Warmoth 5-string

[Hamerguy]

I am thinking of putting together a 5-string bass from Warmoth parts:
- Deluxe P 5 body, ash in cherry sunburst
- Deluxe P 5 neck, maple, ebony fretboard, pearloid block inlays, satin finish
- Schaller BM Lite tuners, Hipshot string retainers
- Schaller 2000 5-string bridge

The electronics is the part I am not sure about. I like the Fender Am Dlx P 5. But I really like the classic tones of a passive P. Searching for pickups in the net I haven't found many P5 passive pickups (except for Nordstrand). The Basslines NYC Phase II passive soapbars got my attention. Are these humbuckers that produce a fat tone or do they sound like a J. Do these work well with passive electronics? Should I go active with 5 strings? Well, I have been a 4-string player so far, and most of my basses are active. But I'd really like an organic sound with some serious growl. So, what kind of electronics would you suggest?

 

[topcat2069]

This is how I did it.......

Warmoth wouldn't route for a 5 string P pickup .... so I went the Jazz & MM way..... Barts and a Bart pre... the pre can be bypassed and the passive mode sounds as good as the active. Plus the MM is in the MM "sweet spot" so I have a (close) MM sound too..


The 5 String P pickups that I've found are Wilkinson (on E-Bay) one of those and the NYC (which I'm gonna use on my next build with a 3 way switch for each Ser/Parel and single coil) would be about as close as a Fender Am. Deluxe 5 as you're gonna get , I believe. Just get a pre. that has a bypass for passive, in passive mode it will be like a Roscoe Beck

The Wilkison: http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilkinson-Lic-V...tem&pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2556ff60dd

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

While I like your build, topcat, I don't think that's what he's looking for.

Hamerguy, I know Sadowsky makes a passive 5 P-p'up -- you might have to pay some real coin, however.

Another thing - if you want that "P" sound, you might reconsider the ebony fretboard - I've had a few fretted basses with Ebony, and I never liked it. Too crisp sounding. Get rosewood - you'll be happier with the sound. Trust me.

 

[selowitch]

For 5-string P pickups, I would look at Nordstrand, Bartolini, or EMG. Actually, I'm pretty sure the EMG 5-string pickup will fit in a conventional 4-string route, so even Warmoth will do that.
Where does one find a routing template for the Wilkinson?

 

[Sbociol]

Why not just getting a EMG 35P?It's a splitcoil pick up in an humbucker housing.

 

[selowitch]

Why not just getting a EMG 35P? It's a splitcoil pick up in an humbucker housing.

Another viable option!

 

[pin_head_47]

Have you considered contacting USACG to see if they will do the 5-string P pup route, assuming that Warmoth still won't do it?

 

[Hamerguy]

Thanks all for your input.

BigOldHarry, you may be right, the ebony board is a bit "un-Fender". I have other basses (which are active and all maple setneck construction) with ebony board so this was my choice for this.

Sbociol, I have a Hamer 4-string bass that has an EMG P/35P set, and while I like the sound it is not what I am looking for on this Warmoth project. I think EMG's have an active sound (which I like though).

As I plan to build a 4-string Warmoth P (passive, 2 P pickups) as well to a later date I might use two Basslines NYC Phase II pickups and go all passive using an Aguilar Tonehammer.

 

[topcat2069]

While I like your build, topcat, I don't think that's what he's looking for.

I just like showing off my Bass, which, by the way, has a rosewood board with pearloid binding and blocks....LOL

I wanted a 5 string p pickup (I wanted my Warmoth to be like my Fender Am. Deluxe 4 string) but like I said..... no route. I also thought about getting a routing templet and just moving it over (to the bass side and routing the extra width for the 5P pickup.... but I don't have the tools or expertise. The NYCs seem like a good compromise to me... like I said "in passive mode it will be like a Roscoe Beck " just use the 3 way switches and no pre.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I built a Warmoth P5 Deluxe a few years ago with fantastic results.

I used a Nordy NP5 and NJ5S, which are both 5-string pickups in a "4-string" route. Warmoth did the routes no problem, though they wouldn't reverse the P for me.

 

[Nino Valenti]

This is how I did it.......

Warmoth wouldn't route for a 5 string P pickup .... so I went the Jazz & MM way..... Barts and a Bart pre... the pre can be bypassed and the passive mode sounds as good as the active. Plus the MM is in the MM "sweet spot" so I have a (close) MM sound too..

Really? When I used to use Warmoth, I used to get a P5 route all the time.

 

[wyliee]

I built a Warmoth P5 Deluxe a few years ago with fantastic results.

I used a Nordy NP5 and NJ5S, which are both 5-string pickups in a "4-string" route. Warmoth did the routes no problem, though they wouldn't reverse the P for me.

No problems doing a P rout on a 5 string. It's still a 4 string pickup rout, but all the 5 string P pickups I've seen fit that rout.

We can do a reverse P too. (Essentially it's a lefty pickup rout on a righty body.) If you call in to place an order, let the sales staff know you got the info from Eric or just email me at: [email protected].

 

[topcat2069]

To clarify, I sent Warmoth the Wilkinson (Nordstrand NP5 Pickup for Fender 5 String)
dimensions and the reply I got was that the CnC guy didn't want to program the dimensions into the machine.... a regular 4 string p route was not the question.

I was only referring to the 3+2 size that Fender used on their Am. Deluxe P-Bass 5, Reggie Hamilton 5 & passive P-Bass 5 (Link Removed Far Right)
With apologizes to Warmoth

sorry for any confusion or apparent misinformation.

p.s. Mr. Valenti, HOT BASSES !!!!!!

 

[wyliee]

To clarify, I sent Warmoth the Wilkinson (Nordstrand NP5 Pickup for Fender 5 String)
dimensions and the reply I got was that the CnC guy didn't want to program the dimensions into the machine.... a regular 4 string p route was not the question.


sorry for any confusion or apparent misinformation.

p.s. Mr. Valenti, HOT BASSES !!!!!!

Oh, no worries and no apologies necessary! I was concerned you had received bad information.

Ditto, Nino. Killer basses.

 

[angrydad]

I built a Warmoth P5 Deluxe a few years ago with fantastic results.

I used a Nordy NP5 and NJ5S, which are both 5-string pickups in a "4-string" route. Warmoth did the routes no problem, though they wouldn't reverse the P for me.

WHERE did you get that pickguard?!!!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

WHERE did you get that pickguard?!!!

I had to make it myself. I still have the template I made of 1/4" pressed board.

It turned out pretty good, but I was limited in the pot locations by the walls of the cavity route, so I had to work with that.

It was fun, but a lot of work to get right. Fortunately, I got the template where I wanted it BEFORE cutting pickguard material.

 

[topcat2069]

I built a Warmoth P5 Deluxe a few years ago with fantastic results.

I used a Nordy NP5 and NJ5S, which are both 5-string pickups in a "4-string" route. Warmoth did the routes no problem, though they wouldn't reverse the P for me.

Also a HOT BASS !!!!

 

[topcat2069]

After all this time........

 

[TonyP-]

I play Lulls but I'm going to 5 string warmoth just for kicks...