Sadowsky (RSD) MetroExpress - Unboxing & First Impressions! - LowEndLobster Fresh Look 

I purchased one of these basses on November 16 on-line. I'm having the same noise problems that are heard in this video. My bass is the white PJ MetroExpress. The bass is nicely made, but the noise issues are very frustrating. Less expensive basses do not have these noise problems. I would have paid more to have the VTC installed, and make the bass strictly passive. Mine is also going back to Nashville (Warrick Sadowsky MetroExpress HQ). Keep you all posted.

I just received my new Metro Express 5 string jazz bass. I have the same horrible noise problems as everyone noticed. Being an electronics geek I had to look in to the problem and stared poking around inside the electronics compartment. I noticed that if I touched the blue or green wire going from the treble control to the input of the preamp the noise would increase. It looked like the problem was at the input of the preamp. I went to my electronics parts bin and found a .01uf bypass capacitor. The type used in most circuits to suppress (bypass) RF signals to ground. I placed it between the blue wire (lug) and ground (lug) on the bass control. Amazingly this fixed the problem and now I have a very quite Metro Express. One thing that is notable. Sadowsky already has a bypass capacitor between the blue wire and ground. So adding my capacitor placed it in parallel to the stock one. The fact that adding my capacitor fixed the problem tells me that either the stock capacitor was defective or it was not large enough to suppress the noise. Also, adding only .01uf on the treble control will not roll off audio frequencies.

this sounds so nice, cant wait to hear it with no buzz. getting a tone like that for 899 seems like a steal

I don't think I've ever clicked "like" on youtube videos until yours... it's just so fun

I've recently purchased the Verdine White Metro Express out of China, and have owned Japan Metro's and later, Metroline models. The Verdine White feels and plays as good as the more expensive models., and with a good setup to an owners preference, they play beautifully. Despite your comments the tone sounded quite good in your video. I agree that your unit must have grounding issues, but my bass was dead quiet, even with the single coils. I also installed a Vintage tone control, and stacked bass treble, and it now sounds exactly like the higher end models. With no ability to reduce the treble, even with it set flat, or bypassing the pre, it still doesn't allow to reduce the tone down for a vintage or muted sound. Thus installing the VTC is highly recommended on these RSD units. But pop in a VTC, and maybe a hipshot string tree, and it'd be hard to tell the difference between a metro express, and a German made Metroline. except maybe the headstock logo....

I've been waiting for this one Lobman😆

I had a Metro from Japan, the build quality was insanely good. It played and sound killer. Should never have sold it.

I was planning on saving up for the $949 fiver but it looks like I’ll be spending my money elsewhere. Thanks for the great work all the time, Lobster. Still looking forward to the full review and demo!

I bet the ground wire is not attached; that is just too much noise for something to not be wrong. Bass sounds killer; really like the tone very much.

Thank you for doing the Sadowsky metro express review. I’m thinking about buying a 5 string.

Dude, nice - this has to be one of the first and best videos of the MIC MetroExpress. On the positive side, I thought the bass sounded good. Apart from that though, at that price point it did not seem like it would be worth it, especially with the gear Sire is putting out there :( For folks that want a Sadowsky, it would probably make more sense to look for a used MIJ Sadowsky.

Great stuff. Thank you for sharing. Have a super awesome week lobster. Cheers

Well at least you start out with the most important part of Sadowsky ownership, the box.

I had to take a moment after that Bernie & Phyl's ad. Childhood flashed before mine eyes.

For $900 the fret work and Preamp should be top notch

great review and im very happy that i can finally afford a sodowsky bass

I just checked out another review of a Sadowsky Express Jazz bass and it seemed pretty quiet so I expect that you will find something amiss under the hood when you check it out. That brings up obvious quality control issues if not actual electronics issues.

I'm just NOW looking @ this. I was looking @ getting a 5 string fretless version, but I'll wait. It's kinda sad. Roger has always made great basses and guitars. He even set up my bass back in '82 when he was a repairman/luthier at Medley Music back in Bryn Mayr Pa. Warwick needs tp step their game up and correct those issues. We're talking about a man's reputation here. I want to have a "Sadowsky" bass in my collection; even if it's a metroline. But IT'S GOTTA BE TOPS! Anyone agree?

need to snag me one of these. Great playing and content!

This bass sounds awesome Nice review 💪💪💙 I don't know if it's only my impression, but I feel like when you're playing slap with both pickups on it reminds me the sound of Victor Wooten 😍

Doesn't seem to stack up against the sire pj and the yamaha bb735a

Any plans to do an updated review on these? Was wondering if you noticed the glowing review from the latest Bassplayer magazine. Enjoy your channel very much. Thanks.

That's way too much noise and issues at that price level. Mighty power is essentially the same price.

Good tones😎 Noise bad ☹️ Edit: The RSD that Jason @fretnation did a demo with didn’t have a noise issue like this one.

froge approves

Man SO GLAD you didnt just say OK on our trade and let me know there HAS to be an issue with this particular bass ....WHEW!!!..like i said probably made this one on a Friday eve at quitting time...hahahahah J/K ...But for the price....well lets just HOPE the replacement that they are sending to rectify the issue with this one does EXACTLY that and rectifies it for you and this line of Sadowsky basses!!!!!!!!!

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say these Chinese-made express basses will be cut if the quality can't be improved. I just don't think Roger would stand for putting his name on such a product. Quite frankly, given the status of Sadowsky instruments it might just make more sense to have Warwick make the higher-end metro basses in Germany and leave this price point to other builders. I'm actually surprised they didn't go with a factory in Indonesia for these, there have been some pretty good instruments coming out of there the past several years.

I picked up a 5 string MetroExpress last week and it does seem that there are QC issues with these. I attempted to remove the control knobs so I could get the plastic of the control plate and, even with the knob screws completely removed, couldn't get two of the knobs free. Felt like they were glued on as well. More concerningly I attempted to back off the truss-rod as more relief was needed and just couldn't get it to where it needed to be. The rod felt like it was at the end of resistance and I didn't want to try and turn it further so back it goes.

It seems like a lot of passive basses with active preamps that you test tend to be on the noisy side which leads me to wonder if maybe it's a ground issue with your electricity in that room, or maybe your cable/amp? Or of course they could just be that noisy, lol and the horn on your amp is turned up enough to really emphasize it?

Looking forward to the follow up review. Can't decide on a schecter model T, charvel or metro express

LEL-Review,as good as ever! Thanx for telling the truth about all these basses.For me youre the best Reviewer off all.! Ps.: love youre cat!🤩I'm also a bassist & catlover🙃... Greetzs from Austria,and keep on!..🤟

Damn, that sounds really good.

Thanks for posting

It is now one month ago, did Sadowsky already fix the problem?

A quiet preamp is not hard to do at this price level. Ibanez, SBMM, Sire, and others do it regularly. I suspect this issue will sorted out with the next generation of RSD basses. Besides the preamp, it looks like a very nice bass in the $1K category.

Looks- awesome. Headstock logo- too bad. That’s the part that looks cheap. Sound- wow. High end snap with buttery creamy sophistication. For that price I’m not entirely surprised but I doubt it’s that noisy by design. Through in a high end pre or make it passive with shielding and it’s a seriously awesome workhorse. Slap sounded really high fi with the PJ.

Wow, the tone is ..stellar. Did you discover /solved the noise problem?

The Nordstrand designed pickups made all of the difference in the Ibanez SR655. Seems like they're doing the same in this bass. The neck looks like brand new, unseasoned wood though. My 2017 Rockbass Corvette $$ was Chinese made and lasted only 1 year. The truss rod broke the first time I adjusted it. Trust issues? Lol

I think if making 'budget' versions costs this in much quality then companies should just stick to the premium models🤔

$900 is 3x what I am will to spend on one of these. I'll just put a passive P-Bass Pickup in my Jazz Bass. I can get a pickguard blank square to cutout a new P/J pickguard.

Boutique bass manufacturers are attempting to make affordable instruments, some have been successful with their overseas connections. Was under the impression Warwick's German factory was producing Sadowsky Metro basses. The Japanese made really good Metro basses wonder what happen?

what is that gorgeous bass in the upper left of the frame? been gassing for a minute seeing it in your videos

Lobster, good video. what do you think about this bass ( RSD) in relation to the Sire V5 or V7/V3? Thanks I love your reviews :)

Or like you mentioned the lights and other things plugged into the same plug circuit.

The Lobster is Cooking.

Lobster Would you Please review Some MTD Kingstons. Kingston Super 5 s, , ZX 5 s, Ssratoga Deluxe etc ( Made in China) But Used by Many Many Gigging Bassist Like your reviews. Would like to see how they stack up in Comparisons. Keep up the excellent work sir. God Bless!

Did you sort of the hum. Shielding ?

I am confused how this is a Sadowsky yet has some sort of copywrite issue? Can you explain that issue? Why couldnt the headstock have the Sadowsky name on it if its a Sadowsky bass even if its from China. Glad you were getting it replaced or refunded (not sure what happened with the return for you). Dead E string, useless preamp and noise with ok fret work and I would return that for sure and move on. $800 is alot of money when compared to L-2000 or some of the Sterling line. Thank you for the video!

Very bright and modern, all hifi, no character, or personality, all preamp. But it's an option.

This review scares me from buying one. Damn! On to look for something else.

What different between germany metroline and china metro express? *in case of sound and material

I don’t buy the Sadowsky copyright issue. Surely there isn’t any problem for basses being produced with the same Sadowsky on them for distribution outside of China? I think Roger S is waiting to see what the production models are actually like before either condoning them or distancing himself from the RSD models.

I like it very much!

I have Glarry Jbass that feels great and doesn't have Rogers name on it! and trust me it sound just as great, and it didn't burn a hole in my pocket! But its also from China!

Might be worth upgrading to the VTC, which I understand is a solderless drop-in replacement?

Sounds to me like this preamp was rushed, not grounded and not wired correctly something that would never happen at Roger's shop. Roger is known for his QC, and for his higly respectable preamps. This one definitely didn't get the proper inspection before shipping it out. Hopefully they can send you a replacement preamp to swap this faulty one. I would definitely contact them asap.

There’s no way that’s normal . There simply HAS to be something wrong with that bass. Looking forward to the resolution.

nice demo! it's active or passive or both?

Did I see and hear a furniture commercial? You mentioned that you haven't spent much time setting it up, just how much time should you have to spend setting up an 800 dollar bass? I see Reverb in the future!

I would go with a BassMods preamp.

Do you get a true subtle balance adjustment of the 2 PUPs with the balance knob, or is it all on/all off of each PUP with a center detent for both on?

Probably a smart move by Warwick to buy the production rights to this bass. The Sadowsky name is pristine, and looks like in this case, it allows you to put lipstick on a pig, and pass it off as a Playboy model. I'm sure there is a fat margin on these basses as a result. I suppose I would take another look, but the fact that this was even allowed to leave the factory with that buzzing is a cause for alarm regarding the quality control.

Great tone but the buzzing is very disappointing! I'd rather have a Sire P7 5. Have you compared the Sadowsky to the Sire?

Had the same bass in JJ for one day. Preamp way too hot. No hum with mine but bad hiss with treble at %50. And in active mode if you backed the volume down about a quarter it got noisy a bit. Yes the preamp will just amplify any issues. Especially a preamp that hot. I just sent it back today. Too bad. I really thought Sadowsky had a $900 bass nailed.

It’ll be interesting to find out what you discover under the hood. The tones sounded a bit meh to my ears.

I tried the 5 string version and i felt that string spacing was more narrow compared to a Fender Jazz (or Sire V7).Any idea? Thanks !

RSD? But what about NSD and MTD??? Investigate all the Ds lol

Interesting review, Lobster! Based on this video alone, I’d have to say I don’t see much to impress me about this bass. I guess the jury is still out.

You've reviewed cheaper basses that had much less or no noise. Even if everything were flawless on that bass the boost only preamp with no passive tone control would be a deal breaker for me. I find myself cutting treble a whole lot more often than boosting, and having that on the bass itself is just way too handy. I'd rather they just eliminate the preamp, add a passive tone control and put the money they'd save into a better setup.

Did you buy this from thomann? if you didnt can you give me a link cuz i wanna buy this bass WITH the gig bag

I thought this was going to be one of the MIJ Sadowskys. Glad it's not given the noise. Disappointed so far, given the price.

Im assuming the bass has normal controls in passive? Is it a pickup blend knob or 2 volumes?

There should be a pretty substantial drop in level going from Active to Passive with this bass. The J pickup is single coil so some noise is to be expected when solo. No doubt there is some noise there, but when you are playing it is very faint. When you stop it gets very loud. It appears there is a ton of compression in your signal and a lot of makeup gain which is boosting the noise floor when you are not playing. Can you please go over your signal chain and also the settings in your "mix."

Hey man. Did Roger get you a replacement, or did you get one at all?

Is it possible to get a tagima on the channel?

sounds good,i think my Sire sounds as good or better stock…. but I’m dropping a sadowsky VTC preamp in it like you did... lol

I need another go at these, I was not at all impressed with the one I played

Send it to Shada Cah cah Johnny long to put a monster Pre amp in it at the hoboe depot!

Oh also man, could you tell me what the neck dive is like on this?

Bernie and Phyl's reference!

It 100% sounds like a Sadowsky.

No Sadowsky logo on the headstock......sorry that's horrible. Can't believe someone else has the copyright over the Sadowsky name. And the noise in active mode is just not normal. I'd be pretty disappointed with that. That's just so not a Sadowsky. Thanks for your honest review.

No matter how it feels or sounds, the headstock logo would bug the hell out of me. I would only be able to think "I have a fake Sadowsky".

If this continues to be a flop, I don’t think Roger Sadowsky and his team will continue to pursue getting the naming rights of ‘Sadowsky’ in China.

Something is wrong with the wiring. I would pay that much for it passive.

R U coming through a direct box?

Has it been sorted now ?

It looks like they are having A LOT of quality control issues there...

Dang heart breaking

The proper plural of Express is "Expri"! :D

Ah the mint smokes that thing. More money for cat food too lol

it's coming out of China..... Can't do it …...

Thx for that. I wanted to buyt it but now.......🤣

Normally- I am not a label or cosmetic guy- but the stupid headstock labeling puts me off. Don't know why but it does.

Is this a "low end" sadowski? Gig bag? You had to give it a setup? Humming? Hmmmmmm.

vs Sire P7 ??? Opinions, Lobster ? Thanks ! - mb94952

I must admit, I'm VERY disappointed about the noise. I've been waiting for the 5 string version of this bass for a LONG time.

😦

Ah, i see you went to the LTTstore.com

You shouldn't have to do a set up, it should be done at the factory ,the noises crazy it should have been inspected before shipping maybe that's why you got it cheap this is Chinese quality control all over BUT Sadowski needs to get his shit sorted out, he has a bad name all ready in Asia, his prices are ridiculously to high, concidering they come out of Cort Factory for $120+tax and they are being sold in China as being made in Germany and to think these people make aircraft! But your honesty lobster is valued highly, give it him back lol