5 string p bass?

[steve f]

Oops, I meant vP5. And it's a little more $$ but worth the investment IMO.

 

[cnltb]

I have not seen a single split coil P 5 string P bass that REALLY convinced me.
The original 51-54 design with singlecoil works MUCH better as a 5 than the split coil equipped P. It can work ather well I think.

 

[Doug Parent]

The Fender P5 is quite nice, but I found it lacking on the B string. A little too floppy for my taste.

FWIW, I've come to the conclusion that string brand/selection is the first thing to address in this instance, because I've had a couple of the Fender P5's and with the right string the B was pretty clear sounding for the most part. Although the necks on the American Standard Series are pretty darn thin front to back and I think this affects the rigidity somewhat.

Sorry for the derail.

 

[KJung]

I have not seen a single split coil P 5 string P bass that REALLY convinced me.
The original 51-54 design with singlecoil works MUCH better as a 5 than the split coil equipped P. It can work ather well I think.

+1 in that there will be some impact on the exact, classic tone of the 4 string version, given the asymmetry of the 5 string coils on the split P pickup. However, in my case with the Nordy, the difference is a positive... still ALL P, but a bit different from the Fender 4's I've played (and the Nordy VP5 pickup itself is voiced a bit smoother up top so you can dial in more brightness without getting painfully glacky). Pretty subtle in a mix.

To the OP, sorry for going 'up market' on you. If you can find a used Fender passive 5 P, you will most likely be pretty happy, with a pretty easy resale if you are not.

 

[Buskman]

I've just got a 5-string P/J (straight P also available), hand-built, for less than a US Fender.

Okay, you've got my attention... Details, please!

 

[Mike Sorr]

On a budget, you can't go wrong with a Schecter Diamond Series P Bass 5. I had one very briefly and I can tell you that is has a great sound and is a sturdy instrument, which is a nice way of saying that its effing heavy. You can find them used for a few hundred bucks on eBay.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Rickengeezer]

BaCh makes a P51-style 5-stringer with a splitcoil pu, only 221,50 Euro + shipping: Invalid Link Removed

Those look quite cool! Wish they had a pic of the headstock.

 

[BBass06]

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

This post says a lot considering the basses Mitch currently owns and has owned.

"letting go of my KBP5 was one of the hardest and best decisions I ever made (bass gear-wise)....I replaced it with a SQUIRE P5 and to my ear it actually sounds a bit more "Fender"-like than the KBP. Especially with flats on it, it's very hard for me to hear any major differences. Feel wise, the KBP obviously wins, but for what I need a P for these days, any P will do. Hell, I turned it around and got a Fodera out of it!! IME/O, I think the true AC magic is in those jazz basses and Jimmy's pre which I still regard as one of the most organic, natural sounding pres out there. No offense Kirk! "
_________________
Mitchthebassplayer.com

 

[Buskman]

Oops, I meant vP5. And it's a little more $$ but worth the investment IMO.View attachment 311722

That Nordy is gorgeous - a '59 P5!

 

[Bassamatic]

I had a Squier E-series P/J 5-er (Korea made, 1980's I think) that I bought and sold for around $200. Great sound, narrow neck, easy to play. It has the pointy headstock like the Fender Heavy Metal series. The P Pickup is a little closer to the neck so it has a very thick sound.

 

[KJung]

This post says a lot considering the basses Mitch currently owns and has owned.

"letting go of my KBP5 was one of the hardest and best decisions I ever made (bass gear-wise)....I replaced it with a SQUIRE P5 and to my ear it actually sounds a bit more "Fender"-like than the KBP. Especially with flats on it, it's very hard for me to hear any major differences. Feel wise, the KBP obviously wins, but for what I need a P for these days, any P will do. Hell, I turned it around and got a Fodera out of it!! IME/O, I think the true AC magic is in those jazz basses and Jimmy's pre which I still regard as one of the most organic, natural sounding pres out there. No offense Kirk! "
_________________
Mitchthebassplayer.com

I too chose the Nordstand P build and the Alleva-Coppolo J build for my classic boutique stable. Wonderful stuff. Again, if you really want your bass to sound exactly like a Fender, that is a very good option, and I've played many Squires that are every bit as good as the higher priced Fender lines. +1.

 

[Buskman]

I've said it before, but if Squier made a 5 string version of the Classic Vibe 60's P, I think there would be a LOT of happy people out there (myself included!).

 

[awilkie84]

FWIW, I've come to the conclusion that string brand/selection is the first thing to address in this instance, because I've had a couple of the Fender P5's and with the right string the B was pretty clear sounding for the most part. Although the necks on the American Standard Series are pretty darn thin front to back and I think this affects the rigidity somewhat.

Sorry for the derail.

How's this for string selection:

GHS Brite Flats .129 B
DR Black Beauties .125 B & .130 B
Sadowsky Black Label Nickel .130 B
Fender 7250 Nickel .125 B
D'Addario Chromes .130 B

All of these were floppy in comparison to my other basses (Spector ReBop 5DXL & NS-2000/5). Of them, the DR BB was the best, the Chromes 2nd, Sadowsky 3rd & the Fender/GHS tied for 4th.

 

[bostrowskij]

Those look quite cool! Wish they had a pic of the headstock.

The headstock is Fender-ish but not quite like the original, scroll down this page for pics Link Removed

 

[Fair Warning]

How's this for string selection:

GHS Brite Flats .129 B
DR Black Beauties .125 B & .130 B
Sadowsky Black Label Nickel .130 B
Fender 7250 Nickel .125 B
D'Addario Chromes .130 B

All of these were floppy in comparison to my other basses (Spector ReBop 5DXL & NS-2000/5). Of them, the DR BB was the best, the Chromes 2nd, Sadowsky 3rd & the Fender/GHS tied for 4th.

Its the same 34" scale, so assuming that you are tuned to "B", the dynamics would be the same as any other 34" bass. Maybe it is the P style pickups that aren't reading the sound waves as you might like. This topic comes up all the time with P 5's but its not the string being floppy. It is the P sound relative to the string frequency. Either you like it or you move on. Sounds like you have moved on. Those of us who want a dirty P sounding B love what we hear.

 

[Buskman]

Its the same 34" scale, so assuming that you are tuned to "B", the dynamics would be the same as any other 34" bass. Maybe it is the P style pickups that aren't reading the sound waves as you might like. This topic comes up all the time with P 5's but its not the string being floppy. It is the P sound relative to the string frequency. Either you like it or you move on. Sounds like you have moved on. Those of us who want a dirty P sounding B love what we hear.

FWIW, the Spector models both mentioned are 35" scale, but a big +1 on the rest of your post - I'm a "dirty P" fan myself!

 

[Fair Warning]

FWIW, the Spector models both mentioned are 35" scale, but a big +1 on the rest of your post - I'm a "dirty P" fan myself!

I am a fan of the 35 whenever I can play one! Spector and Schecter have 35 Ps with closer string spacing.