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I want a 5 string Fender P, but $$$!!

#21
I have a Sire P7, Low B not quite as tight as I'd like, but it's only a problem on a fresh set of strings. Couple weeks of playing and it sounds great, and you can get around it with EQ.

I love my Sire frankly. And it can sound like a P-bass, or thanks to the EQ it can sound like something completely different if I want it to.
 
#23
Geri O said:
Funny you seem to think I need to lighten up. If you read both of my responses to Lammchop, I simply asked a sincere, but specific question and nowhere did I ask for an apology in any way.

As we say in the audio production world, “you need to turn your sensitivity knob back a couple of clicks”.

And I didn’t need the coaching on the Sire. I can dismiss PJs if I want to. My loss, wouldn’t you say? There. Happy now?
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Your second post, which you were apparently writing as I was mine, lightened the tone. Your first post had all the hallmarks of typical "that isn't what the OP is asking for, you are wasting his time and mine and need to put up or shut up" forum s***postery. Excuse me very much for having had quite enough of that. If that wasn't your intent I apologize for the raised hackles.
 
#24
+5 on the Squier. Had both, thinking the Squier would be a backup but both ended up being used in rotation when gigging.

6acedecb-1a0b-4436-a45d-cb7e7ae2d6f2-jpeg.3214660
 
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#26
Don’t mean to draw the ire of the TB world but if your criteria are 5 string P and Quality you can find many well made 5s at your price range. Most of them will have better electronics. Most will have better hardware. Many will have better finish and better balance.
Look at Yamaha, Ibanez, G&L, EBMM, Sire. These are just a few of the great brands. Don’t get me wrong. I love Fender. Weigh carefully the importance of the brand and would you benefit more from some features that Fender does not have or would it mean more to own the Fender?
I own several Fenders that I love. A couple are irreplaceable. 1 is my “first thing I’d grab in a fire” object. But I wouldn’t classify either of them as my best playing basses.
 
#27
The Sire basses are very nice; the preamps are especially good at that price point. Prices are creeping up though - they used to be ridiculously cheap for the quality ($499 ish); I'm seeing $649 and up on the website now. Still competitive with Mexican Fenders in my opinion.
 
#28
Is putting one together from parts an option? I put together my Fender P5 from American parts ('08 neck, '18 body/vmod pickup/bridge/controls,not sure year on the tuners, the newest style), it came out to around $1100.00. I am extreeeeemely happy with it. I would also agree with those touting the Squier P5, mucho bang for the buck. Good luck in your search.
MJ
 
#30
Is putting one together from parts an option? I put together my Fender P5 from American parts ('08 neck, '18 body/vmod pickup/bridge/controls,not sure year on the tuners, the newest style), it came out to around $1100.00. I am extreeeeemely happy with it. I would also agree with those touting the Squier P5, mucho bang for the buck.
Here's my pretty white girl
 
#31
dbsfgyd1 said:
Agreed on buying gently used gear, but you have to patient. If you are, you can land an a outstanding bargain.
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Yeppers. Just recently saw an MIA P fiver on CL $750. Not a P player but the price was too good to pass up. Apparently i was not the only one who thought so. When i called, the former owner said it sold within a couple hours of the advert posting.
Check GC’s used listings, with all the new basses being snagged up with pandemic money, i’d bet their used inventory is heavy with low hanging fruit.
 
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#32
Whale guy said:
I really want a Fender Precision, and have used nothing but 5 stringed basses for 2 decades. I cant justify the $1500. Is Sire, or some other copy capable of the same sound quality and reliability? Thanks!
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If it's the split-coil sound that you love, you're in luck. It's the most copied design ever.

My recommendations:
$100-300
Samick (Greg Bennett series)
Squier (all levels, new & used).

$300-500
Fender (Mexico, used)
G&L Tribute (Indonesian, used)

$500-1000
Fender (American, used)
Fender (Mexican, new)
G&L (American, used)
G&L Tribute (Indonesian, new)
Schecter (new & used)

Hope it helps.
 
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#36
Honestly, if you want a straight-up passive five-string P-bass, the Fender is probably your best bet. Otherwise, if you're willing to go with a P/J setup and possibly active, the Yamaha BB series are excellent. I actually prefer the Yamaha necks to the Fender, largely due to their flat fretboards. A few months ago I tested one of the less expensive ones in the lineup (about $400 IIRC), and even that one felt great and seemed to be very high quality. I think that model was active, but the top version is passive. Maybe you could find one used, but here's a new one:

Yamaha BBP35 Bass Guitar - Midnight Blue

The Ibanez Talmans are great values too, and I was amazed by the excellent B string on an inexpensive version I tried. If you're willing to consider a P/J without traditional P-bass cosmetics, there's also the Ibanez SR655. The Nordstrand-designed pickups sound great, and I like the light weight and ergonomics. For awhile, I was seriously considering one, but I prefer a more traditional look:

Ibanez SR655E Bass Guitar - Antique Brown Stained

I seriously wish G&L made a five-string P-bass.
 
#38
I know it's already been said a number of times above, but I wholeheartedly agree with the Squier VMP5 thing. They can be a little difficult to find bc they were only out for a few years but if you can jump on one they are more than worth it.

I have heavily modded mine in the few months that I've had it (see pic) but the stock bass is every bit as good as any other P5 I've had my hands on (or P4 for that matter). Of course, I am always on board for the Fender (or other brand) American P5 models but I'm accustomed to budget thinking and the Squier definitely hits it out of the park. Happy hunting!

IMG-0869.jpg
 
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#40
I'm a 5-only player and have been for years. I once had a Fender P5. it was, at best, middle-of-the-pack compared to other basses that were both cheaper and more expensive. Laklands were great but I just don't care for 35" anymore. I loved my old pre-Kiesel Carvins as well as they used to be great bang-for-the-buck, even when swapping the electronics. Lots of great P5/PJ5 choices out there...
 

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