Passive and 5 strings?

[Pinball]

What would people recommend and why?

Added note: The reason I ask is that I played one of the new Fender Pro series P5's a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was really nice and couldn't think of many other passive 5's. I would be interested to hear what others are playing.

Edited March 12, 2017 by Pinball

[No lust in Jazz]

My personal favorite Squier VM P5 - its just a great Bass, my other 5 string is an Xotic XP-5 which is also great but both active and passive - one is a tenth the price of the other

[chris_b]

My passive Mike Lull PJ5 is under 9 lbs, well balanced, has an effortless neck with great sounding custom SD pickups. This is one of the best basses I've played. With my new TI flats it's getting good comments from bands and audiences.

[Pinball]

It's interesting as I played a precision from the new Fender Pro range a week or two back and was impressed. There isn't much else that jumps out

[Jimryan]

I agree with the comment on the Squier VM P. Had one years ago and they're brilliant basses. Nice and light too. I've Currently got a Harley Benton deluxe P 5 string (which too is passive) and again, fantastic bass but a tad heavier than the Squier.

[Paul S]

Yamaha BB425. Strong B string, great range of tones from the PJ pups, unbelievably good value. Close string spacing and not that heavy.

[NickD]

I love my Maruszcyzck Jake P5+. The B String is great, it just feels and sounds like all the other strings. It has a P type and a humbucker in the bridge, and I had them put a pan pot in rather than individual volume controls. Between that and a really effective tone control I find it just as flexible for my purposes as my actives.

[Rich]

The Sire basses have a passive mode. Just leave the actives switched out and you've got a passive 5 string Jazz.

[Pinball]

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1489315029' post='3255891']
The Sire basses have a passive mode. Just leave the actives switched out and you've got a passive 5 string Jazz.
[/quote]
I have a few that work well like that myself...including a G&L L1505 and an amazing sounding Bass Collection Nanyo with humbuckers. I didn't know they did one like this until I picked it up BIN of ebay Pic below


[attachment=240296:Nanyo1.jpg]

Edited March 12, 2017 by Pinball

[Fisheth]

[quote name='NickD' timestamp='1489309347' post='3255834']
I love my Maruszcyzck Jake P5+. The B String is great, it just feels and sounds like all the other strings. It has a P type and a humbucker in the bridge, and I had them put a pan pot in rather than individual volume controls. Between that and a really effective tone control I find it just as flexible for my purposes as my actives.
[/quote]

I'm that predictable that this is what I was going to recommend.

[Woodinblack]

The L2500 with the active switch turned off?

[Dazed]

Dingwall? I haven't any personal experience but they seem to have a lot of love.

[dannybuoy]

I spent £800 odd on a Fender P5 a few years ago until I saw the light and upgraded to a £200 Yamaha BB415! Much more playable neck and better sounding low B too!

[colleya]

And another for the Maruszcyzk here. Got mine from the sale boards here and it is superbly put together. It's a Jake P/j with Delanos and a chambered body so is brilliantly light too, I'm a happy bunny.

[Storky]

I play the Lakland Darryl Jones (5 string jazz). It's a very nice. Guess it depends on the price range?

[tauzero]

Peavey Grind. Very playable neck, and it's not a bloody Fender.

[kodiakblair]

I'm with tauzero on the Peavey Grind or maybe a Peavey Zephyr 5.
My Grind is one of the Vietnamese built ones,it plays and sounds a damn sight better than my USA Grind.

[fretmeister]

I had a Dingwall ABZ5 and it was very good across the range but it was a bit polite for me. In hindsight I wish I had tried a pickup change as the basic sound and response of the bass was great.

I've got a passive Yamaha Attitude Standard 5 which is excellent and great value for money, and I often use my Marleaux in passive mode.

[ead]

I'm hopefully picking up a Squier MB-5 today, generic image here:

[attachment=240442:squier-mb-5-259000.jpg]

[gillento]

Nordstrand VP5
Lakland Darryl Jones 5
Reverend R5L

[markstuk]

I've had my Lakland LOG Bob Glaub P Bass for about two weeks now..

Still trying to decide whether I prefer flats or roundwound nickels on it, but it does the P Bass thing really well.. 35" scale/Nordstrand PU..

[chris_b]

I played my Lull PJ5 with roundwounds for a couple of weeks and it sounded good, but something was missing. I was comparing it to Happy Jack's Lull P bass which sounded better!!

Then I put a set of flats on and discovered [i]the[/i] sound.

[ead]

Reluctantly putting the Squier MB-5 up for sale as string spacing is just a bit too narrow for my digits.

On the upside have found a new Squier VM Precision V (made in 2016??? - thought they were discontinued a year or two back) which is really rather nice.

[blank20]

I really like these
https://musicsquare.co.uk/161644_Yamaha-BB-425X-TBS-Tabacco-Brown-Sunburst-bass-guitar.html
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/J52865Nat
Especially Schecter

[iubitu]

The Joe Osborn 5 i've had was very sweet bass. like a real Jazz but 35" and a bit sexier. my favourite was a Squier Precision Special V (jazz pups) with upgraded guts (CTS/Orange drop) and Sadowskys Noise Canceling Singles!!
Both with some Heavy Respectable Bs!!