5 string bass decision

[Villavicencio]

Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Studio-5 Bass Satin See-Thru Black


Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ V 5-String Metallic Black


G&L Tribute L-2500 Electric Bass Tobacco Sunburst

Im trying to decide between these basses, since i have had to return all ray 35's they had necks that were maxed, looking for that music man growl for about $1000, if you have any other ones let me know thanks

 

[Lo-E]

I don't think there's much else out there that sounds like a MM other than a MM but of the three you've selected I'd go with the G&L all day long.

Very good quality control. Very versatile, tone-wise and even though it'll never sound quite like a MM you can still get plenty of growl out of it. And bark. And woof. They're really great instruments.

 

[chris_b]

My preference would be for the G&L.

 

[Crispus]

I don't have experience with the other two but am quite happy with my tribby l2500s. Solid builds, versatile. And here's the cool thing: if you can divorce yourself from " does it sound like this or that" and rather ask" does this sound awesome?", then you will be happy.

 

[Lo-E]

And here's the cool thing: if you can divorce yourself from " does it sound like this or that" and rather ask" does this sound awesome?", then you will be happy.

Exactly! An L2500 doesn't sound like a MM but it does sound like an L2500 and that's a pretty great thing to sound like!

 

[Nebadon2000]

Charvel[Fender] seems to be a smart designed Bass at reasonable price

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray SUB Bass 2003 Black | Reverb

No affiliation . But this is where my money would go. A real deal USA StingRay5. If passive isn't your thing, add a preamp or find one that is active.

 

[skyline_01]

Tribby all day

 

[G On Bass]

My preference would be for the one that felt the best to me. Are all the specs the same?

 

[spatters]

None of those will sound anything like a Stingray, because none of them have the rear pickup in the correct position. The pickup position is about 75% of the Stingray sound. Wiring a big humbucker in parallel is the other 25%.

Since Sterling has dropped the ball on the Ray35s and they all seem to have tuner or neck problems, and G&L doesn't make a Tribute Kiloton 5, your only options cheaper than "real used Stingray" are:

• A Sterling Ray5. They're great, and have none of the problems of the more expensive Ray35 (review here)...but the string spacing is narrower and the pickups are wired in series. You'll have to rewire the pickups in parallel to make them sound like a Stingray, and you'll need to replace the bridge if you want the original string spacing.
• A used OLP. They're licensed from EBMM, so they're exactly the correct shape and pickup placement, not just "kinda close" like the Harley Bentons and other clones. They're completely passive, so you'll need to add a preamp if you want that, but you're starting with the correct pickup placement, and they sound pretty good on their own.

Good luck!

 

[80jazz]

My preference would be for the G&L.

Mine too.

 

[Hutch801]

G&L, I have a kiloton that sounds great. Not exactly like a ray but kind of similar.

 

[SkylineFiver]

How about a used Lakland Skyline 55-02 ?

 

[Pings Bass]

Never tried the others, but theTribute is an amazing bass. Just watch out for neck dive. Mine has a very light body and the stock tuners are pretty clunky, so...

 

[BlueTalon]

I'd go with that Schecter.

 

[BobKos]

I'm pretty happy with my Sterling Sub Series Stingray5 HH. Got it scratch / dent for sub $300.

 

[relayer66]

I don't think there's much else out there that sounds like a MM other than a MM but of the three you've selected I'd go with the G&L all day long.

Very good quality control. Very versatile, tone-wise and even though it'll never sound quite like a MM you can still get plenty of growl out of it. And bark. And woof. They're really great instruments.

I agree with this.

 

[LowActionHero]

Welp, I've heard good things about the other 2 choices, but I love my L2000 Tribute, and Tobacco Burst is probably my favorite finish. (and solid black might be my least favorite).
So the G&L has my vote.

I'll also add that I do own a Schecter 5 string, Diamond Series, I think it's a Stiletto. I like it alot, but the L2000 is the one I always come back to.

 

[bassGtar]

There's a reason why the Charvel is the most expensive option, plus it look great in black! You know what I'd get

 

[Herrick]

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray SUB Bass 2003 Black | Reverb

No affiliation . But this is where my money would go. A real deal USA StingRay5. If passive isn't your thing, add a preamp or find one that is active.

That's a 4-string. Did they ever make 5-string Stingray SUBs?