NBD - Precision V

[LowEndOperative]

How heavy is it? Cause if it’s under nine pounds I’m getting one. Looks fab. Congratulations.

This one’s 9 pounds, bathroom scale.

Very nice! How is the Low B?

I installed a stealth string retainer so it’s reasonably tensioned; it does well, not being a Dingwall.

What was its predecessor?

The V-Mod I.

Very sweet. Looks like it's got the proper 19mm spacing, as well.

It’s 18mm on this one but I fanned out the B and G slightly.

 

[P. Aaron]

To answer the B string questions:

Somedays I like it and other days, I hit the string wrong. After 12 years of playing the Precision V vs the slightly newer Dimension V (both USA), the P-V takes much more of a gentle strike to get a good B tone at live-on stage volume. A light touch. If you hammer it, it can sound jarring. The Dimension has a much more balanced attack over ALL the strings and I don't need to pull my punches on it so much.

The B is terrific for percussively hammering the low E or D, C. Just adjust your attack. Every electric bass has trade-offs of some sort.

At scale, which the Precision Bass remains the same as its 4 -string predecessors, it's a 4 -string bass engineered for the B string so, there are trade offs. But, it still delivers the tone when needed. If you need the thundering B, you may have to look at one of those fanned-fret basses, active and/or a longer scale. That's just the way it (one's ears & gear) is.

After working a decade of rehearsals, gigs and lotsa practices, I almost prefer the tone of the DR Low Rider Nickels on the Precision V vs the EB Cobalt flats. Just a personal preference. One can glide easier with the flats tho' so, another trade off.

 

[Herrick]

I installed a stealth string retainer so it’s reasonably tensioned; it does well, not being a Dingwall.

I wish I had tried that mod before I sold mine. If I ever get another 5-string P, I am definitely ordering one of those stealth string retainers.

 

[P. Aaron]

I installed a stealth string retainer so it’s reasonably tensioned; it does well, not being a Dingwall.

I did this mod too at the suggestion of others here at TB. Here's my main 2010 workhorse. It's held up very well after numerous hours of practice & rehearsals and hundreds of gigs. It was only about 34 degrees with wind (in Texas!) at this St. Patrick's Day morning gig so, my mood was meh.
Note the B string retainer and awesome MK Holloway leather pickguard. Everything else is stock P-Bass

 

[mapleglo]

Interesting about that B string mod. I also have the 5 string Precision, but haven't seen the need for such a mod. What are the symptoms of needing this mod?

 

[landrybass]

Ah yes...another sunburst and tort.

It never gets old. Great bass congrats! She’s a beaut!

 

[thmsjordan]

I wish I had tried that mod before I sold mine. If I ever get another 5-string P, I am definitely ordering one of those stealth string retainers.

Yes I added one to mine and it made a positive difference. Not a HUGE difference but enough of a difference.