• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

5 string p bass?

E

epic576

Jan 17, 2013
35
3
Gloucester UK
#1
Bassists of all genders, I offer you greetings

As the title may suggest I'm on the hunt for a 5 string precison style bass, with the one split pickup. Do these exist? Make honestly doesn't matter I'd just like it to try out a 5er. New or used isn't an issue, I'm in the UK if that's any help.

My first post so don't shoot me down in flames

Cheers

AJ
 
#3
Fender makes a nice one: the American Standard P-bass 5. This model is passive, and only has the one split pickup.

Fender's previous P5, now discontinued, is the Deluxe. It had an active preamp and a second pickup toward the bridge, a split humbucker.

I prefer the Standard, but used Deluxes can be found.

There are also five string P-basses available from boutique manufacturers: Benavente, Lull, Nordstrand, Sadowsky. But those will cost more than Fender -- in some cases, a LOT more.
 
#7
Sandberg makes them too, but only with active electronics, and not much more expensive than a fender (edit: actually they cost around the same price as am-standard fenders). And you can choose the options you want (colours, matching headstock, top wood...)

Invalid Link Removed
 
#9
you may also want to check out Yamaha BB425

it's a P/J configuration, good quality, and about 1/2 the price of American Standard P 5

there is a higher priced Yamaha in the same range as that Fender
 
#10
Love my 5 string P. I like the idea of a more classic, passive P that happens to have a 5th string. Here is a picture of my Nordstrand 'Nordy' VP5. 8 pounds, and that 70's/80's style gloss poly neck (he also does a more classic alder/rw/nitro build). It is a funk machine! Spendy, but worth it if you have the cash.

That being said, I've played a couple of the 'New American Standard' Fender 5 string P's (if I have that name right... Fender has a million different models, basically the classic 5 string passive P model with the improved hardware). They both needed serious set-up work (not really a big deal) but sounded great and the basic quality seemed very good.

IMG_1574_zpsfb000c92.jpg
 
#14
Grateful said:
MTD makes the CRB and I've heard good things about it. I had a Fender P5 and it was 'ok', compared to the other 5'ers I've owned. Kinda hit or miss between individual basses.

If you like 35" scale, I highly recommend the Lakland Skyline series P5's.
Click to expand...

The MTD Kingston CRB is a great bass. Not real bargain basement but I think sub-£500.
 
#15
I love my Fender American P5, which is funny because when I started playing bass back in the Dark Ages I hated my Fender American P4 (which now would be worth a buttload as "vintage").

Interesting, but I'm not aware of any budget instruments that are straight P5 setups, and I looked for some before I sprung for the Am Fender. (for example, the Squier P5 is really a J-bass!) The P-neck tends to be pretty wide, so with an extra tuner and a new nut and bridge you might be able to make one out of a budget instrument if you only want the P configuration. But there are a number of budget PJs or Js out there in 5-string.
 
#19
The Fender P5 is quite nice, but I found it lacking on the B string. A little too floppy for my taste.

Schecter makes a Diamond P5-Custom that's quite nice. 35" scale, and has a humbucking double jazz in the bridge position, too. I've played one and LOVED it.

If you're looking for a P sound, you could always look at a used Spector ReBop or legend & swap in an EMG 40P5 pickup, too.

mystic38 said:
they made them (Fender), though i am unclear how the hum cancelling works in that configuration.
Click to expand...

The hum cancelling works because you still have effectively 2 pickups working as 1. The BEA strings are on 1 & the DG strings are on the other (which is reverse wound to the first).
 
#20
epic576 said:
Bassists of all genders, I offer you greetings

As the title may suggest I'm on the hunt for a 5 string precison style bass, with the one split pickup. Do these exist? Make honestly doesn't matter I'd just like it to try out a 5er. New or used isn't an issue, I'm in the UK if that's any help.

My first post so don't shoot me down in flames

Cheers

AJ
Click to expand...
Were I in the market for one I'd go with a Lull or Valenti

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

www.valentibasses.com
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back