5 string passive bass?

[sikamikanico]

I think they may be rare, but a used Lakland Skyline P5 may be in your price range. I’m a big fan of Skylines!

However, as much as I am a fan of P basses, a P5 gives me pause: the two halves of the pickup are not the same. Mostly I hear that this results in no perceived sonic issues, but I fear either inadequate noise cancellation or unbalanced sound, or both. Plus, with unequal sizes of the two pickup halves on some basses, they IMO look bad!

So if none of that bothers you and you want to nail a P sound, a P5 is a fine choice. Be mindful that some may have a 35” scale and that the string spacing may be different from what you expect.*

but I think there are good alternatives to the split coil pickup. I’d personally look for a bass with soapbar pickups and then audition a bunch of aftermarket pickups to get it just right. Sidewinders, dual coils, singles with dummy coils, etc… high on my list would be another Lakland Skyline, 55-01, but there are many other fine choices…

*While some disagree, I find the physical specs as important if not more than sound specs. It’s easier to get the sound right later, but the wrong dimensions can make a bass awkward to play…

 

[Seano76]

Agree with those that said the reverend mercalli. The split pickup in it does the P thing pretty well.

 

[gordonfreemanjr]

As for Fender P-bass 5 - yes, finding one for 1.1k USD might solve all my problems. However, I'm based in the EU and first off, they tend to be pricier down here, and second off, if I grab one in the US, the customs might hit me hard and the eventual value might increase.

To sum up: apart from the above, the recommendations so far are:

*Reverend Mercalli 5: I like this one, however it's availability down here in Europe appears to be very limited. I've contacted few of the listed dealers, mostly based in Germany, and they don't have it.
*Yamaha BB435: I'll be honest, I don't really like this one - judging from the demos.
*a Squier: yes, that's an obvious shot, however I had a Squier once. Not a fan ever since.
*Ibanez Talman: same as the above: I had couple. Not a fan of the brand and the sound.
*a Sire: I had some unpleasant word of mouth creeping on me regarding quality of these. Distrustful.
*Lakland Skyline P5: this one's interesting. Top 2 of the recommendations so far.

Just a reminder: I'm interested in purely passive basses. The A/P switch won't cut it.

Thank you for all your hints. I'm all ears for more.

@BurningSkies: what's that bass on the pic?

 

[BurningSkies]

As for Fender P-bass 5 - yes, finding one for 1.1k USD might solve all my problems. However, I'm based in the EU and first off, they tend to be pricier down here, and second off, if I grab one in the US, the customs might hit me hard and the eventual value might increase.

To sum up: apart from the above, the recommendations so far are:

*Reverend Mercalli 5: I like this one, however it's availability down here in Europe appears to be very limited. I've contacted few of the listed dealers, mostly based in Germany, and they don't have it.
*Yamaha BB435: I'll be honest, I don't really like this one - judging from the demos.
*a Squier: yes, that's an obvious shot, however I had a Squier once. Not a fan ever since.
*Ibanez Talman: same as the above: I had couple. Not a fan of the brand and the sound.
*a Sire: I had some unpleasant word of mouth creeping on me regarding quality of these. Distrustful.
*Lakland Skyline P5: this one's interesting. Top 2 of the recommendations so far.

Just a reminder: I'm interested in purely passive basses. The A/P switch won't cut it.

Thank you for all your hints. I'm all ears for more.

@BurningSkies: what's that bass on the pic?

Dingwall Super-P. A bit out of the 1200$ price range, but worth saving for if you want a splurge!

 

[Plectrum72]

Check out Harley Benton or Yamaha for a reasonably priced passive 5-string in either P or P/J configuration.

 

[jerry]

The Roscoe Beck Fenders can do a nice P-bass among other things.

 

[Michael Jewels]

Once again, I'll recommend my Schecter CV-5.

Sounds very close to a 60s Precision.
Sam Ash is just starting to get them back in stock.
Thunderous B string with the Ernie Ball Slinkys that it comes with.

It sounds so like a P-bass since I put a set of D'Addario chromes on it.
No kidding.
$699.00 brand new.
Very good build quality and fit and finish. I must update this picture.

 

[Wfrance3]

I've been sort of, not really, but kinda looking for a passive 5. I haven't found anything in my price range that just amazed me so will probably just stick with the 5 that I have, which has a 2 band preamp in it...
In my causal observations, I've been finding that string-thru seems like a good thing. Comments about sustain being better with strings strung thru the body, as opposed to just terminating at the bottom of the bridge.
Also, I keep bumping into posts and comments about the B-string disappointment on basses that don't include an onboard preamp. Also- there seem to be more main-stream brand choices that have a 2 or more band preamp. Not that there are no passive choices, there are just more of the other.
Years ago when I was looking for a 5, I did get a bass with a preamp, probably for that reason...The bass I have came stock with EMG Hz Pickups and an EMG preamp. Both decent, but jut so vanilla pudding neutral. For fun, I replaced the pickups with some Delanos, and just soldered up some 500K pots and played it VVTT for a while. That was actually pretty nice, but two passive tone knobs don't really play well together... I thought about just wiring it up VVT, but my OCD wouldn't permit me to have a 4 knob bass that only had 3 functioning pots... I got the Audere because it didn't cost a ton, was well reviewed, and it solved the 4 knob (first world) problem...
Tone-wise the Delano-Audere combo is really good. It sounds (to me anyway) like a good passive bass. The eq points Audere uses are very neutral. They make the pickups you have, sound like the pickups you have, but with +/- treble, bass, whatever...
Also, I have also put one of these in my bass a year ago:
Energizer Ultimate Lithium | Best Batteries
I have a little battery checker that I got a while back:
Keith McMillen Batt-O-Meter Musician's Battery Tester - Best Bass Gear
A year later, mine still reads 8.3v...
I'm a pretty casual player, music is not my day job, but fwiw, I practice maybe 5-10 hours a 7-day week, which includes a couple rehearsals. I don't leave my bass plugged in at home. Pulling the cable saves your battery...
I have a music store with a guitar repair shop in the back right near my office. I paid them $75 to route a spot and install a battery box on my bass. Also, I keep a battery in my gig bad should I need to replace it so that the show can go on... I also have a pack of used, but not completely dead strings in there too. I've never broken a string, but you never know...
Hope these ramblings that are dangerously close to OT are helpful. I typing this, I've kinda talked myself down from looking for a passive 5. I'd probably buy one if a deal for the right one fell in my lap, but for now I'm pretty grateful to have what I have. Everything on it works. Nothing is wonky. The 24 fret neck is comfortable. it weighs like 8.3 lbs. In the land of 5 stings, that's a lot!

 

[Ric5]

Hi. I’m after a unicorn here:

*5 string
*passive
*soundwise as close to the P-bass as possible.

The obvious answer would be: a 5 string P-bass, however these things are too expensive for my current reach.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

BUILD YOUR OWN 5 STRING PARTS BASS THAT IS PASSIVE

 

[Afc70]

Mike Lull P5 ! 35” scale, Nordstrand Pup(s) these occasionally pop up used for great deals

 

[bigdaddybass12]

dont do it. Too muddy. 5 string needs the big low and a little punch on the top. You can get that with humbuckers & active EQ

 

[roller]

Serek.

Might be a little more than you're wanting to spend... but they're fantastic instruments and Jake is great to work with.

Hi. I’m after a unicorn here:

*5 string
*passive
*soundwise as close to the P-bass as possible.

The obvious answer would be: a 5 string P-bass, however these things are too expensive for my current reach.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Dincrest]

These probably don't meet your criteria beyond being fully passive 5-string basses, but since those are a rarity anyway...

Schecter C-5 Apocalypse: Invalid Link Removed

Cort Rithimic V: Cort Jeff Berlin | Rithimic Series Electric Bass

Spector MK-5 Pro: MK-5 Pro by Spector Bass Guitars

 

[Slevage]

Squier P5. Stock pickup is fine. I recommend changing the tuners.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

Do you really need a five string, what about a 4 string tuned as BEAD. Typically you could then just move up five frets if you really need the G string.

 

[Michael Jewels]

Dincrest, that Schecter Apocalypse has the same pickups and switching as my CV-5.

The only difference I can see is it has a blend control instead of a 3 way switch.

Schecters are very underrated.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

I just noticed: the Apocalypse has a swamp ash body, an ebony board and steel rods in the neck.

 

[the_home]

As mentioned above, the Fender Roscoe Beck V can be had for your budget, allowing you have luck and patience.

 

[Remoman]

Well a Carvin P-5 fits the bill and can be custom ordered to just about the top of your budget. But then the new
SIRE Marcus Miller P5 looks like a very good option too.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Hi. I’m after a unicorn here:

*5 string
*passive
*soundwise as close to the P-bass as possible.

The obvious answer would be: a 5 string P-bass, however these things are too expensive for my current reach.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Q: When you say 1,000 - 1,300 AND you are in the EU, guessing not UK. Do you mean the funding is USD or Euros?

If € = $1200 - $1500

The problem you will have is (a) access, dealer or limited pre-owned market (b) the selection of PASSIVE 5 string Basses, in general.

Clearly, you need to locate a USA Fender Am. Std. P5 that can be shipped to you from an East Coast location for reasonable S/H + duty.

You can find something like this for $1100 USD and if VAT/Duty+S/H @ 20% = $1320

Think about focusing on a store like Atomic Music, Beltsville, MD and find a used Bass and get it taken care of by some people who know what they are doing and want you to get what you want.

But that's just one Bass players opinion...