Recommendations please - 5 string Precision type

ToneControl · April 2022

I'm a guitarist who loves dub bass
I fancy trying a 5 string, I hate single coil background noise
I wondered about a Harley Benton
My bass player mate recommends a Yamaha Precision-type model
I'd be buying used

ICBM · April 2022

I have a very nice Ibanez Soundgear 5-string for sale - it's not Precision-type, but it has a front pickup (two humbuckers in fact) and active EQ...

It has a slim neck by 5-string standards so you'd probably find it a bit easier to adjust to coming from guitar. Not as cheap as a Harley Benton, but you're unlikely to find a better bass for less money.

fretmeister · April 2022

I find most 5 string P basses suffer from excessive flub on the B string. Doesn't matter how much is spent on them so I suspect it's about the pickup type and position.

Reverse pickup installations where the BEA string part of the pickup is further back work far better, but something with a bridge pickup as well is better again.

The Ibanez Mezzo 5 string (32 scale) works very well (is a PJ) and if you are looking for deep dub sounds then a set of Dunlop flatwounds would be a perfect match. That's what I've got on my Mezzo 5.

Funkfingers · April 2022

What they said.

In my opinion, Fender/Squier P Bass guitars stray out of their comfort zone when a low B string is added. (Even retuning a four string to BEAD.)

The traditional split coils pickup is mid heavy. It runs out of steam a bit with really low notes. Extending one coil to sense three strings rather than two seems to make things worse.

My solution is to go active.

Yamaha build quality is excellent - even at the 100 series level. The hardware and electronics get a bit cheap 'n' nasty but the woodwork and fretting are first class.

Single coil pickup woes can be cured with replacement pickups. If you choose a J style, the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pair is hum-cancelling and produces a meaty sound. For the HB '51 style P Bass, an EMG-SA pickup and pots deliver the goods.

Obviously, a pre-owned bass guitar plus replacement pickups could get expensive and will require some electronical installation work. Might be quicker, easier and cheaper to buy ICBM's 'nez.

Reggaebass · April 2022

I’ve got a Yamaha 415, they are a great bass for the money, really well built and mine has a super low action, with the switch on the neck pickup you can get a great dub sound

ToneControl · April 2022

Many many thanks and much respect to ICBM for excellent advice

Reggaebass · April 2022

ToneControl said:

Many many thanks and much respect to ICBM for excellent advice

Did you get the Ibanez, how are you getting on

ToneControl · April 2022

Reggaebass said:

ToneControl said:

Many many thanks and much respect to ICBM for excellent advice

Did you get the Ibanez, how are you getting on

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Recommendations please - 5 string Precision type

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