sadowsky's and have had 15 all together. They are my fave basses of all time. I'm on his artists' page and he has treated me like a prince.

Nino is a friend of mine. He works for Roger and makes amazing basses, too. I have a 5 string ordered from him. Dont know when I'll get it but I'm looking forward to it. Thats all I'll say at this point. Its up to Nino to post on his site or here if he'd like to discuss the specs of mine. The US customs necks and bodies he's using now are awesome. I played one of his 5's at a NYC GTG and loved the feel of the neck.

Cant wait to get it. When I do, I'll find this thread and post a description and some comments

Rob

 

[Marcus]

The general consensus seems to be that you can't go wrong with either. If I did not go for an NYC Sadowsky, I would probably dropped the cash on a Valenti.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

Is the wait killing u yet, Marcus? LOL!!

Rob

 

[pstyle]

I never realized he was a Sadowsky employee. Is he a builder? And what does Roger think about the competition?

Nino is a friend of mine. He works for Roger and makes amazing basses, too.
Rob

 

[Marcus]

HI

Is the wait killing u yet, Marcus? LOL!!

Rob

Damn man, you better believe it. It gets worse when I'm sitting around looking at the in-stock page. I've been tempted to whore myself out for a Metro I saw to tide me over...

 

[bikeplate]

HI

LOL, Marcus. Your order is gonna kill. Just wait

Roger about the competition? He's the coolest businessman I've ever met. He is so casual and kind he encourages Nino

Rob

 

[RunngDog]

Funny ... I started this thread a couple weeks ago and got zero response. Figured I must be the only person who cared about this question. Glad to see some interest at last.

I'm a committed 4-string Sadowsky player with a Valenti 5 due to ship late this month or early next. I love my two NYC 4's (a vintage jazz and a P-body PJ), but I do need a 5-string from time to time and I don't feel like I can justify the investment in an NYC 5 for occasional use. Three months ago I was about to pull the trigger on a Metro RV-5 (despite the fact that I haven't really liked the Metro 4's I've played at Roger's shop nearly as much as the NYC's), but decided at the last minute to try Nino. The bass Nino is building for me has a number of special features (ebony fretboard, color-matched headstock, etc.) and would run roughly $4k as a Sadowsky NYC, but Nino's price is about 30% less than that of a basic no-frills Metro RV-5.

I look forward to reporting back to TB when I receive it.

 

[Continuum]

Is the Sadowsky pre no longer an available option on Valenti's? Somebody said something about it.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

You should email Anthony if you have specific questions. Here is the link www.valentibasses.com

Rob

 

[Nino Valenti]

Is the Sadowsky pre no longer an available option on Valenti's? Somebody said something about it.

Someone doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

[albass111]

Someone doesn't know what they're talking about.

My apologies. It's not listed on your website as an option and I remember hearing from someone else about this.

 

[jdwinva]

I received my Valenti Vintage 5 a few days ago and have had a chance to use it in a full rehearsal. Wonderful bass! Has a sound all its own. Similar to a Sadowsky but not the same. Playability is excellent and the workmanship is perfect. Where it really excels is the amazing palate of tones. Mine has a Series/Single Coil/Parallel switch that combined with the p/u pan gets some amazing tones. I can get a Jazz growl, great slap sound, and a burpy bridge tone using the parallel switch that sounds amazing but not like any other bass. Anthony Valenti makes a superb bass and the price is in line. I felt like the bass is well worth the price.

Specs:

Specs:
Alder Body
Sherwood Green Metallic Finish w/Matching headstock
Maple neck w/Ebony fretboard
1 7/8" @ nut
12" Radius
Graphite Reinforced neck
Nordstrand DC5 pickups
3 way mini switch for Series/Single Coil/Parallel p/u switching
Aguilar OBP-1 preamp
Mint/Black/Mint Pickguard
Chrome Hardware
Hipshot B Style Bridge
19mm String Spacing
Hipshot Ultralites Tuners
Schaller StrapLocks
Contoured heel for easier access to the upper frets

 

[ibz]

That's a bass to be proud of right there, I'm slightly jealous. Enjoy it!

 

[roadkill2309]

Just a quick FYI. I no longer use Warmoth necks.The USACG necks I've been using have been thinner on the 4's and 5's.

Hey Nino, how do you find the build quality of USAGC over Warmoth? Did you switch over because of a QC issue, or was it just about the widths of the necks.

Also, do you use USAGC bodies as well?

Sorry to hijack the thread, guys. Nino, you can PM me if you want...

 

[pickles]

I used Valenti #12 on a rehearsal last night, and I'm very impressed! Total groove machine.

Alder/Morado w/ Sadowksy pups & electronics w/ VTC.

My quick review is:

The bass doesn't feel quite as "refined" as a Metro, but it does feel great. The neck is fatter than I expected (which I understand has changed on the more recent basses with the switch to USACG), and the corners are not as rolled as I like. In terms of feel I'd put it between a good MIA fender and a Metro. This of course has to do with the part used, not Nino's work.

Assembly quality is A+. Really outstanding. You could not find a better person to put together a bass for you.

I can't set the action *quite* as low without buzzing on this bass as I could on the metros (especially that smokin UV70), but I can get it into a very nice medium-low (< 3/32" on the E). A fresh fret level/crown/polish would likely take care of that. Note this is a third hand (at least) bass ... so there could be some fret wear I'm not noticing.

It sounds as good as, and very similar to both RV5s I've had but it responds more evenly across its range. No dead spots, and no feedback-prone zones. I assume this is due to the steel reinforcement in the neck. It also has more "burp" and thickness in the mids, which could be due to the fact that its a 4 string, or due to the lower mass bridge. Either way, I like it!

Overall, I like this bass a lot, and it made a great companion to my ash/maple Lakland 55-94 on a diverse cover set. The 55-94 handled the funk and anything requiring low notes or an in-your-face tone, and the Valenti handled all of the rock, soul, and pop (and it really handled!). Quite a potent gruesome twosome. Swapping back and forth was effortless, since both basses play great and sound great without any "help" from amp or EQ.

 

[Altitude]

Someone doesn't know what they're talking about.

My apologies. It's not listed on your website as an option and I remember hearing from someone else about this.

I just ordered a J5 with the Sadowsky pickups and preamp. That should be the real test of the difference between the two basses, as I do believe that Sadowsky electronics are a big part of their sound.

 

[Jim Carr]

+1!!
I will say it.....
Valenti's are Valenti's and not Sadowsky's.
Sadowsky's are Sadowsky's...... period.

Both are great basses.


Pro's and Con's don't really go into my discussion, just different.
I don't think that the Sadowsky pre is an option for Valenti basses anymore, but I can tell you that the above J bass sounded very different from my Sadowsky's. It seemed to be a little hotter in the output, and growl a little more when played hard when compared to my NYC UV. Both basses are Alder/Rosewood. The above Valenti has NJ4SV's so this might attribute the sound. This is my only experience playing the Valenti, and it was a very positive one.

Obviously, Sadowsky's have the best build quality IMO in the business. Nino does AMAZING work and the basses I saw at NAMM are top notch with zero defects. Personally, I don't know how he can charge so little for the bass, except that he's doing this for the love of it, and not so much to become rich off this endeavor.

In Summary, play a Metro, if that is what you like and the color is cool, go for it because you tried it, and dug it. If you need options, Nino offers great build quality and almost any option you want at a ridiculously low price. (realtive to other builders with similar options) I think he offers a 7-day trial which is more than generous considering the amount of basses he produces. That shows utmost confidence in himself and his work. I don't know if they can chime in, but I'd imagine that neither party is happy about all of these comparisons. IMO, Nino is not copying Sadowsky, and is doing HIS thing the best he knows how to the the result is producing a great instrument. He is fortunate enough to have been around some of the best builders in the business.

If I hadn't bought a NYC recently, I'd consider heavily about buying the above bass. (cheaper than a Metro) IMO, it's a great value.

+1 Yes indeed, well said, as noted above.

I have a V4-string NYC P/J and a 5-string EADGC Fretless Valenti with
Nordi Fatstacks and an OBP-3 pre. They are obviously very very
different. Different tools, tones, and playing styles. Even the Valenti's
look has intimidated some clients--their loss!

Below, you can check out Fretless5erFans's review of the Stealth Valenti:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219388
and mine of my Dark Transparent Cherry Sadowsky:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3434873#post3434873

They are very different and both wonderful. I think you need one of each!

 

[el_Kabong]

I own 2 Sadowsky's and have had 15 all together. They are my fave basses of all time.

No disrespect intended but I find it hard to understand why they're so good if you've been through 15 of them to get to the two you have.

 

[Jim Carr]

No disrespect intended but I find it hard to
understand why if they're so good, you've been through 15 of them to
get to the two you have.

Classic Serial Monogamy, perhaps???