35 inch 5 string recommandation under 700

benlauziere · #1 12-13-2012, 06:50 AM

Hello guys !

I wanna get into the 5 string world but don't have a high budget. My max is 700$. I want a 35 inch scale to have a tight low B but if you know a bass with a cool low B that is not 35 in, tell me about it !
I have fairly small hands so I would like a bass with a small and fast neck. I would like it to have good electronics and to be versatile.
I was looking at the Ibanez Sr 505 but don't know if the low B sounds good...

Any suggestion ?

MarTONEbass · #2 12-13-2012, 07:02 AM

A used Lakland 55-01 (or a 55-02 if you can find one at that price) is one of the best choices. I don't think the Ibanez 5'ers are 35" scale, but I could be wrong. Nevertheless, 35" scale is not the sole determining factor of a tight B string. overall construction, setup, string thickness, etc. all have an effect.

FuManChu · #3 12-13-2012, 07:22 AM

The Sterling Ray35 is an incredible 5 string bass and very reasonably priced. The name is misleading because it is only a 34 inch scale BUT it has a really good sounding B string that would rival many 35ers.

jasper383 · #4 12-13-2012, 07:27 AM

Amazon had new Lakland 5501 basses for $700 a week or so ago. Keep an eye out for that.

Used 5501 otherwise.

**logans59** · #5 12-13-2012, 07:28 AM

I am also shopping for a 5 string on a budget. My favorite I have played is the ESP-LTD B-205SM. I have also been recommended a Schecter Stiletto and a MTD Kingston Heir 5 used, but I haven't had a chance to try them out yet

steve_rolfeca · #6 12-13-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarTONEbass

...35" scale is not the sole determining factor of a tight B string. overall construction, setup, string thickness, etc. all have an effect.

It's not even a very significant factor.

I play and prefer 35" scale (coming up on 17 years with the same 35" fiver, so my hands are pretty much dialed in to that scale), but I don't kid myself that it means that much.

The difference in string tension is down in the single digits. My not-very-scientific impression is that it comes down to about half the difference between light and medium-gauge strings.

Concentrate on build quality and setup first, then string type and gauge, then electronics, then hardware, then the neck joint (I've experienced a very small tilt in favour of neck-through basses in this department, but my sample is small, and could be skewed), and finally, scale length.

Ibanez BTB's are 35", by the way, and they generally have a pretty good low B right out of the box.

Another hint- don't go by make and model- you'll that find individual examples will vary widely within most brands. At the end of the day, you've just got to get out there and try as many as you can.

MoeGJBeener · #7 12-13-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuManChu

The Sterling Ray35 is an incredible 5 string bass and very reasonably priced. The name is misleading because it is only a 34 inch scale BUT it has a really good sounding B string that would rival many 35ers.

+1

NicJimBass · #8 12-13-2012, 07:38 AM

If you can find one, a Peavey US Millennium meets all your criteria nicely.

Immigrant · #9 12-13-2012, 07:45 AM

For your budget, the Schecter Diamond P5 is 35" scale, plays like a dream, has hot pups...

And with leftover cash you can get a decent case, a new strap, fill your tank, buy some of your favorite intoxicants, subscribe to Bassplayer Mag, become a supporting member on TB (or re-up), pick up a few sets of strings.

If I wouldn't jumped to medium and short scales basses, I'd still have mine.

MoeGJBeener · #10 12-13-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immigrant

For your budget, the Schecter Diamond P5 is 35" scale, plays like a dream, has hot pups...

And with leftover cash you can get a decent case, a new strap, fill your tank, buy some of your favorite intoxicants, subscribe to Bassplayer Mag, become a supporting member on TB (or re-up), pick up a few sets of strings.

If I wouldn't jumped to medium and short scales basses, I'd still have mine.

Haha! This made me LoL

two fingers · #11 12-13-2012, 08:19 AM

You can usually find a used Carvin for very little cash. IMO they are very well built. But the resale value is awful. So they go pretty cheap used. They make both 34" and 35". I think the 35" have an "X" in the model number.

Rabidrasbora · #12 12-13-2012, 08:37 AM

Tried all the available 5ers at GC the other day for the same reasons as the OP--SR205, SR305, SR605, Schecter Stilleto 5, SBMM Sub 5, and a couple of Fenders above my price range...

Slimmer/narrower necks w/a solid B string were the SR205, SR305 & Stilleto. The Ibanez versions were extremely light weight but sounded/played pretty well, Fenders sounded/played great (at 2x my price point), but I came out preferring the Stilleto overall (B was slightly reduced tension but rang true when played lightly or aggressively).

Grateful · #13 12-13-2012, 08:43 AM

You don't need a 35" to get a tight B, but if you really want a 35", I would also recommend a Lakland 55-01. If you can find a newer one from Indonesia, those have been plekked and are excellent to play.

If you want a tight B and the playability of a 34", I highly recommend Carvins, especially a B50 (I have 2) or maybe you can find a used SB5000 for a hair more than your budget. If you like narrower spacing, look for a used LB75.

I dumped all my 35" basses for Carvins (and Reverends) and have never looked back, and the B's are every bit as good...

Joedog · #14 12-13-2012, 08:56 AM

Love my Schecter Studio 5'er, with heavy gauge flats. Super fast/easy neck, a bit narrow for slap though (not a big issue for me). Nice solid B. I prefer 3 band EQ's, as the mids knob is the one I seem to use the most.

datsaxguy · #15 12-13-2012, 09:09 AM

There is a 5501 lakland for $550 in the classifieds right now

jlepre · #16 12-13-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immigrant

For your budget, the Schecter Diamond P5 is 35" scale, plays like a dream, has hot pups...

+1

I love mine, and I got it used for $300. Don't let the low price fool you. It's quality, and can be found new in the $500 range.

MysticMichael · #17 12-13-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grateful

If you want a tight B and the playability of a 34", I highly recommend Carvins, especially a B50 (I have 2) or maybe you can find a used SB5000 for a hair more than your budget. If you like narrower spacing, look for a used LB75.

Or an Icon 5...

MM

Anthbass · #18 12-13-2012, 10:14 AM

Some good recommendations so far.

For a bit more than your current budget, you might find a used Peavy Cirrus, very nice basses, especially for the money. The BTB is a good bass, as well.

I'm not sure if the OP's criteria for a 35" scale is specific to the B string, but I personally like longer basses because I'm big, and a shorter scale feels cramped to me. My fretless is 36", and feels just about right.

Ewo · #19 12-13-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

You can usually find a used Carvin for very little cash. IMO they are very well built. But the resale value is awful. So they go pretty cheap used. They make both 34" and 35". I think the 35" have an "X" in the model number.

A used Carvin SB5000 is a killer deal for a modern-sounding J bass.

It's a 34" scale, but the B string is quite good with a conventional (meaning .120-ish) B string. Recently I tried a balanced tension Circle K set (.043 to .142) on my SB5K, and the feel and tone are killin'.

+1 to the earlier comments on Lakie Skyline 55-01 and 55-02, if you want the 35" scale.

Ewo · #20 12-13-2012, 10:27 AM

Another 35" bass that seems to go used for a value price is the Lakie Skyline Joe Osborne 5.

IME (have a 55-01, 55-02, and a JO5), the Lakland B string has that piano-tone clarity.