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Sadowsky MetroExpress


thodrik

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I met Roger and had a look around his factory when I visited in 2015. Ended up walking out with an NYC S-Type that day which blew my mind - and he was kind enough to set it up, sign it for me and write down the measurements he uses for his setup. It’s a phenomenal guitar, up there with Suhrs and Andersons.

The Metro I have is fantastic too, up there with my two Canadian Dingwalls and definitely better made than my pre-CBS Precisions. 

Edited by therealting
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On 25/01/2018 at 08:15, chris_b said:

Mine has a killer sound as well.

The MetroExpress range is supposed to be fitted with the regular pickups and preamp, the same ones used in the NYC basses, so (hopefully) there should be little difference in the sound.

With the guaranteed weight being less than 9 lbs I'll be very interested to try one out.

Likewise,apart from spotting Tal with Jeff beck i knew very little of them.A metro came up local and i went to see it and bought it.So i've played one ,mine and it sounds immense even  passive .The first gig i used it the whole band mentioned the sound and i'm 2 bands on now and its always a talking point.Downside its a ton weight so the hollow NY ones would be ideal but i don't have £3500 .

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Just now, jazzmanb said:

Never weighed mine but its the heaviest bass i've ever played,big strap,big bloke ,all well

I’m guessing it’s not an MV4 then (: Swamp ash/maple with the undersized body makes it comfy for me. I suppose an alder/rosewood UV5 could be heavy

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Just now, therealting said:

I’m guessing it’s not an MV4 then (: Swamp ash/maple with the undersized body makes it comfy for me. I suppose an alder/rosewood UV5 could be heavy

Its a MV4 standard body not undersize,probably Ash.Pearl block neck

identical to this but pearl blocks

 

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The new Metro Express are guaranteed to be 8.9lbs, which is great at that price. Although not made by Yoshi, if the quality is anything like the instruments coming out of other factories, like Xotic, then they are a bargain. 

I got an Xotic P style bass and it is one of my favorite basses, but I am looking to sell it to get one of this, as I am definitely a Jazz man!!

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  • 8 months later...

Okay, bringing this thread back to life as it seems Guitar Guitar have received their first shipment. 

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/180206322275007--sadowsky-metro-express-mv4-tobacco-burst

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/180206322274007--sadowsky-metro-express-mv4-candy-apple-red

Well, they look pretty much indistinguishable from the Metro MV4 I have, which is great. I guess the real question is what they are like to play and what they sound like. It seems that they are located in the Birmingham store. I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of anybody lucky enough to try one, as the chances of me getting to Birmingham is slim to none at the moment!

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I haven't  played a Sadowsky Metro Express but have owned a Metro RV5 which back in 2010 cost me direct from Sadowsky £1789. Now they are way far north of £2000 which imo they are unexciting . If I wanted an asian built active Jazz bass I would look no further than this.  use the same electronics as the USA built Xotic, (like Lakland) get shipped back for final set up. Xotic pro series all the way.. £1300. No brainer. I don't see Sadowsky using wooden pickup covers.  http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/XJPRO-1_LPB.html

Edited by bubinga5
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I think I am the same. My MV4 was £1500 or so back in 2009. The same bass was £1200 or so when I started lusting after it in about 2006. The rising prices are a similar theme for lots of brand though so it really isn’t just a Sadowsky issue.

At £2500 or so now, I don’t think I could justify buying a new Metro if the Metro Express quality is really good. That is saying something because the MV4 has been my main gigging and recording bass for nearly 10 years and will probably still be my main bass in ten years time.

The Xotic basses look really good value for money as well. Though wooden pick up covers are not a deal breaker for me. It’s a great option though for folk looking for a sub £1500 bass.

The fit and finish on my Metro is exceptional. The only thing that lets it down is that the wood neck and fingerboard is pretty plain and doesn’t have any fancy figuring or flame that you would expect on a ‘boutique’ jazz bass. I have seen NYCs with necks like these though, so I think it might be a design choice by Sadowsky to go for a very ‘clean’ look.

The main thing that keeps me going back to Sadowsky is the Sadowsky preamp. It isn’t for everyone but I love it.

Edited by thodrik
For some reason I typed half of the comment in a different font size
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On 12/01/2019 at 02:47, bubinga5 said:

I haven't  played a Sadowsky Metro Express but have owned a Metro RV5 which back in 2010 cost me direct from Sadowsky £1789. Now they are way far north of £2000 which imo they are unexciting . If I wanted an asian built active Jazz bass I would look no further than this.  use the same electronics as the USA built Xotic, (like Lakland) get shipped back for final set up. Xotic pro series all the way.. £1300. No brainer. I don't see Sadowsky using wooden pickup covers.  http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/XJPRO-1_LPB.html

They are really really nice basses!

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I haven't played a Metro Express (yet), but if you are in the market for a new Jazz bass then they are now a direct competitor to Fender and many others at that price point. Other "boutique" manufacturers are making the same move. Fodera and Ken Smith tried it and didn't like the result, Lakland and MTD tried and made a success of it. Now I see Xotic are making that move. If these guys can maintain their quality at a lower price point then people will buy their basses who would never have considered or been able to afford them. Anything that keeps these great bass businesses healthy is a good move in my book.

My experience is that my Metro has caused me to sell all my other Jazz style basses. I have tried out about half a dozen Metro's of all types, Modern, Vintage, Will Lee and a chambered NYC. My Metro RV5 still sounds better to me.

When a Metro Express comes around I will be first in the queue to try it out.

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3 hours ago, chris_b said:

I haven't played a Metro Express (yet), but if you are in the market for a new Jazz bass then they are now a direct competitor to Fender and many others at that price point. Other "boutique" manufacturers are making the same move. Fodera and Ken Smith tried it and didn't like the result, Lakland and MTD tried and made a success of it. Now I see Xotic are making that move. If these guys can maintain their quality at a lower price point then people will buy their basses who would never have considered or been able to afford them. Anything that keeps these great bass businesses healthy is a good move in my book.

My experience is that my Metro has caused me to sell all my other Jazz style basses. I have tried out about half a dozen Metro's of all types, Modern, Vintage, Will Lee and a chambered NYC. My Metro RV5 still sounds better to me.

When a Metro Express comes around I will be first in the queue to try it out.

Not exact to this but my various basses got relegated to house duty once i got the uv70 metro .Nothing near the sound and quality .Sold my 76 jazz and 62mij ri Precision .Kept one Fender jazz .Recently got a geddy usa jazz .It isn't better than the Metro just different

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  • 1 month later...
  • 4 months later...

The 5s are only £200 less than my MV5 was, about 3 years ago. Though, today that MV5 will cost £500 more than it did then. 

Hopefully Guitar² will still carry the Metro series, but I guess there's more profit to be had in the Express? 

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