Sadowsky Metro 5-String

Sadowsky Metro MS5 bass. Originally bought in October 2004, I got it on Ebay. 5-strings, 21 frets, volume, pickup-pan, treble boost, bass boost. If you pull the bass knob out, it puts the bass in passive mode, where the treble and bass knobs don't work. If the battery runs out, passive mode still works! The pickups are Sadowsky single-coil (custom option). Electronics are active, boost only. The body is and the neck is maple. Body finish polyester gloss, neck is matte nitrocellulose laquer. The body style is Sadowsky slightly modified jazz bass, no pickguard, '59 burst finish. Badass-style bridge. Hipshot lightweight tuners. Thin neck with rounded edges, 34 inch scale, smallish frets. Lightweight hard case was included.

It sounds great. I play a rock, blues and funk. It suits my style very well. It seems to fit into any mix perfectly without having to fiddle with knobs too much. If you solo either pickup, there is some buzz, becuase the pickups are not humbuckers. When playing, the buzzing isn't a problem. It has a thick, slightly compressed sound which seems to drive the beat without calling too much attention to itself. Slap tone sounds like Marcus Miller! This bass is great on stage or in the studio. The hi-fi it will reveal any flaws in your strings or setup. One problem I've found is that in passive mode, the volume knob doesn't function very smoothly. It seems to jump very quickly from quiet to loud. In active mode this isn't an issue.

I didn't like the setup when I got it, but it wasn't the original Sadowsky setup. After a couple of trips to my repairman, it now feels perfect. The way it balances on my body is amazing. It's so easy to play, and the neck is comfortable. With the rounded edges, there's nothing digging into your hands as you play. The finish looks great, and the plain grains of the neck and body woods are beautiful.

I bought this bass, and immediately took it on a month-long tour of the east coast. The metal control knobs, Hipshot tuners, and heavy-duty input jack performed flawlessly. The finish remained intact through all of the small knocks and dents I put on the bass on tour. The finish is a thin layer, but durable. When the weather changed in April, the neck needed a tiny bit of tweeking. Or maybe its because I practiced and gigged the bass so much, after it had hardly been touched for 2 years (the repairman said that it needed an initial break-in). It has seemed very reliable on the 40 or so gigs I've used it; I'm happy to use it with no backup.

I took it to Sadowsky for its initial setup. Everyone was friendly. They were slightly more expensive that I would have liked; my usual repair guy charges 1/3 of Sadowsy's fee and does a fantastic job.

I have been playing bass for 15 years, and I play professionally. I'm selling all my other basses because I like the Sadowsky so much. If it were stolen or lost, I would take the insurance money and buy another. I love the way this bass looks- it doesn't have any fancy-looking features. It's beautiful, but not attention grabbing, which fits my personality! I love the slightly compressed, fat sound of the active preamp. The electronics quiet and can be subtle, but the bass can also boom and grind with the best of them if you want it to.

This is a brand new 05' Metro (made in Japan)24 fret 5 string with a maple neck with a rosewood board and a gloss black alder body. The 34" (4) bolt on neck profile is a shallow "C" with a simple to use spoke wheel truss rod adjustment and the electonics are (2) Sadowsky passive hum-buckers (close to the bridge) with the Sadowsky (2) band boost only pre-amp. Simple yet effective, volume, pan treble and bass. Gotoh 5 string quick release bridge and hip-shot ultra lite tuners. Comes with one of Roger's cases...a cross between a gig bag and hard shell case...very nice.

I play blues, jazz and funk. The bass has an agressive edge...very punchy. It's the sound I dream of. The electronics are very quiet...but very, very hot. All of his basses cook...the standard/vintage models with a more souped up classic tone. I've had several of Roger's basses...this the first Metro and I am very, very pleased. It doesn't have the passive tone control but I don't need it.

The fit and finish are incredible. Fret work, neck joint, paint job...the whole bit...way beyond my expectations and I am extremely picky. I've checked out several of his Metro basses and every time I'm amazed at the instrument to instrument consistancy regarding overall quality, fit and finish. On mine, the set up was bit to high for my liking right out of the case but I was able to lower the saddles another 1/16" with no buzz or rattle. At the 12th fret I'm < 1/16" top of fret to string bottom on the G, A, and D and 5/64" on the E and B measured in the playing position. This lower than what Roger recommends but like I said...she don't buzz. I describe Roger's basses as 57' Chevys manufactured by extremely skilled craftspeople with superior materials.

The bass is the classic, timeless bolt on design which I prefer. It's built like a tank. I haven't had it long enough to to go through climatic changes so I don't know if at some point I'll need to tweak the neck. But, I've owned several of Roger's basses and this has never been an issue. His out of the case set up is very straight with little if any relief.

I've known Roger via phone for quite some time. He is the consumate professional...well versed in his field and he has gone way beyond the call of duty to make me happy. I'm confident he does this for all of his customers...famous or not. His NY crew has been with him for years and they are all highly skilled along with a strong orientation toward customer service. However, I must say his crew in Japan must be the same. I'm not big on buying anything that isn't manufactured in the good OL' U.S...the Metro changed all this! With all this said, I've never had a service issue with any of his basses. Call their number...he's usually is the one to answer the phone.

I've been playing for about 15 years...not professionaly...it's a hobby...an outlet. I've owned several high end basses...4 string 5 string...bolt on's...neck thru's...and plainly put...I love Sadowsky's. Like I said, Roger has taken a timeless, classic design and refined it only thru the use of superior materials and craftsmanship. I should say "craftsperson" since he has a lady working in his Japanese crew. If you want a custom top or black/gold hardware or a P/J configuration you'll have to opt for US made axe. This is the best bass I've ever owned.