birdy

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='109026' date='Dec 24 2007, 06:31 PM']lovely looking axe mate how does it compare to the white metro you had a while back? I thought that was a pretty sweet instrument.[/quote] Hi Steve, I still have the white Metro (so glad I didn't sell it) and to be honest there isn't much between them at all which is what I expected as Roger Sadowsky says that the Metros are as good as the NYC basses if you don't want any special features. The NYC is to my ears slightly growlier maybe because its got a Brazilian Rosewood board whereas the Metro is Moraddo and I think the string spacing is slightly wider and its slightly lighter as well. Theres not much in it all but I think the NYC has an extra 5% that the Metro doesn't but its really hard to quantify. For gods sake don't let me near your Celinders as I have heard great things about them. Oh no is it GAS?!?... Funkmunky - Pretty sure I will still have it by the new year so you will get to have a go!! EDIT: Just a point regarding my opinion of Sadowsky basses for anyone who is interested and has heard one or played one and doesn't get what all the fuss is about. When you play them solo they sound good but I have heard nicer sounding tones on other high end basses depending on what you like. Where they excel is on recordings and live. They really cut through the mix so well and have great defined low end with sizzling highs. Anyway enough of the sales pitch - I don't get commision :-) Steve

Thanks for the comments guys, really enjoying the bass :-) When I say an end to GAS I see it like in the past I have always thought that I would be a better player if I had a certain, better, bass. Now that I have this it really doesn't get any better. Sure we could all argue that an Alembic or Lakland may be better but this is one of the best jazz basses that money can buy. With that realisation comes the knowledge that I need to PLAY the things rather than swapping them to improve!! Steve

A good question and one that has potentially a lot of answers. In my opinion, generally, you get what you pay for. The 3K+ bass will play and sound better than a £300 one as a rule of thumb. It probably won't sound 10 times or even twice as good but there will be some difference that people feel justified in spending the extra money on. You could draw similar parallels with cars, tennis rackets etc. I guess that you can spend £20 or £2000 on a tennis racket and to most people the difference would be relatively insignificant but to some people they would be prepared to pay the extra even for a perceived 1% better product. I think I personally feel better when playing a more expensive bass and more inclined to pick it up. Then again I could just be shallow :-) EDIT: In reference to your original point gutting a bass or replacing parts won't turn a MIM jazz into a USA Lakland or a Sadowsky whatever you do. Sure you can improve it but its all about degrees of improvement and what is important to the player. For what it's worth the difference in money that you need to spend to see an improvement isn't worth it unless you can afford it because as has been posted before a great player will sound great on a £50 bass! Steve

My first bass was a Satellite Jazz bass purchased in 1979 second hand. I bought it from a friends brother for £50.00 when I was 13. I remember at the time I had about 30 LP's and I sold 25 of them to get the £50.00 to buy the bass. I really wish I still had this bass just for nostalgia. The bass was shortly followed by an amp for a birthday present. A Laney K50B combo which I still have in the garage. Steve

Thanks Guys, If you heard me try and play fretless you would know that that isn't really an option :-) As for 5 strings I have tried and tried and just feel more at home on a 4 at the moment. One of my new years resolutions is not to buy or swap any more basses!!! Steve

This is now mine.... [url="http://www.sadowsky.com/stock/view/3948.html"]http://www.sadowsky.com/stock/view/3948.html[/url] Its possibly the best jazz bass I have ever played and thats saying something. I am really hoping that I can now just stop switching basses every few months :-) I have always wanted a NYC Sadowsky and always felt I shouldnt as I am not a pro player but my advice to anyone is get the best bass you can afford and want as you will always be craving it till you get it... Anyway hope you like the pics, the sound is killer! Steve

The topic on how many basses do we own collectively and seeing some people with a lot got me thinking as to if you had to choose ONE only to keep out of your current crop which would it be and why? Imagine all your basses are in your house/flat and a fire is ravaging through it. All humans and pets are safe and as you escape yourself you can save any ONE of your basses. Which would it be and why? Would you save the most valuable, a sentimental one perhaps? I'll start - I would without doubt save my Sadowsky Metro. I have two other more expensive basses but the Sadowsky gets the job done all the time whether recording or gigging with no hassle and is a joy to play. Steve

+4 = [b]214[/b]

Hi Peter, you certainly have some lovely basses! Which one(s) are your favourite(s) and/or the one you play most? Steve

From Wikipedia.... Flea's main basses have almost always been ones with active electronics. His signature live bass up until Californication was the Music Man StingRay, which he also used to record the albums The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Freaky Styley. In the studios for The Uplift Mofo Party Plan and Mother's Milk Flea used a Spector bass. Blood Sugar Sex Magik was recorded with a Wal Mach II, Stingray 5 string and One Hot Minute with an Alembic Epic. From Californication onwards, he received a signature model from Modulus Guitars, which is based on the StingRay. For Stadium Arcadium, he used a '61 Fender Jazz bass. The Jazz Bass was initially used during the subsequent Stadium Arcadium tour, but Flea later decided that he wasn't cutting through enough, and went back to using his Modulus Signature. Flea can be heard using several different effects pedals throughout his career; current pedals listed below. This was pretty much my understanding also before reading this after various threads on the subject on talkbass. Steve

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='90670' date='Nov 19 2007, 09:22 AM']James Brown's Sex Machine.[/quote] Really???? This is a floor filler whenever we play it... strange!

Definately consider the Mesa Walkabout. Its not cheap but portable and great sounds! Steve

Like to add my postive experience of dealing with Steve to this forum also. Traded my custom shop jazz for his Roscoe 5 string in a pleasant and easy deal. Very friendly. Thanks Steve! Steve

Hi, I play in a wedding band also and have just sent you a PM. Whatever band you choose hope you have a great day! Steve

[quote name='slaphappygarry' post='86813' date='Nov 11 2007, 11:35 AM']I love birdseye maple. I think its its more understated and elegant looking. I love the wee kiwi too. Black hardware is also a good choice. G[/quote] +1 on the birds eye maple from me as well.

Thanks for this review. I haven't played a UV70 but all the sadowskys that I have played and owned have been first class in every department. I am suprised they havent 'caught on' as much over here. In the States they are really popular as anyone who visits talkbass will know. Steve