$2K: Which would you buy?

[pcake]

if it were me with $2000, i'd probably get the black cherry spctor bantam
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BANTAM4BC--spector-bantam-4-black-cherry-gloss

 

[Dr. Cheese]

if it were me with $2000, i'd probably get the black cherry spctor bantam
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BANTAM4BC--spector-bantam-4-black-cherry-gloss

Fives strings and it would be tempting.

 

[Nedmundo]

Sandberg, no question. I've tried a couple, and their necks work extremely well for me. I'd prefer a J/J configuration, but I'm pretty sure an MM/P VM-5 would be just fine. Somehow, I'd make do.

I'm extremely curious about the Rickenbacker five and would probably like it, but I know I'd love a Sandberg, and if I hadn't stumbled into a great deal on an empress G&L JB-5 I might be considering one.

 

[troy mcclure]

LESSONS

 

[Dr. Cheese]

LESSONS

I get them weekly.

 

[Anemic_SluG]

Well since we are spending other peoples money, I would be in the used Lull camp. SOmething like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And now the search has ended.

 

[JimmyM]

Hoo boy, Doc! I may have to put you on a buying freeze. All these posts you put up about being satisfied with what you have are apparently a smokescreen to hide your horrible GAS! So I may have to put you on a freeze after the Geddy. I did that to Steve C a few years ago, and it worked wonders for him.

Wait for the Geddy, be happy you can snag such a cool instrument, and mellow out a little

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hoo boy, Doc! I may have to put you on a buying freeze. All these posts you put up about being satisfied with what you have are apparently a smokescreen to hide your horrible GAS! So I may have to put you on a freeze after the Geddy. I did that to Steve C a few years ago, and it worked wonders for him.

Wait for the Geddy, be happy you can snag such a cool instrument, and mellow out a little

Paying those dorm and food plan fees are going to leave me grateful for new strings by next year.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I am surprised you did not say Sadowsky. The Ric and Sandberg are really cool basses. The Ric is unique and the Sandberg is super versatile like a Lakland 55-02/55-94. Sadowsky is great but my Jazzes cover very similar ground already, but the Sadowsky is a very nice take on the Jazz Bass concept.

I almost did , but as much as you have talked about getting one, that would have been the obvious answer.

Sometimes I wonder if maybe the idea of having a Sadowsky is more real than your actual desire to have one. If I remember correctly, you’ve borrowed 2 of them and still have bought other basses. I guess what I’m saying is if it really pushed all of your buttons maybe you would have already purchased one. But other basses keep catching your eye. And we always have that special bond with our first bass. A Ric5 has a lot of appeal for you for obvious reasons . It’s different than what you already have . The Sire already has the Jazz Bass territory covered. So I voted Ric.
Now what you might consider is selling the Geddy Lee and the Sire and upgrading to a 2nd Gen Sire and getting the Ric5.
I’m glad they don’t make a Ric5 that looks like the one Rick James poses with on album covers. I’d be finding a way to buy one for myself .

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

You should buy my bass! It's a high quality acoustic bass guitar. (See link in signature below)

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Keep in mind he mentioned the 4003 S5, which has no binding, contoured body edges, and traditional fully adjustable 5 string bridge, which negates about 90% of the common Ric gripes. I didn’t love the triangular pups at first, but the look is growing on me, and they certainly sound great.

 

[Heisenbass]

I will finally get my Fender US Geddy Lee out around Christmas or New Year. The problem is that it has taken me so long to get it, I am not that excited about it anymore (that could easily change when it actually does come home.) I am thinking about letting it go for something a bit more expensive or maybe even something cheaper. This is not a serious poll. I just want to know what some of you think.

I a/b’ed a Sandberg TM5 vs a Lakland Skyline 55-02 recently (you might take into account the latter too). The Lakland was a charm to play, but soundwise the Sandberg was killer, especially the bridge PU. Over here, it sells below € 1500. Hard to beat at that price point. But being German, I must admit I’m somewhat partial. You may want to have a look at Thomann.De if they ship to the US. May save you a few bucks, even with shipping and tariffs.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I almost did , but as much as you have talked about getting one, that would have been the obvious answer.

Sometimes I wonder if maybe the idea of having a Sadowsky is more real than your actual desire to have one. If I remember correctly, you’ve borrowed 2 of them and still have bought other basses. I guess what I’m saying is if it really pushed all of your buttons maybe you would have already purchased one. But other basses keep catching your eye. And we always have that special bond with our first bass. A Ric5 has a lot of appeal for you for obvious reasons . It’s different than what you already have . The Sire already has the Jazz Bass territory covered. So I voted Ric.
Now what you might consider is selling the Geddy Lee and the Sire and upgrading to a 2nd Gen Sire and getting the Ric5.
I’m glad they don’t make a Ric5 that looks like the one Rick James poses with on album covers. I’d be finding a way to buy one for myself .

The Sadowsky thing is complicated. I truly like Sadowskys, but I do not think they are head and shoulders superior to other Jazz Basses. The Sadowsky preamp is nice, but I it is not better than Sire’s. Sadowsky is fantastic when it comes to the neck plus total fit and finish. Other basses are comparable. The Lull MV5 I played at CME is certainly equal to a Sadowsky.

The other issue with Sadowsky is that their price is outside of my comfort range even used. The MetroExpress is at my pre-college upper limit of doable.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I a/b’ed a Sandberg TM5 vs a Lakland Skyline 55-02 recently (you might take into account the latter too). The Lakland was a charm to play, but soundwise the Sandberg was killer, especially the bridge PU. Over here, it sells below € 1500. Hard to beat at that price point. But being German, I must admit I’m somewhat partial. You may want to have a look at Thomann.De if they ship to the US. May save you a few bucks, even with shipping and tariffs.

I can buy one just under $2K in Chicago. I doubt if Thomann can beat that by much.

 

[rtslinger]

Ahh it would be this

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

The Sadowsky thing is complicated. I truly like Sadowskys, but I do not think they are head and shoulders superior to other Jazz Basses. The Sadowsky preamp is nice, but I it is not better than Sire’s. Sadowsky is fantastic when it comes to the neck plus total fit and finish. Other basses are comparable. The Lull MV5 I played at CME is certainly equal to a Sadowsky.

The other issue with Sadowsky is that their price is outside of my comfort range even used. The MetroExpress is at my pre-college upper limit of doable.

I totally get that and agree.
Another advantage the Sire has for you is that it has that 70’s look that you prefer.
I didn’t vote Sanberg because it doesn’t have a jazz style neck. It’s more like a P neck which I know you don’t prefer.
Buy what checks all the boxes or most of them, not just some of them.

Im assuming you are ok with the string spacing on the Ric5.

 

[Heisenbass]

I can buy one just under $2K in Chicago. I doubt if Thomann can beat that by much.

They start at €1400. That’s $1550. You’re most probably right

 

[diegom]

I voted for Sandberg VM5.
I believe it would be the perfect complement to the Pedulla.

 

[Mildew Jones]

Sorry for not doing your poll...if I had 2K to drop on a bass I would go Maruszczyk (yes, I had to look it up to spell it right!). Beautiful work, I'm enamored with the Frog 5 (the Hellwood style), and the PJ 5's I've been seeing (I'm very happy with my Fender P5 and J5).
A nice problem to have! Good Luck!
MJ

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I totally get that and agree.
Another advantage the Sire has for you is that it has that 70’s look that you prefer.
I didn’t vote Sanberg because it doesn’t have a jazz style neck. It’s more like a P neck which I know you don’t prefer.
Buy what checks all the boxes or most of them, not just some of them.

Im assuming you are ok with the string spacing on the Ric5.

For some weird reason narrower spacing and chunky necks are comfortable for me.