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5 string bass decision
- Thread starter Villavicencio
- Start date
For the StingRay sound, I recommend an older (pre-Special) EBMM StingRay 5. Nothing else will really get you there. Sure, it's 50-75% over your budget, but it's what you want. Otherwise, you'll be chasing the StingRay tone forever.
From your list I would agree that he G&L is a good choice however since you seek some growl have you played a Warwick yet?
Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 5 | Reverb
I have this bass. I was looking to buy a used Stingray but since GC wouldn't let me finance a used guitar I ended up with this. I kept coming back to it and the more I played it the more I loved it. Its got growl to spare.
Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 5 | Reverb
I have this bass. I was looking to buy a used Stingray but since GC wouldn't let me finance a used guitar I ended up with this. I kept coming back to it and the more I played it the more I loved it. Its got growl to spare.
Agreed. Find a used USA SUB 5 or a used StingRay5 . You should be able to secure on for $1200 give or take.
Even a Sterling 5 USA more rare but can often be overlooked and had for less money.
Save a little more and get the real deal.
If you are want the Musicman growl I wouldn't bother with a PJ or humbuckers. G&L would be the closest.
You could get a nice used Stingray for about a 1,000, especially since the specials came out.
You could get a nice used Stingray for about a 1,000, especially since the specials came out.
I've owned and very much liked a Schecter Stiletto Elite (neck thru but only 2-band EQ), and would consider the Schecter to be best value for money - but it would probably be easier to cop a 'Ray sort of tone on the G&L, though as others have pointed out, a lot of the 'Ray character came from the pickup positioning, which none of these basses have.
You won't go wrong with either Schecter or g&l. Both are going to have a distinct tone and while it's not exactly a music man I'm sure both will have something in there that you'll like. Whatever you buy just go into it with an open mind and try to pull out a tone that sounds good. I've stopped trying to make other basses sound like other basses and it really helped me bring out more of the best in the individual instrument I'm playing.
Another vote for the L2500. Head and shoulders above the Ray 35 in construction and quality, and probably the closest of these three to it's sound.
There were some on the Guitar Center Used site not too long ago for 1,200. Looks like they're 1,500-1,600 on there now.
Specials have increased 4-500$ depending on finish since 2020
and it seems those selling used pre- Special just tacked that on.
In early 2020 Sweetwater would sell me a Special for $1950 [list 2100] and I saw many Used Pre-Special in 1k to $1200 range
All my basses are EBMM. They're a special animal. Most basses sound anemic after playing them for a while.
I had a German Warwick $$5 that sounded as good and versatile as my Bongo but with more grit on tap.
I just had to change the preamp. The original lack of mid control just didn't cut it.
Well, assuming I were right-handed (which I'm not); assuming I wanted a 5-string bass (which I don't); and, assuming my choices were limited to those 3 (since it will be yours, not mine)?
Based on how happy I am with my left-handed G&L 4-string ASAT bass... I'd probably go with the L-2500. However... if you can get your hands on an EBMM 5HH Stingray Special? My 4HH Stingray Special is the cat's ass; I'd imagine the 5-er would be the same... However; if I wanted a 5-er? My only limitation, really, is finding a lefty; I can afford pretty much anything - other than one-off musical objets d' art - that strikes my fancy. And, coincidently, Reverb has a 5-er I'd be interested in - if I wanted one. A very nice looking, '90s Rickenbacker 4003s/5 in Mapleglo. As usual, the bridge pickup cover is missing (I hate that), but otherwise? Seems pretty nice - and the price is reasonable; lefty 4003/5's are... rare. The neck is also very skinny for a 5-er - a big consideration for me. But, I have no need for a 5-er whatsoever; a lot of what I like to play doesn't really need 4 strings, to be honest. Playing music like that? Even my BEAD-strung Carvin LB-20 bass was pretty useless; I never used the B string, but sometimes? That missing G string would have really come in handy...
So... I'd say - of those 3? Get the G&L L-2500 Tribute. Very nice bass, and those big G&L pickups are the stuff...
Based on how happy I am with my left-handed G&L 4-string ASAT bass... I'd probably go with the L-2500. However... if you can get your hands on an EBMM 5HH Stingray Special? My 4HH Stingray Special is the cat's ass; I'd imagine the 5-er would be the same... However; if I wanted a 5-er? My only limitation, really, is finding a lefty; I can afford pretty much anything - other than one-off musical objets d' art - that strikes my fancy. And, coincidently, Reverb has a 5-er I'd be interested in - if I wanted one. A very nice looking, '90s Rickenbacker 4003s/5 in Mapleglo. As usual, the bridge pickup cover is missing (I hate that), but otherwise? Seems pretty nice - and the price is reasonable; lefty 4003/5's are... rare. The neck is also very skinny for a 5-er - a big consideration for me. But, I have no need for a 5-er whatsoever; a lot of what I like to play doesn't really need 4 strings, to be honest. Playing music like that? Even my BEAD-strung Carvin LB-20 bass was pretty useless; I never used the B string, but sometimes? That missing G string would have really come in handy...
So... I'd say - of those 3? Get the G&L L-2500 Tribute. Very nice bass, and those big G&L pickups are the stuff...
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