Favorite Five-String Passive Bass

[Chef]

Your Music Man Big Al 5 is within spitting distance of a Sadowsky Metro; pricewise.

 

[bdplaid]

Mine are Warmoth self-creations, which are the best I've ever played. But if you don't want to do that, I had a Mexi Jazz V Deluxe that was memorable. I also like the Fender P5 a whole lot. But, when we start talking about other more esoteric brands, we start getting into different scale lengths and neck radii, etc. Be careful what you're looking for. Schecters are good, but the string spacing is close and the scale is 35" - all a fairly wide departure from Fender. Ibanez is good, but the radii and string spacing can be problematic. Just know what you want. I'm still looking for a mid-priced 5-string P-J in 34" scale with a 12-16" radius neck.

 

[Chef]

I had a Mexi Jazz V Deluxe that was memorable.

That's an active bass.

 

[bdplaid]

That's an active bass.

ah yes, I forgot. sounds passive to me, though. I got some very nice J bass sounds from it, and I really liked the midrange control.

 

[Bassnkeys]

Mine are Warmoth self-creations, which are the best I've ever played. But if you don't want to do that, I had a Mexi Jazz V Deluxe that was memorable. I also like the Fender P5 a whole lot. But, when we start talking about other more esoteric brands, we start getting into different scale lengths and neck radii, etc. Be careful what you're looking for. Schecters are good, but the string spacing is close and the scale is 35" - all a fairly wide departure from Fender. Ibanez is good, but the radii and string spacing can be problematic. Just know what you want. I'm still looking for a mid-priced 5-string P-J in 34" scale with a 12-16" radius neck.

Sounds like a Carvin PB series with added bridge J pickup option fits this bill. 14" neck radius and 19mm bridge spacing.

 

[jacoby75]

Thanks so much for all of the great feedback, guys. You have given me so many incredible options it's overwhelming. I think because we live on a limited budget and I can only buy a guitar about every few years or so, and usually have to sell one to buy one, I should get something that is pretty different from my J and P 5's. I don't even have the money for anything right now, but I'm hoping that my friends and family may chip in for my 40th b-day so I can get something special. Right now I'm leaning mostly towards a PJ5, that incredibly sexy 50's tele P bass, the Warwick Pro Star 5, or even that G&L 1005. All incredible options. Even having Carvin custom make something for me, probably a PJ, would be really special, because it could be exactly what I wanted. So much to think about. Thanks, guys.

 

[jacoby75]

Oooh, or the Reverend Mercalli 5 or Rumblefish. Dang. Too many choices.

 

[ggunn]

My favorite passive bass out of what I've had is a Valenti PJ5:

That's a beautiful bass! Are they available anywhere besides directly from Valenti? I looked at the websites of several stores and on line sellers, and I didn't see any Valentis for sale.

 

[Chef]

Probably only through Nino. He's a one man shop. He will occasionally "build a bass for stock," but for the most part they're built to customer order.
Sometimes you see used ones here in classifieds. I think there are two here right now, but neither are passive, nor PJ.

 

[ggunn]

Probably only through Nino. He's a one man shop. He will occasionally "build a bass for stock," but for the most part they're built to customer order.
Sometimes you see used ones here in classifieds. I think there are two here right now, but neither are passive, nor PJ.

Thanks. I read that as "I can't afford one".

 

[audreycashin]

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

Damn....been looking for one of these...

 

[jacoby75]

Another vote for G&L L1005; here's mine:

Here's what she sounds like in parallel mode:

That's a great sounding bass!

 

[bhunt1]

That's a great sounding bass!

Thanks it really sounds different in the different modes - you can switch between coils in parallel, single coil, and coils in series - lots of tonal diversity for a single pickup bass.

 

[mark beem]

View attachment 532459 I'm really enjoying my Warwick Starbass (rockbass) 5. It's a production instrument as opposed to a build but it meets your criteria and has tone for days!

Love it!! That's the one I want to get.

 

[mark beem]

If you ever sell this I want to be first in line.

Hey! Hey! Hey!! Get in line, you!

 

[jacoby75]

Hey! Hey! Hey!! Get in line, you!

Hey, what about me?! I started this whole thing. It's my birthday! : )

 

[jacoby75]

I'm a Lakland guy, so anything by them is great for me. Hoping to get a new Dual J 5 when they come out in April 2015.

Agreed. Lakland can do no wrong by me. If there was a skyline decade 5-string, that would probably be my next bass.

 

[jacoby75]

I should also specify that in my experience with 5-strings, which I've been playing exclusively for a while now, 35" scale makes a big difference, particularly with the low B. Sometimes string through on a 34" scale is sufficient, but I like tighter strings. In the case of some higher end builders, sometimes you can get a good sounding low B out of a 34" scale, but that's been the exception to the rule in production basses, at least in my experience.

 

[jacoby75]

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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I'd love to see some pics of the bass. How much did it set you back?

 

[two fingers]

Fender roscoe beck 5.

BINGO! I play modern P&W with mine all the time.