"Sadowsky" Metro Express Basses

[velvetkevorkian]

4 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

 

They're a bargain so trying them out isn't a gamble, even if you don't like them you won't lose money selling them on. I bought some used Nordstrands for my Sire, gigged them for 3 years and sold them on for what I paid for them when I got a new bass.

 

Going to quote this verbatim when Mrs VK enquires about another mysterious package arriving

[lemmywinks]

2 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said:

Going to quote this verbatim when Mrs VK enquires about another mysterious package arriving

 

This is why I remain anonymous on forums!

[velvetkevorkian]

OK, got the pickups fitted. First impression is that the main benefit is the higher-spec jazz-style pickup is hum-cancelling and totally silent, other than that I don't hear a great deal of difference. I'll need to record some samples and A/B them with the ones I took before.

[dub_junkie]

Got myself a Metro Express 5.

 

I already own a Valenti jazz with the Sadowsky preamp as well as a SBP2 pedal, and have really come to appreciate the simplicity and the sound of their preamps

 

 

 

 

 

[velvetkevorkian]

Did Valenti not work in the Sadowsky NYC workshop before going solo?

 

Unrelated, I've been wondering if we'll ever get a Metro Express M5-24. I'd be tempted by that.

[dub_junkie]

15 hours ago, velvetkevorkian said:

Did Valenti not work in the Sadowsky NYC workshop before going solo?

 

Yes he did. From the 'about' section on his home page.

 

From 2002-2007, I worked at Sadowsky Guitars in Brooklyn NY in the Shipping Department where I took care of shipping & handling as well as do all final inspections of instruments. From early 2009 until mid 2010 I came back to work as a Builder. 

[Bonin-in-the boneyard]

Good deals on Thomann

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Bonin-in-the boneyard

[Killerfridge]

21 hours ago, Bonin-in-the boneyard said:

Good deals on Thomann

 

I'm guessing this is a clearout of the "old logo" ones in preparation for the new ones

[asingardenof]

20 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

I'm guessing this is a clearout of the "old logo" ones in preparation for the new ones

I wouldn't be surprised. Guitar Guitar have them on cheap at the moment as well, albeit not as cheap as this.

[dub_junkie]

Fancy a hybrid P/J five string with morado fretboard. Green or blue? ....that's the dilemma....first world problems eh? 

 

Edit: bought the green, blue now showing available 1-2 weeks

 

Already have the black/maple J/J

 

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by dub_junkie

[Lowdownbass]

just ordered the PJ-5 with maple neck for 549. Seems like a bargain. I owned a metro once. Curious how the quality is.

[Brian18242]

Yes, very good deals at thomann, but I would request they check the bass before shipping. I ended up with one that had to be sent back. Think I was very unlucky. Still on the fence about reordering.

[Lowdownbass]

1 hour ago, Brian18242 said:

Yes, very good deals at thomann, but I would request they check the bass before shipping. I ended up with one that had to be sent back. Think I was very unlucky. Still on the fence about reordering.

What was wrong with it?

[Lw.]

11 hours ago, Brian18242 said:

Yes, very good deals at thomann, but I would request they check the bass before shipping. I ended up with one that had to be sent back. Think I was very unlucky. Still on the fence about reordering.

They're a box shifter, if they checked everything they sent out the prices would have to be higher - if you want set-up checks done you need to go to a brick & mortar shop (pref a good one as the rubbish ones probably still wouldn't check) & pay the extra for the privilege. 

[BassAgent]

Yes and no. I've ordered quite a few instruments at Thomann, also for the school I work at and have never had to send an instrument back. Of course you can be unlucky sometimes but Thomann is pretty solid IME.

[Brian18242]

Thomann do offer a set up/check service at an additional cost. May be worth it to avoid that hassle of returning. 

[carlsim]

On 19/09/2021 at 19:29, BassAgent said:

I am honestly considering having that logo sanded off and adding a Sadowsky decal. The story of why the Sadowsky name isn't on the headstock as such (but as part of the RSD brand) is clear and easy, but still, yes, that logo is awful.

Did you ever change the decal? I have picked one up and hate the look of the headstock... wondered if there were decals out there yet?

 

I see the new versions have a metro express decal...

[BassAgent]

I have not and honestly, I don't really care anymore. It's a great bass so I'm over the look of the headstock.

[dub_junkie]

I think I want a clear pickguard for my hybrid 5. Looks so much better than the white one imo

[carlsim]

for any interest, I sanded off the old metro express decal and replaced it with a Sadowsky Metro Express decal I bought online. 

 

It needs some clear coat now but it looks 100 times better IMO...

[carlsim]

Without realising, the decal is slightly different than the new ones - the news ones don't have the space between metro and express. That works for me however as it distinguishes between old versions and newer models.

 

It plays great and I am looking forward to putting it back together. Ordered some EB flats ready to go.

[martthebass]

On 09/01/2024 at 15:12, carlsim said:

for any interest, I sanded off the old metro express decal and replaced it with a Sadowsky Metro Express decal I bought online. 

 

It needs some clear coat now but it looks 100 times better IMO...

That looks mint. I need to do the same to mine, I got one of the good ones and seeing as it’s fretless and has an East pre there would be no point in going for one of the new ones….the only thing I don’t like is the decal. Could you post a link for the decal?

[carlsim]

1 hour ago, martthebass said:

That looks mint. I need to do the same to mine, I got one of the good ones and seeing as it’s fretless and has an East pre there would be no point in going for one of the new ones….the only thing I don’t like is the decal. Could you post a link for the decal?

I contacted Rob at 

 

https://guitardecals.co.uk/contactus.html

 

he was great and got a pair for £9.50. 
I mentioned today that it shouldn’t have had a space in between Metro and Express and he is sending me another pair as the initial process has gone t@@s up!!

basically… did a couple of dust coats, got the decal on and it looked pucker. 
started adding dust coats and it looked great. Then I noticed a hair had got into a dust coat I had just put on laying right across the decal. Got some tweezers, prized it off but didn’t realise I must have put a pin hole in the decal. The clear coat got underneath and then whole thing started to melt!! DOH!!!

oh well… lesson learnt! First time I have done it so it wasn’t going to be perfect first time.

so… a bit of sanding and it’s back to bare wood this morning.

I’m waiting for sealing coats to dry so I can flat it back and apply the new decal again when it arrives in the post.

definitely going to be a bit more careful next time! 

[carlsim]

I sent him the image posted earlier on here… I can repost it if you like but if you contact Rob, he should now have the template anyway…

[martthebass]

38 minutes ago, carlsim said:

I sent him the image posted earlier on here… I can repost it if you like but if you contact Rob, he should now have the template anyway…

Cheers buddy