Boutique 5-string P Bass - Lull, Xotic or Dingwall

[Dingus]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1364425400' post='2026473']
Best P bass I've ever played was an Alleva Copollo KPB.

The 5's are pretty rare and there's a long wait for a new one - of course, one reason is because Jimmy can sell every one he can make!
[/quote]

I found Alleva Basses to be meticulously well made - absolutely perfect , in fact - but a little bit on the heavy side for me .

[dannybuoy]

How about a Sandberg California VS (single pickup), VM (P + MM) or VT (P + J)?

They do 5-string Ps in both 34" and 35", you can configure one here:

[url="http://www.configurator.sandberg-guitars.de/"]http://www.configura...erg-guitars.de/[/url]

Here's one I made earlier:

Edited March 28, 2013 by dannybuoy

[molan]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1364473389' post='2026913']
I found Alleva Basses to be meticulously well made - absolutely perfect , in fact - but a little bit on the heavy side for me .
[/quote]

They vary a lot in weight - I have two J's and both are pretty 'standard' Fender J weight

[dannybuoy]

Spotted this Super P5 on the Bass Gallery website:

[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2194&type=Bass%20Guitar"]http://www.thebassga...e=Bass%20Guitar[/url]



Don't like the look of it much myself, weird orange tort on the plate, the black knobs don't go, and the body looks out of proportion?

Edited March 28, 2013 by dannybuoy

[Dingus]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1364474168' post='2026933']
They vary a lot in weight - I have two J's and both are pretty 'standard' Fender J weight
[/quote]

Fair enough . I played a 70's- style ash bodied bass and that may explain the extra weight .

[swanbrook]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1364474503' post='2026938']
Spotted this Super P5 on the Bass Gallery website:

[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2194&type=Bass%20Guitar"]http://www.thebassga...e=Bass%20Guitar[/url]



Don't like the look of it much myself, weird orange tort on the plate, the black knobs don't go, and the body looks out of proportion?
[/quote]

Me, I think it's the most beautiful P bass I have ever seen ! I wonder does some of that come from the fact that I just love how they play and feel. The world would be a boring place if we all likes the same stuff.
D

[Musicman20]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1364474503' post='2026938']
Spotted this Super P5 on the Bass Gallery website:

[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2194&type=Bass%20Guitar"]http://www.thebassga...e=Bass%20Guitar[/url]



Don't like the look of it much myself, weird orange tort on the plate, the black knobs don't go, and the body looks out of proportion?
[/quote]

Kinda cool, but needs chrome knobs and a brown tort plate immediately.

[Dingus]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1364480243' post='2027048']
Kinda cool, but needs chrome knobs and a brown tort plate immediately.
[/quote]

Agreed .

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1364474168' post='2026933']
They vary a lot in weight - I have two J's and both are pretty 'standard' Fender J weight
[/quote]

I thought so too. All the Alleva J's have tried I thought were comparable to any other J in terms of weight. They didn't strike me as heavy.

As for the Fender, I'm still not sold on that B. It just seems overly floppy... which is a shame, cos I'd quite like a trad Fender J (albeit 5 string).

[magcom1977]

Thank you all for the continued advice and opinions.

I had a look at the Sandbergs but couldn't find anyone selling a 5-string VS or VT. Presumably I'd have to order one in.

The Fender American Standard Precision V is also a nice looking bass but I think I'd prefer a 35" scale to help out with that low B. My Overwater Inspiration V had a 35" scale so I know it's not too much of a stretch.

I'm leaning towards the Lull as the more "simple" or "pure" option, without the fancy electronics of the Xotic. I'm actually giving more thought to the PJ5. I'm not sure how much I'd actually use the J pickup but I like the added string tension near the bridge as I tend to dig in quite hard. So it would be useful as a thumb rest if nothing else.

[chris_b]

[quote name='magcom1977' timestamp='1364485782' post='2027153']
.... I'm not sure how much I'd actually use the J pickup....
[/quote]

I thought I'd use my J pickup but I don't.

I just leave it off. The P pickup is so good on its own I don't need anything else in the mix.

[iiipopes]

Instead of brand names, I'm going to list some criteria to look for that make for a superior bass:
1) Laminated neck, at least three - piece maple, for stability
2) Mini-tuners, whether Gotoh, Schaller, or Hipshot, in a 2+3 (B&E on one side, ADG on the other) so that there is more room above the nut on the headstock for the leader of the B string to clear the nut and wrap around the tuning machine post so that it doesn't bind
3) To achieve, especially on the B string, the proper balance of fundamental and overtones, position the "neck" or "mid" pickup so it is proportionally where the D-G segment of a Precision bass is, whatever the scale length
4) Longer upper horn to balance the added weight of a wider neck and the extra tuning machine
5) A body wood/neck/fingerboard that achieves a rather neutral tone so that it can be shaped to suit and retain clarity in every register

Everyone has their particular preference for style, weight, electronics and ergonomics, so the particular bass should be played before purchase.

Unfortunately, many 5-string basses are merely extensions of their 4-string counterparts, and do not retain balance, tone or ease of tuning when extended to 5. The 5-string is its own instrument and should reflect that in its design and execution.

[molan]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1364474638' post='2026941']
Fair enough . I played a 70's- style ash bodied bass and that may explain the extra weight .
[/quote]

Jimmy generally has three main J type ranges:

LG - Alder body, 60's pickup spacing
RA - Alder body, 70's spacing
LM - Ash body, 70's spacing

Basically you've got 60's, early '70's & late 70's options.

Not as specific with the KBP series though.

[stingrayPete1977]

Why dont Mayones do a nice P5? Im sure they would get a mention here if it were a jazz topic. I still want a Jabba Classic5

[rk7]

Overwater!

They will make whatever you want, but also exactly what you need. And they do a lovely Low B!

Check out the 'J Series' on their webbypage thingy, and ring Martin, Laurence or Chris.

RK

[franzbassist]

I would highly recommend Sandberg. My VT5 is a wonderful bass: beautifully put together, lightweight, tone for days and it looks the biz!

Edited March 31, 2013 by walbassist

[Happy Jack]

The Alleva-Coppolo KBP5 is a stunning bass. Mine was my front-line bass until I got the Mike Lull P5.

The Lull gets my vote (every time I play a gig) because it weighs about 3lbs less than the KBP5. The weight issue alone would be a deciding factor for me.

IMHO the Lull also has a slightly more taut B-string than the Alleva, but there isn't much in it and that degree of variation could easily be down to string choice.

Not selling the KBP5, mind ...