Advice - 5 string around $7-800 for pop!
 

Hi guys,
Looking for some advice.

Currently playing in a pop covers band ( standard wedding fayre with a good deal of modern r&b, Motown and pop standards).

Been playing a peavey cirrus bxp 5, and getting increasingly frustrated with its battery eating and distorting powers!

Any recommendations for a good 5 string pop bass around $7-800? Looking for new, and something not too heavy as I sing too.

Heard good things about Lakland?

I know you said New, but you'll be hard pressed to do better than a used Carvin SB5000 in the $800 range. Keep your eyes on the classified section here on TB, they pop up on a monthly basis. And one thing I've learned about bassists here on the forums, is that they care for their gear waaaay better than most musicians. So, invariably, the instruments they're selling are in top condition. There's also 7 pages worth of SB5000 owner's club material here on TB to sift through if you want more testimonials. I've been playing one for the past year, and it's a revelation. Active/passive, great balance, usable B string, and the best neck for a five I've ever played.

I 2nd plong123's opinion to buy used. You can sometimes find a bass that's double the retail price for used in your price range. Many quality used instruments in your price range including the G&L L2500, Lakland 55-01, Carvin, Fender P & J 5'ers, etc... For a light 5'er why not a USA Peavey Cirrus?

i suggest a standard jazz5 if new is the only way for you. but let me say this about swap value.
buy a new bass for $750 & try to sell/swap it 1 year later. what do you get? $400?
$350?
or.....
buy a used American Standard Jazz or P5 for $8-900 then try to swap 1 year later.
more than likely you will get what you paid for it & then some. not to mention
they are fine basses

just sayin....

thanks for the feedback guys - all useful!

My 'preference' for new is simply down to the fact that there ain't much of a used 'scene' my way - did some searching the past couple of days and nothing approaching anything mentioned came up at any local stores or classifieds. And i have an inherent mistrust of buying something from ebay that i've never played lol

That said, gonna keep my eyes open for a Carvin, Lakland or G&L :-)

Since battery life and distortion are your main problems, have you considered simply upgrading the electronics? A decent preamp will run you around $100-$150, and even if you replace the pickups, that's only another $80-$120 each. You could spend half as much by upgrading the bass you already have, and end up with better electronics than a typical $800 bass. This is all assuming you like how the Peavey plays, of course.

A new Carvin B50 can be had in its basic form for $864 shipped. A very nice instrument.
Also some of the Ibanez, MTD, Fender,G&L Tribute and Lakland Skyline 55-01.

Purchase a bass from the TB classifieds. I can count on one hand how many not so great transactions occurred out of thousands. And, if u don't like it u usually can sell for a similar price (with a TB supporting membership).

Lakland 55-01/55-02 are great, but may have quite a hard time finding them in that price range.

Other than that, you could get a new Spector Legend 5, or a used Spector ReBop and maybe even a Spector Euro 5 if you looked hard enough.

Two best options in the 800-1000 range IME.