The appeal of a cheaper Sadowsky is that neck at a lower price on a five string for me. Mine is fretless so fret work is not an issue for me. That said, if I ever but another Sadowsky, if will be a Metroline, not a Metro Express.
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Sadowsky MetroExpress Modern - sent it back
- Thread starter jajafofo
- Start date
The appeal of a cheaper Sadowsky is that neck at a lower price on a five string for me. Mine is fretless so fret work is not an issue for me. That said, if I ever but another Sadowsky, if will be a Metroline, not a Metro Express.
I can understand that but I also have to think that a factory bass neck will be similar but not exactly like a USA Sadowsky neck. I say that based on my experience with other brands such as this. Lets go back to Lakland which I have the most experience with. The neck is really part of the USA magic. The Skylines get you in the ballpark but not really there. Its still a great neck but once I price it in the realm of USA Fenders I have a LOT of choices to find something comparable
I agree, just get the Sadowsky preamp if you already own a Fender. My Metro Express is the Modern model so it’s more unique and worth considering.
Thanks for the review. Almost bought one of these a while back. Screws can be replaced. The malfunctioning truss rod however is a deal killer.
Just as a question, does Sweetwater have a prescreening service offered for an additional charge? This would include making sure the bass is fully functional, includes a professional setup, and a fresh set of your favorite strings?
Would this be something our community here would support, and if so how much of an add on would you be willing to pay?
I hear really good things about Sire. However, just to clarify, I’m looking for a no lines fretless Jazz-style. Sire for some reason doesn’t offer this option.
When Roger teamed up with Warwick, he handed offshore production to them. Warwick is very profit centric. They immediately increased the cost of the metro line by 30%. Then they launched the “entry level“ line which essentially tossed the QC Rodgers instruments were known for. There were difficulties with launching during a pandemic. But Roger told me himself “it’s an entry-level instrument. Don’t expect it to be something it’s not“. I was a bit taken aback. But I was not used to anything with his name on it not being of exemplary quality. What’s really ironic is that other manufacturers, Lakland. Dingwall, were able to launch offshore models that were excellent quality. Using the same materials, their more expensive US models used. that simply was not the case with the Chinese made. Warwick managed assemblies.
They have their 'Imaginary' 55 point check
Also have Custom setup which includes Truss Rod adjustment from $99 to 159 sure they will put on any strings you buy from themas part of 55 point check they claim to check it is set to factory specs and sounding proper
Playability Check
- Check tuning machines & tune to pitch
- Stretch strings & tune to pitch
- String & saddle position
- Neck relief
- Frets
- Action height
- Intonation
- Pickup height
- Tremolo system
- Play test all notes on the fretboard
- Play test a variety of half- & whole-step bends
- Play test a variety of chords & styles
I don't know about Lakland but in the case of Dingwall (and also MTD) the import models go to the Canadian/USA shop for quality control. I'm very impressed with my MTD Kingston Super 4!
I've got nothing but great service from Sweetwater, and will continue to buy pedals, amps, cabs, etc... from them. But I have only bought one bass from SW, back in 2018, a $600 Ibanez. Took it out of the box and the volume knob came off in my hand. Easy enough, it's just a set screw. But you would have thought a 55 point check would have caught that.They have their 'Imaginary' 55 point check
as part of 55 point check they claim to check it is set to factory specs and sounding proper
Playability Check
- Check tuning machines & tune to pitch
- Stretch strings & tune to pitch
- String & saddle position
- Neck relief
- Frets
- Action height
- Intonation
- Pickup height
- Tremolo system
- Play test all notes on the fretboard
- Play test a variety of half- & whole-step bends
- Play test a variety of chords & styles
Since then, I have bought(all Fender) two Jazz, a PJ, an acoustic bass, and an acoustic guitar from GC as well as two Jazz V basses and 3 used Peaveys from a local mom and pop shop. Of course all were hands on purchases. Of the basses from GC, the PJ, the only American, was in dire need of a setup, the rest (MIMs) were fine as is out the door.
And as far as online purchases, I drove one state over to make a trade with a fellow TB member, 4 yrs later still have that P bass. And I bought a CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz from another TB member that was shipped, great bass there too although it will be the first bass I sell. I'm about to get rid of 4 of my 8 basses because I have a custom built bass I'm picking up in about 3 weeks and it's time to thin the herd and recoup some of the money I've spent on the custom built.
Nothing beats buying basses via hands on for sure. Will I ever buy another bass online? Heck at this point I hope I never buy another bass period. But you know... gas!
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I recently had my hands on a few of these, unfortunately all of them needed preamp replacements, that stock pre was so NOISY. Once that was done, the bass sounded really good. Unlike some of the earlier JJ and PJ that needed entire electronics replacements to even be giggable.
The quality has definitely improved since the RSD stuff, finishes and hardware both, but I just can't get over them putting an 18mm spaced bridge on a 19mm spaced neck for the 5 strings. Nothing about that is comfortable to me and probably my biggest "why???" in the entire design. Just makes no sense to cut that corner.
The quality has definitely improved since the RSD stuff, finishes and hardware both, but I just can't get over them putting an 18mm spaced bridge on a 19mm spaced neck for the 5 strings. Nothing about that is comfortable to me and probably my biggest "why???" in the entire design. Just makes no sense to cut that corner.
I was interested in the Metro Express when they originally came out....but when the issues started popping up I looked elsewhere. Fast forward to when they revamped the lineup, Roger got his logo back and they appeared to up the level of QC I took another look. I've played a few Sads in the past so I had a good idea of what I was getting in to. I bought mine through Sweetwater and it is very solid bass. I could have probably played it stock but after a couple of gigs I bought the VTC preamp and dropped it in. I'm trying some different strings with it but so far it has set up great, weighs in the low 9lb range and sounds great. Hopefully they get back on top of any QC issues that might be popping up.
Yes that is perplexing; many here seem to get 19mm Metroline Brass Bridge also upgrades quality to go along with upgrading preamp to VTC version also quality upgrade not just added VTC
So if your not happy with stock version best to buy excellent condition used Metroline for a few extra $ if able
I like and respect Roger and he is adamant about his Warwick connection including China Factory Metro Expresses being first class
Many Metrolines finishes and features seem very Warwick
I had a 2022 ME fretless, it was ok, worst probs were noisy pre, noisy pots and the little screws that keep tuners from rotating on headstock broke off (definitely throw those away if you ahve that vintage MExpress). But didn't sound good with rounds so i sold it
The original Japan Metro express instruments were shipped from the New York shop after production in Japan. Those have the same quality as the Lakeland and MTD instruments. And are an outstanding value if they can be found today. But I do not believe there was ever a metro express Japan modern produced. Only J instruments.
Your bass is a beauty! When Metro Express basses are good, they are very good. All of the issues mentioned are fixable without a ton of effort. Making sure little things don’t go wrong says a lot about a brand.
Well, the bass they just got back is already up for sale at sweetwater. If you want buzz city and truss rod issues, go grab it and save $132!
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-metallic-maple-fingerboard?cond=ME24M5MpCMd1
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-metallic-maple-fingerboard?cond=ME24M5MpCMd1
A friend shared this with me today
and I saw this video last night:
The bottom line is that Metro Express Sadowsky’s are mid tier production basses, and if you buy one, it will probably be good, but if it is bad, just return it. If you want a Sadowsky built to a higher standard, you can buy a Metroline, Custom Shop, or NYC, instrument. My fretless RSD is a sold $1K bass and I love it. Hopefully, the Modern I eventually buy will be reliable and well made too. We all need to do what is right for us, and a factory bass is good enough for me.
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