Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sadowsky (RSD) MetroExpress was a heartache
- Thread starter Tom Doran
- Start date
It has “RSD’ printed on the headstock with “Roger Sadowsky Design “ in small letters so it does have his name on it.
I wanted to love Sadowsky. I really did. Many of my favorite players use them and always sounded great.
Having said that.
They just don't do it for me. Even the NYC is just terrible. I know the haters will flame me but in my hands a Sadowsky is a waste. I am the proud owner of 2 fantastic Fender American Pro V's. And 2 Mike Lull V's. All just smoke any Sadowsky I've ever tried.
Having said that.
They just don't do it for me. Even the NYC is just terrible. I know the haters will flame me but in my hands a Sadowsky is a waste. I am the proud owner of 2 fantastic Fender American Pro V's. And 2 Mike Lull V's. All just smoke any Sadowsky I've ever tried.
Unfortunately Sadowsky is no longer on my radar as a viable 'dream bass'. The old Metrolines at $2-3k were quite appealing, especially the Modern 4-24. But now I have no idea what's good or not. The new "Metrolines" are going for up to $5k on Reverb. With some others down around $3k. What exactly is the difference?
Then there are Metroline Expresses at $2k and then RSD at <$1k. Seems like they run the gamut now from $800 to $10k+ almost on a continuum.
Where exactly does the quality lie?
Imo they've stuffed it up with the expansion, but time (and their balance sheet) will tell.
Then there are Metroline Expresses at $2k and then RSD at <$1k. Seems like they run the gamut now from $800 to $10k+ almost on a continuum.
Where exactly does the quality lie?
Imo they've stuffed it up with the expansion, but time (and their balance sheet) will tell.
There's a vast difference between doing business in Japan vs. doing business in China.
So far I've seen the older Metro's listed for sale as made in Japan. That should be a reasonable differentiator.
Surprised to see a new finish option, Sage Green Metallic. This is my preferred PJ5 setup too. Still peaking my interest but with these QC issues I’m sticking to my Spector.
You are very right in that, these new price changes are confusing, I am a NYC user I have one and another on the way ,, but I had 2 metroline Yoshi japan that were really excellent in quality, I regret having sold them I will wait for the next batch and after reading quite a few positive reviews i will buy an RSD
I love that color! Once the RSD basses get humcanceling pickups, especially the PJ’s, they will be a whole lot better.
I had a MS5 Metro a while back and was stupid and sold it. I was really excited about the initial MetroExpress basses from Japan and was laser focused to get one, given the continual price increases on the others. I like the feel and like the preamp (I have an outboard pre version right now). I've been looking at the ones coming out and saw @LowEndLobster review and had concerns. Thanks for posting this @Tom Doran to give another data point.
Following the Warwick-Sadowsky direct website, seems like the may be in the second run. I've been looking at ones in the #1xxx serial numbers. But if they are still having issues like this, I can't go with it.
Really a shame that the in-between Japan MetroExpress option is gone, and now those are like hen's teeth.
Following the Warwick-Sadowsky direct website, seems like the may be in the second run. I've been looking at ones in the #1xxx serial numbers. But if they are still having issues like this, I can't go with it.
Really a shame that the in-between Japan MetroExpress option is gone, and now those are like hen's teeth.
If I hear of some decent reviews, I'll likely get a JJ. Either Tobacco Burst of Oly White w/maple. If it's fret ends and intonation, I'll bring it to someone to spruce it up, and drop in a plate with the VTC.
And really hope the trademark gets worked out soon.
And really hope the trademark gets worked out soon.
One can buy a slightly used mint condish Fender US built American Performer bass for the price of a new Chinese built RSD Sadowsky bass.
i love my MIJ Sadowsky ME but will take a pass on the Chinese ME basses. They are overpriced, imo.
i love my MIJ Sadowsky ME but will take a pass on the Chinese ME basses. They are overpriced, imo.
I did my first setup on a 5 string RSD PJ and was genuinely surprised. Not sure how long they've been making these but the issues I found were disappointing. And on a bass that was double the price of a Squier Contemporary HH five, my favorite lower end Jazz so far.
I turned the treble up and Spinal Tap immediately came to mind. I can't recall when I've heard that much noise from a new bass. The noise was there when both pickups were blended. The trussrod adjusted easily but high frets above the 12th on the A and D kept me from getting to the desired height. There was fret sprout near the body. I know that can happen. I don't know what strings were on it but they were extremely stiff and clacky. I put new strings on it and that helped a great deal. The knobs have two set screws so I was surprised that one fell off. Easily remedied and I tightened the rest of them... some were loose.
The bass is more aggressive sounding than higher end Sadowskys I've played so that may work out in the mix. At around $1,000 this is hardly a cheap bass. The finish was nice. I didn't go over it with a fine tooth comb because it wasn't as important as the problems I ran into.
I was involved with a lower end launch with another brand and know what an uphill climb it can be after making a first impression like this (out of my control). Learning the hard way wouldn't be my choice. These will likely get better but this one really surprised me.
I turned the treble up and Spinal Tap immediately came to mind. I can't recall when I've heard that much noise from a new bass. The noise was there when both pickups were blended. The trussrod adjusted easily but high frets above the 12th on the A and D kept me from getting to the desired height. There was fret sprout near the body. I know that can happen. I don't know what strings were on it but they were extremely stiff and clacky. I put new strings on it and that helped a great deal. The knobs have two set screws so I was surprised that one fell off. Easily remedied and I tightened the rest of them... some were loose.
The bass is more aggressive sounding than higher end Sadowskys I've played so that may work out in the mix. At around $1,000 this is hardly a cheap bass. The finish was nice. I didn't go over it with a fine tooth comb because it wasn't as important as the problems I ran into.
I was involved with a lower end launch with another brand and know what an uphill climb it can be after making a first impression like this (out of my control). Learning the hard way wouldn't be my choice. These will likely get better but this one really surprised me.
Last edited:
I currently have one of each and I love the feel and playability of the basses. They feel to me like a Sadowsky as far as the shape and feel of the neck. They are both under 10 pounds. There are issues with the electronics though but that can be remedied with shielding on the PJ. I am contemplating either getting the Sadowsky VTC preamp or putting an Audere in one of them. My knobs were tight and I could lower my action without any fret buzz. The PJ actually sounds the best of the two but with the noise from the single coil you can't do much boosting of the preamp.
I changed my pickups to some Ulyate single coils and it helped the noisy electronics. The bass doesn’t sound as harsh now. Sounds a lot better! So I would recommend a pickup swap before pre, unless you just wanna change the ore. I purchased a drop in, but after changing thx pups, I sold the drop in.
Having to swap out the pickups because they’re too noisy? I’d be expecting replacements from the company free of charge - plus something to make up for the installation costs. I imagine that Roger is pretty dissatisfied (and frustrated) with the way things have gone.
You're better off buying a Fender Player Jazz and buy the NYC Sadowsky preamp. Better bass, better preamp.
