TheGhostofJaco

For me the Sadowsky Verdine White. It really just feels like its own instrument and not a signature model. 

I ended up going with a sub 9 pound 5er. I went and played a Sadowsky 5  (got lucky there, a local shop happened to have one.) and I really loved the neck on it. Plus I love having the low B when I am playing in the upper registers or want to play in that E-A range. Something about the Sadowsky 5s just feel right. And since I have a Sadowsky 4 already it just seemed to make sense. Anyway, should have it next week, I am looking forward to it.

Appreciate it everyone, that was really helpful. And yes, I definitely don't assume the Metro japans are all light. I know they can weigh in close to 10 pounds, so I always ask about that to sellers.

It may boil down to economics, I have a pretty nice deal I can get on a 4 that would save me $500 compared to what someone is asking for the 5.

I figure I can take that savings plus other sales I will be making put that $$ towards a Ken Smith 6 or an Fbass BN5 so I get that extended range.

Hi all, I have a NYC 4 string Sadowsky PJ that is easily the best playing bass I have ever owned. The neck and the action on it are absolutely perfect.  I'm looking for a Jazz and don't have the cash for another NYC so I'm checking out older 2010-2013 Japanese Metrolines like MS4 and MS5.

Ran across a 5 string metro that weighs maybe 8 pounds and a 4 that weighs the same. So they are both plenty light which is great.

My issue is that I am pretty torn on getting another 4 string or going 5. I played a Sadowsky 5 a long time ago and remember loving it but I can't remember how the neck played. Its a 19mm spacing I think, and I believe it is easy to slap cleanly on?  I am going to use this bass for a lot of slap and fusion style playing. Going for that more modern clean sound. I can slap on my G&L L2500 and that has a narrower spacing. The narrow spacing is nice, but it almost feels like the strings are too close together.

Anyway for you all who have played both, did you encounter any technical issues playing the 5 (upper register notes easy to grab, hand fatigue, issues slapping...etc)? I am pretty torn because a 4 is of course easier to play but when I think of that hi fi fusion sound, I feel like the low B is a big factor there and can really hold its own among electronic instruments as well.

Would love to hear any pros and cons you all can think of. I read the metro versus NYC posts too and I feel like the Japanese Metrolines are a pretty good value. Just have to decide on the 5 v 4 thing.

8 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

Which of the Sadowsky range? Made in USA, Japan, or the new lower cost ones, which appear tempting for putting a PJ config in a j body.

I have a Sadowsky NYC model. It is very light (J Body), so similar to what you are looking at - just the high end version. I wanted something Roger made in his shop before he retires.

On 11/01/2022 at 05:24, Owno said:

The Wilcock basses look absolutely stunning. How do they compare to Sereks? Does anyone have a Mullarkey for sale, by any chance? 

 

I won't sell mine, but I much prefer it to the Serek, which is nice too. When I bought the Wilcock the bass was pretty unknown (I think I posted about it here) and I got a good deal on a Mullarkey made for me. I found the build quality and tone superior to Serek, but the Serek I played felt more like a rocker's short scale bass and the Mullarkey screams R&B/Funk/Deep house/Jazz fusion. The best way to explain it, is that it is a deeper, richer P Bass. I just did a session yesterday and recorded both (both have flats btw). The P Bass has that classic woody sound we all know, but the interesting part is the closest I can get to it on the Mullarkey is the back pickup. That's how insanely deep the bass sounds. The back pickup is probably my favorite of all time for getting that clarity plus rich depth. The front pickup is just a monster so if you play Reggae/R&B style and want a giant huge thud - it is the king there.

Its just a fantastic bass and I am really glad I got mine before they got more popular, as I imagine the wait times are pretty long now with more and more famous bassists using them.

So yeah, if you like really deep sounds and notes that still have good definition and a nice sophistication to them - go Mullarkey. If you are more of a rocker who likes to turn up the grind a bit, I think the Serek makes more sense.

I have a Sadowsky P/j and it sounds glorious. No phasing with both pickups engaged. In fact that attack is pointier, more pronounced. 

Also like that the bridge pickup stands on it's own, volume and tonewise. Sadowsky explained how he did it, but I can't remember. I think the key is have an active bass that lets you put a little more bass into the back pickup. 

I have also owned some P/Js that didn't really have this magic and the back pickup was useless on it's own. With the Sadowsky I have a legit 3 tone bass, so I am very happy with it. Owned mine 4 years now.

1 hour ago, Sibob said:

You picked them for reasons of tone though, as opposed to one being ‘better built’ than the other. I simply asserted that they are as well built as one another, both being accomplished luthiers.

Si

I prefer the build of the wilcock as well.again, my preference and opinion based on a pretty long career as a bassist. Enjoy the serek, im not attacking your instrument. 

2 hours ago, Sibob said:

Naaaaa, not possible to say that, they’re both excellently built! Whether one prefers one over the other is subjective of course, Wilcock has built basses with Serek’s B90’s in, and Serek has any number of pickup options....so ‘fatness’ is simply down to that.

Si

Its my opinion and I said it. I picked the Wilcock for the reasons I stated. Pretty easy decision for me.

To be clear Mullarkey V Midwestern in my case.

On 07/06/2020 at 06:36, ezbass said:

Given that Sereks are as rare as rocking horse poo second hand and not exactly cheap, has anyone given Wilcock basses a look? https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass?_=pf&pf_v_manufacturer=Wilcock Basses&pf_v_manufacturer=Wilcock&pf_t_scale_length=30"

https://www.wilcocklondon.com

Yes and I much prefer the Wilcock. That’s saying a lot since serek’s are very cool. The Wilcock is just a better built bass with a fatter, warmer tone - IMO. I played the Mullarkey model.

For Serek, I am very intrigued by his 5 string models. One of those may be in my future.

He may do both. I am speaking with him about an Alder one now.

On 04/11/2018 at 11:06, tedmanzie said:

I was interested in these basses and just found this:
 

 

Probably one of the most impressive bass demos I have come across. Absolute crushing tone.

These basses sound amazing. I’m seriously about to buy one. I love that pickup placement and huge tone.

3 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

I think the OP prefers Entwistle PBXN. 😉

I thought he ordered them and then was curious about our opinions on others?

There is no best, but the Fender Pure Vintage ‘63 has to be right up there. It beat out the Geezer Butler for me by a little. Geezer is more focused on high mids, Pure Vintage gives you more low mids. Pick what you prefer. 

Most Warwick have 36 frets? - is this a serious post or trolling?