Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 (2020)

[Sadowsky]

I'm in full agreement with the issues on the MetroExpress as described by LowEndLobster. Unacceptable without a doubt. The inability to travel to China this year had been a real problem for me. But I am on it. I am committed to solving the QC issues.

I built basses for over 20 years before I came up with the VTC and never had a complaint about it lacking one. The best I can recollect, we introduced the VTC in 2007.

Warwick is offering a VTC upgrade kit.

Roger

 

[ShawnG]

I'm in full agreement with the issues on the MetroExpress as described by LowEndLobster. Unacceptable without a doubt. The inability to travel to China this year had been a real problem for me. But I am on it. I am committed to solving the QC issues.

I am sure this is very frustrating. Thanks for your frank acknowledgement of the issues. Best of luck in getting things sorted, as I expect you will.

 

[Sadowsky]

I am sure this is very frustrating. Thanks for your frank acknowledgement of the issues. Best of luck in getting things sorted, as I expect you will.

Thank you, Shawn. Things will get sorted out for sure.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Thanks Roger! I really appreciate your response and definitely understand the spot you're in with COVID and the travel restrictions. I have a replacement (JJ this time) coming from Jason @ Fret Nation early next week and will do another unboxing. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help from an independent testing perspective .

 

[Sadowsky]

Thanks Roger! I really appreciate your response and definitely understand the spot you're in with COVID and the travel restrictions. I have a replacement (JJ this time) coming from Jason @ Fret Nation early next week and will do another unboxing. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help from an independent testing perspective .

Thank you!

 

[Lesfunk]

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

I owned a Japan Metro back in the day and the thing I found the most impressive about it was the immaculate wiring job .
I understand that expectations must be limited on a low end instrument but that is disappointing to see.
I think the disappointment is amplified by the fact that the Sadowsky brand is known for attention to detail above all else, and I think that has always been the greatest selling point of his instruments.
From what I’ve seen so far, this metro express would not even make the list of “fender style” instruments that I world personally consider paying $900 for. (No matter who’s name is on the headstock)
That being said, I do believe that Mr. Sadowsky is a man of integrity and is resolute in his commitment to quality.
I have faith that he will successfully address the issues with this product.

 

[Sadowsky]

Just to clarify ..... the VTC kits should be available in the US in January, according to my latest information.

 

[Yahboy]

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).

What can I tell you is warsadow has no stellar thing which happened on discontinued China Squier CV line.
Yes, it has affordable price under Sadowsky name, but, for me, she still overprice.

 

[Yahboy]

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

I can't imagine this will be a bass under name Sadowsky. The first touch already tell me the QC on the bass, even lower than the current indo CV bass from Cort (to me).

The Cort gb74JJ in amber just like Poorman MV4 to me. This bass sound a bit brighter than normal jazz tone, but everything on this bass are great than her price tag.

Hope can see you make a review on gb77JJ soon.

 

[Yahboy]

I'm in full agreement with the issues on the MetroExpress as described by LowEndLobster. Unacceptable without a doubt. The inability to travel to China this year had been a real problem for me. But I am on it. I am committed to solving the QC issues.

I built basses for over 20 years before I came up with the VTC and never had a complaint about it lacking one. The best I can recollect, we introduced the VTC in 2007.

Warwick is offering a VTC upgrade kit.

Roger

What do you think if you choose the factory who make previous Squier classic vibe ？
I know that is not my business, but better QC won't ruin the Sadowsky brand name.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I'm in full agreement with the issues on the MetroExpress as described by LowEndLobster. Unacceptable without a doubt. The inability to travel to China this year had been a real problem for me. But I am on it. I am committed to solving the QC issues.

I built basses for over 20 years before I came up with the VTC and never had a complaint about it lacking one. The best I can recollect, we introduced the VTC in 2007.

Warwick is offering a VTC upgrade kit.

Roger

I figured that not being able to visit the factory and make clear what you expected was at the root of the problems. None of the improvements needed to make this bass really viable in the $800-$1,200 market are difficult or expensive. I am happy to see you making a Sadowsky for broke b@st@rds like me!

 

[jim nolte]

One of the things I’ve heard more than once is when a Chinese factory is commissioned to produce something you have to stay on it since they are mostly government owned they are notorious for ether trying to save money or time by taking shortcuts after agreements have been made by the business commissioning them, Roger or a trusted rep should be on location off and on there and maybe be doing some random sampling of the product line.

 

[Sadowsky]

One of the things I’ve heard more than once is when a Chinese factory is commissioned to produce something you have to stay on it since they are mostly government owned they are notorious for ether trying to save money or time by taking shortcuts after agreements have been made by the business commissioning them, Roger or a trusted rep should be on location off and on there and maybe be doing some random sampling of the product line.

That is the way it has always been prior to COVID. Warwick would send one of their builders to the factory for two weeks every production cycle to supervise.

 

[5StringPocket]

Sheldon Dingwall has also had to make many trips and provide extensive guidance and expectations on quality control for his line of basses made in China. Not an easy partnership to manage.

 

[Mark Ambler]

I'm in full agreement with the issues on the MetroExpress as described by LowEndLobster. Unacceptable without a doubt. The inability to travel to China this year had been a real problem for me. But I am on it. I am committed to solving the QC issues.

I built basses for over 20 years before I came up with the VTC and never had a complaint about it lacking one. The best I can recollect, we introduced the VTC in 2007.

Warwick is offering a VTC upgrade kit.

Roger

I definitely have no complaints about my 2 (Japanese) Sadowskys and the one I bought my son to stop him nicking mine! I've mostly used passive fenders and are used to rolling off a little treble, but yes, easy workarounds with amp eq, etc. Hope the current woes with the Metro expresses gets resolved asap.

 

[CH Design]

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

I watched your video and am a little confused by your post. Based on your video review, I thought your only major complaint was about the preamp noise. I believe you had positive comments for both the fit/finish and feel of the neck. I can’t remember if you said anything about the fretwork, but I didn’t hear anything odd (fret noise) in your playing.

 

[P Cheen]

I watched your video and am a little confused by your post. Based on your video review, I thought your only major complaint was about the preamp noise. I believe you had positive comments for both the fit/finish and feel of the neck. I can’t remember if you said anything about the fretwork, but I didn’t hear anything odd (fret noise) in your playing.

Lobster said that he likes the finish of the body. He wasn’t impressed with the neck and fretwork and said they were okay. And I do believe the word ‘meh’ was uttered towards the end of the video. All in all he was not impressed, but he is hopeful with the 2nd round of RSD MetroExpress JJ coming his way.

 

[jmain]

@LowEndLobster, thanks for the unboxing/review. Very helpful.

I've purchased other Chinese 'import models' of well known makers with excellent fit, finish, feel, and electronics. They were able to set the expectations with long initial visits during setup of the factory and frequent QC trips. COVID is affecting the ability to provide that oversight and would be imagined. Also, I'm sure COVID is affecting the workers that are making these instruments as well. We can't forget that either.

 

[jmain]

Thanks Roger! I really appreciate your response and definitely understand the spot you're in with COVID and the travel restrictions. I have a replacement (JJ this time) coming from Jason @ Fret Nation early next week and will do another unboxing. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help from an independent testing perspective .

Looking forward to the next unboxing! Hoping this one hits the spot.

 

[basmansam]

Does anyone know if the 5 string fretless basses are lined or unlined? I have been unable to find a picture.

I bought a 5FL. I was able to get it dialed in - I think it's awesome. The only thing I did was get rid of the Chinese strings. That really opened up the sound of the bass. I will replace the string tree with hipshot and eventually the preamp. I'm very happy, unlined and ebony!!