Sadowsky Metro tone, UV70-5 vs MS5 ?

[phillm47]

Help a guy out. If we're talking Sadowsky Metro's in ash/maple configurations, is there much difference in tone between the Ultra Vintage and Standard? Any real difference in weight? Any other differences between these two one should be aware of other than aesthetics?

possible GAS attack in progress.

 

[KJung]

Help a guy out. If we're talking Sadowsky Metro's in ash/maple configurations, is there much difference in tone between the Ultra Vintage and Standard? Any real difference in weight? Any other differences between these two one should be aware of other than aesthetics?

possible GAS attack in progress.

IMO and IME, no significant difference in tone (even though the UV has 70's pickup position, I just don't hear much difference between these models in my A/Bing... I think Roger Sadowsky posted something similar recently regarding the small impact of 60's versus 70's bridge pickup position).

Weight... the UV is a full sized body versus the (very nice IMO) reduce size body of the MV. In the 5 or 6 I've compared over the last few years, the weight is in general a touch heavier than the smaller MV (maybe a pound or less), but all that I've played have been relatively lightweight, so no real problem there IMO.

 

[phillm47]

IMO and IME, no significant difference in tone (even though the UV has 70's pickup position, I just don't hear much difference between these models in my A/Bing... I think Roger Sadowsky posted something similar recently regarding the small impact of 60's versus 70's bridge pickup position).

Weight... the UV is a full sized body versus the (very nice IMO) reduce size body of the MV. In the 5 or 6 I've compared over the last few years, the weight is in general a touch heavier than the smaller MV (maybe a pound or less), but all that I've played have been relatively lightweight, so no real problem there IMO.

Thanks for the input - If I'm reading this correctly, I assume the "very nice" remark was in regards to the MS5 body?

 

[KJung]

Thanks for the input - If I'm reading this correctly, I assume the "very nice" remark was in regards to the MS5 body?

Yes... I just appreciate that slightly reduced J style body. The full size J bodies feel and look quite big on my 165 pound 5'10" frame

That being said, the UV with those blocks and binding really looks nice. To me, it seems more of an aesthetic decision than a tonal one.


I'm sure others will chime in on this who have played a number of both models.

 

[KJung]

One more comment... I just noticed you are talking about an MS5 versus the MV5. While they both sound the same, if you do any slapping, the MV5 with the guard feels more 'traditional' if the distance between the G and D strings and the body is important. Otherwise, that too would be an aesthetic decision. IMO!

 

[T-MOST]

I have a UV70 5 and the big body is great... even at 5'8" 160lbs! I have played a MS5 without VTC and compared to the UV70 with VTC it was night and day. In fact without the VTC I wouldn't care for the tone at all.

 

[KJung]

I have a UV70 5 and the big body is great... even at 5'8" 160lbs! I have played a M5 standard without VTC and compared to the UV70 with VTC it was night and day. In fact without the VTC I wouldn't care for the tone at all.

I assume you are attributing the tone difference to the VTC and not the instrument 'styles', correct? With the VTC turned all the way up, I assume you heard those two instruments similarly?

And +1 on the VTC... this is a key option if you are playing out of a modern rig with a tweeter IMO. The ash/maple models can get quite bright sounding.

Edit: Also, +1 on the full sized body... pure personal taste there. My primary instrument has a full sized J body also... no big problem or anything.

 

[T-MOST]

I assume you are attributing the tone difference to the VTC and not the instrument 'styles', correct? With the VTC turned all the way up, I assume you heard those two instruments similarly?

And +1 on the VTC... this is a key option if you are playing out of a modern rig with a tweeter IMO. The ash/maple models can get quite bright sounding.

Well, The big Ash body add a little more to the tone than the scaled down body to my ears. Even without the VTC the UV70 had a touch more punch.

 

[KJung]

Well, The big Ash body add a little more to the tone than the scaled down body to my ears. Even without the VTC the UV70had a bit more punch.

I do hear the heavier ash Sadowsky's as being a little more 'full sounding' than the lighter ones (both across and within model styles), and in general, since the UV's are a touch heavier than the MV's and MS's, this makes sense. Pretty subtle though IME.

 

[burk48237]

I'm with Ken on the difference being subtile at best. Although, I must say I love J Basses with blocks and binding. But I haven't played a UV 70 yet that had any more aggressive sound then my RV5 with a set of Hi-Beams on it. I use to own a MV5 (NYC) and it sounded warmer then my RV5.

 

[Mr_Dave]

IMO and IME, no significant difference in tone (even though the UV has 70's pickup position, I just don't hear much difference between these models in my A/Bing... I think Roger Sadowsky posted something similar recently regarding the small impact of 60's versus 70's bridge pickup position).

Weight... the UV is a full sized body versus the (very nice IMO) reduce size body of the MV. In the 5 or 6 I've compared over the last few years, the weight is in general a touch heavier than the smaller MV (maybe a pound or less), but all that I've played have been relatively lightweight, so no real problem there IMO.

I'm with Ken on the difference being subtile at best. Although, I must say I love J Basses with blocks and binding. But I haven't played a UV 70 yet that had any more aggressive sound then my RV5 with a set of Hi-Beams on it. I use to own a MV5 (NYC) and it sounded warmer then my RV5.

+1 I'd just say from the experience of owning a UV70 it was a little bit stronger in the mids, and the bridge pickup on its own is less full. The preamp can compensate for this but i personally prefer the fuller sound of the bridge pickup in the 60s position... EDIT, i'd also say, i found it hard to dial out the extra midrange bite of the 70s spaced pickups...

 

[Bass Boy]

I have a UV 70 in ash/morado and an m5V in ash/maple. The 70s spacing is a subtle difference, but it is there. I have noticed this more since I switched to DR strings. Obvious the difference is more apparent when panning to the bridge slightly.

The body is full size on the UV70. The neck is a tiny bit wider feeling due to the binding. Not much but it is noticeable. They are both great basses. The UV70 is damn sexy looking though!

These are them!:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448020

You can see the size difference between the two.

 

[phillm47]

...The UV70 is damn sexy looking though!

These are them!:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448020

You can see the size difference between the two.

sexy indeed

 

[gillento]

Comparing both, which one sounds brighter? The UV with 70s spacing or the MV with ash/maple?

I own an MV too and I am gassing for a UV but I can't decide on wood combination.

I have a UV 70 in ash/morado and an m5V in ash/maple. The 70s spacing is a subtle difference, but it is there. I have noticed this more since I switched to DR strings. Obvious the difference is more apparent when panning to the bridge slightly.

The body is full size on the UV70. The neck is a tiny bit wider feeling due to the binding. Not much but it is noticeable. They are both great basses. The UV70 is damn sexy looking though!

These are them!:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448020

You can see the size difference between the two.

 

[Bass Boy]

Comparing both, which one sounds brighter? The UV with 70s spacing or the MV with ash/maple?

I own an MV too and I am gassing for a UV but I can't decide on wood combination.

It's odd, they are very similar. I would give a slight edge to the ash/maple but keep in mind I haven't done a comparison with the exact same set of strings, in new condition, at the same time. The maple board bass has a little more "zing" to the tone if that makes sense. I have a four string alder/morado and the darker sound of that bass is very obvious when compared to the UV70/MV5.

I'll have to do a comparison/recording when I have them both set up with new strings. Now if I could just find someone in Canada who carries the silver star DRs I'd be all set!