What is your preferred 5 string configuration? (Pickup Config, Active/Passive, Scale length, Bolt on/Through neck, String Spacing, type and gauges)

[Peeved T-40]

I'm in the market for a 5 string. People seem to be pickier about 5 string basses due to the low B. There's a lot of discussion about what makes it pop and I'd like you're opinions on the specifics.

What is you're preferred 5 string configuration and why? (Pickup Config, Active/Passive, Scale length, Bolt on/Through neck, String Spacing, type and gauges, Etc.)

 

[BassAgent]

I'll have a passive 35" Jazz with .045-.125 nickel wound strings please.

 

[Peeved T-40]

I'll have a passive 35" Jazz with .045-.125 nickel wound strings please.

What's the string spacing on that?

 

[smeet]

At this point my ideal seems to be 34” bolt on PJ5 (reverse P), 3-band active/passive (passive tone in both modes), 18mm string spacing at the bridge, DR FatBeams 45-125. I prefer a large fingerboard radius if possible.

 

[BassAgent]

What's the string spacing on that?

I honestly didn't know and had to look it up. It's 19 mm.

 

[DWBass]

Depending on the build, I prefer 35" scale but 34" scale is also fine. I prefer bolt on necks. I prefer 2 band active electronics. I prefer Volume/Blend/Bass/Treble configuration. I prefer 19mm spacing but am cool with 18.5mm spacing. I'm a huge fan of the Lakland neck profiles. Don't like chunky at all. Slim (front to back), wide and asymmetrical.

 

[Moving Pictures]

My Xotic XJ Core 5 works for me. 34" scale, 19mm string spacing. Punchy as hell and comfortable for me. Wears 45-125 Hi Beams, occasionally Pure blues in the same gauge.

 

[spiritbass]

My only five-string is a Dingwall Super J (bolt-on neck) with super fatty pickups and two-band Glockenklang preamp. The string spacing is 19mm, the E string is 34.25", the G is 32". I use standard string gauges (Payson nickel rounds).

 

[jTrolt]

35" scale (though I've got a Sadowsky ME JJ that has an absolutely wonderfully focused B at 34")
19mm spacing (pay very close attention to this - I've found I'm disinclined to go back to playing 17mm and narrower now, 18 still okay)
Active 3 band EQ
Dual soap-bar pickups
Bolt-on, asymmetric profile (thicker under the B - it's just a little more comfortable)
SS round wounds, 45 -135
Most helpful: "MTD" logo on headstock

 

[JC BASS 91]

I have zero plans to buy anymore 5 strings. I have two and both are Fender Jazz basses. My first 5-string was this MIM Deluxe Active Jazz V. It's meh...at least to me.

I never could get that one to sound like I felt a Jazz should sound like. I think it is the pickups, possibly the preamp. I want to put some single coils in it and see if that helps it out.

I got this Am Pro II a few years ago and LOVE it. It fills my 5-string desire perfectly and I see no reason to do anything different with it.

 

[Peeved T-40]

SS round wounds, 45 -135

What brand strings? I haven't seen a set with a 135 B. My six string came with a 130 B and that's about the thickest I've been able to find

 

[jTrolt]

MTD's. The B is the only one in the set with a taper, signified by the "x" after the gauge.
No affiliation, but here's where I buy them regularly:

MTD Stainless Steel Bass String Set Long Scale - 5-String 45-135X Cust

MTD 5 String Stainless Steel Round Wound Electric Bass Strings: STR5CM - Custom Medium - .045 .065 .085.105 .135X Hex Core Michael Tobias is one of the most popular and in demand bass luthiers in the industry today. His basses not only look amazing but the sound incredible. With MTD Electric...

fretnation.com

 

[80jazz]

I think I prefer 35" scale. String gauges would be 35-55-70-90-120, 40-60-75-95-125, or 40-60-80-100-130. I also prefer 1.75" nut widths.

Past these, I think I can be flexible. I'm not sure I like 19 mm spacing on 5-strings.

 

[MCS4]

I tend to think five-strings sound best in a two-pickup configuration with active electronics, on average. As someone who is primarily a four-string player, I am most comfortable on a fiver with 19mm spacing and 34" scale. If I were primarily a five-string player I would probably try to acclimate myself to 35" scale, because I do think it is beneficial for the low B, but as an only occasional fiver-string user who focuses more and more on ergonomics as I get older I don't find it to be worth it for me overall. I've also experimented with high C tuning as well, where the 34" scale is good. I have a slight preference for neck through instruments generally, but both of my fivers are bolt-on, and they play and sound great. In terms of strings, I have medium gauge Chromes on one fiver that is tuned to low B and medium-light Bass Boomers my other one, which is tuned to high C.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

35 inch scale
17.5 MM active pickups and preamp

 

[JeffCullen]

Two humbuckers, active, 34", bolt on, 17mm, nickel round wound, .125

Before the one on the right, I've never been "satisfied" with a 34" B... but I haven't liked the sound or feel of the other strings on a 35". Going fanned is really compelling if you can get used to it!

 

[Slade N]

A Stingray 5H with EBMm cobalt flats is just right for me. Hamer Cruise 5 with GHS pressure wounds is a close 2nd

 

[Kael]

Passive 5 string P bass. I've tried numerous other options, active vs passive. Single pickup vs multiple. Bolt on vs neck through. At the end of the day, a solid 5 string P bass does everything I need out of a 5 string for 99% of the gigs I get and still works for the remaining gigs well enough.

 

[Peeved T-40]

Going fanned is really compelling if you can get used to it!

I've of course been considering this as well but I play a lot of chords and I worry the fanned frets would make barring a no go

 

[lokikallas]

My favorite 5 string is my BTB705DX 35" scale, neck through, EMG pickups, 20mm string spacing. Checks all of the boxes.