NBD 2023 Sadowsky Metro Express Jazz V

[Dbassmon]

After watching a few reviews, I decided to give this bass a try. I have wanted a Sadowsky bass but not enough to spend $4- 7K. The reviews I read, people are raving about these basses. I bought one.

The Good
I acquired a bass that is incredibly well-crafted and boasts exceptional wood quality. I particularly enjoy the Sadowsky Preamp, but I've decided to switch it out for the VTC (vintage tone control) for a more classic sound. If you're interested in the original preamp, feel free to message me. The shielding in the electronics cavity is extensive. Pots are smooth and feel substantial. The fret work is flawless, with polished rounded ends and hidden tangs that feel smooth and sleek. The Roasted Maple Neck has a lovely satin finish and feels great to play, albeit slightly chunkier than some may prefer. The hardware is top-notch and requires no upgrades. The 18mm spacing on the fingerboard is perfect, allowing ample room for the strings without any danger of slipping off the edge. This bass produces a clear and resonant sound without any dead notes. Additionally, the updated Sadowsky logo on the headstock is much more appealing than the previous RSD branding.

The Not So Good
I initially received a bass with a faulty pickup, indicating that the quality control may not be up to Roger's standards. Fortunately, this issue was resolved with a replacement bass. However, I did notice that the bass is quite heavy. After searching through various options, I found that Sweetwater and Fret Nation provide accurate weight information for the specific bass you purchase. Most basses weigh around 10 pounds, but mine is closer to 9 pounds. It's important to note that the heavier basses make up the majority of those posted, so it requires some patience and diligence to find a lighter option if weight is a concern. Lastly, there was a minor issue with a drip of lacquer on the side of the neck, which created a lumpy spot. I used some 1000 grit emery paper to smooth it out, and it's no longer bothersome.

Bottom Line
As consumers looking to purchase a bass guitar, we are fortunate to have a combination of three key factors contributing to the quality and price of available options: Sadowsky's design and specifications, Warwick's expertise in Asian production, and the invention of CNC machines. When you play this bass, the feeling is not simply that it is a good value for the price, but rather that it is a truly exceptional instrument.

Kudo's to Roger and the Warwick team for making this available at a price that just about every bass player can afford.

I think Sadowsky is going to sell many of these.

 

[rugrat]

Wish I would have gotten a JJ. My PJ5 has pickup issues. The A string is much louder than the rest.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

After watching a few reviews, I decided to give this bass a try. I have wanted a Sadowsky bass but not enough to spend $4- 7K. The reviews I read, people are raving about these basses. I bought one.

The Good
I acquired a bass that is incredibly well-crafted and boasts exceptional wood quality. I particularly enjoy the Sadowsky Preamp, but I've decided to switch it out for the VTC (vintage tone control) for a more classic sound. If you're interested in the original preamp, feel free to message me. The shielding in the electronics cavity is extensive. Pots are smooth and feel substantial. The fret work is flawless, with polished rounded ends and hidden tangs that feel smooth and sleek. The Roasted Maple Neck has a lovely satin finish and feels great to play, albeit slightly chunkier than some may prefer. The hardware is top-notch and requires no upgrades. The 18mm spacing on the fingerboard is perfect, allowing ample room for the strings without any danger of slipping off the edge. This bass produces a clear and resonant sound without any dead notes. Additionally, the updated Sadowsky logo on the headstock is much more appealing than the previous RSD branding.

The Not So Good
I initially received a bass with a faulty pickup, indicating that the quality control may not be up to Roger's standards. Fortunately, this issue was resolved with a replacement bass. However, I did notice that the bass is quite heavy. After searching through various options, I found that Sweetwater and Fret Nation provide accurate weight information for the specific bass you purchase. Most basses weigh around 10 pounds, but mine is closer to 9 pounds. It's important to note that the heavier basses make up the majority of those posted, so it requires some patience and diligence to find a lighter option if weight is a concern. Lastly, there was a minor issue with a drip of lacquer on the side of the neck, which created a lumpy spot. I used some 1000 grit emery paper to smooth it out, and it's no longer bothersome.

Bottom Line
As consumers looking to purchase a bass guitar, we are fortunate to have a combination of three key factors contributing to the quality and price of available options: Sadowsky's design and specifications, Warwick's expertise in Asian production, and the invention of CNC machines. When you play this bass, the feeling is not simply that it is a good value for the price, but rather that it is a truly exceptional instrument.

Kudo's to Roger and the Warwick team for making this available at a price that just about every bass player can afford.

I think Sadowsky is going to sell many of these.

View attachment 5204138 View attachment 5204139

Your bass is a beauty. It makes me want a fretted JJ to match my fretless JJ MetroExpress.

 

[Dbassmon]

My PJ5 has pickup issues. The A string is much louder than the rest.

This is exactly the issue I had and why I returned the first one I bought. The EAD side of the split coil was 30% louder than the DG side at equal distance from the string.

Sadowsky/Warwick provides a 4 year warranty on these instruments. I would reach out and get them to straighten this out. Getting even output out of a Pbass pickup should not be a difficult thing to address. You can also drop a DM to Roger Sadowsky. He is on TB and he is responsive.

 

[rugrat]

This is exactly the issue I had and why I returned the first one I bought. The EAD side of the split coil was 30% louder than the DG side at equal distance from the string.


Sadowsky/Warwick provides a 4 year warranty on these instruments. I would reach out and get them to straighten this out. Getting even output out of a Pbass pickup should not be a difficult thing to address. You can also drop a DM to Roger Sadowsky. He is on TB and he is responsive.

I’ve already reached out. They told me everything was up to spec., and I can either de-magnetize the pole pieces or buy a replacement pickup. So…..I paid $300 and ordered new pickups. Not what I wanted.

 

[rugrat]

Here’s my explanation:


Thanks for reaching out. So, after reaching out to the R & D department in Germany in regards to the A string on the P5 SMX basses, it was determined that the design of the pickup is up to specification currently, and can be offset by either lowering the center of the P pickup to a less radiused angle. If you are still unsatisfied with the output level on the pickup, you can opt to replace the pickup with the MetroLine version, or try to de-gauss the pickup yourself. Any demagnetization will not be covered under warranty if this is attempted.

 

[Not yet]

anyone know what strings come on it?

Thanks

 

[Dbassmon]

anyone know what strings come on it?

Thanks

Sadowsky Blue Label Nickel - They seem to last a long time.

 

[TritoFlyBC]

I just received my MXE PJ5 and I have the same A string issue,unfortunately. Nearly 30% louder than the other strings on the P pickup and lowering the pickup didn't solve the issue. I'm curious what might cause this sort of problem. I guess the safer bet was going JJ in hindsight.

 

[rugrat]

I just received my MXE PJ5 and I have the same A string issue,unfortunately. Nearly 30% louder than the other strings on the P pickup and lowering the pickup didn't solve the issue. I'm curious what might cause this sort of problem. I guess the safer bet was going JJ in hindsight.

It’s because the hidden pieces are magnetized.

 

[TritoFlyBC]

It’s because the hidden pieces are magnetized.

Well, that answers my question! Thanks for that. I have been in discussions with Hans-Peter Wilfer at Warwick and waiting for a reply on a solution. It looks like I will likely purchase the replacement Sadowsky pickups with the hum cancelling J just because it's pretty noisy despite the shielding. I wonder how many PJ5 basses are going out with magnetizing issue.

 

[rugrat]

Well, that answers my question! Thanks for that. I have been in discussions with Hans-Peter Wilfer at Warwick and waiting for a reply on a solution. It looks like I will likely purchase the replacement Sadowsky pickups with the hum cancelling J just because it's pretty noisy despite the shielding. I wonder how many PJ5 basses are going out with magnetizing issue.

Probably all of them. I’ve gone back and forth with them, and they won’t do anything. I’m told to adjust the pickup height, buy a replacement pickup or de-magnetize the pickup (which won’t be covered under warranty if there’s an issue). This is BS in my book. If you decide to replace the pickup, I suggest checking with Fret Nation. Jason will take good care of you and he will have the best price. Keep in mind, you might have to remove a tiny bit of wood under the J pickup. There isn’t enough space to use the foam and the pickup will be rigid. The replacement pickup has a bundle of wires under it and it can’t be altered.

 

[TritoFlyBC]

Probably all of them. I’ve gone back and forth with them, and they won’t do anything. I’m told to adjust the pickup height, buy a replacement pickup or de-magnetize the pickup (which won’t be covered under warranty if there’s an issue). This is BS in my book. If you decide to replace the pickup, I suggest checking with Fret Nation. Jason will take good care of you and he will have the best price. Keep in mind, you might have to remove a tiny bit of wood under the J pickup. There isn’t enough space to use the foam and the pickup will be rigid. The replacement pickup has a bundle of wires under it and it can’t be altered.

I never heard back from Warwick/Sadowsky so it looks like I'm on my own to fix this like you. This is clearly a quality control issue that the warranty should cover in my opinion. Thanks for the Fret Nation suggestion and the heads up about the pickup space. It looks like a fairly easy install, otherwise. I'm wondering if the Sadowsky PJ pickups set have the same specs as the MXE pickups and simply have different covers.

 

[rugrat]

I never heard back from Warwick/Sadowsky so it looks like I'm on my own to fix this like you. This is clearly a quality control issue that the warranty should cover in my opinion. Thanks for the Fret Nation suggestion and the heads up about the pickup space. It looks like a fairly easy install, otherwise. I'm wondering if the Sadowsky PJ pickups set have the same specs as the MXE pickups and simply have different covers.

I think they are the same pickups that they put on the Metroline basses. They are very nice.

 

[scubaduba]

They are not the same pickups. The metroline pickups do not have the extra magnetized coils and are also now soft touch covered.

 

[TritoFlyBC]

I finally heard back from Warwick/Sadowsky with an unusual solution to the extra magnetized poles problem. I have never heard of the shock method to demagnetize a pole before. I would have preferred if they just sent me the correct pickups.

"This is probably a manufacturing defect. The pickup, which is located under the
housing, where there are only 4 recesses for the pool pieces magnet, must have
4 magnetized pool piece magnets and 2 normal iron pins that are not magnetized.
The 2 circled metal pins / pool pieces must also lie flat against the coil and must not protrude.

Here in the photos, however, you can see 6 magnet pins (pool pieces) that are
magnetized and this must not be the case.The 2 pool pieces can be demagnetized using the shock method. By repeatedly hitting or pushing the magnet with a pin, the magnetic domain can be disturbed and the magnet demagnetized.

This should solve the problem with the pickup and the sound should be consistent. As I said, a mistake was probably made during manufacture and 2 magnetized pool pieces were inadvertently fitted, for which we can only apologize"

 

[scubaduba]

“Probably”?

 

[hieronymous]

I think I'm having a similar issue - got a 2nd gen Metro Express Hybrid PJ 5-string. The A string sounds great! But none of the others sound like that. I was hoping I could just lower the pickup (the bass was set up with low action when I got it) but that hasn't helped much, if at all.

Is it a matter of upgrading the pickups? Is there a higher grade Sadowsky pickup? The Metroline? How do you know that's what you are getting? Or go to another pickup, like Delano or ? But then, I've got the noisy preamp too, so upgrade that as well?

 

[TritoFlyBC]

I think I'm having a similar issue - got a 2nd gen Metro Express Hybrid PJ 5-string. The A string sounds great! But none of the others sound like that. I was hoping I could just lower the pickup (the bass was set up with low action when I got it) but that hasn't helped much, if at all.

Is it a matter of upgrading the pickups? Is there a higher grade Sadowsky pickup? The Metroline? How do you know that's what you are getting? Or go to another pickup, like Delano or ? But then, I've got the noisy preamp too, so upgrade that as well?

That's what I thought when I first played my PJ5, A is strong all the others sounded weak. It's actually because the A has essentially three pickups on it with the hidden magnetized poles. Warwick suggested I basically move/knock the offending poles to disturb the magnetic field to demagnetize them. The next day I got a message from them saying this is not actually a good idea because the the bottom of the pole is glued into the plate. They have now offered to send me a replacement pickup and I'm sure they would for you too. Obviously a batch of newer PJ5's have gone out with this issue and they are only now aware of it.

I've decided to upgrade to the Sadowsky Metroline pickups with the VTC. I prefer a humcancelling J because even with the shielding I find it too noisy myself. I'm not sure if the P pickup is wound to different specs or just the same pickup as the Express in the soft touch case. Some folks are quite happy with the Nordstrand NP and NJ pickups as replacements. This is my third Sadowsky and I'm sticking with what works great for me.

 

[rugrat]

That's what I thought when I first played my PJ5, A is strong all the others sounded weak. It's actually because the A has essentially three pickups on it with the hidden magnetized poles. Warwick suggested I basically move/knock the offending poles to disturb the magnetic field to demagnetize them. The next day I got a message from them saying this is not actually a good idea because the the bottom of the pole is glued into the plate. They have now offered to send me a replacement pickup and I'm sure they would for you too. Obviously a batch of newer PJ5's have gone out with this issue and they are only now aware of it.

I've decided to upgrade to the Sadowsky Metroline pickups with the VTC. I prefer a humcancelling J because even with the shielding I find it too noisy myself. I'm not sure if the P pickup is wound to different specs or just the same pickup as the Express in the soft touch case. Some folks are quite happy with the Nordstrand NP and NJ pickups as replacements. This is my third Sadowsky and I'm sticking with what works great for me.

They only offered to SELL me a replacement pickup. What a joke.