5 string P's

[davidchampoux]

Originally Posted by Dragan

they don't "suck" ofcourse, its just that people who prefer or need 5 strings USSUALLY like more "modern" and more verstaile sound, while other dudes who like P bass, they just want classic P bass and therefore four strings.

+1 to that.

My experiences with AM std P5 (and I've had a few of them ) have always been the same: muddy B string.

I've also used a 55-64 for ~ 20 gigs in summer of 2010. While the B is definitely much better VS the Fender, I think there was a lack of top end (5khz+) in the Lakland (Hanson?) pickup... Sold it, lost $ on this one...

[Buskman]

I have a 2010 Fender P5 - love it.

With my six piece band (two guitars, keys, sax & a LOUD drummer ) it can be a challenge finding my place in the mix, but this bass fits in so nicely.

I use a .135 B string, and even tuned down a half step there's hardly any flop at all. Nice even response across all strings.

Plus, I love the whole "passive, two knob" mentality... Just a quick adjustment of right hand placement and/or the tone knob & I have whatever I need, song to song.

It's the only bass I've gigged with since I picked it up a few months ago.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by mcfrankson

5 string P basses are not the most commonly used thing (by my estimation) Do they suck? I love the P bass sound and would love to have something like an old Fender, but I still want to have a 5th string! Any happy mediums?

I LOVE my Nordy VP5. Amazing, high end boutique 5 string P. Very lightweight, perfect playability, and the option of a more 'modern' 80's sounding P pickup or a more traditional Fender voicing.

That being said, I was VERY impressed with the American Standard (or whatever it's called... the passive 5 string model with the more hefty bridge) Fender P5. VERY good value for the money. You will need to spend an extra hundred or so most likely to get a professional set-up and really get it playing right, but you would still be less than half of the Nordy.

[awilkie84]

I haven't been able to put mine down since i got it.
They definitely don't suck. There's just not a huge market for them. Everyone goes Jazz or "Modern".

[Fair Warning]

Got an AM STD P-V arriving in the mail Wednesday! Cant wait! Got the white/rosewood model P V .

[rnarrington1]

Originally Posted by Fair Warning

Got an AM STD P-V arriving in the mail Wednesday! Cant wait! Got the white/rosewood model P V .

oooohhh me too!!! Same color too!!
except I ordered mine this am.....

[Fair Warning]

Originally Posted by rnarrington1

oooohhh me too!!! Same color too!!
except I ordered mine this am.....

I have found that white looks good on me!

[KCLRbass]

Originally Posted by ahc

Lakland 55-64 is another option. Skyline or US.

Just picked up a Skyline 55-64 a couple of weeks ago. It's really excellent. Highly recommended.

[Herrick]

I had one for a few days. The neck & string spacing were very comfortable. I wasn't a big fan of how the B sounded. I was using D'Addario Chromes. l'd be willing to try another one if Fender made 5-string PJs. I think the J pickup would tighten up the sound of that low B considerably.

Edit: The B string felt just as good as the other strings, by the way.

Edit 2: Replied to myself instead of editing the post.

[awilkie84]

Originally Posted by Herrick

I had one for a few days. The neck & string spacing were very comfortable. I wasn't a big fan of how the B sounded. I was using D'Addario Chromes. l'd be willing to try another one if Fender made 5-string PJs. I think the J pickup would tighten up the sound of that low B considerably.

Edit: The B string felt just as good as the other strings, by the way.

Edit 2: Replied to myself instead of editing the post.

Non-Edit Reply: I plan on adding a J-5 pickup to my P-5. Should give me a bit of the tonal options I'm lacking & look badass at the same time. ^_^

[skidmarkbass]

I have a 2008 p5er, just put TI jazz flats/pro setup.... sweet.

[Starflyer59]

Originally Posted by KCLRbass

Just picked up a Skyline 55-64 a couple of weeks ago. It's really excellent. Highly recommended.

You bought it from club bass? I was eyeing that bass as well

I passed on a chance to own a fender p5 for $750. I regret it to this day.

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by Buskman

I have a 2010 Fender P5 - love it.

With my six piece band (two guitars, keys, sax & a LOUD drummer ) it can be a challenge finding my place in the mix, but this bass fits in so nicely.

I use a .135 B string, and even tuned down a half step there's hardly any flop at all. Nice even response across all strings.

Plus, I love the whole "passive, two knob" mentality... Just a quick adjustment of right hand placement and/or the tone knob & I have whatever I need, song to song.

It's the only bass I've gigged with since I picked it up a few months ago.

Out of curiousity, what strings are you using? All top loaded? Looks that way from the picture.

Nice looking bass.

[electracoyote]

Precision V's don't suck. Personally, I have better options that work better for me.

But I love Precision four strings.

[KCLRbass]

Originally Posted by Starflyer59

You bought it from club bass? I was eyeing that bass as well

I passed on a chance to own a fender p5 for $750. I regret it to this day.

Yup. That's the one. I'm glad I beat you to it.

I had tried a few Fenders and was never completely sold on the P-ness (oh grow up) of the sound. The Lakland was really the real deal tone-wise, and tons of clarity on the B. It's the only 55-64 I've ever played, but it's a real gem in my opinion.

[ggvicviper]

I own a Fender American Standard P5. It definitely doesn't suck, and the B is powerful.

As for concerns of the B being too muddy, my ears don't think so - sounds a little less defined than the E, but there is still plenty of definition (for a P bass). The articulations from the overtones come out more when you have higher tension strings, or especially if you string through the body for sure. I currently string through the bridge with Long Scale D'Addario Chromes though, and they're high tension enough to get some nice definition from the B.

[basspraiser]

I have 2 Lakland P style 5ers and love them.....one has the vintage pickup and has a great vintage tone with the added punch if an excellent sounding B string if i need it

5er P basses can be very useful
......

[Herrick]

Originally Posted by awilkie84

Non-Edit Reply: I plan on adding a J-5 pickup to my P-5. Should give me a bit of the tonal options I'm lacking & look badass at the same time. ^_^

That would be cool! Please post soundclips when able. If unable, then a picture will do

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Dragan

they don't "suck" ofcourse, its just that people who prefer or need 5 strings USSUALLY like more "modern" and more verstaile sound, while other dudes who like P bass, they just want classic P bass and therefore four strings.

Nope, they sure don't!

I'm one of the oddballs though... I have other basses for modern sounds, and I specifically bought my 2009 MIA Pbass V to put Chromes on it for a vintage/Motown thump! I chose a 5-string version because I've just gotten so used to having the extra string.

Interestingly, I've never particularly cared for the sound of a soloed Precision, but it fits into any mix really well and my P5 fights for "go-to bass" status quite often. It seems to fit into any situation I've found myself playing in, from rock (of course) to funk, 60’s pop, 60's psychadelic stuff (I played for a production of Hair), musical work, jazz, etc... Even an impromptu "surprise, lets play some metal!" jam session a friend sprung on me. Lol

5sg.

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by mcfrankson

I love the P bass sound and would love to have something like an old Fender, but I still want to have a 5th string! Any happy mediums?

Hmmm, OP, didn't you say that you didn't want a Fender in another thread you started the day before...?

Non fender P's