Best playing 5 string for under $450?

[mattsk42]

Basically, I want the easiest/best playing/lowest action/smoothest/fastest neck 5 string that I can get. USED

Lakland, Sadowsky, F, MTD all sound great.

EXCEPT, I'm poor from Christmas shopping and have 3 other very nice basses in 4 strings.

So what's the cheapest I could get that would still be, say, American Fender or above playability/quality.

I'm a fan of narrow necks/spacing but it's not a deal breaker. Pickups, preamps, etc. don't matter because I have all kinds of effects and pedals to "fix" that. I don't want it to be the heaviest of basses either, but I can ignore that probably.

So with playability and weight as the only factors, what's the best I can get for under $450 USED?

[Hapa]

Buy a $400 dollar bass and have it setup. I doubt you will find an American Fender for that little. an OLP with a little love on the frets goes a long way, put an Nordstrand MM pickup sized for OLP.

[BassikLee]

Used, $450 buys you lots of bass these days. In no particular order:

Spector Ns2000/5, neck thru, Korean Spector

Spector legend, bolt on. Different feel, still a solid bass

Tribute L 2500, import version of the G&L.

Any of those would be great

[mattsk42]

Those last two were the exact two of the 3 I had thought of so far, we think alike.

Peavey has some good offerings too, but they don't seem to pop up as much as they used to.

[hdracer]

MTD Kingston

[LowBSix]

Yamaha

[nomeX]

New or used?? If used, I'd go with a Peavey or a Yamaha myself...

New - I'm trying to get away from buying new, so I've got nothing.

[BobWestbrook]

Cort Arona, Hohner Bbass, and Yamaha BB415 are good choices

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by hdracer

MTD Kingston

A good choice, IMO.

You might find a stock Lakie Skyline 55-01 around $450, used.

[DwaynieAD]

Sterling By MusicMan SUB 5

[Buskman]

+1 on buying used - more bang for the buck.

But if a shiny brand new instrument is a necessity, I'd offer the Squier VM Jazz V... Very nice basses for the price point AND Musician's Friend is having a sale right now - $304.99 (w/ Fender coupon)!

[phillybass101]

I'll admit I am somewhat biased but you should check out a Brubaker Brute. I presently own two and there is a reason for that. Their necks are one of the most comfortable to play on the planet. A nice aggressive tone and sustain for days. Nothing else on the market sounds like a Brute. And they were made to be upgraded if thats what you want to do. Nothing in it's class IMO could touch a Brute with a pickup and pre upgrade. Keep an eye out on the classifieds and you'll find a nice used one that would suit your wants and needs just fine. Again this is just my opinion. Check out Malcolm Halls' Brute Videos on youtube. Hey you might decide to get a new one. I own other basses to include a nice Geddy Lee Jazz and an OLP 5er. They are collecting dust as I go from one Brute to the next and I'll take one of my Brutes anywhere and proudly play them. Worth a look see.

[mattsk42]

Too bad they're never for sale. Look interesting at least.

[Ric5]

Best playing 5 string for under $450?

---------------------------------------

For me that is easy ... I build my own 5 string parts basses.

I get a cheap bass and I get the fun of building it.

[georgestrings]

Ibanez sr505
Spector Legend 5
Schecter Stilleto Elite-5 or Studio-5

All very good playing and sounding 5ers that can be had in good condition for around $400...


- georgestrings

[zon6c-f]

FORMER GEAR SNOB: I own: Rick, Fender and Zon..AND....

....My main go-to bass is a 2009 Squier Jazz 5-Active.

Knobs have detents like expensive [ ZON, MM etc] basses, great tonal pallette, phenolic finger board, which I like..would love phenolic fretless, BTW..

Bought for a beater...wouldn't change a thing; "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

Cost @ $339 new in 2009 as a gift from my wife. Wife likes it so much; she bought top of line Fender plush HS case, which cost nearly what the bass did.

Just my 2 cents....

[bearhart74]

No love for the Ken Smith KSD series?

[phillybass101]

Originally Posted by mattsk42

Too bad they're never for sale. Look interesting at least.

Only $200 more and you can have a new one. The used ones for sale don't stay that way too long. And there is a reason for that. I'd keep checking as some guys may trade/sell their standard Brutes to get a new Single Cut.

[Jazz Ad]

Yamaha 5 string BBs are excellent. I can't think of a better choice if you're looking for a simple, straight to the point tone.

[Mr L]

Checkout the Yamaha RBX375, awesome sounding bass for the price. If i ever were to need a 5er again I'd go straight to that one.