SADOWSKY MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Fretless BK Black / 4-String Fretless Bass / SMX D 002421-23

Carefully inspected and professionally set up by our luthier workshop, this guitar is a brand-new instrument.

Sadowsky Deluxe gigbag, straplocks, cardbox & original accessories included.

SADOWSKY MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Fretless BK Black

• Serial: SMX D 002421-23
• Weight: 3.900 kg
• 4-String Fretless Electric Bass, Fender Jazz Bass-style
• Body: Solid Okoumé, slightly more compact J-Style body shape
• Finish: Solid Black High Polish
• Pickguard: Tortoise-style
• Neck: Roasted maple, bolt-on, C profile
• Fingerboard: Morado
• Scale length: 34" / 864 mm
• Nut: Adjustable Sadowsky Just-A-Nut III
• Nut width: 38.5 mm / 1.5"
• Truss rod: Dual-action
• Factory strings: Sadowsky Silver Label Nickel .045 – .105
• Neck pickup: Passive Sadowsky P-Style
• Bridge pickup: Passive Sadowsky J-Style hum-cancelling, 60s position
• Preamp: Sadowsky active 2-band
• Controls: Volume / Balance / Treble / Bass
• Special feature: Push/Pull function on the bass control to bypass the preamp and use the bass in passive mode
• Bridge: Sadowsky MetroExpress Quick String Release
• String spacing: 19 mm
• Total bridge spacing: 57 mm
• Tuners: Lightweight Sadowsky Light Open Gear
• Hardware: Chrome
• Easy-Access electronics compartment

Sadowsky is one of those names that immediately gets bass players talking. Since Roger Sadowsky’s first creations in New York, the brand has built an exceptional reputation by offering a modern vision of the traditional bass: instruments that are extremely comfortable, precise and lightweight, but above all capable of delivering that famous clear, powerful, dynamic and instantly recognizable sound that has won over generations of professional musicians. With the MetroExpress range, Sadowsky has managed to make this DNA far more accessible without sacrificing what makes the brand so special.

This MetroExpress Hybrid P/J Fretless is a particularly interesting bass in its category. The combination of a Precision-style neck pickup and a Jazz Bass-style bridge pickup already provides remarkable versatility. It can deliver round, deep and warm lows, perfect for supporting a song with plenty of body and richness, while the bridge pickup or a blend of both pickups can bring more definition, precision and bite. On a fretless bass, this P/J configuration makes perfect sense, allowing the player to move from a smooth, singing tone to a genuine growl, with all the harmonic richness and expressiveness that fretless enthusiasts are looking for.

The Sadowsky active preamp adds another dimension to the instrument. The bass retains excellent transparency while offering the extra deep lows and sparkling highs that have contributed so much to the brand’s unmistakable sonic signature. It is an instrument that can feel equally at home in fusion, jazz, funk, soul or modern pop, while also having more than enough personality to appeal to bassists looking for an expressive and inspiring fretless instrument.

Comfort is also one of the major strengths of this MetroExpress. With its comfortable neck, 38.5 mm nut width and very well-designed ergonomics, it feels fast and easy to play. The fretless fingerboard naturally allows the player to explore every nuance of expression, from slides and vibrato to microtonal intervals, with a great deal of freedom. The Okoumé body also contributes to a comfortable and relatively lightweight instrument, which is especially welcome during long rehearsals or performances on stage.

But where this bass really becomes formidable is in terms of value for money. In the rather specialized world of fretless basses, it is difficult to find an instrument offering such a combination of build quality, ergonomics, electronics and, above all, genuine sonic identity. A Sadowsky MetroExpress Fretless clearly delivers a more premium experience than its price might initially suggest.

This becomes particularly obvious when comparing it with some very popular alternatives such as the Sire Marcus Miller models. Sire basses are excellent instruments and offer an impressive amount of equipment for the price, but in our opinion, this Sadowsky goes further in terms of overall coherence, playing feel, finish, balance and, above all, sonic personality. This is not simply a bass that looks well-equipped on paper: it is a genuine instrument built around the Sadowsky philosophy, with the immediate response, clarity and efficiency that have made the brand’s reputation.

For a bassist looking to discover the fretless world without feeling like they are buying an entry-level instrument, or for a more experienced musician searching for a versatile and professional fretless bass, this MetroExpress Hybrid P/J Fretless is an especially compelling choice. It combines the timeless look of a great classic with the versatility of a P/J configuration, the expressive richness of a fretless fingerboard and the modern character that defines Sadowsky instruments.

An excellent fretless bass: extremely musical, versatile and, in our opinion, offering exceptional value for money. It clearly stands above many competitors in this price range, including some of the very popular Sire Marcus Miller models. A true gateway into the Sadowsky universe… with more than enough quality to remain a bassist’s trusted instrument for many years to come.