Which sounds better?! | Sire D5 vs P5 Sound Comparison [Rounds + Flats]

LOVE these basses! But which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!
Roundwound strings used: Stock Sire strings
Flatwound strings used: www.thomastik-...
Read more on Sire's website:
D5 - sire-usa.com/p...
P5 - sire-usa.com/p...
Watch my unboxing of these basses:
• Podcast: In The Pocket
#Sire #SireP5 #SireD5
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[@flanneljoe7473]

Tried flats on my p bass and it blew me away immediately. That bass just lives with flats now. Also new to the amp sims. That opened a whole new world. Life is good my friend. I think I would prefer the p5, but would love to play them both

[@JonnyDibble]

I feel I always need a P bass with flats in my collecti9n now haha. Would definitely recommend both of these basses!

[@brankogredelj6153]

First of all, great demo all around. Secondly, good comparison, both basses sound amazing and have a healthy amount of low end, but are slightly different in character, to suit any taste, and I think that's great. Nice work!

[@JonnyDibble]

Cheers! Yeah I think they both do fantastic jobs,it's just down to taste!

[@cristobaltorres5918]

I have trying P5 & D5 and I love both basses. They have very different sound. I choose both, depending what you want to play. D5 can not sound like P5, but P5 can sound just similar to D5. D5 looks is really nice. Difficult decision.

[@book3100]

the P5 seems to boom a little on the E string, and the D5 seems a bit more even across the strings. For me personally, I like the look of the D5 more.

[@superduperj1202]

Thank you Johnny for experimenting for us. Good the hear the differences between the two. P5 for me with flats. Great video comparison!

[@JonnyDibble]

This was a fun one! Thanks very much 😄

[@Wombatmetal]

I ordered a D5 ages ago, and this past week my number came up and I picked mine up yesterday. What a gorgeous bass. Won't get into that, but the sound. I have a Squire CV 50s bass, and have had the stock and a Fralin pickup in it. For warm gorgeous tones, the Squier and Fralin can't be beat. But playability? Stumbles a bit there. And quality. Sire is much better quality. I was planning to upgrade the pup in the D5, but now having one, I don't know. The sound is very balanced, and there's a woodiness and untamed feel to the bass which is not common. It has enough thump to work with, and can be easily enhanced with an EQ. It's not even a stretch. And with a bridge upgrade, I think even the low end would be on par. I think the P5 only pulls ahead because it's string through body. I think the right bridge would even that out.

[@Wombatmetal]

I had a Fender HiMass bridge on my parts shelf, and when I turned it over it said "brass", so I swapped it out fir the stock Sire bridge. The sound is a bit darker now, but it really suits the bass. I don't think low end is a difference anymore. It has plenty

[@H0kram]

​@@WombatmetalHey, thanks for your feedback. I'm tempted by the D5, I find it so cool looking and the very " basic " approach appeals to me. I guess I'm a bit worried to get stuck with a one trick pony especially if I pick it up with my band. As for Squier, I'm not going back to them, let's put it that way. Got trapped by the youtube hype some 3 years ago and it's not up there with Sire in quality for the same price.

[@Wombatmetal]

@@H0kram Well, something to consider is that Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) and Sting both use this style of bass as their main instrument.

[@ralphy3393]

Dude I love your channel. You do thorough scrubs of the gear you are showing off, and your vids are hilarious. I legit might look into the D5. I already have an American Fender P; so having a 51-remake in the D5 might be cool to have. And coming in at only $500 USD, that's not bad at all!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel 😁 Its a great option, such premium features for an affordable instrument!

[@scottm8285]

The D5 has more character, IMHO. And I have one ordered and on the way as I type this. Can't wait.

[@JonnyDibble]

Congrats!!

[@kandiheller8785]

I’m on the fence a little bit? When I thought I made up my mind I would get confused and change my mind again and I keep vacillating between these two and the Squier 40th Anniversary Vintage Editions Precision Bass in Satin Blonde. Love this bass too!

[@kandiheller8785]

I’m kind of getting used to that head stock on the Sire Basses. Very nicely built and the quality of the materials is very good too.

[@gavinjones3637]

To my ear, with every section of this comparison, the D5 sounded great. Then you'd change to the P5 and WOW! You have made, what seemed a difficult decision, very easy for me.

[@zacharter]

Yeah the P5 really fills up the room more

[@bassomatic6055]

I was vacillating between these but no more. The P5 wins by a country mile. Love your sonic approach with the comparison. Very complete and apples to apples unlike a lot of comparisons out there

[@JonnyDibble]

Glad you found it helpful! The P5 is my choice too

[@bassomatic6055]

I've been very happy with this so far. The neck actually feels superior to me than my '77 p bass and I even prefer the tone with flats over the '77 which has the '63 pickups.

[@NotNibbelos]

neat comparison man thanks alot :D

[@arieltz23]

Love both of these basses! They're both awesome in their ways. Thanks Jonny! I own the D5 in the butterscotch blonde finish and I've ordered the P5 in the dakota red finish, simply gorgeous! A small question though - if you had to choose one, which bass would flats suit better? I want one to have rounds and one to have flats, but unsure which to pick!

[@derPaul76]

Watching this video - my wife next to me:" so we get a D5 also!" - that was an easy one. Thanks

[@Ben_Mdws]

For me, the P5 nails that by quite some margin. The D5 tone, especially finger style, with rounds or flats, sounds pretty ropey - it’s too raspy and the notes have little definition. It’s a disappointing pickup. Very helpful (and well made) comparison video Jonny!

[@JonnyDibble]

Cheers Ben! 😊 I think raspy is the right word. It's definitely less tame!

[@rew4772]

I love the sire basses they are so good for the price

[@JonnyDibble]

They really are!

[@hippoferd]

love the D5 It has perhaps less bass than the p5 but I like the agressive growly attack of it with fingerstyle and flatwounds ....

[@JonnyDibble]

I get you! I agree about the D5 with flats, the fact it's growlier foundations really work with a more "dead" sound?!

[@oldasrocks9121]

There's something about that raspy ropey compressed D5 pickup I really love with flats and the tone rolled off. I wish it had the low end extension of the P5! The difference between the two is really gorgeous to listen to, makes me want both, the P5 p'up is really musical but definitely "modern" compared. Lobster swapped the stock D5 p'up for the Duncan stack which brought way more lows but it lost all the Sire p'ups wild-hair midrange and woodiness which I think is the D5's magic. The right high mass bridge (that won't spoil it's good looks) with rock solid saddles could put a lot of energy back into the E string... I say both are the best-- I can say that, right?

[@JonnyDibble]

A good assessment! Best get both I suppose 😅

[@manlyscents]

Before watching I was set on a Squier Classic Vibes 70s Jazz Bass but now I'm undecided once again 😂

[@juanjan__]

I prefer (and own!) a D5, but I understand the preference for the P5. I play my D5 with the tone off either completely or max at 50% and I'm about to add flats into the equation, and that's the sound I want: Beatles, The Police, even Ramones! But I wouldn't mind having a P5 for playing Ramones tone open, but as second bass.

[@JonnyDibble]

P5 is definitely the master of the open tone, but closed? I th8nk the D5 suits it so well! Especially with flats too. Let me know how you find it! 😁

[@juanjan__]

@@JonnyDibble will do!

[@micoksb2080]

I have both and I can't express enough how much I love these basses. I thought they're going to compete with Squier due to their price range, but in the end they're competing with Fender. And I'm not talking Fender Player series.

[@JonnyDibble]

That's exactly what I said in my podcast, they're competing with Fender, not Squier!

[@2000SkyView]

P5 does sound better, what single coil replacement pickup would give the D5 more low-end? Or is it due to the location of the pickup that give the extra low-end?

[@willistaylor4077]

There is something to be said about a Precision Bass with Flatwound strings played with a plectrum.

[@JonnyDibble]

It's like it shouldn't work, but it just does...

[@bassomatic6055]

Agree, with the tone 50 to 75% sounds killer

[@olorb2618]

If you still have the Harley benton pb50 a comparison between D5 and the pb50 and maybe a squier cv50s would be interesting

[@JonnyDibble]

I'm afraid the PB-50 went over a year ago 😪 still my favourite HB!

[@olorb2618]

@@JonnyDibble i like it too. I have a harley benton b450 progressive series, definitely an interesting bass too

[@charcastanmusica5796]

Hi Jonny! thanks for sharing this experience. I wonder if you could make a comparison between a Fender Player Precision and the P5

[@AllAboutBasses]

Hard to tell which one sounds better. I like the looks of the D5 and the sound of the P5 :) Can me haz both pls?

[@chrysr7773]

The D5 needs a Duncan Stinger Stack pickup. The P5 sounds great stock, nice pickup. The TI flats make both basses sound much better.

[@caldodecaninha]

P5 has more tonal options in my opinion... but this D5... what a beautiful bass!

[@allnightslash-o-rama2308]

Hey Jonny long time no talk brother hope all is well. Just got my P5 in the mail and I had a question for you. Overall I love it! I've noticed that the pickups are a bit chirpy I'm going to lower them and see if that helps I really dig in with a fingerstyle. Wanted to know if you noticed the same thing and anything you did too fix it. I was considering putting the gzr pickups that you had in your Squier P Bass to see if it would measure up and perhaps take it to a higher level. I play Doom metal and thrash metal just for clarification. Any tips brother? Think it might work? Thanks in advance man! Keep up the killer work! Best bass channel on youtube!🤘

[@robertkerr9738]

Ooh, that P5 growls!

[@JonnyDibble]

Sure does! 🔥

[@gabrielegazzotti5582]

it is not easy to choose between the two ... if I really have to then I tell you that I found the D5 more original, instead the p5 is just the classic sound that everyone likes ... in any case, I find them both good bass ...nice review jonny...yeah!!

[@JonnyDibble]

The modern twist on the D5 is great. Cheers Gabriele! 😄

[@johncandido2241]

Hey Johny; I was wondering what do you think of the Epiphone EB3 bass guitars? I just bought one off of zZounds; the price ws right and had reasonable monthly payments so i said what the heck. I love the beautiful cherry finishes and that classic SG look. Did i make a wrong call? I love the Marcus Miller Basses too but they don't have them in zZounds catalog. I don't have enough established credit for other music stores so i can't go that route.

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi John! I think the EB3 is really different tonally to these so depends what you were after! 😊 I'm personally not a fan of SG basses, but that's not to say you made a wrong call if you're enjoying it!

[@johncandido2241]

@@JonnyDibble Thanks bro. I will be getting it Saturday and if I don't like it; i'll just send it back. I ... REALLY wish zZounds would carry some Sire basses. I would love to get one. What are your thoughts on Lakland basses? I think the Lakand 44-64 pj basses look and sound awesome. But they are like $1500.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@johncandido2241 They sound great! Never played one though. For some reason spending over 1k on a bass makes me feel a bit unwell haha

[@johncandido2241]

@@JonnyDibble Long Ago; I bought a 1980 American made anniversary Fender Jazz Bass that I purchased for over a 1000 dollars...had it for over 20 years and worked like a champ at gigs and worth every penny. I ended up selling it because i was in a bit of a bind. I kick myself in the ass to this day for doing that.....lol.

[@jeremypiquette5554]

Check sweet water I do believe they have sire, I could be wrong , but they are very easy to do payments with even if you don’t have the credit, I got a darkglass pedal from them it just got paid off and I may go do a G&L next

[@poikusa0207]

The P-5 has my vote. If I ever decide yo pick up a passive P-Bass that one may be it.

[@JonnyDibble]

A very solid choice!

[@cedcobasse]

D5 for the look and p5 for the sound

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

In this video I liked the P5 more. It sounded "fuller" and more like a P-Bass should sound for me. If I had the opportunity, I'd take both anyway. ;)

[@JonnyDibble]

Might as well have both! 😁

[@jdmarino]

I have a P5 5-string on order. (Will it arrive in 2022?) At 34" scale, I have been wondering if flats will be the way to go, tension-wise for the B string. Got any predictions?

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh that WILL be interesting. Might be a bit floppy, but I think it might hold up! Let me know ow how it goes. Hope it arrives soon 😁

[@jeremypiquette5554]

Did you get it yet??!!

[@Breeze_b_hard]

I noticed on your video you said you using an “Aguilar amp sim” are you talking about a plugin? If so, who makes this Amp sim?

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah 😊 it's all using the Line 6 HX Stomp

[@merino8472]

I was watching that guy compare 13 basses and funnily enough I picked the d5 and p5

[@jaredthenuhn]

Both of these sound great! I’ve never had a chance to play a bass with a pickup like the D5. It’s nice to hear them side-by-side because I’m used to the split coil style pickups. Also, what is your favorite mic to use in the cab section of the HX Stomp? Your demos always sound great!

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh do you know what, I can't remember the mic off the top of my head.. Thanks so much!

[@ainahmaerivera]

So hard to choose but I guess I go for P5

[@michaelblaney4461]

Now if I could only get a D5. The D5 definitely sound different then the P5. I really like the flats on both.

[@JonnyDibble]

Are they out of stock? Both great basses!

[@leighcoulson2148]

Generally prefer P5 100% tone, pick and rounds ....but P5 and D5 with flats and 100% tone, pick sounds great too. Surprising.

[@JonnyDibble]

Agreed! I've kept the flats on the P5 now, I'll change back to rounds eventually but enjoying it atm!

[@angiep3883]

Is the Aguilar amp sim also contains the cab?

[@JonnyDibble]

Yep! Ampeg 8x10 on that one

[@thesaj1110]

What about neck dive on the D5

[@JonnyDibble]

Didn't really notice enough to be an issue for me 😄

[@PP-mu4mn]

Another great video I think the D5 sounds awful that pickup just doesn't seem to have any umph and sounds really dull and cheap I like the P5 though

[@JonnyDibble]

Not as defined as the P5 but I think it has some charm through the right amp 😊 Cheers!

[@daveandrews5485]

For me the P5 is the better of the two. A deeper, fuller sound with more warmth, if that makes sense? As always these things are down to personal preference so other peeps may think differently. Thanks again for a great videos Jonny, you really do demonstrate the full range of tones available from these instruments. Nice hat. 😀👍🏻

[@JonnyDibble]

Makes total sense. Cheers Dave! 😊

[@MAVIEGUITARS]

P5 sounds warmer, fatter, but I like the clarity of the D5.

[@jjhebert2240]

Love my P5. Which string did u prefer?

[@JonnyDibble]

I'll always be a rounds guy, but this is probably the most fun I've had with flats!

[@jjhebert2240]

@@JonnyDibble I may get a shortscale gretsch. They have one 7.4 pounds and one 8.6. Do you have any insight on which would be better?

[@jjhebert2240]

@@JonnyDibble can u help me again?

[@JonnyDibble]

@@jjhebert2240 Hi! That's quite different weights for the same bass?? My Gretsch is on the lighter side and I've not had any issues with that

[@simongrant1015]

The P5 sound better by far with roundwounds, but lacks character with flats.

[@willistaylor4077]

Hmmm.... Overall, I prefer the sounds of the green P5. But, D5 sounded stronger with Slapping.

[@JonnyDibble]

The D5 is more aggressive so I guess those pops really POP!

[@marcusparnell2403]

P5 with flats for me

[@JonnyDibble]

It's killer 🥵

[@bradsmith8193]

D5

[@EvertAlbers]

Pity that you hardly play the higher 2 strings, since the pickup positions differ most there. Great demo otherwise.

[@Bradipop1]

D-5 wins!!

[@john.parker65]

I want a P5; just got to sell my P7 first. But why no love for 25% and 75% 🤣😂🤣

[@JonnyDibble]

I'd be there all day! 🤣

[@micoksb2080]

In case you're having any second thoughts. I sold my P7 to get P5 and I'm glad I did! P5 just plays and sounds so much nicer. A lot of people are saying that P5 is just a passive P7 without a J pickup, but it's more than that. It has a different P pickup. P7 sounded too sterile to me, but P5 just sounds so much more alive!

[@john.parker65]

@@micoksb2080 This is great to hear. Think I’ll drop the price of the P7, I need a P5 in my life 🤪

[@robertsands5837]

D5 looks much cooler. So it wins! lol

[@thomasloveless7503]

I’ll give the finger style 0% tone with flats to the D5 but otherwise it was all P5 for me

[@JonnyDibble]

An excellent choice

[@darwinsaye]

My take-away from this demo: a) I like both basses, but prefer the P5. b) I don’t like the “Aguilar tone” at all, haha. Give me Ampeg any day. :)

[@JonnyDibble]

Same! I do love the Aguilar sim though which is weird because I mainly gravitate towards the Ampeg!

[@Kosthoms]

The saddest thing in this is that the P5 doesn't have the look of the D5 😭😅

[@JonnyDibble]

The new P5s get close!

[@Kosthoms]

@@JonnyDibble you mean the P5R? Or is there a new upcoming P5 with a new design?

[@JonnyDibble]

@@Kosthoms Yeah the P5R