Sadowsky MetroExpress Vintage 5 J/J ....Adding new preamp and pickups??

[jimmyfwl]

Good morning! I just wanted to see if any Talk Bassers have modified their Sadowsky MetroExpress basses. An acquaintance told me they added a new preamp and pickups to their Chinese made Sadowsky and it sounded amazing. If you've modified yours, please let me know what modifications you made and how they improved the tone. Thanks!!!

 

[onda'bass]

I added a filter pre to give me a waldowskiy like quality.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I simply added the Sadowsky VTC, to get more versatility from my stock electronics.

 

[brianrost]

So what pre do they put in the Express? Not the same as the others?

You can buy the “real” Sadowsky preamp as a drop in complete with VTC for $209 from Warwick.

 

[Reedt2000]

I actually really like the stock pickups and pre in my (5 string, P/J) Metroexpress. The treble gets harsh if turned up too much, so it might benefit from the addition of a Vintage Tone Control (VTC), but I just don't crank the boosts, and get some really usable tones.

Its a Frankenstein of a mighty body and lefty neck, both bought on ebay when there were a ton of these being parted out a while back.

 

[Acoustic356]

You can go even cheaper and ge the VTC retrofit kit. This includes a stacked pot for treble and bass and a tone control module.

 

[JazznFunk]

Not sure what you'd switch to unless you wanted your Sadowsky to sound less like a Sadowsky. The preamp in the MetroExpress line is the same one that's in every Sadowsky. The pickups are not exactly the same... they're still noiseless J/J pickups though, but a licensed version. The VTC upgrade kit is the only specific 'upgrade' I could see making in terms of electronics, and possibly swapping in a set of USA Sadowsky pickups? The fretless MetroExpress I have (which was modded by a fellow TB'er before I bought it with the VTC upgrade), sounds phenomenal, and the preamp sounds/functions exactly like its outboard counterpart that I use with other basses that I owned long before.

 

[Mr Ralph]

I put my own VTC in thanks to the electronic wizards here on TB. It was easy and definitely improved the versatilityof the instrument.
I have thought about putting Nordstrand J blades in but have not done it yet,

 

[jimmyfwl]

I simply added the Sadowsky VTC, to get more versatility from my stock electronics.

Sweet! Will this work for the Mertos with J/J Configuration?

 

[alembicbones]

I put the Sadowsky preamp with the VTC in mine. Definitely worth it IMO.

Bones

 

[jimmyfwl]

So what pre do they put in the Express? Not the same as the others?

You can buy the “real” Sadowsky preamp as a drop in complete with VTC for $209 from Warwick.

This might be a great option, especially since the bass I'm interested in has the J/J configuration. Thanks!

 

[alembicbones]

The stock MetroExpress preamp is a real Sadowsky preamp, the same as what came with the original Japanese Metros. I had one of these basses some 18 years ago and it worked pretty darn well. Personally I like the version with the VTC but if you don't want to drop the coin, the stock preamp is solid.

Bones

 

[jimmyfwl]

I put my own VTC in thanks to the electronic wizards here on TB. It was easy and definitely improved the versatilityof the instrument.
I have thought about putting Nordstrand J blades in but have not done it yet,

Thank you for the recommendation! Seems like the VTC is the general consensus.

 

[jimmyfwl]

The stock MetroExpress preamp is a real Sadowsky preamp, the same as what came with the original Japanese Metros. I had one of these basses some 18 years ago and it worked pretty darn well. Personally I like the version with the VTC but if you don't want to drop the coin, the stock preamp is solid.

Bones

Good deal! If I get the bass, I'll definitely try and bond with the tone the original pre provides if possible.

 

[pbass2]

Can't imagine NOT having the VTC unless I was never gonna boost the treble on the pre. Even then I most always have the VTC dialed down a bit. Plus you can get some really cool tonal options boosting the treble up more than you'd think you'd want, then rolling the VTC way back---a whole 'nuther sound.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Sweet! Will this work for the Mertos with J/J Configuration?

You can just buy the whole plate the preamp and VTC.

 

[pbass2]

The stock MetroExpress preamp is a real Sadowsky preamp, the same as what came with the original Japanese Metros. I had one of these basses some 18 years ago and it worked pretty darn well. Personally I like the version with the VTC but if you don't want to drop the coin, the stock preamp is solid.

Bones

I had a MIJ Metro JJ way back then too - mine had the VTC though (if memory serves). Was it not stock?
My 2017 MIJ Metroline PJ5 has it--was stock AFAIK.

 

[dk_bass]

I have 3… all of them modded quite a bit. Turns out I like tinkering as much as playing bass. The older ones (known as RSD models) can be found for a bit cheaper and have a slightly thinner neck profile compared to the newer ones. I redid the logos myself with decals

This one is currently passive but had the VTC for a while. Great pre, I just don’t need this bass to be active. Nordstrand pickups and Hipshot drop tuner. Has EB flats on it right now

This was my first MetroExpress and I love it. Noll TCM 4 XM in this one. Bartolini pickups, Hipshot tuners and bridge. Rocking D’addario chromes

This one is the newest addition to the arsenal. Electronics came pre-modded with an older Bartolini NTMB-918F and Ulyate pickups. Added a kickass bridge and a handmade nut. Sounds amazing with Fender rounds

 

[pbass2]

View attachment 7385341
This one is currently passive but had the VTC for a while. Great pre, I just don’t need this bass to be active. Nordstrand pickups and Hipshot drop tuner. Has EB flats on it right now

I have those Nordies in my 2017 MIJ Metroline PJ5 w/VTC (if those are the NPJ5s like mine). Killer in that bass! Super responsive, detailed upper mids, a little aggressive if you want. I use the pre mostly, but it does sound excellent passive as well--I get a very meaty passive P-tone.

 

[pb9717]

I have upgraded and modified over a dozen Sadowsky Metro express Chinese models. I have found the single coil stock pick ups to be more than adequate. The best upgrade I’ve found is the newer VTC plate. It has far higher quality controls, and is the same one used in the metro line. That should be the only thing you really need to do. There is a plethora of pick up options. Should you choose to change them. But, as I stated, I find the single coil Chinese pick ups to be more than adequate. Of course you can put in the noiseless split coil models offered by the company, or a multitude of other brands models. But I think you’ll find changing the vtc plate out will be perfectly suitable upgrade.