35" Scale on a budget

[JakeTrippATW]

Hey all,

I'm looking for suggestions on a 35" scale 5-string bass that fits a small budget. Electronics, pickups and such are no issue since they can be upgraded later. I need something in a pinch that can be used for low-tuned heavy music, but I'd rather not deal with the "floppiness" of the B-strings on typical 34" scale basses. Any ideas?

 

[Thumpinshelton]

What is your idea of a small budget? That will give us a starting point.

 

[SoVeryTired]

Or get a bigger gauge of strings - stiffer B.

I've not found much difference between a 35" and 34", although I'm using a slightly higher gauge on 34".

 

[mmbongo]

Lakland 55-01

I also prefer the tighter feel of a 35" scale...on 4 string as well as 5.

 

[SoVeryTired]

Cheapest 35" I've played is the MTD Kingston Artist 5. I had the Heir 5 for a while, which has an additional single-coil pup.

 

[FourBanger]

ESP LTD F-105 -$330

Peavey Grind 5 -$400

Dean Edge 1-5 -$250

 

[TonyP-]

Schecter Diamond P5

 

[lomo]

I completely agree with going to 35" for a downtuning (I also prefer it for any 5 string tuned BEADG), but you may shoot yourself in the foot by going too cheap and having other quality issues. If you can afford a Lakland 5501 that'd be my #1 choice.

 

[Thumpinshelton]

I own 2 Lakland 55-01's and they can do anything. So, I highly recommend them.

I know for down tuning the Spector Legend Classics can be a good and cheap solution. Especially on the used market. I owned a legend 5 a few years ago and it was a solid bass.

 

[Andy_D]

Used Ibanez BTB?

I picked up my 555 2nd hand, extremely clean with a case for $285. Very nice "budget" 35" 5 string.

 

[WalterBush]

+1 on the BTB.

 

[therhodeo]

Alot of Schecter 5's fit that calling well and they are normally super affordable on the used market. Paid $250 for a faily minty Stargazer 5 with a roadrunner gig bag on Craigslist.

 

[Jim Carr]

Another vote for a Lakland 55-01—used or new...AND...the MTD 5er I have, an old passive Kingston with a single pickup in the MM position is killer for aggressive and growly tones, and cost about $400 used. Semi-tricky to find unmodified, but a real classic, IMHO. Pic and sound clip below...

 

[morgansterne]

you didn't specify a budget, but peavey grind basses are quite cheap. Mine has boring tone, but the build quality and playability of mine is great.

I'm not sure ALL of them are 35" scale though -- I thought I read that they made some 34's as well.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I'd definitely go passive when you are on a budget. You don't want cheap electronics, because they are noisy and record terribly.

Grab a passive 5 suggested above and then down the road you can add an outboard pre like a tonehammer or a sadowksy.,.etc. You will save a lot of $$$ this way and your bass will sound amazing.

For the record, I can afford the $1500+ basses and do this for a living - I have decided to always buy passive because I am doing exactly what I suggested to you. Tons of flexibility this way.

 

[Jim Carr]

...Grab a passive 5 suggested above and then down the road you can add an outboard pre like a tonehammer or a sadowksy.,.etc. You will save a lot of $$$ this way and your bass will sound amazing.

For the record, I can afford the $1500+ basses and do this for a living - I have decided to always buy passive because I am doing exactly what I suggested to you. Tons of flexibility this way.

+1

It's funny how few people do this. I discovered it when I got a compressor pedal with an Eq section. Wow! I suddenly had an active fretless P-bass.

A great choice is the Tech21 ParaDI. It rolls the Sansamp RPM together with a DI in pedal form. It even handles piezo pickups on upright, violin, or guitar.

 

[JakeTrippATW]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm wanting to keep around a $500 budget, but I will definitely research several of the basses listed above.

 

[Chef]

concur.

I completely agree with going to 35" for a downtuning (I also prefer it for any 5 string tuned BEADG), but you may shoot yourself in the foot by going too cheap and having other quality issues. If you can afford a Lakland 5501 that'd be my #1 choice.

 

[FourBanger]

The Grind 5 is good but a used Cirrus 5 is better. $500 should get you one.

 

[Immigrant]

Schecter Diamond P5

I'll echo that.

Anyone who buys a 35" scale five string (with nearly conventional spacing) without at least playing a Schecter P5 is not making a truly informed purchase. The build quality and playability can't be matched at that price.