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Should I just cut the c@#$ and get a Sadowsky?

#21
Yes.
No need to get an NYC model, the Metros are every bit as good.
The two reasons to spend on NYC are:
you want woods not offered in the Metro line
you have a very specific light weight requirement


scrumpyjack said:
I'm thinking I'll go in for a simple 5 string Maple/Ash Metro.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?
Click to expand...



IMG_1676.jpg
 
#22
went to a store and i played a Lakland and it was really nice. i Loved it. it was comfortable, and sounded great.
then i played a Sadowsky. Big difference. Laklands are really nice. But they are just improved Fenders, Where Sadowsky feels like a greatly inproved Lakland!
and if you're like me, and don't like the feeling of the Fender Jazz 5 string neck, then there is really no need to worry. the Sadowsky 5 string neck just feels like butter.
 
#23
My two gigging basses are a Sadowsky Standard 5 and a Lakland 55-94. They are both great basses and I am glad that I don't have to choose which to keep.

That being said, they are quite different! I can't get a true jazz bass sound out the Lakland - close but not 100%. AND, the sound of the rear pickup solo'ed is much better on the Lakland.

Really, the only one who can decide if you should get a Sadowsky is you. I'd recommend you start with a used one - you can always sell it for close to what you paid if you don't like it. Just be warned - if you like it, you will want to buy another that is exactly to your specs!

Dan K.
 
#25
scrumpyjack said:
Hi,

I've been on the search for my sound. Now, I've chopped and changed pickups, preamps, bought new basses, etc.

I got a Fender 50's precision (Mexican made) last year and it sounded great. However, it still didn't quite please me.

Now, I think I wanna give in to a long urge of mine - get a Sadowsky.

Am I wrong in thinking that its one of the best spunds out there?

I will be playing a lot of music, a variety of styles and I happen to see that people from a wide range of ranges play Sadowsky.

One example I can give is of Will Lee. The guy does a variety of gigs and I like the way he fits in with every band he plays.

I know he has a signature bass out, but that's kinda out of my budget. So, I'm thinking I'll go in for a simple 5 string Maple/Ash Metro.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?
Click to expand...

I'd pop the extra few hundred bucks and get the Will Lee Metro. The mid switch really adds to the versatility of the bass. I've played this one, and it kills.

719_Sadowsky_WL5_T_Black_Maple_3_13.jpg
 
#27
If you find a used Metro that suits you, that's a "great gateway drug."

I got my first one like that, in the $1800 range.
Which led to trying several other used ones, and, one new Metro.
They were all in the 9lb range, which is fine for me.
 
#29
There are lots of fantastic instruments and you're going to get a lot of people telling you to buy "x" bass instead. But if a Sadowsky is what you want then you can rest assured that you're not going to find anything better out there (just different). So yeah, by all means!
 
#30
I went through lots of basses before I got my Will Lee. All of them seemed to have something wrong. The necks were too thick, the bass too heavy, didn't sound right in a band setting, had neck dive or something. This bass is perfect. I have no need to get anything else. So I would say go for it. You won't regret it.
 
#31
mmbongo said:
A Lakland will get you there for half the price.
Click to expand...

As the owner of a MetroRV5PJ I really like my Sadowsky. But I enjoy and get a lot of mileage out of my other far less less expensive basses too.

I've owned a few Laklands (55-01, 55-02, Joe Osborn 5) and have never been disappointed.

That being said, the build quality and consistency of the Sadowsky brand is outstanding.
 
#33
scrumpyjack said:
Hi,

I've been on the search for my sound. Now, I've chopped and changed pickups, preamps, bought new basses, etc.

I got a Fender 50's precision (Mexican made) last year and it sounded great. However, it still didn't quite please me.

Now, I think I wanna give in to a long urge of mine - get a Sadowsky.

Am I wrong in thinking that its one of the best spunds out there?

I will be playing a lot of music, a variety of styles and I happen to see that people from a wide range of ranges play Sadowsky.

Edit: Don't get me wrong they are great basses...But if you are on a budget, you can get Sadowsky pickups and pre in a Valenti.

One example I can give is of Will Lee. The guy does a variety of gigs and I like the way he fits in with every band he plays.

I know he has a signature bass out, but that's kinda out of my budget. So, I'm thinking I'll go in for a simple 5 string Maple/Ash Metro.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?
Click to expand...

Seriously...Ping Nino and think about getting a Valenti. I like them better actually. :)
 
#34
You sight Will Lee and playing a variety of styles as the reason for considering a new bass, namely a Sadowsky.

Be mindful of the fact that a P bass design, whether made by Sadowsky or Fender or Lull... will essentially have the same p-bass characteristics.. it will never produce a Jazz bass bridge tone or J-slap tone which are very useful to have. Will plays a Jazz and that bass offers a wider variety of tonal options. For me, a P bass with a J bridge pickup is a great combo. Maybe consider a PJ or J if you want versatility.

It Nino Valenti's name has been suggested as someone you should consider for boutique quality build at very reasonable price. That makes good sense. I think they are comparable to Sadowsky or Lull instruments in every way.

Not minimize the quality of any of the boutique instruments or builders but most important part of your sound is you and your hands. That is far more important than the name plate on your bass. Saving a couple of grand on new bass and buying lessons with a top player may improve your tone way more than a new bass. IMO of course.
 
#35
Yes will lee plays a variety of styles and has sadowsky basses including a signature model. But he also uses many different basses live, including fender, rickenbacker, hofner, etc. when he plays those styles. That said my sadowskys are my "go to". Dont believe that buying a sadowsky will "change your world", but it will likely make your playing much more pleasurable and rewarding.
 
#37
Sadowsky's are very nice instruments. I played a couple before deciding on my current bass. It's definitely an eye of the beholder thing, but there's a reason these 'boutique' basses are more expensive.

I went to Club Bass in Toronto and played a whole bunch of instruments, ranging in price from around $1500 to $8,000, I think. I didn't look at prices. I just played them all and came back to the one that felt best. For me it was a Roscoe SKB, but the Sadowsky's are the ultimate Jazz Bass, IMHO.
 
#38
RDUB said:
Sadowsky's are very nice instruments. I played a couple before deciding on my current bass. It's definitely an eye of the beholder thing, but there's a reason these 'boutique' basses are more expensive.

I went to Club Bass in Toronto and played a whole bunch of instruments, ranging in price from around $1500 to $8,000, I think. I didn't look at prices. I just played them all and came back to the one that felt best. For me it was a Roscoe SKB, but the Sadowsky's are the ultimate Jazz Bass, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I did the very same thing a while back, the difference being I brought back the bass I brought with me. :smug:
 
#39
Dan Knowlton said:
My two gigging basses are a Sadowsky Standard 5 and a Lakland 55-94. They are both great basses and I am glad that I don't have to choose which to keep.

That being said, they are quite different! I can't get a true jazz bass sound out the Lakland - close but not 100%. AND, the sound of the rear pickup solo'ed is much better on the Lakland.

Really, the only one who can decide if you should get a Sadowsky is you. I'd recommend you start with a used one - you can always sell it for close to what you paid if you don't like it. Just be warned - if you like it, you will want to buy another that is exactly to your specs!

Dan K.
Click to expand...

If this is important to you, the Lakland 5-string neck profile and the Sadowsky are quite different. The Lakland is 35" and narrower, the Sadowsky is 34" and wider. It's actually the widest neck of any 5-string bass that I've personally owned or played. It took me a 2-3 years to get used to. the Lakland 5-string neck profile has always felt like "home" to me.

Thankfully I'm not fussy about scale length, neck profile, etc. I'm at home after 5 minutes of playing one or the other.

Funny, if I whittled my "collection" down to only two 5-string basses, I think I'd have a 55-94 and a Sadowsky 5 too.
 

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