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5 string bass recommendations?

P

Paul42

May 27, 2008
3
0
#1
hi. i am a 42 year old music teacher who has played bass on and off for 30 years. i currently do not own a bass but i teach at a great school that is going to allow me to purchase one (and get reimbursed).

i know i should go to a few music stores and try different models out...but i thought i would narrow my search based on suggestions i receive here.

i want a 5 string...my upper limit is $800.00. beyond this i am open.

i will play mostly folk, rock,classic rock and a little jazz but i would like the most versatile instrument i can afford.

so...where should i start oh wise bass gurus??

any advice is greatly appreciated!

paul
 
#2
Paul42 said:
hi. i am a 42 year old music teacher who has played bass on and off for 30 years. i currently do not own a bass but i teach at a great school that is going to allow me to purchase one (and get reimbursed).

i know i should go to a few music stores and try different models out...but i thought i would narrow my search based on suggestions i receive here.

i want a 5 string...my upper limit is $800.00. beyond this i am open.

i will play mostly folk, rock,classic rock and a little jazz but i would like the most versatile instrument i can afford.

so...where should i start oh wise bass gurus??

any advice is greatly appreciated!

paul
Click to expand...

You will get tons of answers, of which most will point out at their favorite 5-string bass or brand. If you have a chance to visit a bigger music store, take around and see which one feels good for you, and sounds good. --Kent
 
#3
I second this, but I will also add that for around the $800 mark, you're not going to find a truly bad five string bass. Most of the instruments I see which you can buy at that price point don't seem to have fatal flaws that make for a poor purchase.
 
#5
Paul42 said:
i currently do not own a bass but i teach at a great school that is going to allow me to purchase one (and get reimbursed).
i want a 5 string...my upper limit is $800.00. beyond this i am open.
i will play mostly folk, rock,classic rock and a little jazz but i would like the most versatile instrument i can afford.
Click to expand...

I'm a little confused. Is this bass for the school/students or for you? Are you saying the school is buying you a bass?
 
#9
If you like a bass where the strings are closer together than most, then the Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5 can be had for around $600 or $700. I have one and I love it because I've got smaller hands, so the string spacing helps me out a lot. Of course, it's not a real warwick, but for that price, I think that's about as good as you can get, especially for rock. I've never been a fan of Fender 5's, but I know a lot of people that are.
 
#12
Paul42 said:
hi. i am a 42 year old music teacher who has played bass on and off for 30 years. i currently do not own a bass but i teach at a great school that is going to allow me to purchase one (and get reimbursed).

i know i should go to a few music stores and try different models out...but i thought i would narrow my search based on suggestions i receive here.

i want a 5 string...my upper limit is $800.00. beyond this i am open.

i will play mostly folk, rock,classic rock and a little jazz but i would like the most versatile instrument i can afford.

so...where should i start oh wise bass gurus??

any advice is greatly appreciated!

paul
Click to expand...

Without knowing the particulars of your purchase, I can tell you that a local GC manager gave our Non-profit childrens orchestra a huge discount after we demonstrated who we were. That 800 dollars could go far if you find the right manager. Granted this sale took place before the new ownership of GC. They were very willing to help out our lower income area. Sorry I have no advise on which 5 string to get. I am getting my first one next week. A lakland skyline JO and I can't wait.

Good luck
 
#13
If its for you, try everything you can out, and decided what you like

If its for the school, go fender, they make the generic standard of instrument that everyone will be happy with.

I play warwick basses primarily and my collage has a fender MIM jazz, I am quite happy (though not as happy as on my warwicks) to record and play with this in collage.
 
#17
Get out and play everything in your specified price range. Play a few outside of your price range too (don't write off a good used bass in that price range.) I found, you may too that string spacing and scale length on a 5 makes a world of difference when it comes to playability. Have fun and let us know what you narrow your choices down to.
 
#18
ksandvik said:
You will get tons of answers, of which most will point out at their favorite 5-string bass or brand. If you have a chance to visit a bigger music store, take around and see which one feels good for you, and sounds good. --Kent
Click to expand...

+1 - That's Right - Go out, and try some out, and see what YOU like. There are a lot to choose from in that $$$ bracket. Most people here know what they like for they're own personal reasons. For me it's Ibanez. ;)
 
#20
Thanks for all the great advice! I cannot actually purchase the bass until next school year's budget kicks in in July...so I will have plenty of time to hit some music stores and try out a lot of basses. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted!

Paul
 

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