Suggestion for my new bass
 

Hi to everybody.
I would like to receive some suggestion about basses on 2000/2500$ (or less :)) that fit some mine requests.
I would like:
1- a lightweight/well balanced bass (important)
2- an easy neck (important)
3- a 2 pu bass or however a good sound to play jazz (modern or not) and similar types of music
I would like to start playing a 5 string bass (never played one ) but I'm not sure, however I will buy a 4 or 5 strings bass, not a 6. I'm not sure cause of the weight, cause of the scale (best sounding B are 35" but I would like to not increase the stress on my left hand) and because of the price.

Points 1 and 2 are very important because I'm experiencing "pain" to my shoulder (yes I have a good strap) and to my arms (mainly the right one, I met doctors etc...). I always use DR hi-beam 40-100 because are very light (so less problems).
Point 3 comes from my experience. I play an American Standard P Bass as my main bass from many years and I always played jazz with it. I have also other basses (Jazz Basses, Stingray) but I don't feel good with them.
The "problem" about the P Bass (to my ears) is that is not very clean when playing fast. However I don't want to just add a bridge pu to my P. I would like to buy a "modern" bass with a different sound/weight/neck and maybe 5 strings. I like basses that do what the player does, with a balanced sound between strings.

I felt in love with a Rob Allen MB2 some months ago but I have not bought it. Too "sectorial" and too few regulations (action/bridge) for the price (I'm talking about my wallet).
I need something else, frets are ok (in big band I need to read), ramp is not bad (I made one by myself for my P Bass).

:)

MM Bongo? Or maybe there is an Iphone app that will work with what you have?

Hmmmm...Lightweight, more hi-fi, thin neck, and under $2500... that's a pretty specific set of criteria.

My first thought was a Zon, but probably too expensive. A MM Bongo, but probably too heavy. Birdsong? Maybe not hi-fi enough.

You might have to go post this in the Luthier's section, as you might find a very good builder (such as Clement) who could build you a bass to meet your weight specs.

Might I suggest a Carvin Icon 5 String or perhaps a Carvin LB Series 5 String. Check the Carvin Website. They can probably build one with the options you want in that price range.

Try everything you can get your hands on. I've owned a bunch of basses over the years. Other than customs I played them all in the store before I bought them. Everyones hands and bodies for that matter are different so whats comfortable for one bassists may not be be comfortable for another at all for another bassists.

One recommendation I must insist on though is stay away from 35" scale. The better low B on a 35 is complete BS. I've had 34" basses all the way down to low F#(below b) using the warwick dark lord strings and it worked perfectly. So people saying 34" isn't good for low B are completely full of it. 35" scale also makes playing more difficult because the frets are farther apart. If anything the 35 might give you a hair more tension but having your string tension super right will kill your sustain and make a bass sound pingy and thin.

Check out the Lakland Skyline Jazz 5 string series with Chisonic pickups. Give a listen here: http://www.lakland.com/ac_j-sonic.htm MRSP from about $1,100 to $2,000 plus $400 for the Chisonics.

I never bought a bass without playing it before. I'm just searching for suggestions, then I will take my car and go in some shop where I can find some kind of basses.

Zon...maybe an used one, I never tried them. I think that the Bongo would be too heavy (that's the reason because I'm going to sell my stingray). Birdsong are unknown here in Italy.

If I will take the "custom way", I think that I will choose an italian luthier.

I really lucked out with my first bass...a Fender Aerodyne. At about eight pounds it's on the lighter side without being too insubstantial. The action on the neck is very smooth and fast. The overall feel is very well balanced, for my frame (6'1"). On the pickup front, it sports a Precision/Jazz configuration. I can get a very nice P-bass sound or I can bring out more mid-range by adding in some volume from the bridge pickup. Basically, it's got real character. It doesn't hurt that it looks sexy as Hell!

So, classy, versatile, slick-lookin' and easy on the shoulder. I hope you get a chance to try one out.

Ciao!

Birdsong Hy-5. Short scale 5 string, very light, easy to play.

There is a used Roscoe going for less than 2k in the classifieds. A really nice axe. If I had the money it would be mine.

How about a used Rob Elrick? Very light, 19mm spacing...seems to fit your criteria.

Sadowsky Metro or Lakland

High end Ibanez with Nordstrand pickups.
You can't beat the necks for thin.
Weights are a bit lower than average, though they can't touch the Birdsong.

Going to throw this out there, but how about one the import MTDs? I have the MTD Kingston Z4 and Z5. Both are easy to play and have a very modern tone. Also they're available for less than $1500 (I think). But if you want to spend a bit more, you can get the ZX5, which is an import MTD but has the American MTD electronics.

Might I suggest Schecter basses.