Favorite Five-String Passive Bass

[Barisaxman]

Reverend Mercalli 5 - P/MM configuration and passive with pickup blend. Tonal euphoria.

 

[Bob_Ross]

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.

It would definitely be an active bass with a passive option for me...but I suspect that says more about my awareness of what the market has to offer than a preference per se. I.e., I don't necessarily need the active option on a bass, but the basses I like best happen to have it, and I haven't bothered looking for one that doesn't.

So yeah, if I could have any passive 5-string (or active 5-string w/ a passive option) it would be a Sadowsky NYC, with a Lakland 55-94 in close second.

 

[disssa]

If you had the possibility to test a Warwick Star Bass:

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A really nice sounding passive 5-String with a good sounding low B-String.

 

[mark beem]

If you had the possibility to test a Warwick Star Bass:

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A really nice sounding passive 5-String with a good sounding low B-String.

Nice! I'm GASsing for one of these myself!

 

[LM Bass]

I've been fickle lately, but right now my favourite is a Fender American Standard Precision V.

 

[mark beem]

How does that Valenti 5 compare to a traditional P pickup?

Was this meant for me or Chef? If me then I'd say that the 55 is still very much a "P" bass so those tones are definitely there. Very open and throaty. The bass overall is just incredible. And what's more incredible is that it weighs less than 8 pounds!!

I can't recommend Nino or his basses enough!

http://www.valentibasses.com/

 

[GBassNorth]

For me, the best passive fiver I've played is my old school meets new school Squier Affinity Jazz 5 modded to a '62 jazz tribute and strung with tapes...

Its a sweet ride for under $3oo out the door.

 

[millsbass5]

Fender roscoe beck 5.

That's THE ONLY passive 5'er that I've ever liked. Other than the Roscoe Beck 5, I think active electronics is required on a 5'er, from my experiences, of course.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Music Man Big Al 5 SSS

Passive mode is excellent with three pickups to choose from and passive tone control. If you need a little more power or want to shape the tone differently, hit a button and you now have a 4 band active preamp at your disposal. Can't go wrong there. For full disclosure, I play mine passive 95% of the time.

 

[Chef]

Music Man Big All is hardly the only active bass to have a passive mode.
All my active basses have a passive mode.

 

[Bozendoka]

A Dingwall Combustion, I love mine and I'm saving for another. The current models have a passive switch. Or a Prima Artist since we're spending your money

 

[audreycashin]

quite happy with this.... G&L L1005

 

[Chef]

Suh.
Weet.

 

[punchdrunk]

Another RBV fan here. Just a good un' all the way around.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Not that you're going to find one of these anytime soon, but I found this Fender HM V locally and it has become my go-to 5 string. Between the three pickups and the 5 way switch, there's some pretty cool sounds.

Moonshine

 

[jacoby75]

Hot dang. There are some real purrrdy basses on here. Thanks so much for all of the suggestions, guys. There are some really great ideas on here. I have no idea how I could possibly choose. I will say, though, that the Valenti 50's tele P is incredibly sexy. : ) That Warwick Star Bass is very cool too. But a quick Google search said they're around $4,000? I'd have to sell the car to buy it, and I can't ride my bass to work. Maybe I could put some wheels on it and try to roll downhill, but not to work. : ) It is fun trying to spend someone else's money, though, isn't it? ; )

@ Mark: yes, that question was for you. And thank you.
@ LM Bass: Ain't nothing wrong with some gold old american P-bass. My Lull P5 is the greatest bass I've ever played. I don't expect to find something better, but hopefully something different. The P5 is incredible, though. One pickup and two knobs, but I can get a lot of different tones by just adjusting hand position.

 

[gustobassman]

Not that you're going to find one of these anytime soon, but I found this Fender HM V locally and it has become my go-to 5 string. Between the three pickups and the 5 way switch, there's some pretty cool sounds.

Moonshine

Now that is something i would love to take for a spin! What year is it? I've never seen or heard of this model. What options does the pickup selector give you? Is it "normal" Fender 5 spacing? ... aggghhh.... major GAS pains....

 

[lexefx]

I had Carl Pedigo build me a 5'er. Lakland shaped body, 70's Jazz bass spacing. 35" scale, 19mm spacing. BEM neck, Southern swamp ash body. I'll try and get a good pic if your interested.. Next to a 64 Jazz bass I played years ago, this is the best passive bass I've ever owned.

Carl is so awesome to work with, I highly recommend him.

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[disssa]

That Warwick Star Bass is very cool too. But a quick Google search said they're around $4,000?

Look out after a Warwick Pro Series Star Bass. This one is made in Korea. The only different between the very expensive "Made in Germany"-Model (about $4000) is the wood. All other components and the built-quality are the same.
Recently the Star Basses were made in China and called "Rockbass" Series. I dont know, what except the price, is the different between the basses...

 

[Chef]

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/warwick-pro-series-star-bass-brand-new.1122574/