/ Register

Favorite Five-String Passive Bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by jacoby75, Dec 30, 2014.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Dec 30, 2014 #1
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    Hey guys,

    I'm turning the big 4-0 in a couple of months, and I'm thinking about treating myself to a great new bass. I prefer passive basses, only five strings, and play mostly modern worship music in church and in the occasional country/classic rock cover band. I have a Lakland Skyline jazz and a Lull P-bass that I love, but I'm looking for other suggestions. Maybe something I haven't thought of, something other than a J or P perhaps, or a builder I haven't heard of. I would really love a Lull T5 or a JT5, but that's a bit out of my price range.

    If you could have any passive five-string bass, jazz, P, or other, what would it be? Or maybe an active bass with a passive option.

    Thanks
     
    Crystalman85 likes this.
  2. Dec 30, 2014 #2
    pickles

    pickles Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 23, 2000
    Ventura, CA
    Fender roscoe beck 5.
     
    Root 5, bluesdogblues, bigfatbass and 4 others like this.
  3. Dec 30, 2014 #3
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    I did see a couple of those used online and thought about that. Thanks. Do you think it's significantly different from a regular jazz?
     
  4. Dec 30, 2014 #4
    Chef

    Chef In Memoriam

    May 23, 2004
    Columbia MO
    Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
    Yeah; the Roscoe Beck 5 is way different than a Jazz bass; and; it wasn't something I liked, even a little bit. Lots of folks seem to though.
     
    smeet likes this.
  5. Dec 30, 2014 #5
    Chef

    Chef In Memoriam

    May 23, 2004
    Columbia MO
    Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
    My favorite passive bass out of what I've had is a Valenti PJ5:



    DSC_6421_zps65768bdd.jpg

    DSC_6409_zpsc996a289.jpg
     
    Splods, rolandm, moonshinegtrs and 3 others like this.
  6. Dec 30, 2014 #6
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    Ah, yes. The PJ. The best of both worlds. : )
     
  7. Dec 30, 2014 #7
    mark beem

    mark beem Wait, how does this song start again?? Supporting Member

    Jul 20, 2001
    Alabama, USA
    This one. My Valenti VTP5.

    716509_94acef6ef677ae342d3fdaa3d50a3a6a.jpg 716512_9820f5b30ea7dcad2e7253ebe6493187.jpg
     
    basspedaler likes this.
  8. Dec 30, 2014 #8
    Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott Rickenbacker guru..........

    Apr 11, 2006
    Out there!
    I have a couple of amazing Martin Keith Elfin 5 basses (fretted and fretless) with really nice and versatile passive electronics and wonderful Harvey Citron pickups in them. Seriously something to consider, here. :)

    This is the fretted one.

    Full-Front-1200-0318.jpg

    Body-Front-1200_0325.jpg

    Body-Back-1200_0324.jpg
     
    Imaginary Pony likes this.
  9. Dec 30, 2014 #9
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    Ooh! I've always wanted one of those 50's tele basses, but never saw a five string. That's awesome!
    Never heard of Martin Keith either. That's why I love coming to you guys. I know I'm guaranteed to learn a thing or two every time. Thanks.
     
    mark beem likes this.
  10. Dec 30, 2014 #10
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    How does that Valenti 5 compare to a traditional P pickup?
     
  11. Dec 30, 2014 #11
    Gougedeye

    Gougedeye Supporting Member

    Apr 1, 2008
    Central Washington
    I love those 50s styled 5 strings too! Something about them...How about a G&L L2500? Then you have the option for active/passive.
     
  12. Dec 30, 2014 #12
    Dr. Cheese

    Dr. Cheese Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2004
    Metro St. Louis
    I'm surprised you did not like the RBV, not that it matters.;) As for current production basses, I think Fender American Standard Jazzes are pretty hard to beat as are Lakland Skyline Jazzes. I would love to try a Reverend Mercalli 5!
     
  13. Dec 30, 2014 #13
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    Yeah, I love the look/sound of the newer Reverend line of basses. That Mercalli 5 is intriguing indeed. I totally forgot about Reverend.
    I did have a G&L 2500 recently and sold it to get a Cirrus 5. I totally regret it, but I wanted that Spector/Sadowsky modern sound on a budget, and that's definitely what I get from the Cirrus. If I had the money, I'd love to have kept the G&L just because they kick butt. But I never really liked the passive sound on them. Active, there's no comparison. Also, I wish there was a pickup blend knob instead of selector switch, as a matter of preference.
     
  14. Dec 30, 2014 #14
    Chef

    Chef In Memoriam

    May 23, 2004
    Columbia MO
    Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
    "blend knob L2500"

    Yessir. three way pickup selectors are a horrid choice, I think. very limiting.
     
  15. Dec 30, 2014 #15
    blen dem

    blen dem

    Jun 22, 2001
    USA, Vallejo
    One of the basses I wish I still owned was a Nordstrand "Nordy" VP5. Amazing take on a 5string P Bass...worth a look! Good luck and happy early Bday!
     
  16. Dec 30, 2014 #16
    jacoby75

    jacoby75 Supporting Member

    Mar 11, 2010
    Coldwater, MI
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
    Thanks! : )
     
  17. Dec 30, 2014 #17
    disssa

    disssa

    May 6, 2009
    Germany
    The best passive J-Bass for me is the Roscoe Beck V. I like the tone of that instrument, especially with flatwounds. It is a really versatile bass with a lot of different sounds.
     
    Root 5 likes this.
  18. Dec 30, 2014 #18
    pickles

    pickles Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 23, 2000
    Ventura, CA
    The new lakland standard USA 55 dual J is another great option. As is a skyline or USA JO5.
     
  19. Dec 30, 2014 #19
    acebase62

    acebase62

    Jun 29, 2010
    I never owned one, but the old Yamaha BB5000s I played were great (PJ).

    My only 5 string is a passive Yamaha BBN5 I bought used; upgraded with Dimarzio Area J 5 pickups, new 500k volume pots, and a .022 cap on tone pot.


    IMG_0877.JPG

    The tones and feel are great for the price, and I plan to keep it.

    Based on my Warmoth JJ and PJ 4 strings, I bet a Warmoth 5 string passive JJ would be excellent.
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2014
  20. Dec 30, 2014 #20
    nocluejimbo

    nocluejimbo

    Jul 10, 2011
    Los Angeles
    Lakland DJ5.

    IMG_0173_zps30730db3.jpg
     
    lexefx likes this.
Page 1 of 7