therealting

It really depends on the body shape, mainly if it has long horns or which fret they reach.

Looks like a very large bottle of beer. Corona? 👀

There’s also the Godin A4 / A5, or a Hofner violin.

Which ones? Are you talking about the Japanese Metro Express models, or the new Warwick-made Metro Express models?

Short scale for £1500? I’d get a Wilcock.

On a different tack - ever tried a Dingwall? You’re in the range for an Afterburner, which would probably suit your prog and rock stuff quite nicely.

I think a sunburst rosewood MetroExpress Jazz 5 is in my future. https://m.thomann.de/gb/sadowsky_metroexpress_21_5_vin_mo_tb.htm?o=12&search=1588624100

I thought they’d fixed the silly logo on those... https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Bass_Collection_Bruce_Thomas.html

I think that’s where the 5.8GHz and other non-2.4GHz units have an advantage.

Roger is a stickler for balance, amongst many other details. He discusses this at length on several interviews. All the Sadowskys I’ve owned and played have balanced beautifully.

I remember thinking they look amazing.

If you’re looking at sleek J style basses, have you tried a Sadowsky? Metros are just about in your budget, and they sound and play amazing.

The balance is excellent. I’ve only tried on a D-Bird, but it had one strap button on the heel, and another on the back a few inches in from where it would normally be on the end of the body, so not only is balance very good but it sits further to the right than you’d imagine, making the reading to the 1st fret comfy.

It’s already got a bid on, 8 hours in!

That’s a hell of a first bass, with those upgrades and for that money. Winner.

If you are not fussed about weight, and don’t have any real qualms about custom finishes or fancy woods, the Metros are every bit as good, and can almost afford two for the price of some NYCs.

Up until the Warwick deal recently, Metros were made in Japan. The Metroline is effectively made by the Japanese custom shop, just with limited options and non/chambered bodies. The MetroExpress is production line, but also Japan. The NYCs are chambered and have more custom options. In terms of quality, they’re basically identical as Roger says. The logo thing I think changed over time. The same way they went from Sadowsky Guitars to Sadowsky Metroline.

I was thinking the same thing about the roasted maple! Nordstrands are available in different sizes though... unless the Bart size has been made intentionally proprietary.

Haha, please don’t feel obliged to do so just on my account! I’ll post a review if I go ahead with it. Just received an expensive bass yesterday so we’ll see.