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That is definitive proof that Sadowsky’s are beasts in the studio.
It seems like a small batch of these basses were made without the roasted neck. That might be why they are able to offer them at a great price.
Dang, I might need to poke around and move something to score one w/out the roasted neck.
To be quite frank, I just noticed that Andy Irvine said his is a prototype...it's not roasted. Then saw Jayme Lewis has a prototype...thats not roasted. Then saw on Facebook another bassist with a prototype...thats not roasted either. So I'm only assuming (never assume lol) that the actual production basses will be the roasted ones. I may be completely wrong about everything though.
Yeah they wanted to send me prototypes but I'd rather just have the finished product to look at. We have some good comparisons lined up too.
GhettoBrassGuy
Supporting Member
- Nov 27, 2002
- 1,107
- 733
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull, Lakland, Aguilar, JH Audio
That's right. The only differences between production and these protos will be roasted neck, and the magnetic compartment on back which don't really matter at all to me. These are KILLER basses for the money, discounted clinic or not. Andy's review is spot on per usual. I have 2 Japan MetroExpress and 1 Japan Metro which I use regularly and love, but these are good enough that I picked up a PJ5 yesterday at the clinic as well. Will probably be swapping the pre for the drop in one with the VTC, possibly the pickups but I'll give it a while to see how they do live. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong.
Guess we'll see just how roasted the necks are. Maybe the tone and playability will outweigh that.
That green looks different from the previous MEs. Maybe just lighting?
Here's a vid from about a week ago. It's not in English, but you get the point. A close look at the neck as well.
GhettoBrassGuy
Supporting Member
- Nov 27, 2002
- 1,107
- 733
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull, Lakland, Aguilar, JH Audio
It is different. The pic is pretty accurate, it's actually a tad lighter in person. Way closer to teal green now, where the first run of ME were green green. Not sure if that's just this run but I like it a lot better than the previous color.
My fretless RSD isn’t going anywhere, but I may sell some stuff for a MetroExpress fretted JJ5.
My 2020 RSD ME has been upgraded and is brilliant. The mods are VTC preamp, Dunlop straplocks, Hipshot Ultralites (USA, not cheap licenced ones), rolled fingerboard edges and rounded fret ends, custom pickguard. I'm about to replace the pickups with DiMarzio Model Js as the stock ones are too bright for my taste.
I met and spoke with Will Lee yesterday. Sadowsky basses came up of course when I told him I owned a MetroLine Will Lee RW4. (He actually asked if it was a 4 or a 5 then nodded approvingly when I said four.) Will said he's told Roger he wants him to sell $500 Sadowsky basses. Will said he wants everyone to have one. That's when the Chinese basses made sense to me.
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That one was sick. I kinda wish I smashed that color but I’ll never be unhappy with black and maple
I certainly don’t know Will Lee, but he has always struck me as someone with a kind nature. I guess a $500 Sadowsky would be the equivalent of a Sire V3 or V5, both of which are good basses in their price range. It would be cool if Sadowsky did that, but I suspect they don’t want the brand to be seen as discount either.
Perhaps $899 reflects current market realities yet is closer to Will’s ideal. All of his NYC Sads have to be in $6K to $7K price range. My impression is Will Lee lives in a silo.
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In all fairness to Will Lee, it was not that long ago when decent new $500 basses were common, like 2008-2009.
