NBD P5 my first 5 string to learn

[DDR]

An almost reluctant but inevitably enjoyable NBD. 

 

I have a gig coming up in October that I need a 5 string for... I could have probably got away with a 4 tuned DGCF but... I thought it was time to get to grips with this.

 

Of course I went to a nice store in Guildford where I tried all the 5s and the most comfortable and best sounding one was about 2K out of my budget so, after crying, I walked out the store kind of hurt inside and went home to ponder. 

 

I found that bass here second hand  only 1K out of my budget but I still couldn't justify it... 

This time with less outside tears but more internal turmoil I went and bought the cheapest-good 5 string I could find in Europe and this morning it arrived.

 

I have to say, I've been feeling pretty good about it so far. The plan is to learn and then, if it is that 5 strings is the way for me go I'll find myself in Guildford again with the holy grail of 5 that I'd tasted that day.

 

Happy learning days

 

Peace 🕊️ 

[joel406]

1 hour ago, DDR said:

An almost reluctant but inevitably enjoyable NBD. 

 

I have a gig coming up in October that I need a 5 string for... I could have probably got away with a 4 tuned DGCF but... I thought it was time to get to grips with this.

 

Of course I went to a nice store in Guildford where I tried all the 5s and the most comfortable and best sounding one was about 2K out of my budget so, after crying, I walked out the store kind of hurt inside and went home to ponder. 

 

I found that bass here second hand  only 1K out of my budget but I still couldn't justify it... 

This time with less outside tears but more internal turmoil I went and bought the cheapest-good 5 string I could find in Europe and this morning it arrived.

 

I have to say, I've been feeling pretty good about it so far. The plan is to learn and then, if it is that 5 strings is the way for me go I'll find myself in Guildford again with the holy grail of 5 that I'd tasted that day.

 

Happy learning days

 

Peace 🕊️ 

You got a good one. But there are better. People swear by MM basses. Necks kinda chunky for me. I've played a lot of 5'ers over the last 10-15 years. The Fender American Pro series did it for me. Just love the necks. But all that is subjective and what works for others may not be for you. I did find that when I moved to 5 string that 4 string began to seem obsolete. 5 is so much easier. Don't be afraid to commit. 3 months after I got my first good 5 string my 4s went on the block. Now I have nothing but 5s. 7 of em actually.

[wrinkleygit]

A five also better than a short scale, play all your 4 string riffs at the 5th fret to see what I mean, good luck on your new journey !!

[wrinkleygit]

1 minute ago, wrinkleygit said:

A five also better than a short scale, play all your 4 string riffs at the 5th fret to see what I mean, good luck on your new journey !!

I’m assuming you’re tuned BEADG.

[BillyBass]

Hi Dave

 

I've been tempted recently to get one of the Sire P5R fivers, at Andertons.  I'll be interested to hear how you get on with this.

 

What was the bass you liked but was too dear?

 

I tried a Reverend Mercalli 5 up in Glasgow when I bought my Decision P, I was mainly focussing on the 4 stringer but I do remember being pleasantly surprised by the B string and the weight.

 

I have to use a fiver for my current project but I'd rather be playing my 4 string basses, I won't be getting rid of mine.

[DDR]

59 minutes ago, BillyBass said:

Hi Dave

 

I've been tempted recently to get one of the Sire P5R fivers, at Andertons.  I'll be interested to hear how you get on with this.

 

What was the bass you liked but was too dear?

 

I tried a Reverend Mercalli 5 up in Glasgow when I bought my Decision P, I was mainly focussing on the 4 stringer but I do remember being pleasantly surprised by the B string and the weight.

 

I have to use a fiver for my current project but I'd rather be playing my 4 string basses, I won't be getting rid of mine.

 

Hey Billy

 

Yeah, I tried the P5R, V5R (with the 24 frets) first because this was my budget. I generally felt pretty uncomfortable with the 5 strings there but was surprised to feel more comfortable on the V than the P. I also felt the soundscope was more vibrant... I guess just brighter 😉

 

Then I picket up a couple of Music Mans there. Kinda wish I hadn't. The second one was this one :

 

https://www.andertons.co.uk/music-man-stingray-special-5-bass-guitar-frost-green-pearl-electric/

 

I swear I suddenly started playing like I'd been playing 5 strings all along! Had to run out of there 😔 

 

This p5 was really cheap as B stock at Thomann and even though I hadn't gotten on with the P5R so well I decided to risk it and just put my fingers to work.

I found it surprisingly good today though.

 

I'd love a Mercalli obvs but more than twice as expensive.

 

I know everyone says this but I think this sire P for the money is crazy good and if I decide to keep it can always upgrade the hardware so....

Edited May 30 by DDR

[BillyBass]

Yeah that Stingray does look lush!  But, my budget wouldn't go that far either.

 

I'm waiting to see if the project I've joined has legs.  As soon as we get our first gig, I'll get a second fiver.

[DDR]

1 hour ago, BillyBass said:

Yeah that Stingray does look lush!  But, my budget wouldn't go that far either.

 

I'm waiting to see if the project I've joined has legs.  As soon as we get our first gig, I'll get a second fiver.

 

There was someone selling one of those Stingrays here for 1800 with mono case... I was looking at loans... If it's still there....

[DDR]

 

for those with a budget this is the one i’d go for if i could

[DDR]

On 30/05/2024 at 18:09, joel406 said:

You got a good one. But there are better. People swear by MM basses. Necks kinda chunky for me. I've played a lot of 5'ers over the last 10-15 years. The Fender American Pro series did it for me. Just love the necks. But all that is subjective and what works for others may not be for you. I did find that when I moved to 5 string that 4 string began to seem obsolete. 5 is so much easier. Don't be afraid to commit. 3 months after I got my first good 5 string my 4s went on the block. Now I have nothing but 5s. 7 of em actually.

 

As a drummer who used to frown at a bassist with more than 4 strings but now plays bass in many different contexts, it's interesting to note that the low B appears to be very useful.

 

Not sure why the subject is prone to debate 

[joel406]

1 hour ago, DDR said:

 

As a drummer who used to frown at a bassist with more than 4 strings but now plays bass in many different contexts, it's interesting to note that the low B appears to be very useful.

 

Not sure why the subject is prone to debate 

I don't get it either. I was slow to make the move at first because every 5 I played had a floppy B string. But the Fender surprised me. Got one and never looked back. Now I "personally" consider 4 string useless. Without that B string it ain't a real bass. With that being said. I remind people that is how I feel. And doesn't reflect or intend to influence how others view the instrument. I just feel 4 string instruments are no more than toys. But there are people out there that can really make their toys talk. 

Edited June 1 by joel406

[OliverBlackman]

Due to their mass 5 strings become a lot more about user preference compared to 4 strings. There are so many variations that impact the B string; Scale length, string spacing, neck depth, body size, string trees, neck through vs bolt on, angled headstock and the list goes on.

 

I think you’re wise to start off cheaper and work out what you do and don’t like about it to better educate your choices in the future. I had 4 5 strings before going back to basics on a 4, and luckily the Sire V5 ticks a lot of boxes before I can afford a KS. 

[joel406]

2 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

Due to their mass 5 strings become a lot more about user preference compared to 4 strings. There are so many variations that impact the B string; Scale length, string spacing, neck depth, body size, string trees, neck through vs bolt on, angled headstock and the list goes on.

 

I think you’re wise to start off cheaper and work out what you do and don’t like about it to better educate your choices in the future. I had 4 5 strings before going back to basics on a 4, and luckily the Sire V5 ticks a lot of boxes before I can afford a KS. 

This is sound thinking.

[DDR]

10 hours ago, joel406 said:

I don't get it either. I was slow to make the move at first because every 5 I played had a floppy B string. But the Fender surprised me. Got one and never looked back. Now I "personally" consider 4 string useless. Without that B string it ain't a real bass. With that being said. I remind people that is how I feel. And doesn't reflect or intend to influence how others view the instrument. I just feel 4 string instruments are no more than toys. But there are people out there that can really make their toys talk. 

 

next level haha

[franzbassist]

That Sire looks great.  They are great basses for the price.  I bought a P8 at Christmas and I’m playing it more than my custom-made 5s at the moment!

[DDR]

On 02/06/2024 at 13:57, franzbassist said:

That Sire looks great.  They are great basses for the price.  I bought a P8 at Christmas and I’m playing it more than my custom-made 5s at the moment!

 

Very nice! PJ is the way 👌

[DDR]

lil update

 

My P5 has been behaving well in rehearsals so far and i’ve been getting comfortable with the extra string, in fact, i’ve been missing the opportunity to play in the lower Db register when playing my 4s for example…

 

The only issue i’m having with this bass is the weight… 

 

however -- the tour i’m doing includes heading up to Glasgow and there’s a Mercalli 5 in stock at the Guitar store… i’m gonna pay them a visit do a lill comparison… whom knows i may resist depending on how that goes

[Baxlin]

I’ve just p/ex’d my Toby 5-er as tbh I couldn’t get on with the extra string, in other words user error!  (I only bought it because we play a lot in D)

 

But the point of my post is that this was a budget-priced, fairly light bass, which (apart from the aforementioned user ineptitude) ticked all the boxes I wanted to tick.