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Favorite Five-String Passive Bass

#61
jacoby75 said:
I prefer passive basses, only five strings, and play mostly modern worship music in church and in the occasional country/classic rock cover band.
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.
Click to expand...

I'm playing a Carvin SB5000 in church. I usually run it in passive mode as the preamp changes the tone and takes away some of the clarity in a muffling sort of way. It is subtle but I can hear it. This past Sunday we did a version of an old hymn and I got to play with just the bridge PU and tone turned all the way down. For that song, with the band we had it worked.

I've been going through a big P vs J debate regarding 5 strings and wondering why there are so very few 5 string P bases. I'm thinking maybe, just maybe the fuller P sound doesn't work so well on those low thick notes (too muddy perhaps)?
 
#62
If it's your thing and you can afford it, the RBV is awesome.. here's my near mint '97. I got it for a.... well... smokin deal! (the stuff around the jack is the original plastic pickguard covering, not funk, but i am adding that in nicely)

RBV closeup 3.3.14.jpg


I'm also very partial to these, the Fender Modern Player Jazz V Satin. Unfortunately they are discontinued, but a few are out there cheap. You get a LOT of bass of the money. I own 2 of them.... LOL.

MPJV Body.jpg
 
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#63
Since the Fender Roscoe Beck 5 was already mentioned, here's 2 really great basses that's no longer made, for some foolish reason. It's the Reverend Brad Houser 5, and the Reverend Rumblefish 5. Those things are some awesome basses that definitely break the mold, yet don't look out of place. And, they won't really cost you an arm n' a leg, either. You can still find 'em, but they're gettin' harder n' harder as time goes on.......

http://www.revfan.com/reverend-bass.html
 
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#65
gustobassman said:
If it's your thing and you can afford it, the RBV is awesome.. here's my near mint '97. I got it for a.... well... smokin deal! (the stuff around the jack is the original plastic pickguard covering, not funk, but i am adding that in nicely)

View attachment 532461

I'm also very partial to these, the Fender Modern Player Jazz V Satin. Unfortunately they are discontinued, but a few are out there cheap. You get a LOT of bass of the money. I own 2 of them.... LOL.

View attachment 532462
Click to expand...

Wow, I can't believe that the Modern Player Jazz is discontinued already!
 
#68
gustobassman said:
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.... :nailbiting: :wideyed:
Click to expand...


These were built in the late 80's/early 90's. They were basically the bass version of Fender's HM Strats; stripped down, hot rodded, hair metal machines. They're fairly scarce; up until I got this one (off of craigslist locally... $400!) I had only seen a few pictures of them. The 5-way switch works just like a Strat. Not sure on if the string spacing is standard Fender but I like it; not too wide or too narrow. It's a great bass.

I see them on ebay from time to time; a red 4 string version sold recently
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-HM-B...XAPj8BLsxCij6RUf%2Bxc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I don't think they get much love around here; I posted a NBD thread about it when I got it... No one responded.

That's okay, I think they're great basses. :cool:


Moonshine :bassist:
 
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#69
I don't play 5 Strings Bass - although me too always curious what is the best 5 string bass that can perfectly 'substitute' my Precision bass in all aspects except it has more string...., And I don't have any knowledge about them either -except that once or twice I ever tried the Roscoe Beck V, and as far as I can remember, it was a very nice bass...
But, by looking at the picture only, I have the feeling that this one bass is worth to consider -if not the best, perhaps at least - the very good one..

Sandberg Marlowe DK 5

WARNING: Pictures and Videos below are NOT HEALTH for "Distressed Look Basses PHOBIA" :D

DKFront.jpg


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I always curious about this bass,..but at the same time never find enough information about it...

Here it is in action...enjoy:










nice, eh? :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
 
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#73
While I only own one completely passive bass (Fender Am. Special Jazz 4), I would agree the suggestions on Valenti. I have played many of Nino's basses and they are all great, plus he is a nice guy and, from what I hear, very easy to deal with when he's building someone a custom bass.
 
#74
#76
I'm currently having Carvin put together a JB5 for me. It has an active/passive pull switch, so you can use it either way. I prefer passive too, but it's nice to have that extra capability. I'm paying just over a grand for a custom made instrument which is pretty fantastic. I believe you can go all pasisive as an option as well and save about $150 give or take. I've owned Carvin basses before and I'd put them up against just about anything. Fantastic B strings for 34" scale.
 
#80
I have been awestruck by my 2010 Precision V, yet I am continually pursuing that processed Young Country tone on the cheap. Sadowsky's are usually the default to get that tone but, I am not wanting to spend that kind of money.

I am curious to try Fender's Dimension V American product though there are few regionally.

My Big Al 5 is close but I encounter output death on the D & G strings. The B, E & A strings are fine.

The search continues...but it has to be a superior playing, tonal and enjoyment experience to my Precision V.
 

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