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Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 (2020)

#101
CrossRO said:
I am just selling my beloved but wont be missed warwick thumb ( ergonomic disaster), and I am really undecided between putting a order for a MetroExpress Hybrid PJ 5 or a Sire P7 5, honestly, I am looking for a modern P fat tone, but was 100% decided on the Sire till I saw the metroexpress price tag =)) What do you guys say?
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Loepie said:
Sadowsky all the way... Build quality, sound, playability and weight is fantastic. The Sire is great soundwise, but the stacked knobs are very vulnerable and don't work perfectly, weight is to heavy and they do have a lot of headdive. I had several Sire's and that is my experience.
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I hear nothing but good things about the Sire line, and like the clips, but IMO/IME the FET design of Roger's boost-only 2-band pre wins the day, over just about every bass brand I've owned/gigged.

I have an NYC PJ5 as my main player, and after setting the treble/bass where I want (treble boosted pretty high, bass barely boosted at all) I only touch the blend and VTC knobs all night.

I saw this so much I should put it on a T-Shirt, but IMO/IME, the VTC is the 'Motown to Marcus' knob, broadly-speaking.
 
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#102
Currently I don't think the ME has the VTC and not sure if you can retrofit. I hope they offer that as an upgrade on a new instrument, but I can understand not offering customization at this price point. I owned a Metro with VTC and have the belt/box version of the preamp, and the VTC is that something extra. An aftermarket option could scratch that itch for those that see the VTC as a must-have.
 
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#103
jmain said:
Currently I don't think the ME has the VTC and not sure if you can retrofit. I hope they offer that as an upgrade on a new instrument, but I can understand not offering customization at this price point. I owned a Metro with VTC and have the belt/box version of the preamp, and the VTC is that something extra. An aftermarket option could scratch that itch for those that see the VTC as a must-have.
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Like Michael McDonald, ‘I Keep Forgetting’ that VTC thing on the new ME’s.
 
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#104
Yes, but then again, the metroexpress is the rockbass of Warwick, and while I don't really care if they are made in China, but if they are able to provide or is it another brand name china made instrument like rockbasses(not a fain, had a couple). I don't believe anyone here has the metroexpress hybrid pj(4/5), is that right?
 
#106
I own a Metroline and a Japanese MetroExpress, both basses are lightweight and indistinguishable in quality. Earlier this year when I bought the MetroExpress, I considered waiting for the Chinese ones, but not having a passive tone control (VTC), was a deal breaker. Although I’m sure they are fine instruments, I doubt they will be as good as the now discontinued Japanese Metroline. Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and It makes sense that the new MetroExpress will be a cheaper instrument so as to not eat into the sales of the Metroline basses. Mind you, the new MetroExpress look damn good to me.
 
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#108
8B314ABC-A65A-4FB1-84F5-CD162F2B1F95.jpeg
LeftyBongo said:
Hi,
I would like to install a dtunner in my Metroexpress.
Can someone tell me witch Hipshot model should i buy, 1/2 or 3/8 ?
Thank you very much
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Not sure the part number but this one:
 
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#111
As an existing Yoshi Metro owner, I am probably not the target audience for these basses, but I'm feeling a certain reluctance to buy anything Chinese these days. I would be in the market for a good used Japanese Metro at some point. I'm hoping they don't maintain their price too much!
 
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#114
Yahboy said:
I will choose Cort GB74JJ over this WarSadow Metro.
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I'm right there with you man. I just got my Chinadowskiwick yesterday, and though I may have gotten a major dud, I was NOT impressed. Even outside of the electronics issues..... the neck, fretwork, and lack of basic features (no battery door in a $900 active bass, not even a separate compartment) were all let downs. Meanwhile, for half the price- the Cort GB64JJ that I reviewed was STELLAR (though I got an ugly one, but the playability and sound was 100% there) and it has a battery door....

Here's a pic of the cavity of the dud Chinadowskiwick-
en83PA3.png


Look at that battery clip.... yuck.

You can see my full unboxing/first impressions vid on my youtube channel linked in my sig :)
 
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#115
LowEndLobster said:
I'm right there with you man. I just got my Chinadowskiwick yesterday, and though I may have gotten a major dud, I was NOT impressed. Even outside of the electronics issues..... the neck, fretwork, and lack of basic features (no battery door in a $900 active bass, not even a separate compartment) were all let downs. Meanwhile, for half the price- the Cort GB64JJ that I reviewed was STELLAR (though I got an ugly one, but the playability and sound was 100% there) and it has a battery door....

Here's a pic of the cavity of the dud Chinadowskiwick-
View attachment 4063421

Look at that battery clip.... yuck.

You can see my full unboxing/first impressions vid on my youtube channel linked in my sig :)
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This was a GREAT unvarnished review....I love the Lobster Tales. I will check back with DOWSKYWIK in a Year after they work out the rough spots...THE P Pickup is something I really want in a DOWSKY and I own 2 Japanese Metros
 
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#116
jmain said:
Currently I don't think the ME has the VTC and not sure if you can retrofit. I hope they offer that as an upgrade on a new instrument, but I can understand not offering customization at this price point. I owned a Metro with VTC and have the belt/box version of the preamp, and the VTC is that something extra. An aftermarket option could scratch that itch for those that see the VTC as a must-have.
Click to expand...

A VTC retrofit kit is available for the MetroExpress.
Roger
 
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#119
LowEndLobster said:
I'm right there with you man. I just got my Chinadowskiwick yesterday, and though I may have gotten a major dud, I was NOT impressed. Even outside of the electronics issues..... the neck, fretwork, and lack of basic features (no battery door in a $900 active bass, not even a separate compartment) were all let downs. Meanwhile, for half the price- the Cort GB64JJ that I reviewed was STELLAR (though I got an ugly one, but the playability and sound was 100% there) and it has a battery door....

Here's a pic of the cavity of the dud Chinadowskiwick-
View attachment 4063421

Look at that battery clip.... yuck.

You can see my full unboxing/first impressions vid on my youtube channel linked in my sig :)
Click to expand...

That solder work on the pot at the bottom of the pic looks pretty bad, looks like I could’ve done it! Hard to believe this bass hasn’t been messed about with after leaving the factory. Sadowsky Q.C. has always be stellar, so if that is straight from the factory, it’s a hard pass.
To me, the boost only preamp has to have a passive tone control to make sense. To not be able to reduce the treble just ain’t right, can’t even do it in passive mode, not good.
 
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#120
Yahboy said:
Sure I been try both myself.
You should test drive the Cort 74JJ if you don't know anything about it.
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Ok, cool. I like the look of the GB74 gig, but they were very scarce in the U.K. and that was before lockdown. My Japanese MetroExpress is equally as good as my Metroline, but seems like the Chinese Q.C. of the new M.E. ain’t so hot. Other than the body wood (Okume) and the missing VTC, Seems that everything else is similar to Metroline, just more factory rather than team built (you know what I mean).
 

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