Why are 5-string P-basses so rare?

[Riff Ranger]

I love mine, the alumitones are great

A recording of a 5-string with the Lace Aluma-P! That's exactly what I needed to hear (and nicely done, too). I know from my own experience how much I like the Aluma-P in a four, but had to wonder how that same pickup would do configured for a five. Would you say you get a pretty even response across the strings? It sounds to me like you do! Thank you for your response (I noted it in the middle of dozens of responses as I got caught up on the thread, and then had a hard time finding it!).

Construction between my pointy bass (Electra X700JB) and my Spector is pretty much identical (slab rosewood board/bolt-on maple neck/maple body), so unless the density of the wood used varied dramatically from one piece of maple to another, I suspect pickup type has the most effect on the surprisingly big difference in tone I get between the two instruments (the Spector does have the curved NS body, and the Electra has a slab body; I haven't looked into what effect that might have, but I suspect not much). The Spector certainly doesn't sound bad, but it doesn't really match my pointy bass, which pretty much nails what I'm going for. Thinking I might slap an Aluma-P in a Squier and call it good.

 

[Nevada Pete]

I like the Fender AmStd P5 enough that I have three of them - Ed Friedland’s old 3TSB/RW/tort (my first), a black and maple and a fretless conversion I need to finish up. They are great basses, otherwise I wouldn’t have ended up with three.

I found the B on each to be perfectly acceptable out of the box, but what really improved them is the addition of a stealth string retainer - I noticed my Dimensions had great, focused Bs and the stealth is a big part of why.

Hay, that's a great tip about the stealth string retainer! Thanks for putting that up there. I'm gonna try that!

If I may ask, what strings are you using?

 

[Riff Ranger]

You're not looking very hard.

Guitar Center Squier 5 string Precision

You're not looking very hard.

Guitar Center Squier 5 string Precision

I’m looking harder than you—every single one of these is a jazz bass

 

[somebrains]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[HeavyDuty]

Hay, that's a great tip about the stealth string retainer! Thanks for putting that up there. I'm gonna try that!

If I may ask, what strings are you using?

There’s a big thread in Setup about these retainers. I’m using EBMM Group I flats.

 

[Nevada Pete]

There’s a big thread in Setup about these retainers. I’m using EBMM Group I flats.

Thank you! That's just what I wanted to know. I was concerned if a flat wound string would tolerate the sharper break angle behind the nut. I'll check out the thread in Setup.

TalkBass rocks!

 

[bassike]

A recording of a 5-string with the Lace Aluma-P! That's exactly what I needed to hear (and nicely done, too). I know from my own experience how much I like the Aluma-P in a four, but had to wonder how that same pickup would do configured for a five. Would you say you get a pretty even response across the strings? It sounds to me like you do! Thank you for your response (I noted it in the middle of dozens of responses as I got caught up on the thread, and then had a hard time finding it!).

Construction between my pointy bass (Electra X700JB) and my Spector is pretty much identical (slab rosewood board/bolt-on maple neck/maple body), so unless the density of the wood used varied dramatically from one piece of maple to another, I suspect pickup type has the most effect on the surprisingly big difference in tone I get between the two instruments (the Spector does have the curved NS body, and the Electra has a slab body; I haven't looked into what effect that might have, but I suspect not much). The Spector certainly doesn't sound bad, but it doesn't really match my pointy bass, which pretty much nails what I'm going for. Thinking I might slap an Aluma-P in a Squier and call it good.

I could do a little recording of all the open strings and a few examples if you like, but I really like the alumitone.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I could do a little recording of all the open strings and a few examples if you like, but I really like the alumitone.

I'd gladly hear more, but I think between what you've already shared and my experience with the Aluma-P in a four, I'm convinced.

 

[Rickter]

So, a little somethin' somethin'.....

Was looking into the Nordstrand PowerBlade Precision pickup and thought I'd ask if the Nordstrand team could custom build a Fender offset P5 version since they are one of the few manufacturers that make a Fender offset aftermarket pickup. A few hours later received an email saying that they are already working on it and it is in R&D currently. They plan to release it later this year, but there is no firm release date. When they do release it, there will be a standard Precision 5 version and a Fender offset version as well. I'm pretty stoked about it and seriously considering holding out for one.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Sadowsky makes an awesome P 5string.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I know it is not P-Bass, but the Bartolini split pickup works like a charm.

 

[Dreamsinger]

I can’t be the only person who would like a 5-string P-bass, but it seems like those who make them aren’t making many, those who have them aren’t parting with them, and new ones don’t come cheap.
<snipped>

I wasn't fond of Fender's version and the Custom Shop wasn't a viable option so I put my own together. Warmoth maple neck with graphite rods, skinny frets, Hipshot ultralights, back routed basswood body, massive Kahler fixed bridge and a Bill Lawrence 46 pickup. It was very light and never failed to get comments about the sound. Manufacturers pander to the 80% of lesser bass players. If you want *your* bass you either have to pony up the $$ for a boutique bass or build it yourself.

 

[sanwin17]

I can’t be the only person who would like a 5-string P-bass, but it seems like those who make them aren’t making many, those who have them aren’t parting with them, and new ones don’t come cheap.

(For my purposes, “P-bass” means split pickup in the “sweet spot” on an instrument with a non-skinny neck; I’m not anti-Fender, but I’m not wed to a name on a headstock, either.)

We have 5-string J’s for days, and no shortage of 4-string P’s, but why so few 5-string P’s?*

*an apostrophe does not ordinarily make a plural, but it does in this case. There: I feel better.

Buy a nice P5 and have a luthier rout for a second pickup. Options are many from a basic single coil J, there will be noise, to a dual, split or stacked HC. I used a P2 size. This Nordy Big Blade was too noisy so I replaced it with a Delano SBC5 HE/S 5 String BD Size Dual Coil Bridge Pickup. Here's a before and after.

 

[Chasarms]

I love mine!!

 

[gregunit]

I can’t be the only person who would like a 5-string P-bass, but it seems like those who make them aren’t making many, those who have them aren’t parting with them, and new ones don’t come cheap.

(For my purposes, “P-bass” means split pickup in the “sweet spot” on an instrument with a non-skinny neck; I’m not anti-Fender, but I’m not wed to a name on a headstock, either.)

We have 5-string J’s for days, and no shortage of 4-string P’s, but why so few 5-string P’s?*

*an apostrophe does not ordinarily make a plural, but it does in this case. There: I feel better.

Purists play 4 string... Purists play P-bass. Obviously, I am neighter ;-)

 

[Riff Ranger]

View attachment 3389352

I know it is not P-Bass, but the Bartolini split pickup works like a charm.

How’s the neck? Chunky? Skinny? Tweener? Bolt-on, set-neck, neck-thru?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

How’s the neck? Chunky? Skinny? Tweener? Bolt-on, set-neck, neck-thru?

To my hands, the has the ideal five string profile: wide and thin with a wide nut and 19mm at the bridge.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I think we have several good ideas of why we don't see a ton of 5-string P-basses, and at least a few examples of options other than a brand new Fender-or-even-fancier. For my money, either Invalid Link Removed (not wild about the headstock, probably wouldn't use that bridge pickup much, but otherwise cool; also comes in active, not my thing, but maybe yours) or [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (LOVE the look; active, but again, maybe that's your thing) might do the trick if I find them used when I'm feeling relatively flush. Good luck, everybody!

 

[somebrains]

How about this neck: 5 Warmoth Deluxe 5 in line Jazz Bass neck in Rosewood - Ziricote fretboard plus Gotoh GB7 tuners

This body: Fender American Professional Precision P Bass V 5 String BODY USA Sunburst

Pg, bridge, etc you can source cheap enough off Reverb.

Worst comes to worst you drive up to my place and I screw it all together using a cheap strobe tuner to set it up.

If you pick up a fret level, sand paper, dressing file, and dykem I'll run you thru the yearly maintenance routine.

 

[amper]

Because the people who play Precision Basses think anything invented after 1957 is crap.