35" scale length 5er

[DonaldR]

Probably just me but even if a 35" might gives a tighter B, it also gives me a too tight D and G.
I have a an LTD Surveyor 5 and the B string is really good, 34" scale length.

 

[FishDub]

I'm fairly new to bass, only been playing for about a year. I initially decided to start with a 4 string simply because that seemed to be the popular recommendation for beginners. A pretty large portion of my favorite bands/bassists use a 5 string and, now that I'm feeling more comfortable, I've decided to try to make the switch to a 5er (budget is around $1200). Now, after endless research and some suggestions from TBers, I'm thinking that I want to get a bass with a 35" scale length. Not only for the tight B but also because I am very tall (6'8") and I think I feel a bit more at home on the longer scale length basses that I have played. Have only managed to get my hands on an Ibanez BTB 745 and a used Lakland 55-02, and both were about 8 months ago so theyre not exactly fresh in my memory. I wish I could find another one near me to try but it seems that I wont be able to try any sort of 35" scale bass without a 4+ hour long drive, roundtrip. So now on to my question: Sire M7 5 or Lakland DJ5? I currently own a Sire P7 4 string that I absolutely love and will certainly be keeping/playing, so I have the Precision box checked already. So I'm looking at getting a bass that does a different "job". The M7 is gorgeous (specifically looking at the natural Swamp ash) and it definitely goes with the style of the bands I'm trying to emulate (Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, Goose). Almost all of them use a 5+ string Modulus, but thats a bit out of my price range. So I was all set to order the M7 when a particularly good deal popped up. A lakland DJ5 brand new for about $300 less than others of the same make/model on reverb. This bass looks amazing. Funky, classic, beautiful, sounds amazing from the few youtube clips I can find, but its passive, and the preamp is one of the main reasons I love my P7 so much. Looking for some input to help me decide! Definitely taking suggestions as well if theres a model I've missed.

Personally if I were you, I would try and find a MTD Czech-made Grendel or Beast. Both are 5 strings and are very solid. Both can be had between 500-800 and have KILLER B strings. My 2 cents

 

[Stantor]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I was leaning towards the DJ-5 but then all the Cirrus love made me look into it, and I am very impressed. Then I showed all three to a buddy of mine and he whispered "the Sire is cheapest" in my ear...so now I'm even more torn with 3 strong contenders Also, I am aware of the string spacing differences, and don't think it will be a huge problem. I've played both a btb and a lakland 5 before and don't remember having a problem with that. I did manage to find a used DJ5 for sale in GA, thinking about making the drive up this weekend to check it out so maybe I'll get a chance to give the wide spacing another test drive.

With a budget of $1200, you could pick up a Peavey Cirrus (USA made) and still have money left over for some accessories.
35" scale, 24 fret, 18V 3-band EQ, neck through.
Peavey Cirrus 5 USA Peavey Cirrus 5 USA | Long Island Bass Gallery
(For example, no affiliation)

I see them as low as $750 on occasion.

Really liking the sound of these but there really aren't that many US models available. Are the newer Indonesian models not as good?

 

[Jesuguru]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I was leaning towards the DJ-5 but then all the Cirrus love made me look into it, and I am very impressed. Then I showed all three to a buddy of mine and he whispered "the Sire is cheapest" in my ear...so now I'm even more torn with 3 strong contenders Also, I am aware of the string spacing differences, and don't think it will be a huge problem. I've played both a btb and a lakland 5 before and don't remember having a problem with that. I did manage to find a used DJ5 for sale in GA, thinking about making the drive up this weekend to check it out so maybe I'll get a chance to give the wide spacing another test drive.


Really liking the sound of these but there really aren't that many US models available. Are the newer Indonesian models not as good?

I've owned and loved the US Cirrus as well, though some (including me) find the action is still a bit too high even with bridge saddles lowered all the way, which is why some grind them down even further to get them perfect.

Haven't tried the Indonesian, they may be as good or almost as good, but guarantee they won't keep their resale value like the US ones do (if that matters to you). Patriotism aside, I'd go US all the way.

 

[AudioTaper]

Really liking the sound of these but there really aren't that many US models available. Are the newer Indonesian models not as good?

I've never actually played one, no stores around me ever have them. Supposedly they're pretty solid with the weak point being the preamp. That can be resolved with any number of aftermarket 3-band units. The USA Cirrus have a good preamp.

For the money, I would grab a clean USA model. I have two 4's and a 5

Someone mentioned Roscoe, awesome basses but I've never seen them for that price. (But I'm sure it's happened, keep your eyes open)

 

[AudioTaper]

I've owned and loved the US Cirrus as well, though some (including me) find the action is still a bit too high even with bridge saddles lowered all the way, which is why some grind them down even further to get them perfect.

Haven't tried the Indonesian, they may be as good or almost as good, but guarantee they won't keep their resale value like the US ones do (if that matters to you). Patriotism aside, I'd go US all the way.

I've seen a LOT of Cirrus basses and the action being too high has never been a complaint. But this isnt the first time I've heard this. I wonder if they got a bad batch of the ABM Lockdown bridges. Luckily it seems like an easy enough fix.

Edit: biggest 'con' for the Cirrus is virtually no factory or aftermarket support for replacement pickups. If you are unlucky enough to have a pickup go out, you'll have to pay a bit for a NOS if you can find one or a used one.

 

[Jim Carr]

The M7 is gorgeous (specifically looking at the natural Swamp ash) and it definitely goes with the style of the bands I'm trying to emulate (Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, Goose)... ...I was all set to order the M7 when a particularly good deal popped up. A Lakland DJ5 brand new for about $300 less than others of the same make/model on reverb. This bass looks amazing. Funky, classic, beautiful, sounds amazing from the few youtube clips I can find, but its passive, and the preamp is one of the main reasons I love my P7 so much. Looking for some input to help me decide!...

I feel you. The pre-amp is an issue. The DJ has an advantage there that you may not have considered. Being a passive Jazz, it is made to do that really well, like a good passive 4-string Jazz. A good passive jazz is an "essential group of bass tones."

Furthermore, if you add a pedal, like the Sadowsky sbp-1 or sbp-2, or Aguilar Tonehammer, SansAmp Paradriver, etc., you will have an absolutely killer active 5 which can easily be used with a different pre when you want a change.

I love 35" scale, and have three 35" scale 5's—and two are Skylines. They are classic. The passive one is an older 55-60 Jazz.

 

[Relsom]

If you are considering a Cirrus and still have that Modulus in the back of your mind, search for a Peavey GV (Graphite 5). It's like a bolt on Cirrus, less the exotic woods, but you get a Graphite neck, 35", same 18v 3 band preamp, same ABM bridge, made in USA. Less common than the Cirrus, and usually very reasonable, trending in $600~$900 these days.

 

[nnnnnn]

I'm thinking that I want to get a bass with a 35" scale length. Not only for the tight B but also because I am very tall (6'8") and I think I feel a bit more at home on the longer scale length basses that I have played.

Play what you're comfortable with, of course, and I'm certainly not recommending against 35", but I wouldn't get too hung up on the idea of getting the slightly longer scale just because you're tall: plenty of tall people manage just fine on guitars and violins, and there are some bassists with pretty big hands who choose basses 32" or shorter.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I've never actually played one, no stores around me ever have them. Supposedly they're pretty solid with the weak point being the preamp. That can be resolved with any number of aftermarket 3-band units. The USA Cirrus have a good preamp.

For the money, I would grab a clean USA model. I have two 4's and a 5
View attachment 3705391

Someone mentioned Roscoe, awesome basses but I've never seen them for that price. (But I'm sure it's happened, keep your eyes open)

If you need a good three band preamp, I recommend the Sadowsky [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Preamp DI Pedal ($299) It will give your bass that sweet Sadowsky tone. It basically uses the same preamp components as used in the NYC Sadowsky basses.

I just upgraded from a 2010 MusicMan Stingray 5 which was a nice 5 string but very heavy. The string spacing was 17.5, neck length 34". I just traded it in for a Sadowsky NYC Satin 5 which is also 34" (love the new bass and the Sadowsky tone). I know it's not the 35" you were looking for but the wider string spacing actually made it easier for me to play than the MM Stingray. I expected a narrower neck to be an easier bass but I discovered the opposite.

I'm just 5'8" so a 35 might be too long for me but the wider string spacing turned out to be an upgrade. String spacing over length is something to consider. Hopefully, you can find some basses locally to try out.

 

[chris_b]

I don't notice any difference between my 34" Sadowsky and 35" Lull. I didn't buy either because of the scale but because they had the best tone for me. I find the scale of a bass is incidental and irrelevant. IMO a good set up and set of strings will do more for the feel and sound of a bass than any scale length.

IME the only people who will recommend learning to play bass on a 4 string are 4 string bass players. If you are starting out and the music you want to play uses 5 string basses then there is no point in buying anything other than a 5 string bass.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I acquired a Lakland vintage jazz 5 on trade for like $800 value. I love the bass and the B is fantastic. And even though it's passive, those Chicago pickups are quite full and loud.

I've not played a DJ5 but I'd say it's worth a try.

 

[Sam Dingle]

sires are super heavy especially the 5 string

I'm 6'4 with big hands and play upright mainly. 35 inch scale killed me personally

 

[Wild_Bill_57]

If you can wait a little while until March or April, I would give the Sadowsky Metro Express 5 a serious look. It's 34" scale, but for the price $949.00 you would have a great bass. Sadowsky's are there own animal, but they are VERY, VERY nice, fit and finish is incredible, and they just sound incredible. @Dr. Cheese May have a comment on these. I have 3 Sadowsky NYC 5ers and all have great B strings.

 

[bobdabilder]

Lakland 5502.

 

[G On Bass]

The DJ5 is an amazing bass. Any other Lakland 5 string will also be great and there are many available in your range. If I still played 35's, I'd still play Laklands.

 

[Z-Bass]

Another advantage to the DJ5 is the design and balance. I find the body shape to be just right and it balances perfectly. Even though my DJ5 is 10.5 lbs, the way it balances I don't really notice it too much. As others have said, the low B is beautiful. That being said I do notice the difference of the 35" scale. It's nothing too drastic that inhibits my playing but I do notice a more comfortable feel (for me) on a 34" scale and something like 18mm or even 17mm (i.e. Stingray 5).

 

[Dr. Cheese]

If you can wait a little while until March or April, I would give the Sadowsky Metro Express 5 a serious look. It's 34" scale, but for the price $949.00 you would have a great bass. Sadowsky's are there own animal, but they are VERY, VERY nice, fit and finish is incredible, and they just sound incredible. @Dr. Cheese May have a comment on these. I have 3 Sadowsky NYC 5ers and all have great B strings.

I agree that the new Sadowsky MetroExpress should be a great option when they become available.

 

[Sam Dingle]

If you can wait a little while until March or April, I would give the Sadowsky Metro Express 5 a serious look. It's 34" scale, but for the price $949.00 you would have a great bass. Sadowsky's are there own animal, but they are VERY, VERY nice, fit and finish is incredible, and they just sound incredible. @Dr. Cheese May have a comment on these. I have 3 Sadowsky NYC 5ers and all have great B strings.

WHERE is there a sadowsky metro 5 for under a grand?!

 

[Wild_Bill_57]

The new MetroExpress line that will be in dealers in March/April. 4string $899.00, 5 String $949.00 this is all new info, look in the last 10 or so pages of the Sadowsky Club thread.

Club Sadowsky!!!