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Sadowsky MetroExpress Modern - sent it back
- Thread starter jajafofo
- Start date
Nice !!!
I want a Modern largely because I really the Sadowsky neck profile and it seems that Safowsky’s average about 2.5lbs lighter than my Peavey.
I was measuring last night and the Sadowsky nut is about a 1/4” wider than the nut of my Peavey Forum AX and the string spacing on my Peavey is 17mm at the bridge and my Sadowsky is 19mm. The neck on my Peavey is bit more of a U profile while the Sadowsky is wider and thinner. Tonally, the two basses sound pretty similar. I will say my Peavey is built like a tank; it is 29 or 30 years old and is still going strong!
Sweetwater calls it "Certified Open Box" (see description below between the asterisks). It would be interesting to see how many of the OPs issues get caught and repaired by their factory-authorized technician. But I won't be buying it to find out.
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What is Certified Open Box Gear?
At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call "Certified Open Box" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.
Certified Open Box (also known as a demo) means we’ve had it out of the box for our YouTube channel, displayed at events, tested in our studio, or maybe it was in a customer’s hands for a few days and isn’t ‘factory fresh’ as a result. Every Certified Open Box item we sell has Sweetwater’s https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-metallic-maple-fingerboard?cond=ME24M5MpCMd1 and has been tested and verified up to ‘new’ specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it’s in perfect working order before we ship it to you.
When you buy a Certified Open Box item at Sweetwater, you get:
- 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty™!
- Products inspected and tested by our factory-authorized techs, guaranteed to function like new (or better)!
- FAST, same-day shipping on most orders
- Equipment that will MEET or EXCEED your expectations!
While not specifically the Modern model, I do have 2 of the MetroExpresses, one 1st gen and one 2nd gen. The 1st gen has kinda rough fit and finish. All of the knobs have this really gritty sandpaper feeling when you turn them. Maybe they'll wear in someday! It still plays great and sounds great, so ill keep it for now.
The 2nd gen on the other hand is a fantastic instrument. It is easily my most played bass of the 11 I have. I got it used on Reverb for a steal.
Im sorry you got a dud.
The 2nd gen on the other hand is a fantastic instrument. It is easily my most played bass of the 11 I have. I got it used on Reverb for a steal.
Im sorry you got a dud.
Gee, I should’ve read this before buying that same exact bass. #674. I’ll report back with my findings. The buzz behind your notes could be nut height which may adjust when relieved of string tension. The truss wheel nut will get lots of lube. Guess I’ll see how it goes. Sometimes if the truss tool is inserted too far through the wheel, it’ll actually dig into the body wood, binding it up. I have a good feeling about the refurbished bass. Stay tuned.
The bass is in! No problems whatsoever! First night and I’ve gone to black Ultralites and a black MX bridge. The neck is extremely stiff, so the truss rod does need to work moderately against it. Cool bass! It is very easy to skewer and score the body wood underneath the truss wheel— that would make turning harder, and because the tool is loaded against the wheel, it wouldn’t be backing out of the area it takes up during adjustment. Marking the tool, installing a metal card underneath the wheel, or inserting it at 90° before adjusting will make things easier on the tool and body wood.
I’ll need to get used to this bass and its generously proportioned neck. Delighted.
No problems.
Sweetwater delivers again.
I’ll need to get used to this bass and its generously proportioned neck. Delighted.
No problems.
Sweetwater delivers again.
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I ended up picking up an Open Box from Sweetwater during their Black Friday sale. Ive had it about a month and have gigged it 4 times. Fit and finish on mine is great imo. Im really liking how versatile the pickups are. I leaned way into the barky bridge thing at first but have been exploring more of the thumpy sound that the neck achieves. I hate hearing that anyone is having issues with theirs. Hopefully they're able to get them resolved because in my opinion the ME Modern is a lot of bass for the money.
The Modern is my 3rd ME bass and maybe I've just been lucky, but ive been very happy with each of them. I have one of the dreaded RSD models! Admittedly the knobs are a little gritty, but other than that I really enjoy playing it. Just my 2 cents
The Modern is my 3rd ME bass and maybe I've just been lucky, but ive been very happy with each of them. I have one of the dreaded RSD models! Admittedly the knobs are a little gritty, but other than that I really enjoy playing it. Just my 2 cents
I recently bought and returned a SMX Vintage JJ5 with the VTC. The tone was awesome and I'm still wishing the bass would have been a keeper. However, the fretwork needed serious improvement and no matter what I did (shim, truss rod adjustment, saddle height, nut height) I couldn't get a decent setup on it without raising the action to a very unplayable level. The B string was the worst (great sounding and tight) and had maybe the worst buzz out of any 5 string I've ever played. The only way to get rid of terrible buzz was to raise the action about a 3rd of an inch above the 12th fret, which is just way too hard to play efficiently. I tried two different sets of strings before putting the original set back on and shipping it back to Sweetwater.
I really wanted to make it work because it sounded so damn good, but I can't justify keeping an instrument where I've invested $1500 or so that can't take a decent setup. I'm not giving up on Sadowsky basses but my next purchase of one will be either a used Japanese or new German model. Not being able to play them first is an issue because there are none anywhere close to the DC metro area to get in my hands.
In terms of playability, my American Ultra II 5 has been the best feeling/playing 5 string J bass I've played in the last couple of years. The only thing that would make me consider parting ways with it is if I end up with an equally enjoyable-to-play Sadowsky. I want that tone in my life!!
I really wanted to make it work because it sounded so damn good, but I can't justify keeping an instrument where I've invested $1500 or so that can't take a decent setup. I'm not giving up on Sadowsky basses but my next purchase of one will be either a used Japanese or new German model. Not being able to play them first is an issue because there are none anywhere close to the DC metro area to get in my hands.
In terms of playability, my American Ultra II 5 has been the best feeling/playing 5 string J bass I've played in the last couple of years. The only thing that would make me consider parting ways with it is if I end up with an equally enjoyable-to-play Sadowsky. I want that tone in my life!!
A lot like MTD Kingston line. They are shipped in from overseas and the electronics are installed here along with a complete set-up. I’ve bought 3 of them and they’re all near perfect.
I haven’t done it myself, but a Sadowsky onboard preamp with the VTC just might give you and your Ultra II that tone.
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I was actually considering doing that. I still may. I just wonder how close it would be without the actual Sadowsky pickups.
Fantastic. Glad they got it sorted out and it's working for you!
I realize it's an older thread but I bought one of the newer Metro Express jazz basses (with the Sadowsky headstock logo). It was used but barely used with the bass in perfect shape. However, the frets weren't flat and the truss rod nut was stuck and I was afraid to really torque it. I contacted Warwick and Sadowsky and got zero response. So if you can't send me a simple response, then I won't buy your stuff. Besides, these basses are around $1100 new - way too many neck and fret problems. Without truss rod adjustment, I can't lower the action any further. It does sound good however after a lot of fret work.
They do a “55 point inspection”. It’s mostly a miss in my experience. A setup is $100. I found it to be worth it as it will find truss rod issues, etc. I also ask to check fret ends as well and fix or don’t ship.
Here’s my SMX PJ 5 from SW. Darn near perfect!
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