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Sadowsky MetroExpress - new line impressions


danbanbass

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On 28/11/2020 at 01:54, Nebadon2000 said:

If you want a Sadowsky Bass get one with a headstock that looks like this; 

There are 5 B Stocks of Metroexpress on Reverb already.

NYC Deluxe Satin 5 - Flame Maple/Pau Ferro, Sadowsky UK, MV4, 5, Custom,  Jazz, Will Lee, Active, Basses specialist Warwick, Bass Direct, Birmingham,  London, Manchester, UK, USA, EU

They only exist on price ,they weren't produced so you can buy from your favourite country . Nyc prices are too far for a massive  majority  of the market 

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On 04/01/2021 at 12:15, CameronJ said:

Wow. I count at least 15 of these B-stock MetroExpresses on eBay from the same seller in Germany, with varying degrees of scratch/dent/dings, imperfections in the finish, one with a fingerboard that looks like its edge was dragged across concrete briefly BEFORE the frets were installed, and one with a snapped string tree. 

My goodness :facepalm:

Crazy... 

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  • 3 months later...
  • 7 months later...

Well, I've taken the plunge and picked up a fretless version.  I think it's probably third production run (it has a Just A Nut 3 fitted) and many of the issues I've read about are absent.

 

First impressions are that it's well put together, no obvious issues I've found so far other than the preamp being extremely feisty.  I've not seen a trim pot that I can tweak yet but haven't exhaustively poked around.  In passive mode it's a nice bass though.  It came with nickel round wounds that have made way for some preloved (worn in) JF344s.

 

IMG_20211207_111015__01.thumb.jpg.b965134f1af06c19b113b3935c17c6a4.jpg

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  • 3 months later...

I am considering one of these as I am after a mid-priced 5 string fretless with an unlined neck. I have a Sire V7 which I really like but they only do lined necks in fretless...

 

@ead - is it worth it? They are around the £650 mark on Thomann... anything else worth considering?

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1 hour ago, carlsim said:

I am considering one of these as I am after a mid-priced 5 string fretless with an unlined neck. I have a Sire V7 which I really like but they only do lined necks in fretless...

 

@ead - is it worth it? They are around the £650 mark on Thomann... anything else worth considering?

 

Interesting questions.  There are certainly plenty of options in that price range both new and pre-loved.  My criteria were broadly sub £1k, jazz bass style, and something I could gig happily (ish) without taking along my treasured ACG fretless bass.  I looked at few Fendery things but they were all boat anchors, a bitsa nice enough but ultimately not quite right and a few things like Ray 34s - but I have a mixed relationship with Stingray style basses.

 

I took the plunge despite the lack of love on the interweb as for the price the spec looked good with quality hardware etc., and I knew it would be a good modding platform.  When the bass turned up I was delighted it with every aspect with the exception of the ultra hot preamp.  In went the J East Jazz Deluxe preamp I had in the drawer and that was transformational.  It's a cracker now and I not touched anything else on it at all.  It is a bass that is always on the stand in the practice room and that gets taken to rehearsals and will be gigged.  I suspect a passive Kiogon loom would be another option as it sounds good with the preamp by-passed.

 

The neck is outstanding, very like my Sandberg bass.  Tuners, bridge and p/ups are of good quality too.  The pickguard tort is a bit red and at some point there's a possibility it may become BWB but that's not near the top of the wish lit atm.

 

@mr zed of this parish came around to try it out and we were able to AB it with his MIJ Will Lee Sadowsky; it faired very well.  Mr zed has subsequently bought one himself I believe.

 

It's a pity you are so far from here otherwise you'd be most welcome to try it out.  Is there anything else you like to know.

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30 minutes ago, ead said:

 

Interesting questions.  There are certainly plenty of options in that price range both new and pre-loved.  My criteria were broadly sub £1k, jazz bass style, and something I could gig happily (ish) without taking along my treasured ACG fretless bass.  I looked at few Fendery things but they were all boat anchors, a bitsa nice enough but ultimately not quite right and a few things like Ray 34s - but I have a mixed relationship with Stingray style basses.

 

I took the plunge despite the lack of love on the interweb as for the price the spec looked good with quality hardware etc., and I knew it would be a good modding platform.  When the bass turned up I was delighted it with every aspect with the exception of the ultra hot preamp.  In went the J East Jazz Deluxe preamp I had in the drawer and that was transformational.  It's a cracker now and I not touched anything else on it at all.  It is a bass that is always on the stand in the practice room and that gets taken to rehearsals and will be gigged.  I suspect a passive Kiogon loom would be another option as it sounds good with the preamp by-passed.

 

The neck is outstanding, very like my Sandberg bass.  Tuners, bridge and p/ups are of good quality too.  The pickguard tort is a bit red and at some point there's a possibility it may become BWB but that's not near the top of the wish lit atm.

 

@mr zed of this parish came around to try it out and we were able to AB it with his MIJ Will Lee Sadowsky; it faired very well.  Mr zed has subsequently bought one himself I believe.

 

It's a pity you are so far from here otherwise you'd be most welcome to try it out.  Is there anything else you like to know.

 

Thanks for the information and it is much appreciated - as well the offer but as you say, a bit far for try...

 

I will mull things over but I could well plump for one - not sure if they do different colours though?? I'm not a huge fan of black basses... I may contact Warwick and ask if there are more coming in the future...

 

Thanks again.

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As @eadhas pointed out, I went to have a look and a play of his RSD fretless and I was extremely impressed. So much so that I bought one myself. I don't like black basses as a rule but the black sparkle on this works very well. The fit and finish is really good and the hardware is also quality. I don't feel the need to change the tuners or bridge. I will change out the pre-amp for an East deluxe as @eadhas done as that is a worthwhile exercise. I really don't like the string tree so I will replace that with a hipshot unit - £15 delivered from Bass Direct and the red tort pickguard really cheapens the look IMO. A bwb replacement is a great shout and finishes off the bass nicely. This is something I have done and it cost less than £30. 

 

IMG-20220316-WA0000.jpg

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Just now, ead said:

Like the new p/guard.  Definitely the way to go!  Where did you get it from?

Earlpilanz on eBay. He had already made them for the metroline mv4 and the sizing is exact even the holes lined up. Highly recommended.
 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pickguards-for-various-bass-models-NEW-many-brand-model-pickup-colour-options-/114490584526?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

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