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Ultrlites for Sadowsky Metro 4-string?

basadam

basadam

Nov 29, 2005
940
239
#1
I failed to install Ultralites on Sadowsky Metro RS4 (4-string). There are two problems:
1) The holes are larger and tuners kinda float in there - I used 1/2" ones.
2) Since the headstock is too thick, the top and bottom groovy parts (the parts you're supposed to screw together - sorry English is not my native language) do not catch each other tightly.

I don't like heavy tuners even if they're from Sadowsky. Any suggestions are welcome.
 
#5
Changing tuner mass can have a large impact on the resonance of the bass. Are you really having balance problems with a Metro 4? Mine is quite light, and balances perfectly with the stock tuners, which I frankly like better than ultralights. Smooth and solid.
 
#6
basadam said:
I failed to install Ultralites on Sadowsky Metro RS4 (4-string). There are two problems:
1) The holes are larger and tuners kinda float in there - I used 1/2" ones.
2) Since the headstock is too thick, the top and bottom groovy parts (the parts you're supposed to screw together - sorry English is not my native language) do not catch each other tightly.

I don't like heavy tuners even if they're from Sadowsky. Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

have you contacted Hipshot directly? send them an email sometimes they have been known to put stuff together to help people out with odd bass dimensions
 
#13
ursa major said:
I have a mv4 with neck dive also.Want to put ultralites on it.hopefully someone will be able to help you out.I dont get the dead spots and sustain issue because the nyc and 5 strings all come with ultralites.
Click to expand...
Well, last night I gave it some thought. Setting aside Roger Sadowsky's warning about dead spots, etc, what I need are:
- a thinner washer between the face of the headstock and the bolt
- a bushing that will go through the hole making it narrower so the post will not float, speaking of which:

FunkMetalBass said:
Also, did your original tuners have bushings? You may need to keep them in.
Click to expand...
The original bushings have a kind of cap at the end. Tip of them stays above the headstock, making it even thicker. One idea is to file them, but I don't want to do that - that would make the original tuners garbage.
 
#15
ursa major said:
I have a mv4 with neck dive also.Want to put ultralites on it.hopefully someone will be able to help you out.I dont get the dead spots and sustain issue because the nyc and 5 strings all come with ultralites.
Click to expand...

Lighter gears on a 5 string is not a problem regarding deadspots due to the increased mass of a 5-string neck. When we evaluated Ultralite gears on our 4 string, there was a noticeable increase in deadspots.

I really don't think you will find a significant difference in balance with lighter gears.

Roger
 
#18
After contacting Hipshot and exchanging a couple of e-mails with Bill, he sent me a set of new nuts which fits perfectly. We confirmed that the headstock of my Metro is 2 milimeters thicker. The new nuts were sent free of charge, and considering I live in a different continent, they may have paid more than their profit. I'm impressed.

I just installed them but I still keep Roger's warning in mind; so far I haven't noticed any dead spots. Perhaps I'm just lucky. And yes, the balance is much better now.
 

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