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5 string bass selection

Muthertucker

Muthertucker

Sep 22, 2015
41
11
34
Lowell, MA
#1
I'm just graduating from a 4 string to a 5 string and want some recommendations on what to try out. I have a great bass for funk and jammy kind of music but I'm trying to get more into hip hop, R&B, and soul music. Something with nice sustain and a warm full-bodied sound is a must (preferably mahogany but other recommendations are cool). I've looked at a couple basses and found a really beautiful one (esp Ltd b5e). I haven't played it because it's not at any music store near me. It's in my price range, though ($500-$800) and got pretty great reviews. Just wondering if anyone has experience playing that genre with a bass in that price range.
 
#7
Yeah.. those Laklands are nice. I had a 55-02 (I prefer my modded Heir..but the 55-02 was a great bass) and I still have a modded 55-01 as my other goto. Fantastic basses those Skylines. One thing to consider is what do you play now and are you comfortable with it. If you are then you might consider a 5 with the same or a close string spacing. I had been playing a Jazz bass all my bass playing life and my first 5er was a SR505. I didn't really pay attention to the different spacing but it was an issue that I did not consider. Three basses later I got hold of another 19mm spacing bass... and the lightbulb went off so just give it some thought. Go to a local store and play some different basses to see what is comfortable for you before you decide. I have found that with some tweaking you can play pretty much any genre of music with any bass so having a bass that is comfortable to play is for me a more important factor.
 
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#12
The G&L Tribute L-2500 and M-2500 should be on the list. The L has hotter pickups with series and parallel modes, and the EQ is passive cut only. The M has slightly underwould versions of the L's pickups, wired in series only, and has an 18v pre with three-band EQ. I have the M, and think it would be great for those genres. Mine, a USA alder/rosewood model, sounds very warm and has loads of sustain, probably helped by the stiff quartersawn neck. It isn't as aggressive as the L-series, but those are among the most aggressive out there, and the M still hits hard while providing enormous flexibility. It has narrower string spacing than Fenders, which I like, but isn't for everyone.
 
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#13
If you want to stay close to $800, consider the Lakland 55-01. However, you need to change that pre to really make the bass shine. The pre is the weak link k in that bass. If you are using credit and can spend a bit more, the Lakland 55-02 and Lakland DJ5 should be considered. All 3 are fantastic basses. I own and gig with all 3 and play a variety of music and am always pleased with these instruments.
 
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#15
All great suggestions. Thank you! Just for some bonus info here's what I'm playing now (disclaimer I'm no wiz at this stuff so I'm not sure what my fret/string spacing is, but you might know!):

Fender jazz/precision bass. Seafoam green. Whatever the stock pickups are. I use rotosound medium gauge swing strings. I want to say its a 34" scale because it doesn't have 24 frets but not sure.

The bass I'm looking for should be warm and full bodied like I said before, but have a little punch with an alteration of the eq nobs wouldn't hurt. Heard great things about the laklands, I just don't like the aesthetic of them as much as the Ltd b5e. That's not the biggest concern, but I do like owning beautiful guitars.
 
#17
I also realize it was dumb for me not to do a quick Google search and find out what the specs for my guitar are so here they are:

Precision body, jazz neck
Maple fretboard
34" scale (got em!)
Alder body

They also kind of give you a choice for string spacing, there are grooves where the strings come out of the body that you can rest them in to kind of choose your preference. Not sure if that's the same with all basses, I've been playing for 6 years and have only owned this and the schecter stiletto extreme 4.

So at the end of the day I already have this type of bass, so I want something different.
 
#18
Nedmundo said:
The G&L Tribute L-2500 and M-2500 should be on the list. The L has hotter pickups with series and parallel modes, and the EQ is passive cut only. The M has slightly underwould versions of the L's pickups, wired in series only, and has an 18v pre with three-band EQ. I have the M, and think it would be great for those genres. Mine, a USA alder/rosewood model, sounds very warm and has loads of sustain, probably helped by the stiff quartersawn neck. It isn't as aggressive as the L-series, but those are among the most aggressive out there, and the M still hits hard while providing enormous flexibility. It has narrower string spacing than Fenders, which I like, but isn't for everyone.
Click to expand...

This looks awesome and is my favorite suggested bass thus far, my only issue with it is its weight. I really like the l2500 but that was a complaint with it and I already have a messed up shoulder from my fender. At the end of the day if it's the same weight I'd make the sacrifice but if it's that much more I'd probably have to pass. I'm pretty young to be having shoulder problems. Lol
 
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#19
The next bass I will get will be a 5 string Ibanez SR. That's because I know ergonmically, it is the ideal bass for me.

- 34" scale, which I prefer, for feel and tone. Yes, a 35" B string is better, but a 34" G string is better as well, and with the right string selection and bass, you can get a decent 34" B string. It's harder to get a 35" G string that's decent, IMO.
- Super thin neck (front to back), which is more comfortable in my hands. FWIW, Fender Jazz necks are too bulky for my taste.
- Flatter radius fretboard, which is faster and more comfortable for me.
- 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge, which I also prefer. I can play faster, and it just feels right... I even have my 4 string down to 17mm.
- 24 frets, which I like. It helps me know where I am in the higher frets.
- Light-weight, they're probably the lightest 5 string basses I have ever found. And consistantly so.

Tone doesn't matter as much... With the right strings, EQ, technique, and possibly effects, I can get the right tone for me anyway.

In short, you really need to go to a store and play various different models and sizes to get an idea of what's going to be best for you.
 

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