Where to go next - 5 String or P-Bass?

[jbd5015]

If I may be honest, I don't know what your playing situation is, but I would consider upgrading your amp before buying a 3rd bass, regardless of which decision you make. If you ever want to play with a live drum set, those amps will not hang unless the drummer has a really light touch. I think you would much happier with ALL your basses if you got a more substantial rig to play them through.

Hes got a very good point, even though i voted for P bass. You only need one P bass to get gigs. Sell the Jazz if your gettin a Bongo.

Get a better rig if you are willin to drop that much on a 3rd bass.

 

[2cooltoolz]

Other (Feel free to elaborate!)

Not my bass, but I wish it was. I was shopping for a match for this, got distracted by a pretty face, then couldn't afford one when it showed up. I still look at this picture, under the covers with a flashlight, once my wife goes to sleep!!

Oh, my darling...

 

[friendlybass]

Tough it out, save for a bigger and better amp. Three good basses and three barely giggable amps makes for a lopsided rig equation

 

[Antisyzygy]

I didn't look at your amp/cab setup. I agree with others, a new amp/cab is probably a better use of your dough. That being said, it's your money to do with as you please.

 

[davegt666]

I'd get a better amp rig as well. Buying used can make your money go far.

However, if we're strictly talking basses. I would get a P bass. You can't go wrong. Or a PJ.

I sold my American Jazz and got a MIJ P-Bass and MIM Deluxe PJ instead.

 

[InhumanResource]

Dude, save your money and wait for the Bongo. Practice musicianship, maybe use that money towards lessons with a player you admire.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Um, why don't you just wait for the bongo

 

[Real 57 Precision]

The guys that said "P-Bass V" are right on the money.

I played a Bongo 5 for 2 years.
The low 'B' was fat and clear, 'E' very close. BUT . . . . .the rest or the strings- I could never
get a *WARM / fat mid-range* sound out of it, no matter where I set the on-board EQ, or amp.
( SVT II non-Pro, or MarkBass F500, Eden twin 2-10 cabs )

HOWEVER- the passive 2008 P-Bass V I now have is the best sounding one of the bunch- stock.
Rotosounds w .125" B, just wonderful tone. I had the luthier make a new nut, with closer string spacing-
more like a JAZZ bass, and it now plays like a dream. ( $45- ) Borrow one- they are killer, and I own
the best of the vintage 4 string basses- it actually make me MAD that the P-5 Fender USA sounds so strong.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I'll add my voice to those saying that you'd be better off prioritising a more powerful amp. If you're in or are going to be in a band anytime soon, you'll almost certainly find yourself more grateful for having an amp than you would for having that third bass sitting at home.

 

[joebar]

get the P and throw TI flats on it-

you will always have an occasion for it.
when people see it you get instant credibility.
when you pull out a bongo, you gotta work really hard and play like a mutha for the same cred,

lol

I have a bongo BTW

 

[markmeloney]

Hi Guys!

So I currently have a MIM Fender Jazz Bass, and should be due to receive my Stealth Pearl Bongo 6 in the next 2-3 weeks.

However GAS strikes again before my Bongo has even arrived! Though I'm rationalising it to myself as "Productive GAS" haha!

With a budget of around £600/$870 I had 2 potential ideas on where to go/what to buy next...

A 5 string of some sort

The main justification I've given myself for this idea is a way for me to play extended range bass without having to take my Bongo everywhere!

Possibly 35 inch scale for a tighter B string as I've never owned a 35" 5 at the moment looking at a Spector Legend Classic 5 in Black Cherry just now for an idea... Was also toying with a Ray35 perhaps for the "Ray tone" for my arsenal but not sure whether that or 35 inch scale would be of more use to me in truth... Obviously open to other suggestions!



A P-Bass

Do I really need to explain this one? I know there is many here who think every bassist needs a P-bass and some who feel the only bass needed is a P-Bass, I already have my Fender MIM J, I was contemplating getting a MIM Standard P in Candy Apple Red with a Maple neck...

Once again open to suggestions on either of these ideas....


Background

Obviously I know this is often useful... I play a lot of progressive rock/metal - Haken, Dream Theater, Scale the Summit you know the sort (Hence the Bongo) though I also enjoy just about anything a guilty fun pleasure being Pop Punk (All Time Low, You Me at Six, Paramore and the like) which as of right now my Jazz is my go-to for such things.... I'm also in talks as of this week to be joining a Pop Punk style band in the coming few weeks if that comes to fruition...

Also in terms of amplification, I have a Fender Rumble 75 Combo, an Orange Crush 100W BXT and for in my room a Peavey Microbass 20w if that influences anyone at all... seemed easier to provide too much info rather than too little!

Anyway many thanks for taking the time to read through this little GAS related ramble - I've had a guitarist friend telling me "You can't just buy another bass while waiting for your Bongo!" I told him "You underestimate the power of GAS!"

Anyway thanks for your time and input

B.G.B.

Bro, that 1205 in your picture should be all you need. I have the same one. I've fooled around buying different basses and always come back to that thing. it's killer. especially now that I've moved the pickups closer (around 2.5mm) and put a balanced tension string set on it

 

[markmeloney]

Hi Guys!

So I currently have a MIM Fender Jazz Bass, and should be due to receive my Stealth Pearl Bongo 6 in the next 2-3 weeks.

However GAS strikes again before my Bongo has even arrived! Though I'm rationalising it to myself as "Productive GAS" haha!

With a budget of around £600/$870 I had 2 potential ideas on where to go/what to buy next...

A 5 string of some sort

The main justification I've given myself for this idea is a way for me to play extended range bass without having to take my Bongo everywhere!

Possibly 35 inch scale for a tighter B string as I've never owned a 35" 5 at the moment looking at a Spector Legend Classic 5 in Black Cherry just now for an idea... Was also toying with a Ray35 perhaps for the "Ray tone" for my arsenal but not sure whether that or 35 inch scale would be of more use to me in truth... Obviously open to other suggestions!



A P-Bass

Do I really need to explain this one? I know there is many here who think every bassist needs a P-bass and some who feel the only bass needed is a P-Bass, I already have my Fender MIM J, I was contemplating getting a MIM Standard P in Candy Apple Red with a Maple neck...

Once again open to suggestions on either of these ideas....


Background

Obviously I know this is often useful... I play a lot of progressive rock/metal - Haken, Dream Theater, Scale the Summit you know the sort (Hence the Bongo) though I also enjoy just about anything a guilty fun pleasure being Pop Punk (All Time Low, You Me at Six, Paramore and the like) which as of right now my Jazz is my go-to for such things.... I'm also in talks as of this week to be joining a Pop Punk style band in the coming few weeks if that comes to fruition...

Also in terms of amplification, I have a Fender Rumble 75 Combo, an Orange Crush 100W BXT and for in my room a Peavey Microbass 20w if that influences anyone at all... seemed easier to provide too much info rather than too little!

Anyway many thanks for taking the time to read through this little GAS related ramble - I've had a guitarist friend telling me "You can't just buy another bass while waiting for your Bongo!" I told him "You underestimate the power of GAS!"

Anyway thanks for your time and input

B.G.B.

1206 pardon me. that must be fun

 

[Oldschool94]

You don't need a P bass, and while they are very popular with some band leaders, they are not a prerequisite for gigs. You will get a lot more gigs by mastering your current instrument and getting a consistently good sound – so buy a better amp, and learn how to really get the most out of the Bongo. You can pick up a P later, if it is really holding you back. And if you play good, people will tell you if they need you to get a P. Since you've already spent the money on the Bongo, just stick with it. If you were a newb, maybe I'd tell you to buy the P. I'd probably tell myself that. But you aren't. So don't.

 

[Geri O]

5 string P bass. Kill two birds with one stone.

I like the way you think...

 

[Zebra]

A lot of people are suggesting the P is all you need, but I don't think a lot of these people play the type of music you play. I don't know of a lot of progressive metal played on a P bass. I think there may be a reason for it.

But I'd agree with the people that say sit on your money for now. Think about an amp in the future.

 

[Planespotter]

I voted P-bass because:
A) They're awesome and I love them.
B) The Bongo 6 is awesome and will cover all of your extended range and modern tone needs.

 

[Cuzzie]

I say........

Get both and get new amps, covers GAS in all areas then

 

[SasquatchDude]

Plenty of 5-string P options out there...

 

[bassist4dalord]

Just another here to chime in with a suggestion to upgrade the amplifier situation. What's the point of having an awesome Bongo 6 if you play it exclusively through a practice amp?

 

[DwaynieAD]

I dont understand buying a 6 string then buying a five string so you don't have to use the 6 string???

Sell the six string.