dave_bass5

Use to play a 5 string when I was depping with a band very similar to my own, but with songs in different keys. It helped that I could keep the same fingering no matter what key. These days I have no real need for a 5 string, but I do have a couple of low end (but decent) hanging around as I do enjoy playing them. I just don’t need them for the band. I would recommend looking at the Sire or Yamaha range if money is an issue. No need to go boutique or high end to get a decent one.

To be fair to G4M they do state it’s not actually in the store, and the delivery time does reflect this if ordering on line DV247 are the same.

Cheers guys, it’s blue, with black hardware (other than the tuners). it took me less than an hour to find out about them and track one down secondhand for £700. A real bargain. It’s also only 8lbs so great for long gigs/old people lol. Unlike some there doesn’t seem to be large chunks of wood missing, and I love the look of this one. Its a bass I really will never sell.

My Fender is a Sandblasted P bass, so made in 2014. As I said above, the neck radius is 9.5”, so very close to the P34. All my basses are set up the same, more or less, and all payable. I’m quite OCD about the action. Ive never mentioned action at the nut, other than to say the nut in the Fender is getting worn and quite low. I can’t get the action any lower on any bass without buzz, as i play with a pick and do get fret buzz when diffing it a bit too hard. I do all my own setups and this bass set up really well, I can’t imagine it getting any better (I know, I’ve tired, it won’t go lower). Its definitely not a set up issue. Again, as I’ve said a few times, I have no issues playing the P34, although I find its better when I’m sitting down, it’s just not as comfortable overall as my Fender, even though it plays better. cheers anyway.

Since ive been playing bass in bands the bass player has been the most reliable and dedicated. I dont drive so my drummer used to drive me to gigs. I had a saying, 'you carry me to the gigs, i carry the band at them' Pretty much what happened for 15 years.

This is why im loath to get work done, as i dont know what the real issue is to start with. it could be a combination of more than one.

Should add, i also still think its the shape of the neck, even though the dimensions aren't that much different. Not going to push for a quick sale though, and ill try and live with it. After all, as you say ive spent so many hours enjoying it that it would be a real shame to give up on it.

Well i had thought about getting a PLEK done, but im loath to spend more money on it. It might not even be the real reason, although i know it would play better. The fact that it does when im sitting down i really cant see that the frets are just the issue. The fly in the ointment is i love my Fender bass, and while im not making these issues up, maybe i am subconsciously wanting to get rid of the P34 so i can go back to the Fender without the guilt of having a £1300 bass sitting gathering dust.

I spent some time measuring both necks last night. I got a set of digital calipers (never had Caliper GAS before but saw a few members have them). I really cant find a noticeable difference between the two necks, other than the P34 has a slimmer nut. Im fine with my Jazz bass so its not that. Action is almost the same, both within .5mm at the most. Its not the back to front dimension as i thought. Then it struck me, its more likely the frets. The Fender has quite low frets, and the nut slot is very low, although i know thats out of the equation once you start fretting (probably need to get a new one soon, although its not an issue), my Squiers have Vintage frets, as does my Sire i beleive as well. This gives me the effect having the strings feel like they are more part of the fretboard, rather than sitting above it if that makes sense. When im playing, the frets are more noticeable and i can feel them more. This is probably where the comfort thing is coming from. The frets arent sticking out or anything, no buzz on certain frets etc, its just that they are taller or very slightly more prominent. Its not a set up thing, as i can play the bass fine, and as ive said the action is what i get on my other basses.

Must admit its not as matt as it was the first few weeks. Its nice, but not as nice as the full on gloss for me.

Thanks, i think @Al Krow posted that already. Useful info. Yep, action is as good as ill get it, but its not the action that's the problem. Relief is at .0082 (same as my Fender and Squier) and action is 2.25 with no buzz unless i dig in. I play with a pick so cant go too low. As i said, sitting down at home it plays like a dream, but when i stand up it just doesn't feel as comfortable. Again, im talking comfort rather than playability if that makes sense. Could also be the feel of the back of the neck. I love the smooth gloss finish on my other basses, and while the sating doesn't really bother me on the P34 its still a different feel. ill put it up for sale but wont push it, i really want to get it working for me but ultimately i dont think ill ever really gel with it while i have the Fender here (and thats never going to go) I wonder if i can buy one of the pickups to put in my Fender

I definitely have no inclination to go back to 5 string as such, and as I’ve said a few times I doubt I’d buy an expensive one now I have the 425. I like messing around with 5 string basses, but always end up back with 4. No point spending a lot of money when I know I’ll not play it much. Thanks very much for the offer though, I assume you mean your P35 and not the KS? 😳

Well once the P34 has gone I’ll probably use the 425 a lot more.

I’m not sure it’s the radius, as the P34 is 10” and my Fender/Squiers are 9.5’ so not much in it. Could be the frets though. I find they are more noticeable than on the other basses, even that is not really the reason. I loved this bass when I first got it, and really, i do still love it, but having had the Fender out recently I just feel there is no point having a £1000 bass sitting around not getting used. The Fender has less life in it, less punch and has a warmer tone. I really, really prefer the P34 over the Fender tone, but it just sits better in my hand. Harder to play, but more comfortable. Been going back and forth between the two tonight, and each time I plug one in I feel this is the one, then I plug the other in and feel that’s the one. One has the tone and more playable neck, the other feels more comfortable to play. Bugger lol. My 5 string basses have a narrower string spacing, and yes, are flatter. In fact I like playing 5 string basses because they do feel more comfortable to play because of the string spacing, but I really don’t want to go full time 5 string.

I really can’t put finger on it. I’m not suggesting it’s a chunky neck at all, but I’m very comfortable with my jazz neck, and just as comfortable with my P, but P34 just throws me a bit. Really, if it was the only bass I had I wouldn’t complain, the issue is i do others that I can see me going back to for the comfort. its funny but for some things I find the P34 so easy to play, I guess having the nut end of the neck slimmer helps, and the tone is way ahead of my Fender, but it’s just the comfort side that is the issue.

Back of neck to fretboard.

When i play at home i lean over the bass, its not the height.

Well ive given up with my P34. Love the tone, love the feel, but when i stand up to play it i find its awkward. Set up is fine for me, but i have a feeling its the depth of the neck. Tried all sorts of strap heights etc. it plays ok but i feel slower on it. I had a rehearsal last night and i kept fluffing the lines. Im going to go back to my Fender for now, or maybe give the 425 an outing.

Sorry to hear that but i think its for the best. It might put the band back for a while but less stress for you and maybe a more harmonious band going forward. My guitarist turned up to rehearsals last night carrying a guitar without a case. 'guess what i forgot' he says.....'your guitar case' i replied....'nope, my guitar, just had to hire this one from the studio' 😂 He only lives about 15mins away, drives, and has at least 8 guitars. The mind boggles.

You are right, but as someone who spent almost 2 years trying to find a capable guitarist it’s easier said than done, especially if you have gigs booked and need to honour them. Another attitude I’ve come across is to just tell the agents we are busy when they call up. Ok, that’s fine with the agents, but ive not invested all that time and money to pretend I’m out gigging and to be sitting at home on a Saturday evening.

I have one of the hanging stands but dont really use it.

Dan, you arent getting me to spend more money this time 🙂 I love Sires, especially the Gen 2 V7 and P7's, and i have tried a M7. Lovely neck, as expected with all the Sires, feels nice to play and with quite a nice meaty tone (coming from a mainly P and Jazz background). I too was very happy to find the Sire preamp to have a sweepable mid, and yes, that magic 80hz is in all the Sires, BUT......it bugger to rest against an amp. it just falls over lol.

Totally get this. Ive been agonising over getting the action just right on my Yamaha P34. I can get 2mm on my Fender P, but only 2.25mm on the P34. Nothing in it at all in the real world, and yet it feels difference, or at least i think it does. In my case its probably two things. I Shim all my necks, the the strings run parallel to the fret board. I haven't done this with the P34 so visually it looks 'wrong', and the necks feel different anyway, so that too will contribute to my string OCD.

Been rehearsing for too long, couldn’t face starting again with a new guitarist. We are at the stage where we can gig, but getting someone new in could put us right back to the start. Until we have done a few gigs and have gigs to offer it’s not easy finding someone that is both good and committed.