magcom1977 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) Hello all I'm in the market for a boutique 5-string P bass and I think I've narrowed my choice down to the following three. Mike Lull P5 (or PJ5?) Xotic XP-1T 5-string Dingwall Super P5 I'm leaning towards the Dingwall as I want the low B to be nice and tight and that's what Dingwalls do, right? However I'd be keen to hear opinions on the other two as I'm sure they're no slouches on the low B either. Please feel free to throw up other suggestions I may not have heard / thought of. Many thanks for your time. Edited March 27, 2013 by magcom1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Why not commission the boys at Overwater? They've done plenty of five string precisions before and if the 'B' strings are anything like the one on my Overwater Jazz then it'll be nice and tight and 'instant'. Equally, I believe Mr Shuker does a very nice 5 string precision (I recall OldHorseMurphy commissioned a stunning blueburst one that then passed on to OBBM) although the leadtimes might be an issue with Mr S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magcom1977 Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 See now that's exactly why I reached out to the good folks on Basschat. I didn't even know Overwater made P basses (they're not on the website). I bought an Inspiration 5-string from them last year and loved it, including the low-B! Thanks for the top tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Fender P 5, plus add an Aguilar TH pedal, or a P-retro. Done.Those P5s are fantastic, and not just for the money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 The thing I enjoy about my Dingwall isn't necessarily the "really tight" B string, but the consistency in tension between it and the other 4 strings. Even on a really well made 5-string, the B string isn't going to feel as nice as on a Dingwall, or at least that's what I've found. I love my Combustion, and can't really recommend any other brand as I don't play P basses, but they're mostly about the sound so of course, listening to one is going to be a big factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 I have a Lull PJ5 and it's one of the best basses I've owned. Our drummer just grinned when he heard it for the first time. Mike Lull is supposed to have designed it as close to his 62 Fender Pbass as he could. I A/B'ed it with Happy Jack's Lull P5 and while it sounded great it wasn't as good as Jack's! After a few enquiries, I put flats on and it came alive. Jack's had flats on which was the difference. I also A/B'ed it with a Nordy P5 and preferred the Lull. I'd also suggest you try a Lakland P or even the 55-01, 55-02 or 55-94. Lakland make their B strings sing. There are several good ones for sale on BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 A Dingwall Super P offers more than just a tight Low B, it has a thinner lighter body, and, not qa lot of people know this, but all the new producion ones, come pre-routed under the pickguard in case you decided to invert the pickup (in which case you will only need to order a spare pickguard with the precut inverted.). As said above all 5 strings have an accurate even sound output, and so far of all the other Precision fancy copies I've heard this is the only one that really has "the" P sound to a T. 5 strings Fender P's are nice but bulky and heavy like a ship anchor. Mike Lull are fugly and Xotic would be the 2nd best out of the 3 you've mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Lets not be hasty with weight/size. The Fender P 5 I played a few months ago was extremely light for a normal American Standard Precision. I would be guessing at 9lbs. They all vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Let's not start name calling. A 3 tone sunburst Precision shaped bass can never be less than beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magcom1977 Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 I agree with you there chris b. All of the above are gorgeous so there will be no winner based on looks alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magcom1977 Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 I'm not sure about a Lakland. I've heard many good things about them but that oval bridge plate puts me off. I'm so shallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 [quote name='magcom1977' timestamp='1364412597' post='2026201'] I agree with you there chris b. All of the above are gorgeous so there will be no winner based on looks alone. [/quote] I suppose the good news is that one visit to Bass Direct on the right day and you could try all of the major contenders side by side and get a clear idea of which was best suited to yourself . It's also quite possible that you like them all , and are no clearer to choosing one at the end of the day ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 As someone else said, you can't really lose. Happy Jack let me have a go on his Mike Lull. Fantastic, utterly brilliant bass. With the Dingwall, you've got to try one. I was all fired up to buy one, but played one in the Bass Gallery and it became clear that it was not for me - the B is indeed fantastic, better than any I've ever heard by a long margin, but if you have small hands and tend to spend a lot of time down round the nut end, it's a struggle. At least it was for me. By the way, many thanks to Alex at the Bass Gallery for letting me try a Combustion, providing just the right amount of space and advice, and generally being a perfect host. Cue a stream of incoming from the Dingwall enthusiasts no doubt, but it doesn't work for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 [quote name='magcom1977' timestamp='1364412597' post='2026201'] All of the above are gorgeous so there will be no winner based on looks alone. [/quote] I'll have to disagree with you on the Dingwall I'm afraid, that fretboard looks like a melted chocolate ladder! Not for me. My vote goes to the Lull looks wise, I think it nails it and whilst I'm not completely sold on the looks of the Xotic, I must admit it looks quite cool I think. Plus if it sounds like this then you're winning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrovlaxtU1o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1364415619' post='2026261'] My vote goes to the Lull looks wise... [/quote] Yeah it's not bad if you want a bass that looks pretty much the same as every other Fender-alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Buy British. Support our own. They're easy to contact and offer great advice and support and will make a bass exactly how you want it. Overwater Sei Shuker Status All very different, all super high quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 [quote name='Jellyfish' timestamp='1364424485' post='2026457'] Yeah it's not bad if you want a bass that looks pretty much the same as every other Fender-alike. [/quote] In fairness if you didn't want a P-Bass clone then go and buy an Ibanez or something. We are talking about a group of basses that are incredibly similar looking with the possible exception of the Dingwall that looks like it's been left out in the sun! (I jest) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanbrook Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) I am going to get a super p 5 soon, well maybe At the end of this wedding season Edited March 27, 2013 by swanbrook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 [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] If the P is comparable to their J basses, I can well believe it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Out of the intial 3, I'd be thinking the Lull... But you might need to ring round the specialist bass shops like the Gallery or Bass Gear to see what they have ..or expect to have. These type of basses don't tend to hang around if they are any good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Do you want a normal 34" scale? If so, discount the Lakland. Do you want standard frets? If so, discount the Dingwall. Do you want a pretty normal, but very boutique passive P bass? I'd opt for the Lull, or get a custom one built. Do you want a normal passive 5 string, tradtional sounding/looking P bass? Fender American Standard 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1364402000' post='2026007'] Lets not be hasty with weight/size. The Fender P 5 I played a few months ago was extremely light for a normal American Standard Precision. I would be guessing at 9lbs. They all vary. [/quote] You're quite right - I've just done the un-scientific 'get on the scales with and without' test with my 2012 USA P 5, and the difference was 8.75lb. [quote name='magcom1977' timestamp='1364412858' post='2026207'] I'm not sure about a Lakland. I've heard many good things about them but that oval bridge plate puts me off. I'm so shallow. [/quote] I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like that bridge plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 ...and if we are discussing weight, then every 5 string Lakland I have tried has been ridiculously heavy. I may have been unlucky, but I have tried 5-6 at least over the past 3 years. In contrast my MIA P and, and even my Stingray 5 HS, are very light. Bizarre! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 There's a five string Lakland Skyline in Bass Direct at the moment that weighs under nine pounds . The weights tend to vary a great deal , but the more recent Skylines tend to be a bit lighter , generally speaking . On the subject of Laklands , I cannot help but think that you are not comparing like with like in so much as when people mention Lakland the are automatically assuming the Skyline range and comparing that with quality handmade basses like Lull , Dingwall and Xotic . Good as the Skyline range is , the real comparison would be with USA - made Laklands , which in my experience are as good as anything out there and easily compete with Lullm and Dingwall in terms of quality construction and attention to detail . USA Laklands are pretty lightweight anyway , and if weight is an issue they will gladly build you a light one . They can also do a 34 inch scale five string as a custom order . On that subject , I think Lull basses have 35 inch scale for the five string models as standard . I like the oval bridge plate on Lakland basses - they wouldn't look right without it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.