An Elegant Workhorse of a Bass
Sadowsky’s MetroExpress 21-fret Vintage M 5-string bass seamlessly blends classic aesthetics with contemporary functionality and exceptional playability. With a body crafted from okoume, renowned for its lightweight and resonant qualities, this bass provides a rich tonal foundation. The roasted maple neck fortifies stability and strength while offering a smooth, comfortable playing experience, while the 21-fret roasted maple fingerboard adds a touch of snap and presence to the overall sound profile. Each MetroExpress Bass is equipped with Sadowsky’s signature enhancements, including advanced 2-band active electronics that allow for precise tonal adjustments, catering to a wide range of musical styles. The adjustable Just-A-Nut ensures optimal string height and intonation, improving playability. Additionally, the quick string release bridge facilitates effortless string changes, making maintenance a breeze. The noiseless MM pickup delivers a punchy and dynamic sound with excellent power and authority, and the mini 3-way toggle switch further enhances tonal versatility. It all equates to a Sadowsky bass that is not only visually striking but also a powerhouse of performance.
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Inspired tone and service
Revered for sublime tone, proprietary electronics, and delightful playability, a Sadowsky MetroExpress supplies everything you need to groove steadily. An okoume body with a bolt-on roasted maple neck establishes the tonal foundation with balanced but snappy characteristics. A flatter, 12-inch radius roasted maple fingerboard on top of the oiled, natural-feeling neck adds extra snap that stands out in the mix while allowing for lightning-fast runs to be played. The 21 nickel-silver frets come out of the box with rolled fret edges that make the MetroExpress series an absolute dream to play, as reported by Sweetwater bass players.
Thoughtful and inventive, Sadowsky basses are equipped with hardware that saves you time during string changes and other maintenance. The bridge features a quick string release that loads the ball ends of your strings from the neck side of the body instead of the strap pin-side and slides to the side in place — no instrument flipping and string pulling needed. Access to your electronics takes no time at all, thanks to the Quick Access cover that’s removable without any screws. Sadowsky’s Just-A-Nut technology allows finer adjustments to your string height at the nut to dial in your perfect setup in minutia. Finally, a spoke wheel adjustment meets the edge of the neck and body for fast truss rod tweaks.
Active/passive electronics personalize your sound
The Sadowsky MetroExpress Vintage M is equipped with a passive MM-style pickup for that classic growl and power. This quad-coil, hum-canceling pickup gives you the space to rock out unfettered by pesky hum yet remains equipped with rich, full tone. The 2-band active preamp features separate bass and treble controls with an incredibly wide sweep — perfect for establishing your own voice. The MetroExpress Vintage M Bass also features a 3-way mini-toggle switch to select between Series, Parallel, or Single-coil wiring, adding even further tonal expression to your palette. Series mode realizes the full power of the MM-style pickup, adding cutting bite and growl. Switch to Parallel mode to smooth out your sound and settle down in the mix, or Single-coil mode to delve into a more classic-sounding vibe.
The bass control features a push-pull potentiometer that switches between active and passive modes. This serves two functions: First, it gives you even greater sonic flexibility; second, as Roger Sadowsky himself explains, it serves as a failsafe to disengage the active electronics in the event of a dead battery or other circuit issue during the middle of a gig. No matter what happens during your set, your Sadowsky will get you through the night.
Sadowsky MetroExpress Vintage M Features:
- Classic Sadowsky quality and superb tone
- Okoume body with classic contour curves forms a warm and vibrant tonal basis
- Bolt-on roasted maple neck with a natural oil finish facilitates lightning-quick runs
- Roasted maple fingerboard with a 12-in. radius and 34-in. scale length feels smooth to play and adds extra presence to the tonal profile
- 21 nickel-silver frets dressed with rounded edges offer ultimate playing comfort
- Onboard 2-band preamp and active electronics with push-pull active-passive switch on bass control
- Sadowsky passive MM-style pickup for vintage growl with modern performance
- 3-way mini toggle switches between Series/Parallel/Single-coil modes for further tonal expansion
- Quick Access cover grants immediate electronics access
- Just-A-Nut is effortlessly adjustable to further fine-tune your preferred setup
- Includes ultra-reliable tuning machine heads, a rock-solid bridge with quick string release, and a stress-free locking strap system
- Clear pickguard and chrome hardware complete a striking visual aesthetic
