5 string P basses? Are they a good choice?

[mellobud]

MTD CRB5

Mtd crb 5 is a solid contender if you need an affordable option.

 

[Slevage]

I have a Squier P5. ( not Affinity).
I got it used about 9 years ago for $250.
The B sounded good when I got it, but could not touch my Modulus Q6.
That didn’t matter because I immediately put a high C on the P5.
That sounds great, and that is how all my basses are strung.
IMO, the higher end investments or cheaper 35” instruments have better sounding low B’s, though I’m sure there are exceptions.

 

[Herrick]

I've had a few Fender P 5s but I was unable to get the B to sound as good as the other strings. There was this weird effect where the C & C# were almost sounding the same. There is something called a stealth string retainer that's supposed to make the B sound better.

 

[Geri O]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

Ahhh, now….

I rather liked my Lull P5 with the 2-pole/3-pole split P pickups.

If one is a member of the Symmetry Police and is OCD, I can see where one’s eyes might glaze over….

(And for heaven’s sake, don’t show them a 3/2 headstock….)

 

[TomB]

I've had a few Fender P 5s but I was unable to get the B to sound as good as the other strings. There was this weird effect where the C & C# were almost sounding the same. There is something called a stealth string retainer that's supposed to make the B sound better.

Spacing of the pickup from the B-string is critical. Too close and you’ll get strange and unwanted harmonics. Not saying this is the case ^^ above, but that kind of behavior is a symptom. I’ve usually experienced it up around G on the B-string and above. Hot pickups especially exert more magnetic influence on that big ole string.

 

[someguyfromNC]

There was a time I would say no. The new ones are fine.

 

[MtManiac]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

I think they look pretty awesome.

 

[Michael Simpson]

I've been using my Sire P5 a lot, and it is magnificent. B string is nice and tight and the in-house pickup they use sounds glorious, it has a little more brightness than your typical Fender P pickup. This translates to a great P tone on the B string, whereas some other P or even P/J basses I've tried haven't sounded quite as good.

Oh, and it still sounds like a P, and an especially nice one with the tone rolled off just a touch!

 

[Gervais Cote]

I've been using my Sire P5 a lot, and it is magnificent. B string is nice and tight and the in-house pickup they use sounds glorious, it has a little more brightness than your typical Fender P pickup. This translates to a great P tone on the B string, whereas some other P or even P/J basses I've tried haven't sounded quite as good.

Oh, and it still sounds like a P, and an especially nice one with the tone rolled off just a touch! View attachment 5473205

If those Sire are well built and capable of lasting a few decades, many of us here will regret not buying one in 2024…………….

 

[Jefenator]

Over many years & basses, I've found the low B pretty much always works best with a bridge pickup blended in.
I can do without here & there, when the song calls for that "neck pickup" sound, and the response can seem adequate. I wouldn't want to commit to that all the time - at least not for low B.
Truth be told I'm a single coil J/J kind of guy at heart, but I seem to keep winding up with P/J for my workhorse 5-string.

 

[Border]

I have a Fender American 5 string Precision and it is an absolute workhorse. I have had it for many years, and literally gigged in the hot sun and occasional rain and it has been rock solid. I have it strung with EB Precision Flats and I have been pleased with the tone and playability. It stays in tune and seems very stabile. I wasn't too certain when I bought it, but it has been a good working bass for several years.

 

[LowendG]

I had one of the early Fender P5's--first year they came out. Sounded...like a Pbass. The B was good. Was it Dingwall-good? No, but it got the job done and felt/sounded reasonably well integrated with the other 4 strings. That said, I prefer fivers with a bridge pickup--just seems to tighten up the sound of that low B string a bit, generally speaking.

 

[chris_b]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

You can rest easy.

Mike Lull has considered those suffering from OCD and nerdism.

 

[Killing Floor]

Mine does.
I think P basses have a place in a lot of musical styles.

 

[ghiggin1079]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

Well in this case the obvious answer is a P6

 

[micguy]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

Hoping this is a joke, but in this vein, there is a real issue to discuss. 5 string basses have an odd number of strings, which means the pickup will be asymmetrical. There are 2 general classes of 5 string split pickups. Some are made with 3 sets of magnets in one part, and 2 in the other - the two "halves" will be physically asymmetrical, with one bigger than the other. These will not (because the thing has different coils on the different halves) hum cancel perfectly - they are less noisy than a single coil, but noisier than a true hum canceller. On other basses, you will see pickups where there are 3 sets of pole pieces on one side, and 2 visible on other, but there will be kind of a blank space on the 2 side - in those pickups, they have a third set of pole pieces (without magnets) hidden under the cover, and the hum will cancel completely. You want one of those.

A second issue: B strings on 5's. A bad B string is a string problem, not a bass problem. If your B string is floppy and lifeless sounding, you need a better string. This starts with getting a B string that is big enough. To match a 95 E (light tension) you need a 130 B. To match a 105E, you need a 140B. I know of no 5 string sets that are made this way, but it works really well if you buy singles, or 4 string sets, and a B that matches in tension.

A 34 inch scale bass is just fine with the right B string.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Can I please take this opportunity to say that no, they are no good at all. A P pickup has to be split right in the middle, each half (!) picking up two strings. Otherwise, it just doesn't look right.

I’m a long time PB 4 player and I’m thinking the same thing. So I just ordered a JB V.

 

[Micha84]

Hoping this is a joke

It was, of course. Like, 90% of it. I really don't like the look of it to an extent that I may never have one. But that is of course my problem. There is nothing actually wrong with the concept.

 

[sethlow3]

Yes.
I used to have a Fender MIA P5 with a massive B string.

I now have a Sandberg Superlight VS Passive 5 which is their version of the P and the B string is one of the best I’ve owned.
Both 34” scale.

 

[thmsjordan]

I have a 2021 Precision 5 that I am extremely happy with. Very balanced sound. I like it better overall than the 2012 American Deluxe Jazz 5 I own (which is also an excellent bass). B string is fine. I am not sure why they get such a bad rap for the B string. Not sure this bass will ever leave my collection. It has certainly become my main player ever since I acquired it.