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Sadowsky NYC vs Metro

Peruse the Sadowsky Mega thread. There are a few hundred posts on this.

The base model NYC is somewhat similar to the Metro. The primary differences are that they NYC models have:

- routed body for slightly lighter weight (in most cases... some of the clear finished ash are not routed)
- graphite reinforced neck with slightly thicker headstock
- straplock buttons versus standard traditional buttons
- US made tuning keys and bridge versus oversees produced
- a nicer case and more case candy (you can choose the wonderful Porta Bag for no extra charge
- more color options
- Standard VTC
- No cost to swap HC's for single coils if you choose.

(I think the above is accurate... EDIT: I made a couple of changes based on Roger's post to be accurate).

You will pay about $1,200 to $1,400 or so more for this stuff (at least for the RV/MV and MS models versus the RV/MV and Standard NYC's. The Metro Ultra Vintage are more expensive due to the blocks and binding, etc.).

I think the extra price is worth it, many don't.

K
 
as Roger Sadowsky clearly states, there is no difference in quality. NYC comes with exotic woods and more option, that's it.


This guy might know what he's talking about. :smug: Either way you can't lose... it's a Sadowsky!

Um... no, there are a lot of differences (see the above post). I would agree, that general quality is very good on the Metro's.
 
Thanks, i don't know what happened, i totally blanked and forgot about the search feature, as you can see i don't have many posts because i usually use it. I was also looking for more opinions on the tonal difference, not really the manufacturing process differences. So back to the search feature i go.
 
Peruse the Sadowsky Mega thread. There are a few hundred posts on this.

The base model NYC is somewhat similar to the Metro. The primary differences are that they NYC models have:

- routed body for slightly lighter weight (in most cases... some of the clear finished ash are not routed)
- graphite reinforced neck
- straplock buttons versus standard traditional buttons
- nitro neck finish versus what I assume is poly on the Metro
- US made tuning keys versus oversees produced
- a nicer case and more case candy (you can choose the wonderful Porta Bag for no extra charge
- more color options
- Standard VTC
- No cost to swap HC's for single coils if you choose.

(I think the above is accurate).

You will pay about $1,200 to $1,400 or so more for this stuff (at least for the RV/MV and MS models versus the RV/MV and Standard NYC's. The Metro Ultra Vintage are more expensive due to the blocks and binding, etc.).

I think the extra price is worth it, many don't.

K

- I think the NYC has a thicker headstock
- The tunning keys are the same (as far as I know) but the NYC says Sadowsky; the Metro says Hipshot

Pedro
 
as Roger Sadowsky clearly states, there is no difference in quality. NYC comes with exotic woods and more option, that's it.


This guy might know what he's talking about. :smug: Either way you can't lose... it's a Sadowsky!

IMHO, NYC is definitely worth for the money to me when I personally think of the weight of the instrument. To me, Lighter is always better and i feel so amazing to see how Roger could reduce even more weight of his basses while he keeps his superior Sadowsky tone on them!

To me, Sadowsky is very playable. Not like some other boutique basses that are good for hanging on the wall...

To talk about "sound quality", Metro and NYC are the same for sure. But when you talk about playability with variable hardware/wood support that also feeds your ego, spending your hard-earned $$$ on NYC is definitely good idea.

I am seeing that many Sadowsky users have more than one here. You could go with Metro first and you could get another NYC when your bank account allows you for your next NYC sadowsky GASing! :cool::cool::cool:
 
- I think the NYC has a thicker headstock
- The tunning keys are the same (as far as I know) but the NYC says Sadowsky; the Metro says Hipshot

Pedro

I cant comment about the headstock thickness, although others have said that the newer Metro's have the same headstock thickness as the NYC's, but I can say that the Tuning Keys on my metro (RV4) definately say Sadowsky. I think the Hipshot keys are only on the metro 5er's but I could be wrong.

That said I think my Metro is absolutely phenominal. Best bass I've played in terms of fit, finish, feel, and sound hands down. Rogers recommendation is spot on; if you dont need special wood or finish options, just get a metro.
 
It seems to me (I have played a NYC but never a metro) that although quality may be the same, they must be different instruments. The NYC are semi-hollow, the Metros are not. That's not a small, esthetic detail.
IMO, if they are tonally alike, then its a powerful mythbuster as far as the influence of body woods on tone is concerned. (Full disclosure-I'm not one who believes wood type has a significant, consistent and predictable influence on tone, especially as compared to pups/strings etc).
 
Aren't Metros are semi hollow?

Metros are not chambered.

It seems to me (I have played a NYC but never a metro) that although quality may be the same, they must be different instruments. The NYC are semi-hollow, the Metros are not. That's not a small, esthetic detail.
IMO, if they are tonally alike, then its a powerful mythbuster as far as the influence of body woods on tone is concerned. (Full disclosure-I'm not one who believes wood type has a significant, consistent and predictable influence on tone, especially as compared to pups/strings etc).

My main two axes are NYC Sadowsky's. One is Ash/Maple one is Alder/Rosewood. With identical strings, there is a noticeably different tone to the basses. They have the same pickups. If you put them on a graphic spectrum, you'd find a difference. When I use the Alder/rosewood bass, I usually scoop the EQ on my amp a bit to get a tone closer to my ash/maple.

FWIW, it was a Metro RV4 that I owned which had the best slap sound of all of them.

I have owned a total of 6 Sadowsky's in my life.