“Sleeper” 5 strings in the $800-$1,500 range?

[MyMusic]

Carvin/Kiesel. Great variety of instruments. My present #1 was $1350 in 2011.

 

[franvarin]

I have a Godin BG5 which I absolutely love. Great feel and tone.

 

[kerrycares]

Www.bassmods.com

 

[mmbass21]

@AngelCrusher a no frills build with Kiesel will get an amazing 5 string for well under $1500. Add some options and you can get to the top of your budget as well. Their standard features are solid and they're very well made.

 

[phillipkregg]

I've always been impressed by ESP LTD basses and my favorite is the AP5:

I ran into one of these at a guitar center used for around $625.

I am blessed and super lucky to have some really amazing instruments, but every time I would go into that guitar center I had to pick up this bass and play it, it just feels and sounds so amazing. It ended up selling, and I still regret not buying it.

It's a PJ with active EMG pickups, a 19mm Babicz bridge, Grover tuners, and an ebony fretboard with a great playing thin neck and wonderful fretwork. I still plan on getting one of these basses in the near future.

 

[Sodbuster]

Reverend Mercalli 5

 

[AngelCrusher]

This thread has become epic. Currently in Nashville so i will try to play some of these and report back.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

View attachment 3425730 Reverend Mercalli

I've always wanted to try one of these. I love the colour too!

 

[JimB52]

Try to check out the Gibson Bass V. Very ergonomic, lightweight generally, with TBird PUs. I sold mine for like 600$ a few years ago.

 

[74hc]

Maestro 5 stingray clone … Price $135, I added a preamp, string tree, battery box, and straploks, for about $175 more … total price $310

View attachment 3425227

View attachment 3425230

Sterling might run you over with his convertible if he saw you walking with that on the street.

Iirc, you always travel off the beaten path with basses. That coffee table has served up some nice photos of low cost versions.

 

[Swingin]

Used G&L L2500, 1505, or kiloton if you can find one.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Gl l2500 comes up so often. I simply must track one down. I will look to play a us version.

 

[CoffeeLove]

Lots of great options already listed, and used is the way to go for that price range. If resale means anything to you, than the more mainstream instruments might be a good option, even though it does not meet your "sleeper" criteria. Just something to consider.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Any new Schecter in that price range is guaranteed to knock your socks off!

Check out their new SLS Elite basses with Fishman pickups

 

[svp]

I'm going to cast another vote for Dingwall, I picked up a NG2 on Reverb about 8 moths old hardly played for $1700 and I am blown away. The tones are great and the neck has a great feel and the fit and finish is equal to anything I have ever owned including a Sadowsky Metro PJ 5

 

[KeithPas]

$650-ish, brand new. One of the best playing instrumens I've had in my hands in 30 years. Schecter Riot, 35" scale, whompin' B-string

View attachment 3425242

I used a Riot 5 for several years and it was my main bass and a great one at that. It sounded, looked and played like a much more expensive bass but I do no remember anything about the weight. I know that it was not extremely heavy or light. You may also want to check out Schecter California Custom line of Jazz basses. I am currently playing a Cort Action bass five string with Bartolini pickups run through a MarkBass preamp and I have to say that it is a great sounding and playing bass. I reach for it before I reach for my Stingray 5 most of the time. Also, the Sterling line of basses is great; I owned a four string and it sounded and played great. If you can find an old Yamaha BB5000 bass you would have classic high quality versatile tone, classic looks and great playability in a relatively light package. The G&L suggestion is also very good; you can probably find a USA L2500 used for what you are looking to spend; killer tone, not sure about the weight. I owned two and do not recall anything about the weight.

 

[FunkHead]

Schecter has been catching my attention lately. Particularly the CV5. Great sounding, versatile passive bass. Vol, tone, 3 position PU selector switch, and 3 way series - split - parallel switch for each PU. $650 new.

View attachment 3425700

Schecter is full on competing for a legitimate spot in the Bass Manufacturers best of list.

They look better to me than so many other brands, however, there are quite a few that are right there with them.

For $1500 you can get a fantastic bass. I can't imagine not being pretty stoked with any current offering.

There may be a Dud here and there so try before you buy if at all possible.

If you can't try first then make sure of the return policy. Not to be a bad customer but for your own protection from a lemon.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[TonyP-]

Schecter is full on competing for a legitimate spot in the Bass Manufacturers best of list.

They look better to me than so many other brands, however, there are quite a few that are right there with them.

For $1500 you can get a fantastic bass. I can't imagine not being pretty stoked with any current offering.

There may be a Dud here and there so try before you buy if at all possible.

If you can't try first then make sure of the return policy. Not to be a bad customer but for your own protection from a lemon.

Sorry for the long post.

I was at Schecter last week and they are legit.

 

[FunkHead]

I was at Schecter last week and they are legit.

That's great to hear based on how sweet they look.

I know a lefty bass player who played a Schecter Studio 4. He sounded great on it.

 

[Bassist30]

get a used Fender pro P Bass. An amazing 5 string.