Mid priced five string recommendations?

[x64]

I'm feeling the need for a fiver, but I'm not sure where to start. So of course I turn to you, people of TB. Some needs/wants:

-snarly, nasty tone. Spector or g&l perhaps?
-thinnish nut width. I'm a jazz kinda guy, but as long as it's not massive.
-low action
-plays well with overdrive
-under 19mm spacing
-maple fretboard preferred, but it's not a big deal

My budget is around 700$, up to 800$ for the right bass. I like growly, mid heavy tones, like a wal for example. Help me obi wan!

It's worth adding that I've looked at an Ibby atk 805 or g&l m2500 so far.

[darkstorm]

Jackson, Ibanez & Esp Ltd with humbucker pups, as other great choices for that type of playability, and sound potential.

[Draculea]

Ibanez SR 505 to 1205 if it's all about budget. Some models come with a maple fretboard. I happen to own an SR 375M, and I love it, I know it's well under your budget and different from what I originally suggested, but you could be interested as well, as it has all the features you mentioned.

[JCheung]

Sterling by Musicman Ray35

[x64]

I think the soundgears are typically a little polite, no? Especially the ones with Barts. I would almost prefer used btw.

[iiipopes]

Design parameters to look for:

1) laminate maple neck (3-piece is common and good)
2) 2 (B&E) + 3(ADG) tuner arrangement so the B string doesn't bind over the nut or around the tuner post
3) mid pickup in the same spot proportionally as where the D-G segment of a P-bass pickup is
4) Longer upper horn to balance the extra weight of the 5th tuner
5) Mini Gotoh, Schaller or similar tuners to save weight and help with neck dive
6) Straight forward controls. It's bass. No need for the bottom of the guitar to look like an airplane cockpit. I understand those who prefer active, or a pop-&-slap contour control, etc.
7) Bridge placement so there is as much downforce angle over the G string saddle as possible for sustain, but as little as possible over the B string saddle to retain overtones.

With all that in mind, I like the simplicity of the Ibanez SRA305, if you can find one used.

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by x64

I think the soundgears are typically a little polite, no? Especially the ones with Barts. I would almost prefer used btw.

Ehhhh...yes and no


The prestige series with the custom bartolinis can be a little on the polite side, but the SR505+ with the MK1-5's are not polite at all lol. The right set of strings and a minute or two with the EQ and you can DEFINITELY get snarly tone from them. The new ones with the added mid-shift switch make this even more flexible, I am GASing for one like crazy ATM.

[phillybass101]

Brubaker Brute would fit your budget. Check out Malcolm Hall's vids on youtube.

[HunterBurgan4Me]

+1 for music man stingray

[JSpradBass]

Used Musicman S.U.B. 5

[gr8bassplayer]

Look at Schecter basses.

[x64]

Which schecter models in particular?

[hsech]

Look for a used higher end one if you can find one within your budget.

[iiipopes]

Originally Posted by x64

I think the soundgears are typically a little polite, no? Especially the ones with Barts. I would almost prefer used btw.

Mine has EMG Hz pickups, which are the passive version of the EMG 40 CS. It rocks.

[NickTej22]

This would be the perfect bass for you(not mine but the model) it's got a great tone, 18 volts, neck thru, 5 string, Bubinga on mahogany, emg pick ups, 3 band eq(the other schecter only have 2)

[spufman]

A used US Guild Pilot 5 can be had for extremely reasonable cost. Great necks, build, tone and everything else.

[ggvicviper]

G&L L-2500 Tribute sounds like it would fit your needs... and since you said you wanted a G&L type tone...

[dannybuoy]

Yahama BB415/BB425/BB1025. 42mm nut width, 18mm spacing, snarls like a dog. Only come in rosewood boards though unless you order the maple as a custom option on the BB2025X but that's way expensive.