Sadowsky - MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Black Pearl 5 Cordes Touche Palissandre Gaucher

The Sadowsky MetroExpress Hybrid PJ Black Pearl 5 String Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Bass is an instrument that will appeal to many.

Getting your hands on a left-handed 5-string that holds up is rare.

This bass from the MetroExpress series ticks all the boxes. Its bolt-on roasted maple neck? A real treat.

Nothing moves, even when humidity plays with your nerves. A clean grip, an immediate response, in short, it smells serious.

The Black Pearl impresses under the spotlights. Depending on the lighting, it goes from sober to sparkling in the blink of an eye.

Under warm lights, it takes on deep reflections. With cold spotlights, it displays a metallic shine.

On stage, it doesn't blend into the decor, it redefines it!

As for the microphones, the P/J combination does the job. Need some snap for a tight funk groove? The bridge is there.

Want a rounder tone for an airy jazz line? The neck pickup takes over.

Playing on the balance between the two is like adjusting spices in the kitchen: a hint of one, a touch of the other, and presto, the mix comes to life.

The 19 mm string spacing provides real comfort. In slap, the attack is frank.

In more relaxed playing, the fingers find their place effortlessly. Whether it grooves dry or floats quietly, everything goes smoothly.

The push/pull to bypass the preamp has its uses. In the studio, a passive sound captures the nuances better.

Live, it brings a raw grain that sticks to vintage atmospheres. On an acoustic set, it integrates without artifice.

With 4.8 kg well distributed, no pain at the end of the concert. A good strap and you're off for hours without breaking your back.

This is a bass that plays in the big leagues.