Thinking of Scoring a Sadowsky MV5... advice for a newbie, please.

[dkaplowitz]

I've been playing some bass lately and really enjoying it. My current rig is a MIM Fender Jazz 5-string (alder/rw) through an SWR workingman's 15" combo. I love the sound of the Jazz (except for the hum/noise from the crummy stock pickups). Being the gear whore I am I'm looking to upgrade to something a bit nicer. I have a potential deal online for a Sadowsky MV5 with ash/maple. I'd be playing mostly funk/disco & prog/fusion. The MV5 looks a lot like the Jazz, so I'm figuring it'll sound a lot like the Jazz but with a bit more pop/snap.

Any advice on what to look (out) for?

Appreciate any help.

Dave

[Bassomatic]

Provided the price is right, I don't think you can go wrong with a metro. Just make sure it feels right. There are few absolutes when it comes to bolting a big old neck onto a body - some basses just have "it" more than others. Sadowsky's top notch reputation is well-earned, and the Japanese line lives up to it, from all I've read and heard. Keep

[Boomer]

I too am considering a Sadowsky. The closest dealer to me is in Orlando so when I have the inclination to make the 250 mile drive to Bass Central I'll know more. If the store was closer I'd probably be in big trouble!

[dkaplowitz]

Thanks guys. I'm still on the fence about this one. The ambivalence is more about clearing the funds than whether the bass will be worth the money. I'd probably have to move a piece or two, but it it'd be moving pieces I don't use for one I'd probably use all the time, so it makes sense to get it. Anyway, I'll post back if I get it.

Cheers,

Dave

[Jim S]

I have 8 Sadowsky instruments, 4 are basses.

Do not hesitate. They are superb. In my book, they are best you can buy. Alone they sound very good but live and in a mix they are the bees knees, the cat's meow, the shizzle, and the place where slap and pop starts and ends.

Yes, I like them alot.

[dkaplowitz]

Started to realize that a UV-70 would probably be more to my liking, so I went and checked out this one (http://www.bassspecialties.com/images/basses/uv705bk.jpg) at a local shop. (Image is too huge to show inline.) Beautiful piece! Amazing range of tones (and without the VTC too!). I was willing to buy it if it rang my bell, but I think it's a bit too hi-fi for my current level of skill (if you can call it that) as a bassist, so I decided to chill. I probably will buy a UV-70 at some point (4 or 5 doesn't really matter to me), but I want to really feel like I'm getting the most out of such a pro level instrument first. In the meantime I got a 4-string Fender Marcus Miller from Dave's Guitars for a good price. I think that'll get me through the next year or so (if the bass GAS doesn't get me).

Thanks for the replies!

Dave

[slothjones]

dkaplowitz,

I have a Sadowsky Metro bass, awesome condition, fairly new for sale if you are interested. Let me know.

[jokerjkny]

i've had a few sadowskies as well, and if anything, they've ALL been top notch and sounded incredible in the mix. the onboard preamp just sits in the studio and onstage like a 300 lbs. gorilla.

with that said, make sure you get a metro from the sadowsky shop in NYC. the japanese builds are fine, but i've seen a few, where the fretjobs are not exactly sadowsky perfect. the metro's that have passed thru the main NYC shop however are terrific, and its apparent that the metro's go thru a good scrubbing to make sure everything is perfect.

[phatbass30]

they've ALL been top notch and sounded incredible in the mix. the onboard preamp just sits in the studio and onstage like a 300 lbs. gorilla.


my MS5 is awesome, i got it fitted with a VTC and a BADASS V bridge. monster sound!!!

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4637/01082008104copyoc3.jpg

[Cory]

I've got six Sadowsky instruments....three are basses. I can't say enough enough good things about Roger and his instruments. Top notch guy with top notch instruments. Get one!