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Anybody have a five string Precision Bass?

REGGAE_UNDERBASS

REGGAE_UNDERBASS

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Nov 11, 2014
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#1
I play a lot of reggae in the studio and have had my 5 string American jazz bass forever! It actually belongs to the studio but I have been granted special permission to take it home to practice on it almost exclusively so it feels like it's mine! I actually own a squire classic vibes 4 string Jazz, the only bass I own and have learned how to play on!

I was at the studio the other day and this guy was wrapping up with his rock band and he was playing a fender precision bass, I'm not sure what model. The song they was working on was complete, but they had to redo the intro which has a nice little bass solo before the rest of the band comes in. The tone of the Precision bass was like being wrapped up in a blanket with your lover, I don't know how to describe it, it was so cozy, so fat and warm!

I went down to the local music shop but all they had was 4 string precision basses. I play only five string basses because of the genre of music I work with. I just need to get my hands on a five string precision bass so I can take it out for a spin to see if it's something that will work for me or not! Any input from you guys, and gals will be greatly appreciated! Just curious about the neck, and any kind of variations from the 4 string precision basses tone wise.
 
#2
I have an AM STD Precision 5. It's awesome and I love it. Good solid B string tone. I did change out the pups to Nord NP5Fs, which made it even better. But the tone is very much Precision all the way. neck is a tad wider, it is a 5-string after all. But I've had no problems playing it. I'll admit, my go-to bass is a 5-string Stingray, but I still love the Precision and I'm happy to play it when requested. I practice with the Precision a lot, too.

You might have to go to a larger store to actually put your hands on one.
 
#3
Reggae Underbass,

There are several different P5s available, from Fender and multiple other companies.

Believe it or not, the Squier VM P5 has a very positive opinion here (I own one myself) For $299 + tax it's hard to beat. Here's the link: Invalid Link Removed

That would seem to a very safe way to see if a P5 would work for you.


All the best, Bob
 
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#6
I have two... Lakland Skyline 55-64

36572ee9-7a0e-4991-9bc8-618463f61880_zps3b5e61c1.jpg


And my Valenti 54 P5

VTP5.jpg



Both 35" scale so that B string is tight and focused!

I can wholeheartedly recommend either of these.
 
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#8
I picked up an American Deluxe P5 a few months ago and continues to impress me. Since you are used to an American J5, you might like the AmDlx P5, since it has twin J pickups in the bridge position. I have never liked my own tone with a straight up P, but with the AmDlx P5, I can blend just enough J Bass tone in to where I get tones that I really like. Two problems with AmDlxP5....

  1. Fender doesn't make them anymore
  2. Used ones are H-A-R-D to find. I lucked out. I wasn't looking for it....just ran into a guy who needed to sell to buy a new amp.
2005 Fender AmDlxP5 sexy

2005 Fender AmDlxP5 sexy

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#14
I had an Am. Std. P5 for awhile, but it didn't feel Precisiony enough for me. It sounded fine and was nicely made. It was also very lightweight, about 8.25 pounds, which was strange to me. The neck profile was thin and decidedly un-chunky, and I just couldn't get used to it. Definitely try before you buy.

Next time I get that itch, I'll look more closely at Sadowsky, Lull, and Lakland.
 
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