[quote name='Busterrabbit' timestamp='1349457582' post='1826655']
It's all very personal. I don't like basses with scratchplates so I went for a standard NYC 5. I also prefer the slightly smaller body of the standard, being an NYC it's also chambered so much lighter than a Metro, mine weighs less than 8 1/2lbs.
My bass # 4841 (Apologies for the crap photo) is transparent black over quilted maple. I chose an ebony fingerboard as, for this jazz style bass it has the tonal characteristics I was looking for*. I went with no face dots and chrome hardware. I later ordered a set of black hardware, but having seen it in the metal, feel the chrome finish looks classier.
So it's all very subjective, both in looks and in the case of fingerboards, tone. My wife recently bought me a Dingwall Z2 as a wedding present, it has the dual density ash body with an ash top and a maple neck/fingerboard. Combine that with the position and series/parallel wiring of the pickups and it sounds totally different to my Sadowsky, far more "modern" and punchy compared to the still punchy, but smoother, Sadowsky. What type of music are you playing? Jazz? Rock?
So, I'd say the looks are entirely subjective, look through the "previously sold" section of the Sadowsky website for ideas.
However the models are physically different, the Vintage models are "full size" so are heavier than the standard models and have a scratchplates. The Ultra Vintage models have a smaller 9" radius fingerboard, closer to a Fender, whereas the standard has a flatter 12" radius.
The fingerboard wood will have an influence on the instrument's tone, it's NOT just an aesthetic choice.
So, which do you prefer? flatter or more radiused fingerboards, scratchplates or no scratchplates, full size or slightly undersize, what tone are you looking for, brighter or smoother?
They are expensive instruments, worth every penny in my opinion, but have a clear idea of what you want the bass to sound and feel like as well as look like.
Good luck!
Kev
[/quote]Cheers buddy some good points. Personally I love scratch plates, but all subjective and personal taste. I'm wanting a traditional looking jazz with the full side body so you're saying go for the vintage, what is the difference between Vintage and UV?