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I want a 5 string Fender P, but $$$!!
- Thread starter Whale guy
- Start date
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- Tags
- fender precision v
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I was a skeptic for years (they're so cheap, how can they be any good?) then I played (though did not buy) 2 Squier VM's basses and was amazed at how good they were and how much bang-for-the-buck they provided.
One voted added for a Squier VM 5 Precision. I got one. Paid 120 EUR (132 USD) 3 months ago. I think that the guy who sold it to me "hid" the fact that the adjustment nut for the trussrod was damaged... long story short, this is the second one I bought. Why ? Cause the first one, I didn't realise how good it was, as I was a beginner. This is the BEST buck I've ever spent in a bass. The only thing I'd say, if you wanna gig with it, better add glue in the strap attachement so that it holds well in place. Other than that? The best 5 P for the buck!!!
If I were going 5 string P, which does bubble up with the GAS from time to time, I'd have one built at Kiesel/Carvin. Not much less than your Fender 5, but could be had for $1,250, with many more options. And I'd trust it was spot on or they'd make it right.
I currently have two Fender American P-V’s. One is an American body paired to a Warmoth fretless neck. If you go on Reverb — you can spend approx $600 on a brand new loaded Fender American body, and buy an “in-stock” neck from Warmoth for about $350. Of course, tuners, setup (if you need to have a pro help out) are extra. But maybe something to consider. Good luck.
Reverend Mercalli 5 -- reverse P pickup plus bridge humbucker, passive. Really well made, can do a great P sound plus others. But not a P look, obviously.
I don't think G&L makes a Precision style five-string at all, even including PJ configurations, which I think is a little strange given they do make a four-string version. (Though if you're really keen maybe get in touch with their custom shop?)
The OP didn't say anything about excluding PJ configurations, though of course you are entitled to avoid them yourself.
Hooo baby there's some attitude in this thread! I don't know what's going on, but I just thought I'd say mostly useless and subjective things as someone who uses a Fender American Standard P5 as their main bass. I was a Jazz and affiliate active hybrid whatever bass only person my entire life until I got the P5, and in my opinion the ergonomics of a Percision bass are nothing to be sneered at, nor is the simple but effective tone. They completely changed my view of the bass world. Thay said, I've also been looking for PJ 5 alternatives because I often still want a good blended sound with J characteristics, and I still haven't come up with the right thing. I do think the Yamahas are incredible value, but I find they don't sound like a Fender Precision. They have a different midrange focus. Not better or worse, just different. You could do much worse. I bought an Ibanez Talman recently and had a bad time; it had a bad, totally dead, no-good note on the G string, but the Carey Nordstrand design pickups sounded quite good and made me consider replacing the stock pickup in my P5. Oh, yeah... unfortunately for you, I also just sold another Fender P5 on Reverb for less than $1k! That bass was only a year off of my main, but the pickup sounded radically different, as though it was a sixties style wind opposed to fifties. I actually preferred it, but the bass itself was heavier and less resonant.
Lastly, after all those jumbled thoughts, I WISH G&L made a P5. I actually sent them an email and basically said, hey, what if you made like an SB-2... 5? Maybe an, uh, SB-25? And they sent emails back and said let's talk! But then Christmas holiday happened and I never got another response from them. I'll have to try again. I think it's an idea that maybe TENS OF PEOPLE would be into.
Lastly, after all those jumbled thoughts, I WISH G&L made a P5. I actually sent them an email and basically said, hey, what if you made like an SB-2... 5? Maybe an, uh, SB-25? And they sent emails back and said let's talk! But then Christmas holiday happened and I never got another response from them. I'll have to try again. I think it's an idea that maybe TENS OF PEOPLE would be into.
Too cool. You have had your hand in a lot of axes, and know what you are talking about. I admire that. I've played for 39 years. My main go to is a SG single cut 5 string that feels like my third arm. It seems like I just tell it what to do, and it does it. I just cant get the fat sound that I love. My other bass is a 1974 fretless P bass 4 string that I pieced together and did a pretty bad job. It is hard to play but has a dreamy sound. I want to meet somewhere in the middle.Hooo baby there's some attitude in this thread! I don't know what's going on, but I just thought I'd say mostly useless and subjective things as someone who uses a Fender American Standard P5 as their main bass. I was a Jazz and affiliate active hybrid whatever bass only person my entire life until I got the P5, and in my opinion the ergonomics of a Percision bass are nothing to be sneered at, nor is the simple but effective tone. They completely changed my view of the bass world. Thay said, I've also been looking for PJ 5 alternatives because I often still want a good blended sound with J characteristics, and I still haven't come up with the right thing. I do think the Yamahas are incredible value, but I find they don't sound like a Fender Precision. They have a different midrange focus. Not better or worse, just different. You could do much worse. I bought an Ibanez Talman recently and had a bad time; it had a bad, totally dead, no-good note on the G string, but the Carey Nordstrand design pickups sounded quite good and made me consider replacing the stock pickup in my P5. Oh, yeah... unfortunately for you, I also just sold another Fender P5 on Reverb for less than $1k! That bass was only a year off of my main, but the pickup sounded radically different, as though it was a sixties style wind opposed to fifties. I actually preferred it, but the bass itself was heavier and less resonant.
Lastly, after all those jumbled thoughts, I WISH G&L made a P5. I actually sent them an email and basically said, hey, what if you made like an SB-2... 5? Maybe an, uh, SB-25? And they sent emails back and said let's talk! But then Christmas holiday happened and I never got another response from them. I'll have to try again. I think it's an idea that maybe TENS OF PEOPLE would be into.
I would go with a Carvin/Kiesel PB5. They are great basses and can be found used for under $1000. I've owned 2 and both were excellent instruments. I'm just not a 5 string guy so I sold them. The PB5 is by far the most comfortable 5er I've ever played.
Some players save and save for their "dream bass" then end up dumping it within a year at a significant loss. As one of the first guys mentioned, buy gently used would be my 2 cents.
Yeah, agreed. Sadly. Picking up other people's crushed dreams has worked well for me overall.
My dream bass is basically that Ibanez SR Mezzo 5 but not. You know, with a headstock that doesn't make me puke and some really great passive p'ups. I have two 32 scale Squier Ps and they crush. So... the only real way I'm getting something like that is to have somebody who's in the ballpark like Serek do a custom job. And there's a great possibility that it'll never live up to my expectations. Only one way to find out, though. I'd rather not keep on being frustrated that I've narrowed down what I want and can't quite get there. Whale Guy gives me far too much credit... I don't have a clue what I'm talking about; witness my flailing around in the preamp and compressor threads. But at least I have an idea of what I'm going for. Failing upwards.
