Name: Artist APJ5A Sunburst Active / Passive Hybrid Bass Guitar & Padded Bag
Brand: Artist
SKU: 18948
Price: 499 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: PULL_FROM_YOUR_REVIEW_SYSTEM (1 reviews)

5 / 5 from 1 happy musicians

Artist APJ5A Sunburst Active / Passive Hybrid Bass Guitar & Padded Bag

$499

In Stock

5-string
Bolivian Rosewood fretboard
Includes premium padded gig bag
Active/passive push-pull switch on volume knob

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Artist APJ5A Sunburst Active/Passive Hybrid Bass Guitar & Padded Bag

For the bassist who refuses to be limited, introducing the Artist APJ5A Deluxe. Equally at home anchoring a smooth jazz trio, cutting through the mix in classic rock, or exploring adventurous rhythms in progressive and fusion settings, you'll find every tone you could possibly hope to dial in when you turn the volume up on this one.

The backbone of this instrument is a light-roasted neck constructed from a single piece of maple. This method of construction gives the APJ5A deep resonance and sustain for days, especially when compared to basses with multi-piece necks. A 12" radius Bolivian rosewood fretboard gives this one low action, despite the extra tension created by the additional string, while 20 jumbo nickel frets provide both precision and ease for complex runs or thick, punchy grooves. A 45mm bone nut adds tonal clarity and infinite sustain.

At the core of the APJ5A’s sound is a pair of Alnico V pickups - a split coil humbucking pup in the neck, and a vintage voiced single-coil in the bridge capturing rich lows, defined mids, and sparkling highs. A push-pull switch on the second volume knob toggles between active and passive modes, opening the door to truly infinite possibilities - from warm, classic jazz vibes to modern punch. Dedicated bass and treble EQ knobs give players detailed frequency control when in active mode, while dual volume knobs make blending sounds effortless in both passive and active modes. Note: The EQ knobs only affect the active circuit. They cannot be used when in passive mode.

Included with each APJ5A Deluxe is a padded gig bag for safe transport, making it ready to move from rehearsal to session to stage with ease. Thoughtfully designed, technically refined, and endlessly versatile, the Artist APJ5A Deluxe is for the player who wants an instrument that can do it all, delivering professional-grade tone and premium playability every time you pick it up.

(18948)

The Tech Features

Body
Body Material: Roasted Poplar
Body Finish: Sunburst
Body Paint: Gloss
Body Construction: Solid
Battery Compartment: Inside back electronics cavity

Neck
Neck Material: Roasted Maple
Neck Construction: One Piece
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Neck Finish: Satin
Neck Shape: 20.5mm C Profile
Scale Length: 864mm / 34"
Fretboard Material: Bolivian Rosewood
Fretboard Radius: 12" / 305mm
Number of Frets: 20
Fret Material: 25% Nickel
Fret Size: Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 45mm
Position Inlays: White Pearloid
Binding: N/A
Side Dots: White
Truss Rod: Dual Action

Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Alnico V Single-Coil
Middle Pickup: N/A
Neck Pickup: Alnico V Split Coil Humbucker
Switching: Active/Passive Push-Pull (Second Volume Knob)
Configuration: HS
Special Electronics: 2 Volume, 1 Treble & 1 Bass EQ Knob for Active Circuit only (Push-Pull for Active/Passive Switching)

Hardware
Bridge: Chrome-Plated Bass Bridge w/Brass Base and Stainless Steel Saddles
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Machine Heads: High-Grade Clover-Style Tuners
Pickguard: Black 3-Ply

Miscellaneous/Special Features
Strings: D’Addario YB-XL165
Weight: 4–4.5kg / 8.5–10lbs

Accessories
Included Accessories: Padded Gig Bag
Optional Hard Cases: REBC300RC, REBC350FTB, BC500
Optional Bags: HGBAGEBASS, BAGEB

We use Courier services to ship our goods to you as fast as possible. Once the package leaves our warehouse the time to your door depends on your location, and any reported delays in your area.

We ship all orders for free. All deliveries are insured so if an item arrives damaged we'll happily refund or replace it for you. Check our warranty page for more information.

Purchases with Artist Guitars come with a 3-year Warranty. Warranty is only valid to the original purchaser and in the original country of purchase. Please take note of your order number to help us verify your purchase in the event of a warranty claim.

If the issue can be fixed by replacing a part, we will send it to you free of charge. Spare parts are shipped from our office in Sydney, Australia. If more extensive work is required our Customer Happiness department will arrange a free return slip or courier collection to get your item returned for further assessment.

Also included in your warranty is our industry leading 100 Days Change of Mind Policy

If you're not completely satisfied with the quality of any of our products, we'll be happy to arrange a free return of your product for an exchange or full refund, including any shipping charges. This also covers instances where you may have bought the wrong size or if you simply change your mind.

If you do require a return, just Open a Support Ticket and we'll either send you a reply paid label for Australia Post or arrange for a collection by courier. This will depend on your location and the product you purchased. If you have any trouble you can contact us.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 reviews

Alan
Verified Buyer

Another AG quality product

In the past year alone, I’ve added three Artist Guitars instruments to my (far-too-big) (just ask my wife! :-) collection: a superb GG1EQ acoustic-electric guitar, an APBDLX Precision 4-string bass, and now this APJ5A hybrid 5-string. (I admit to also having four other AG guitars and basses, even a mando.) I mention that only to show that I’m a real fan of their gear, and have been for the past 13 years. Yes, I’ve also owned (and still do, in some cases) my share of “name brand” axes like Les Pauls, American and Mexican Strats and Teles, Ovations, etc., but I can no longer afford that level of extravagance, which brings me back, quite simply, to the excellent design, build, and value of AG stuff. In particular, while I play guitar occasionally, my focus in my band these days is bass, and I’m crazy enough to use 4-, 5-, and 6-stringers (I like a challenge! :-) ….. Anyway, why buy the APJ5A? Well, I’ve been enjoying playing my recently-acquired Artist 4-string APBDLX Precision (that low-mid thump is very satisfying!), but I typically use 5-string for most gigs, so I wanted a 5-stringer with some of those same characteristics. Of course, there’s very little available in true Precision 5-strings (unless you’re prepared to spend big Fender $$$) so, being very familiar with AG’s reputation, the APJ5A seemed worth a go. ….. DELIVERY: Arrived on time, in good condition, protected by a sturdy cardboard box plus the gig bag. ….. INCLUSIONS: A couple of picks, the usual tools for adjusting truss rod / action / intonation / etc., a 9V battery, and a 290 cm (9.5 ft) lead. (I probably wouldn’t use this fairly basic lead for a gig, but it’s certainly useful for practice, or as a spare.) But the stand-out here is the gig bag; as I’ve mentioned in a previous review, these new semi-rigid bags are really a step up, and I’m happy to continue using it rather than my usual custom of switching to a hard case. ….. FINISH: Flawless paintwork, no rough fret edges, smooth-turning knobs, and decent-enough headstock tuners. I remember the days when “Made in China” was a synonym for “Take-your-chances-with-quality”, but that’s certainly not the case with AG’s gear, which consistently shows that a really rigorous Quality Assurance process is in place. ….. SET-UP: With my other recent AG acquisitions, I guess I’ve become used to superb set-up, but I don’t take it for granted, because other “name brand” guitars and basses have let me down in this area. As was the case with the 4-string APBDLX, this APJ5A 5-string had just the right action for my taste, and the intonation was absolutely spot on, as measured with a Peterson tuner. ….. PLAYABILITY/SOUND: I’ve found it comfortable to play, with the weight being about the same as my other 5-stringers. With a decent strap installed, I’ve had no neck dive issues. Sound-wise, I’ve been able to replicate that iconic Precision thump, particularly when using Passive mode, and without that low “B’ sounding muddy. Experimenting with the combination of the four Volume and Tone controls, plus the Active/Passive modes, pretty much will give you any sound you want! ….. I’ve installed a set of flatwounds (45-125), but that’s just a personal preference on sound and feel — there’s nothing wrong with the D’Addarios it comes with if you’re happy to play roundwounds. (The AG website lists them as “YB-XL165”, but I’m pretty sure that’s just OEM-speak for the standard D’Addario EXL165-5 5-string set.) Oh, and I’ve also swapped the plain knobs for ones with numbers on them — I like to see at a glance what my settings are! ….. If I had any small criticism, it would be that AG guitars and basses typically don’t come with any documentation, leaving you to work out (in the case of the APJ5A) that the four knobs control neck PU volume, bridge PU volume (with an Active/Passive switch inbuilt), Bass, and Treble. Easy enough, I guess, but it could be confusing for a newbie player (particularly if they don’t realise the Push/Pull function of the bridge PU Volume control). …… OVERALL: Look, I’m not saying this bass is better than a name-brand unit costing thousands; however, for quality and playability and, above all, good value, it’s mighty hard to go past the APJ5A. I’m thinking you might need to spend many hundreds more to get equivalent specs and quality. Definitely 5 stars! ….. P.S.: AG, how about an APJ6A 6-stringer? :-)

Store Owner

Thanks so much for your detailed review! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!

29 April 2026

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