The best 5-string P-bass?

[bholder]

Hmm. Now I have to expand my wishlist...let me ask you this. People have said Sire can compete with any American, Mexican, or Japanese Fender. I have no knowledge. What do you think?

I would personally say (from experience) that my Sires are better quality than my MIM J, and comparable quality to my MIA Fender P. I've never had a Fender Japan to compare against, but I would expect it to be roughly equal or favor the Sire. All other things being equal (and they pretty much are, for me), the Sire preamp is a big winner for me, I like it better than the one in my MIA Fender.

 

[countrybass5]

Since you mentioned this, I’ll add my experience. I had a Stingray5 that I loved, especially because of the thin neck. The weight was an issue, so I got my Carvin PB5 since the nut is the same width. It’s definitely much easier to play (left hand) than the Fender 5s, but the neck is still wider than the Stingray past the nut because of the string spacing.

I was hoping Carvin PB5 would be mentioned for I plan to order one in October. How do they stack up to other basses?

 

[TomB]

Valenti & Moollon, in no particular order.

 

[Pete Nixon]

XOTIC DO A P BASS 5 STRING WHICH IS ACTIVE & PASSIVE, 3 BAND EQ. LOVELY INSTRUMENT IF A LITTLE HEAVY BUT ALSO NOT MANY AROUND SO PRICE IS HIGH. I WOULD CHECK OUT SANDBERG, YOU CAN EVEN CONFIGURE YOUR OWN BASS ON THEIR WEBSITE. GOOD QUALITY NOT THAT EXPENSIVE, EVEN TO HAVE ONE MADE. AS ALREADY STATED DINGWALL ETC ARE LOVELY BASSES BUT PRICE IS AN ISSUE, UNLESS YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT.

 

[anton72]

XOTIC DO A P BASS 5 STRING WHICH IS ACTIVE & PASSIVE, 3 BAND EQ. LOVELY INSTRUMENT IF A LITTLE HEAVY BUT ALSO NOT MANY AROUND SO PRICE IS HIGH. I WOULD CHECK OUT SANDBERG, YOU CAN EVEN CONFIGURE YOUR OWN BASS ON THEIR WEBSITE. GOOD QUALITY NOT THAT EXPENSIVE, EVEN TO HAVE ONE MADE. AS ALREADY STATED DINGWALL ETC ARE LOVELY BASSES BUT PRICE IS AN ISSUE, UNLESS YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT.

I’ve eventually bought Sandberg VS5 and can’t be happier! Killer B, monstrous tone in passive and can be switched to active too! Thanks!

 

[anton72]

Here it is.

 

[Nunovsky]

No Yamaha BB fans here? The BB P35 has a tone to die for.

 

[TrustRod]

Going by sound and playability the Yamaha BB 415. If you judge by price though it won't be this bass.

 

[chadds]

Answer? A Roscoe LG 3005. Of course your mileage may vary.

Original Roscoe tag line. "A P-bass that sounds like a Steinway."

(Of course I read that, bought a Smith played it on a lot of Studio dates and Live shows. It was always meh though. Found a Roscoe and hear and feel the punch the roar and clarity and recouped $1K.)