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Description

The Sadowsky Vintage Jazz electric bass guitar pays tribute to the classic era of jazz basses while infusing modern craftsmanship and technology into its design. Crafted with the discerning musician in mind, this instrument delivers the warm, punchy tones that have defined countless records and performances. With its sleek, ergonomic body, this bass provides exceptional playability and comfort for both stage and studio environments.

At the heart of the Sadowsky Vintage Jazz lies its custom-wound single-coil pickups, which offer a dynamic range of sounds from smooth, mellow lows to bright, articulate highs. The bass is equipped with an active preamp system, giving players the versatility to shape their tone for any musical genre. Its high-quality hardware ensures tuning stability and reliable performance during long gigs.

Designed for both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians, the Sadowsky Vintage Jazz combines traditional aesthetics with modern enhancements, making it a valuable addition to any bassist's collection. Whether you're grooving on the bandstand or laying down tracks in the studio, this bass promises to deliver a sound that's both timeless and contemporary.

Key Features:

  • Custom-wound single-coil pickups
  • Active preamp system for versatile tone shaping
  • High-quality hardware for tuning stability
  • Sleek, ergonomic body design for enhanced playability
  • Traditional jazz bass aesthetics with modern improvements

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sadowsky Vintage Jazz.

Comparisons

  • Sadowsky basses are compared to Fender custom shop models rather than standard Fenders due to their handcrafted nature and premium pricing.

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  • The Sadowsky UV70 has been directly compared to Fender AV'75, with one user ultimately favoring the Fender for its superior tone and resonance.

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  • While the Sadowsky Modern series offers versatile electronics and 24 frets, some users still prefer the JJ series for its refined design and smaller body.

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  • The MetroExpress serves as an entry-level option in the Sadowsky lineup, offering brand prestige at a lower cost compared to their higher-end models.

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Features and functionality

  • The Sadowsky active sound is described as bright and twangy, which may not suit all genres, with some users preferring a passive tone for versatility.

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  • The Sadowsky Metroline jazz bass, made in Germany, is praised for its lightweight design, under 3.7 kg, enhancing playability.

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  • Sadowsky preamps provide a modern, punchy tone that can achieve a Marcus Miller-like sound, distinguishable in dense mixes compared to passive jazz basses.

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  • The Sadowsky MetroExpress offers 21 frets and a flatter fretboard, which may be preferred over other models with fewer frets.

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Value and pricing

  • Sadowsky's Metro line has seen significant price increases from $2400 in 2008 to $3200, with the NYC line being even more expensive.

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Use cases and applications

  • Sadowsky basses are praised for their ability to cut through the mix, providing a sharp, distinctive tone that can be advantageous in certain musical contexts.

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Build quality

  • Sadowsky basses are noted for having smaller bodies compared to traditional Jazz basses, a design choice by Roger Sadowsky to refine Fender designs.

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  • Initial Sadowsky MetroExpress models had QC issues, such as misalignment between the bridge and neck and uneven string output.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
skylinerr

Great

5 string version in black

Genres:

Artist usage

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See how Jason Newsted uses Sadowsky Vintage Jazz

Jason Newsted

Bassist

Metallica

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Verified via Photo

In this image Newsted can be seen playing on a Black Sadowsky Vintage Jazz 5-String.

In the Mid-90's carring heavy Alembic Basses were finally taking a toll on Newsted's sholder, Sadowsky Basses were built much lighter.

Newsed became a big supporter of these Basses as his original order in 1996 consisted of Four 4-Strings and Three 5-Strings, with an additional requirement that these Basses be completely Water and Sweat resistant.

See how Bonobo uses Sadowsky Vintage Jazz

Bonobo

Bassist, Composer

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Verified via YouTube

In this Tin Desk Concert performance you can see Simon Green using his Sadowsky Ultra Vintage Jazz bass throughout the show.

See how Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu uses Sadowsky Vintage Jazz

Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu

Bassist

Korn

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Verified via YouTube

At 43:25 Fieldy is playing Jason Newsted's Sadwosky Vintage Jazz bass. Guess he forgot to bring his bass to the gig.

See how John Cale uses Sadowsky Vintage Jazz

John Cale

Singer, Guitarist

The Velvet Underground

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Verified via Archive

This article mentions John Cale using a Sadowsky Jazz Bass for the VU reunion tour.

See how Futoshi Uehara uses Sadowsky Vintage Jazz

Futoshi Uehara

Singer, Bassist

Maximum the Hormone

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Verified via YouTube

At 1:36, you can see him using his Sadowsky Jazz 4. He uses this on studios and live from 2009-Current.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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