Sadowsky Metroline Hybrid PJ5

[baxter_x]

I was playing my modern today and I agree… it works so well in the mix and my IEM’s

It works for everything. The low end simply burries everything else.

 

[baxter_x]

 

[BassicJazzy]

I like that fingerboard!

Yeah, me too. I've am "no lines" convert, all the way, after playing this for 3 weeks.

When I first played it I thought the dots were too small, but now I realize they are just big enough, and stacked right at the 12th, to not be annoying or distracting.

Yesterday I failed at playing my SR370EF with the lines and dots at the wrong place. That board confused me, TMI, some of it bad info. So I guess I understand the point now of no lines, clean board, small dots.

I also love the color of Pau Ferro.

 

[Ric Vice]

Yeah, me too. I've am "no lines" convert, all the way, after playing this for 3 weeks.

When I first played it I thought the dots were too small, but now I realize they are just big enough, and stacked right at the 12th, to not be annoying or distracting.

Yesterday I failed at playing my SR370EF with the lines and dots at the wrong place. That board confused me, TMI, some of it bad info. So I guess I understand the point now of no lines, clean board, small dots.

I also love the color of Pau Ferro.

Love the color of the Pau Ferro. Even though I play Double Bass on most of my gigs, moving from that radius to the radius of a fretless electric, I need lines, although I only really need them for intense sight reading. The dots are not something I reference, although there are even some Double Basses that have them.

 

[BassicJazzy]

My best PJ sound comes from one of these. I think it's because the spread of the pickups are not standard. It sounds good with either the P soloed or the blend of both full on. The bridge soloed, not so much.

View attachment 7482913

Then there is my P Bass of Doom with its humbucker, Precision, Jazz pickup layout. It sounds good because I use it differently.

Cort makes some excellent basses that aren't available in the US. Too bad.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Love the color of the Pau Ferro. Even though I play Double Bass on most of my gigs, moving from that radius to the radius of a fretless electric, I need lines, although I only really need them for intense sight reading. The dots are not something I reference, although there are even some Double Basses that have them.

I never looked at the dots before three weeks ago. Been playing since '72. Now I cannot unsee them.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Although there a few other brands I might consider, my number one choice for my final big purchase is a Sadowsky Metroline. I have mainly focused on Moderns and Jazzes, but the Hybrid PJ5 just might work too.

It doesn't really matter what I like or don't. These basses are in the $3400-$3500 range, and that simply makes them a NO-GO. I like the 5 string version in Dark Lake Placid Blue, and the fretless model but I simply don't have that kind of money ever in any one year for one bass or really any instrument, and if I did, I can't imagine spending that on that bass. If I did, I'd probably be looking at an electric upright and trying to find a way to buy that over a long term with some sort of imaginary money wand that I still don't have, instead buying Sadowsky's interpretation of an improvement or difference from a Fender which I do have, as nice as those Sadowskys may be.

Also the mix in the first video seems poor. The person's voice seems much louder than the bass.

I have waited. And waited. And waited... for Fender to produce an affordable 5-string PJ Precision Bass. Or really ANY 5-string Precision Bass. They make EVERY other instrument in an affordable Squier line, a Mexican line and an American line, and still in 2026 despite having 32 Precision Bass models on their website, no Fender 5-string PJ Precision Bass really in any line. GRRRRR. $#&^$%**(#@

 

[Nebadon2000]

Although there a few other brands I might consider, my number one choice for my final big purchase is a Sadowsky Metroline. I have mainly focused on Moderns and Jazzes, but the Hybrid PJ5 just might work too.

I think I saw a thread here taking bets on what Bass you end up getting Maybe it was one of those online Betting Company's

I kid: any of the Basses you have been considering should be enjoyable

I went through similar before getting
My Stingray Special 4H considered 3 different Sadowsky Metrolines, a couple Dingwalls even a Fender AVRI II 54P it has only one tone but it was seductive for me

 

[BassicJazzy]

It doesn't really matter what I like or don't. These basses are in the $3400-$3500 range, and that simply makes them a NO-GO. I like the 5 string version in Dark Lake Placid Blue, and the fretless model but I simply don't have that kind of money ever in any one year for one bass or really any instrument, and if I did, I can't imagine spending that on that bass. If I did, I'd probably be looking at an electric upright and trying to find a way to buy that over a long term with some sort of imaginary money wand that I still don't have, instead buying Sadowsky's interpretation of an improvement or difference from a Fender which I do have, as nice as those Sadowskys may be.

Also the mix in the first video seems poor. The person's voice seems much louder than the bass.

I have waited. And waited. And waited... for Fender to produce an affordable 5-string PJ Precision Bass. Or really ANY 5-string Precision Bass. They make EVERY other instrument in an affordable Squier line, a Mexican line and an American line, and still in 2026 despite having 32 Precision Bass models on their website, no Fender 5-string PJ Precision Bass really in any line. GRRRRR. $#&^$%**(#@

My MX fretless hybrid cost $1,125 from SW new, 3 weeks ago.

I highly recommend this model. It is outstanding. Comes with a really nice gig bag, well padded.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I think I saw a thread here taking bets on what Bass you end up getting Maybe it was one of those online Betting Company's

I kid: any of the Basses you have been considering should be enjoyable

I went through similar before getting
My Stingray Special 4H considered 3 different Sadowsky Metrolines, a couple Dingwalls even a Fender AVRI II 54P it has only one tone but it was seductive for me

I almost pulled the trigger on an EBMM Stingray fretless from Custom shop. So close. Being old, wanting immediate gratification, drew me to the Sadowsky MX instead. I would have been happy with either. Both beautiful.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

It doesn't really matter what I like or don't. These basses are in the $3400-$3500 range, and that simply makes them a NO-GO. I like the 5 string version in Dark Lake Placid Blue, and the fretless model but I simply don't have that kind of money ever in any one year for one bass or really any instrument, and if I did, I can't imagine spending that on that bass. If I did, I'd probably be looking at an electric upright and trying to find a way to buy that over a long term with some sort of imaginary money wand that I still don't have, instead buying Sadowsky's interpretation of an improvement or difference from a Fender which I do have, as nice as those Sadowskys may be.

Also the mix in the first video seems poor. The person's voice seems much louder than the bass.

I have waited. And waited. And waited... for Fender to produce an affordable 5-string PJ Precision Bass. Or really ANY 5-string Precision Bass. They make EVERY other instrument in an affordable Squier line, a Mexican line and an American line, and still in 2026 despite having 32 Precision Bass models on their website, no Fender 5-string PJ Precision Bass really in any line. GRRRRR. $#&^$%**(#@

Deals are out there! I paid less than a new fender pro ii.
Mint as can be pickguard plastic and all. Amazing versatility, great fretwork and action. The necks on these things are like steel beams. You can't even move it if you try. That combined with it being SUPER loud acoustically and like 7.2lbs and balanced,versatile it's a winner for sure.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Deals are you there! I paid less than a new fender pro ii.
Mint as can be pickguard plastic and all. View attachment 7482981

I already have an active and a passive PJ 4 string. I have looked expressedly for that in a new 5-string at an affordable price.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

My MX fretless hybrid cost $1,125 from SW new, 3 weeks ago.

I highly recommend this model. It is outstanding. Comes with a really nice gig bag, well padded.

I'm interested in the 5, and the prices I saw were nowhere near yours, but that's great for you. I'll keep looking.

 

[scubaduba]

Sadowsky P/J rules! Well, second maybe to the Modern.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I still think the Modern 5 is the best Sadowsky I’ve heard.

 

[scubaduba]

The Sadowsky Modern is hands down my favorite Sadowsky.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I'm interested in the 5, and the prices I saw were nowhere near yours, but that's great for you. I'll keep looking.

The MX unlined fretless hybrid PJ five is $1,185 on SW, but they don't have any in stock, are backordered right now.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I am typically not a big PJ person, but the Sadowsky’s I have heard are just so versatile! My absolute favorite Sadowsky with a split pickup is their P/Soap Bar configuration. They are in limited production this year for $6,500 a pop. That is much more than I want to spend, but I might go for it.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

The MX unlined fretless hybrid PJ five is $1,185 on SW, but they don't have any in stock, are backordered right now.

The Metroline is what was featured in the thread. The MX is a different thing. Still... I took a look on SW and found no Precision-type basses as you mentioned in a very quick cursory look. Life is demanding I move on for tonight and get ready for the week. I'll check tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[pb9717]

I typically hate hate hate P/J setups. I have had tons of them and they always sound odd, volume balance is off and blending is also iffy, etc
my Sadowsky Hybrid P/J is the only P/J that seems to have gotten it right it. I have mentioned it before, its hard to make these sound bad.

I’ve found different basses with P/J configs can sound radically different. I had a ME Verdine that cut like a razor, an ME Fretless that was much more even, and my Warwick Streamer has the active MEC P/J pickups and it couldn’t be more diffferent than the sadowsky P/J’s Ive owned.

I used to be very into the P/J sound for the actual usable tone of each pickup solo’d, especially with a passive always on tone control , like the VTC. You get a true P bass tone, AND that great burpy single coil bridge pickup solo’d tone from em’. Nowadays, I’m finding every bass to be unique.

+1 on the Modern. I’ve always felt it was the superior design in the product line. Mine is absolutely spectacular, and has been my #1 since purchase.