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Fender American 5 string P bass. What are your impressions?

#3
88persuader said:
I found an American 5 string Fender P bass used for what looks like a reasonable price and I'm considering purchasing this. I know P basses are the industry standard but i've never played a 5 string P bass. Just wondering what you guys think about them.
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I own this bass and love it. It holds it's own among all my other 5's. Mine is pretty light weight and sounds just like a P should sound. I think the B string sounds great and don't really have complaints. If you're looking for a quality 5 string P, this is one of the best values out there.
 
#4
Sorry I'm of no help...just wondering something.

Are the AM STD 5 string P basses hard to come by? I've yet to see one in any of the three music stores I go to. Ton's of other Fenders but never any of the mentioned model.
 
#5
Mike M. said:
Sorry I'm of no help...just wondering something.

Are the AM STD 5 string P basses hard to come by? I've yet to see one in any of the three music stores I go to. Ton's of other Fenders but never any of the mentioned model.
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I don't think the AM Standard 5 string P bass has been around very long. They've had the DELUX active models available for quite a while but as far as I know the passive AM ST 5 string P bass has only been around a few years so I guess that would make them rare compaired to other models.
 
#7
Around 2010-2011 I tried my best to buy a Fender P5. I went to several guitar shops and played several. Not one of them felt right or played well. Sharp frets edges, no setup whatsoever (yes, I know all basses need a setup, but for that kind of money I expect a certain level of playability out of the factory). I can't escape the feeling that the Fender is 4 string with a 5th string added, not so much built from the ground up to be a 5.

That being said, I did pick up a Fender P5 about a month ago at a Guitard Center that felt pretty good, though I did not plug it in. At the current prices, I'd never pop for a new one and I'd have to play a used one first. For the same money (or close) you could pick up a variety of used boutique-esque P5's. But if you find one you like, by all means go for it!

I eventually ended buying a Lakland P5, then sold that when I ditched 35" basses. Right now, my P-Bass is an unnrouted Carvin B50 that is having a P pickup installed. Hope to have it in a couple of weeks. I ordered it with the exact wood (alder), fingerboard(rosewood), frets and color(Sea Foam Green) that I wanted and even with the extra pickup work, it was quite a bit cheaper than the Fender....
 
#10
I have one and like it a lot. I don't think there is enough down force on the B string in the nut slot. I'm considering add a string retainer to add some down force. Simulating with your thumb seems to make the B string a lot better - not that it's bad in the first place.
 
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#11
I own one in "candy cola" and am glad they finally built a vanilla Pbass in a 5-string.

0190562712_frt_wlg_001.jpg


All my 5s in the past were J-style which I could never really bond with and the AmDlx had no passive mode.

I wish they offered more colors! No LPB, CAR, blonde, natural :crying:
 
#12
This is the same one I own. Lots of basses have come and gone, but this one is a keeper. Just plays and feels right. Mine is light (about 9 lbs), and the neck is perfect for me. Love the rolled edges on the fretboard.

brianrost said:
I own one in "candy cola" and am glad they finally built a vanilla Pbass in a 5-string.

0190562712_frt_wlg_001.jpg


All my 5s in the past were J-style which I could never really bond with and the AmDlx had no passive mode.

I wish they offered more colors! No LPB, CAR, blonde, natural :crying:
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#13
I've had 3 of them. All 3 were very consistent and played/sounded great. Only reason I don't currently have one in my stable is cause I'm fickle and swap up gear every 6 months or so. I do regret selling the Candy Cola Red/Maple one I had though. That one was pretty magical. The other 2 were both sunburst/rosewood and were killer. B strings were great, neck was fantastic, and was a P bass! I'll probably bag another again when funds allow.
 
#14
I've been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with one of these basses. My guitar player has one in his studio and from the frist time I picked it up until now, I have the same impression...this bass is a serious piece of bad assery!!! Big, fat and chunky P Bass sound, nice balanced B string, plays like a dream. I've owned many high end 5'ers over the years, but came to the conclusion that I'm a die hard 4 string guy, but if I were to ever buy another one...this is THE 5'er I'd pick hands down. No fancy gimicks or active this and that...just a great sounding quality 5. There's beauty in simplicy...this bass is proof.
 
#15
cybersnyder said:
I have one and like it a lot. I don't think there is enough down force on the B string in the nut slot. I'm considering add a string retainer to add some down force. Simulating with your thumb seems to make the B string a lot better - not that it's bad in the first place.
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I want to get one of those string retainer/extenders that attaches to the tuning post as used on the new Am Dlx 5's
 
#17
Just got mine yesterday. Love it. The neck doesn't feel any wider than my Ibanez, and it's a lot thinner than a Warwick. First passive 5'er I've owned and it does very well. I do recommend pulling the top of the upper pup out just a bit for more B string presence. I'm very happy with mine thus far.
 
#18
just purchased my Am 5 string jazz deluxe about 3 months ago for 2,100 overall brand new, with 3 year warranty. got the 3 tone sunburst, with rosewood neck and abalone inlays, went with the traditional look... i couldn't be more happier with it. i'm use to playing 4 string ibanezes because of the narrow neck, my hands are on the small side. so the neck on the fender was a bit overwhelming at first but i am now use to it. once i got it i had i professionaly set up, and the action and playability is unbelievble. the active/passive switch is awsome, you can literally dial up any sound/tone you need. i don't have to tell you about the legendary fender jazz tone i'm sure you know. if you have the opportunity to pick one up at a decent price, jump on it, you will not be sorry... i'll put this bass up against anything in the music scene around here.

if you're interested. my main gigging rig is a ampeg svt 7 pro, which i play through a avatar T153, and avatar 210 cabs, the bass sounds amazing, low b is in your face, mids and highs cut through the mix like butter. very happy with my overall set up ......
 
#20
The Massive said:
I've been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with one of these basses. My guitar player has one in his studio and from the frist time I picked it up until now, I have the same impression...this bass is a serious piece of bad assery!!! Big, fat and chunky P Bass sound, nice balanced B string, plays like a dream. I've owned many high end 5'ers over the years, but came to the conclusion that I'm a die hard 4 string guy, but if I were to ever buy another one...this is THE 5'er I'd pick hands down. No fancy gimicks or active this and that...just a great sounding quality 5. There's beauty in simplicy...this bass is proof.
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:cool:
Well said.
This is the one Fender bass I have not tried yet. But I'm gassing hard for one.
Everything i want in a 5-string.
 

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