5 String $900 or less

[Cyber Soda]

Buy it used. USED USED USED.

If you only have plastic, don't buy it.

+1

 

[baba]

Used Lakland Skyline DJ5
Used Musicman Stingray 5
Used Fender American Jazz V

 

[Hyper-sloth]

Surely you can find a used Stingray 5. I bought a great '97 for $850. I traded it only because the string spacing was too tight for my fat fingers. I got a 08 American standard J Bass in the trade which I'm digging. Killer slap sound, esp when I stuck in an Audere JZ3. Marcus Miller time!

 

[Shelly]

I'd say jazz bass or 55-02. I like the Stingray, but if I was only playing one bass, I'd go for the 55-02 for more tonal variety, especially for disco/funk.

 

[Bassman8416]

Go used...just wait a little and you will definitely find something on TB classifieds.

 

[dave64o]

If you really want to buy new, the Sterling by MM is probably a decent choice based on what I've read about them here. However, used is a great way to go, especially if you buy from the TB classifieds.

Lots of suggestions already for the three I was going to mention:
Stingray 5
Jazz V
55-02 (with the Lakland electronics)

Sterlings (not the S by MM, I mean a US made EBMM Sterling) is another great choice that was already mentioned. You might also want to consider a Jazz Deluxe V. Mine was about $850.

 

[John127]

Definitely check the for sale board here on this site. Buy used from reputable people here!

 

[illidian]

Used:

Lakland 55-02 for a versatile bass
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones, Joe Osborn for the Jazz in you
G&L L2500 for another great versatile, made in USA bass
Music Man Stringray 5 for a wonderful made in USA bass

There are fine examples of all the above in the classifieds at all times.