"Best affordable" five-string p/j bass

[BassBrass]

That Schecter CV-5 intrigues me, but would have to have the same mod done. I wonder how it differs from just a regular jazz bass with those pickups. They are definitely different from anything I've ever seen before. Looks like a larger-than-necessary P pickup with added black spacers to make it look like a humbucker. But if that's the case, than what coil are you tapping? You can't real coil tap a P right? Wouldn't that just give you half of the pickup then? Lol. Like just the B and E strings? Clearly that's not what this does, but I find it a little mind-boggling. Or am I just a dummy and does a standard P pickup actually have a second coil underneath?

I have an ash/rosewood CV-5 and it's got a Great voice, Has to be used in studio, just a little heavy. I'd agree, the most options and stability since my T40, the first bass I had that cut, fundamental and tone.

I don't know much about the technical aspect but each pu has a switch for up, middle and down. Down is the darkest and has the most volume. I assume it's more humbuckerish or p. Middle seems to take out lots of volume and low end, and both on middle can sound like a very bright Jazz. The up position seems to be single coil, neck down and bridge up and you have a pj sound. A normal jazz sound is both up. Both down is the darkest and most resembling 2 p or 2 humbuckers. Mine is set pj right now, but trying others is always possible. I haven't tried neck down bridge middle yet... It's got a great P emulation with just the neck pu in any configuration. these pu's are passive and loud, like my 1981 Carvin.

 

[jacoby75]

I have an ash/rosewood CV-5 and it's got a Great voice, Has to be used in studio, just a little heavy. I'd agree, the most options and stability since my T40, the first bass I had that cut, fundamental and tone.

I don't know much about the technical aspect but each pu has a switch for up, middle and down. Down is the darkest and has them most volume. I assume it's more humbuckerish or p. Middle seems to take out lots of volume and low end, and both on middle can sound like a very bright Jazz. The up position seems to be single coil, neck down and bridge up and you have a pj sound. A normal jazz sound is both up. Both down is the darkest and most resembling 2 p or 2 humbuckers. Mine is set pj right now. It's got a great P emulation with just the neck pu in any configuration. these pu's are passive and loud, like my 1981 Carvin.

Good to know, thanks. I've only had two experiences with Schecters. I forgot about another one I owned some time ago. A Stiletto Studio 5. Not at all what I'm looking for now, but at the time I was blown away by the tone and playability. I went into GC looking for a higher-end bass, but walked out with that one because it had the tone I was looking for at the time. It was a long time ago, but the craftsmanship was not there. The strap pins stripped out pretty quickly, screws were coming loose, and the finish wore off of the hardware in a hurry. I forget the exact name of the other one I had. Diamond P-5 or something like that. It was a 5-string P with a double-jazz humbucker in the bridge which was coil tappable by pulling up on the tone knob. I just never bonded with it. It was made well enough and looked nice, but I found the MM pickup lifeless and useless, and it wasn't "jazz" enough for my tastes when coil tapped. And it felt physically inferior to my other basses, to the extent that I didn't think it was worth trying to figure out how to route it out for different pickups. But that CV looks like a pretty different beast altogether. I've just never had an experience with a bass that has tappable or splittable pickups that actually sound like the individual pickups would. For example, a tappable humbucker that actually sounds like a single coil jazz pickup. But I have not had many experiences with tappable pickups at all to base that opinion, so . . .

 

[LBS-bass]

Good to know, thanks. I've only had two experiences with Schecters. I forgot about another one I owned some time ago. A Stiletto Studio 5. Not at all what I'm looking for now, but at the time I was blown away by the tone and playability. I went into GC looking for a higher-end bass, but walked out with that one because it had the tone I was looking for at the time. It was a long time ago, but the craftsmanship was not there. The strap pins stripped out pretty quickly, screws were coming loose, and the finish wore off of the hardware in a hurry. I forget the exact name of the other one I had. Diamond P-5 or something like that. It was a 5-string P with a double-jazz humbucker in the bridge which was coil tappable by pulling up on the tone knob. I just never bonded with it. It was made well enough and looked nice, but I found the MM pickup lifeless and useless, and it wasn't "jazz" enough for my tastes when coil tapped. And it felt physically inferior to my other basses, to the extent that I didn't think it was worth trying to figure out how to route it out for different pickups. But that CV looks like a pretty different beast altogether. I've just never had an experience with a bass that has tappable or splittable pickups that actually sound like the individual pickups would. For example, a tappable humbucker that actually sounds like a single coil jazz pickup. But I have not had many experiences with tappable pickups at all to base that opinion, so . . .

I think you'd find the current Schecter builds to be much nicer than the one you had. I bought a Schecter Model T Session last year and it really surprised me with the quality. It's not as nice as my American Elite Fenders, but it's only $700 new. I really considered just buying one in a 5 string version when I wanted the P/J fiver but decided to go with the Sire in order to have something different.

Comparing the two I would give kudos to both. The Sire has some nice features like the rolled edges and an extremely versatile preamp. There are minor finish flaws in both instruments. The Schecter does not have a passive mode. Both preamps are 18 volt. I like the metal control knobs on the Schecter, the rubbery ones on the Sire have a cheaper feel. But mainly those are nits to pick. Both of them come in at the same price point and both of them play well. I'm most pleased with the Sire because the preamp and pickups give me so much range, but I would have been happy with the Schecter 5 as the tone I get from my 4 is fine for what I'd be looking to do with it.

 

[TOflybass06]

I swear by my BB425 and it's older brother BB415. I've had more expensive basses before and honestly, they perform about the same to me. I've sold my higher end basses to fund other purchases.

 

[jacoby75]

View attachment 3450061 I swear by my BB425 and it's older brother BB415. I've had more expensive basses before and honestly, they perform about the same to me. I've sold my higher end basses to fund other purchases.

Ooooh! I like the 425. I wonder how it compares to the 1025x or the 735. Similar jazz pickup but different P pickup. I'm seeing a 435 now on Sweetwater, which doesn't have the blade jazz pickup. I'm not sure how I feel about that janky looking bridge, though. I do prefer 35" scale on my 5's, which I'm guessing they're trying to offer of a sort with the design to make the B tighter, but it looks cheap to me. Then again, looks can be deceiving.

 

[TOflybass06]

Ooooh! I like the 425. I wonder how it compares to the 1025x or the 735. Similar jazz pickup but different P pickup. I'm seeing a 435 now on Sweetwater, which doesn't have the blade jazz pickup. I'm not sure how I feel about that janky looking bridge, though. I do prefer 35" scale on my 5's, which I'm guessing they're trying to offer of a sort with the design to make the B tighter, but it looks cheap to me. Then again, looks can be deceiving.

The 425 has hotter pickups than the 415. I have not tried the 735 but I am sure Yamaha would not downgrade the pickups to lower output one moving forward. The 1025 has alnico pickups instead of the ceramic on the 425 so that should be warmer.

I have no complains about the bridge as it does its job as intended. The B string on the 34" scale 425 is tighter than the 35" Peavey Grind that I used to have, and just about the same as a Tobias that I sold 3 years ago. Note that if you are looking at the Yamaha BB and you're looking for a tight B, choose 425 and up as although the B string on the 415 is also pretty decent, it is not as good as the 425. I guess that body through string option really does work for the 425 and up series.

 

[jacoby75]

The 425 has hotter pickups than the 415. I have not tried the 735 but I am sure Yamaha would not downgrade the pickups to lower output one moving forward. The 1025 has alnico pickups instead of the ceramic on the 425 so that should be warmer.

I have no complains about the bridge as it does its job as intended. The B string on the 34" scale 425 is tighter than the 35" Peavey Grind that I used to have, and just about the same as a Tobias that I sold 3 years ago. Note that if you are looking at the Yamaha BB and you're looking for a tight B, choose 425 and up as although the B string on the 415 is also pretty decent, it is not as good as the 425. I guess that body through string option really does work for the 425 and up series.

On a side note, I found this today. Seems the differences are pretty subtle, but I do hear a difference between the two, with the advantage going to the 735. And I read a review somewhere earlier today where the person was talking about how though they sounded very similar, the 735 had a huge edge in build quality and feel. That's the kind of thing that matters to me too. If it feels cheap, I'm not going to want to play it (not saying that the 435 or 425 do feel cheap, as I've never played either).

 

[stringthrough]

Ibanez SR655 - Great pickups, very good pre-amp, light, balanced when sitting and strapped on, strong neck..... Totally gig and recording friendly.

 

[stringthrough]

I love the Talman 605 I have . Nordstrands , active/passive switch and it plays awesome . 600 bones or so .View attachment 3449630

Had one and sold it. Sounded excellent and had a very good neck, but way too neck heavy.

 

[jacoby75]

Ibanez SR655 - Great pickups, very good pre-amp, light, balanced when sitting and strapped on, strong neck..... Totally gig and recording friendly.

I actually saw that one on Sweetwater's site too. It's a fine-looking bass. I tried an SR bass many, many moons ago and liked the modern sound. That would be a totally different bird from this one, though. I wonder how "vintage" the pickups sound. Maybe in passive mode? I do really like the idea of having the passive and active option so I can change it depending on my mood or the circumstances. It's just soooooo different from the Lull/Fender/Lakland more traditional styling I'm used to. But I can get over that.

 

[stringthrough]

I actually saw that one on Sweetwater's site too. It's a fine-looking bass. I tried an SR bass many, many moons ago and liked the modern sound. That would be a totally different bird from this one, though. I wonder how "vintage" the pickups sound. Maybe in passive mode? I do really like the idea of having the passive and active option so I can change it depending on my mood or the circumstances. It's just soooooo different from the Lull/Fender/Lakland more traditional styling I'm used to. But I can get over that.

I had one. I played it almost exclusively in passive mode (never was a fan of active electronics). I liken these Nordstrand PU's as sounding like very refined Fender P/J equivalents; smoother, less gritty.

 

[Leo Thunder]

That being said, you can seriously get a 5-string PJ from them for $121?! What's the catch?! Is it made of cardboard?
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They don't charge extra for the brand name. It comes in a cardboard box inside a larger cardboard box with some airy bubbly plastic in between.
There is a slightly more expensive Invalid Link Removed with different pick-ups and brass saddles.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

They don't charge extra for the brand name. It comes in a cardboard box inside a larger cardboard box with some airy bubbly plastic in between.
There is a slightly more expensive Invalid Link Removed with different pick-ups and brass saddles.

Speaking of Harley Benton, I just bought this, and I'm loving it. My main bass is a Warrior, with a Fender Elite Jazz V as my backup, but this things kills. It's easily worth quite a bit more money:

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[Nunovsky]

I have a Yamaha BB735a and love it. So well made and it sounds phenomenal. The preamp is very well voiced too.

I used to own an all-passive BB1025x and a part of me still regrets selling it but the 735a has definitely cured my itch.

I have a 735 and a 1024x and I love them both. I could make a living with these two basses only.
The 735 has pro steels on it and the 1024x has a set of 3 yo chromes that sounds fabulous on this bass.

Responding to the OP, I use to rehearse with one of my bands at the BL place. He has a 5 stg P7 there that I use when we rehearse. I really like the bass and I feel that it sounds great and plays really nice. But it doesn't have the same quality and sound of my 735. The BB is trully a better instrument than the P7 IMHO.

In your price range ($800) I think that you can get cheaper and good instruments on their own but the best that you can find in the market is the BB735A. I got mine used for €600.
Here's a pic of mine.

 

[DrewFolkadelics]

Another vote for Yamaha BBs. I have a BB415 with the selector switch replaced with a blend knob. The J pickup is unremarkable. The P is thick and present. The bass overall in feel and tone is on par with, but often far exceeds, basses I own now and that I have in the past that would be considered much better/more expensive, etc.

 

[jacoby75]

I have a 735 and a 1024x and I love them both. I could make a living with these two basses only.
The 735 has pro steels on it and the 1024x has a set of 3 yo chromes that sounds fabulous on this bass.

Responding to the OP, I use to rehearse with one of my bands at the BL place. He has a 5 stg P7 there that I use when we rehearse. I really like the bass and I feel that it sounds great and plays really nice. But it doesn't have the same quality and sound of my 735. The BB is trully a better instrument than the P7 IMHO.

In your price range ($800) I think that you can get cheaper and good instruments on their own but the best that you can find in the market is the BB735A. I got mine used for €600.
Here's a pic of mine.

View attachment 3450107

Good to know, thank you. There are several features about the 735 that I find really intriguing, and would be different from any bass I've ever played (which could be good or bad, I suppose).

- Alder/maple/alder multi-lam body
- 6-bolt miter neck joint
- Diagonal body-through stringing
- Convertible saddles (never even knew that was a thing)

How is the neck on the 735? Is it flat or thicker front to back compared to other basses you've played? Is it satin or gloss finish on the back of the neck? There was one video review I watched where the guy mentioned that some of the frets were a little sharp on the edges when he got it, but that's not a deal breaker. For the most part, I don't hover much past 5th position anyway, unless I'm feeling really crazy.

And on a side note, I have never (repeat . . . NEVER!) liked black basses. I find them incredibly boring. But there's something about that matte black 735 with the inlays and matching headstock that looks very sexy. Almost dangerous, lol.

 

[fritzk9]

ESP/LTD RB1005. Just like Rocco plays!

 

[LBS-bass]

Good to know, thank you. There are several features about the 735 that I find really intriguing, and would be different from any bass I've ever played (which could be good or bad, I suppose).

- Alder/maple/alder multi-lam body
- 6-bolt miter neck joint
- Diagonal body-through stringing
- Convertible saddles (never even knew that was a thing)

How is the neck on the 735? Is it flat or thicker front to back compared to other basses you've played? Is it satin or gloss finish on the back of the neck? There was one video review I watched where the guy mentioned that some of the frets were a little sharp on the edges when he got it, but that's not a deal breaker. For the most part, I don't hover much past 5th position anyway, unless I'm feeling really crazy.

And on a side note, I have never (repeat . . . NEVER!) liked black basses. I find them incredibly boring. But there's something about that matte black 735 with the inlays and matching headstock that looks very sexy. Almost dangerous, lol.

It sounds like you're leaning toward the Yamaha side. A lot of love for them when I asked, too!

 

[TonyP-]

The ESP LTD AP-5

I play Lulls and I still have 2 of these
They are running $849

Ebony Board
Babicz bridge
Real EMGs
Grover tuners

The fretwork is perfect on both of mine. One is 9lbs even the the other one 9lbs 4oz.

 

[jacoby75]

Speaking of Harley Benton, I just bought this, and I'm loving it. My main bass is a Warrior, with a Fender Elite Jazz V as my backup, but this things kills. It's easily worth quite a bit more money:

Invalid Link Removed

I just watched a video on Youtube comparing a HB to a Sandberg that looked almost identical. It's amazing how similar they sound, considering the Sandberg costs 5x as much! There is obviously a disparity in the build quality and electronics, but you wouldn't know it from just listening to them online. If there's a chance it's going to, "feel cheap," though, I'm not going to enjoy playing it. But it's hard to argue with the price.