P-Bass Alternatives

[Mark_Bass]

Hey guys

So I’m a 5-stringer and brought a Fender American Pro 5 String as the band I’m in really suited that P-bass sound.

I do use the 5th string quite a bit but having spent 15+years playing a Warwick I’m finding the string spacing and action height (it’s been setup but it still feels a bit higher) a bit awrkward. I hadn’t played mt Warwick since I brought my P-bass until today and was reminded how much I preferred the string spacing and action height from my Warwick.

So I was wondering are there any 5 String P-Basses out there that have a smaller string spacing and can get lower without loads of fret buzz like my Warwick.

suggestions most welcome thanks!

[Stub Mandrel]

You can get these in various finishes. 

 

https://www.guyker.com/en-gb/products/guyker-gb205-5-string-electric-bass-bridge-vintage-style-saddle-bridge

 

 

Careful groove selection should allow you narrower but consitent string spacing.

 

 

[Chadu25]

Currently using a Dingwall SP1 which has an 18mm spacing and setup at low action. 
 

You can also check these out:

Sandberg VS5

Yamaha BP35

Yamaha BB435(best bang for the buck)

Sire P5(this too)

 

 

[dannybuoy]

I tried a couple of Fender and Sandberg 5ers and hated the necks. Moved to a BB415 then BB1025X - around 42mm nut width, same as my 4-string Fender P, been a happy camper ever since.

[fretmeister]

EBMM Stingray is 17.5mm bridge spacing.

Ibanez SR basses are 16.5mm

[Terry M.]

21 hours ago, Mark_Bass said:

Hey guys

So I’m a 5-stringer and brought a Fender American Pro 5 String as the band I’m in really suited that P-bass sound.

I do use the 5th string quite a bit but having spent 15+years playing a Warwick I’m finding the string spacing and action height (it’s been setup but it still feels a bit higher) a bit awrkward. I hadn’t played mt Warwick since I brought my P-bass until today and was reminded how much I preferred the string spacing and action height from my Warwick.

So I was wondering are there any 5 String P-Basses out there that have a smaller string spacing and can get lower without loads of fret buzz like my Warwick.

suggestions most welcome thanks!

What model of Warwick do you own and does it have a preamp bypass option? I'm thinking you could try using it neck only and bypassing the preamp.That might get you close enough?

[Mark_Bass]

It’s a custom FNA Jazzman - so a music man pickup by the bridge and a jazz pickup closer to the neck

[Terry M.]

3 hours ago, Mark_Bass said:

It’s a custom FNA Jazzman - so a music man pickup by the bridge and a jazz pickup closer to the neck

I've had one,fine bass. If you're after a 5 string P bass with the same spacing (16.5mm) that might not happen unless you commission a build. My previous suggestion is all I have at the moment.

[HeadlessBassist]

I have a left field suggestion for you, Mark... Having recently bought one, how about Leo's follow up to the Precision? A Stingray 5 would seem to fit the bill, either in single H or HH form. String spacing [although too narrow for some] on the Stingray 5 is 17.5mm. Makes it feel lithe and fast under the fingers, and definitely has the punch you're after.

[Terry M.]

5 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I have a left field suggestion for you, Mark... Having recently bought one, how about Leo's follow up to the Precision? A Stingray 5 would seem to fit the bill, either in single H or HH form. String spacing [although too narrow for some] on the Stingray 5 is 17.5mm. Makes it feel lithe and fast under the fingers, and definitely has the punch you're after.

Doesn't sound like a P though?

[HeadlessBassist]

2 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Doesn't sound like a P though?

 

Plenty of mids for 'the nose' and just knock some treble off. Remember that the listening public and band mates will generally say, "It sounds like a bass."

[Terry M.]

8 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

 

Plenty of mids for 'the nose' and just knock some treble off. Remember that the listening public and band mates will generally say, "It sounds like a bass."

Despite this truth us bass players still have our playing preferences. The audience indeed couldn't care less either way. Maybe the OP can try your suggestion with his Warwick as it has a MM style humbucking bridge pickup.

Edited 2 hours ago by Terry M.

[miles'tone]

18 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Despite this truth us bass players still have our playing preferences. The audience indeed couldn't care less either way. Maybe the OP can try your suggestion with his Warwick as it has a MM style humbucking bridge pickup.

Or just the offset J pickup with the treble rolled back some.

I'm sure the OP would have tried this though.

[Geek99]

On 12/09/2025 at 18:31, Mark_Bass said:

Hey guys

So I’m a 5-stringer and brought a Fender American Pro 5 String as the band I’m in really suited that P-bass sound.

I do use the 5th string quite a bit but having spent 15+years playing a Warwick I’m finding the string spacing and action height (it’s been setup but it still feels a bit higher) a bit awrkward. I hadn’t played mt Warwick since I brought my P-bass until today and was reminded how much I preferred the string spacing and action height from my Warwick.

So I was wondering are there any 5 String P-Basses out there that have a smaller string spacing and can get lower without loads of fret buzz like my Warwick.

suggestions most welcome thanks!

Sire v7 5

i have stopped playing anything else. Gets very low action with narrow spacing 

it is jazz-ish but you can get a p sound in passive mode if you fiddle 

Edited 2 hours ago by Geek99

[Terry M.]

20 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

Sire v7 5

i have stopped playing anything else. Gets very low action with narrow spacing 

it is jazz-ish but you can get a p sound in passive mode if you fiddle 

The P7 has the P pickup if Sire is an option. They will still feel wider than the Warwick however.

Edited 1 hour ago by Terry M.

[Geek99]

V7 isn’t - Theres a green one in marketplace 

take a look 

[Terry M.]

10 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

V7 isn’t - Theres a green one in marketplace 

take a look 

These are Jazz bass alternatives rather than P bass ones?