5-string bass

[paradog]

I've been looking around at Lakland, Spector, Sadowsky, and many more that I forget the names....rather than start a flame fest...

I want passive pickups, 5 strings, broad spectrum sound, and a quality finished product...for $1000 or less, new or used..

any Ideas?

Of course if someone would like to send me a 5 string they dont want...that would be fine too!

 

[zackthompson]

A Warwick Corvette STD. 5 Rock Bass is a pretty awesome 5 string. I'm not much of a 5 string guy, but it has a killer tone and play like a 4 string. Laklands are really good too

 

[StuFordBass]

I highly recommend the G&L tribute L2500. They are crafted extremely well for imports IMO, and the G&L MFD pickups give you so may tonal options. I play the US version which is active/passive, and I think the tribute is the same way. I only ever run it passive, and it has a perfect signal that the sound guys and engineers I work with regularly are constantly complimenting. That bass gets more compliments than I ever have. I'm almost positive the tributes have the same electronics, which will have you rockin' in any situation, and ou should have plenty of cash leftover to celebrate on New Bass Day.

 

[Lee H]

I could find myself liking a 5 string warwick corvette IF it were a mahogany color
My chevrolet corvette is metallic mahogany color (06L color code). It would be kind of cool to play a car show and have a bass that matched my car

 

[tjnkoo]

If you got lucky you might be able to find a Dingwall Combustion used. As of this morning I have an ABZ and it's truly unbelievable.

 

[Adam Wright]

Carvin SB5000

 

[nervous]

Lakland Skyline anything or DJ5 specifically. I was impressed with what I just received as have many others...

 

[MEL_BASS]

I have a lakland skyline series 55-01 that I just bought and I absolutely love it. Great look and sound. Those run around $850. An upgrade from that is the 55-02 and that one is about $1200.. Both great basses. I used to work at a large music store in the bass department and laklands were the best basses I played for the money. I definately think that you should get one of those!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Is wide spacing important to you or can adjust to tighter spacing? If you don't mind going slightly tighter, Fenders are a good choice, also the Yamaha BB425 or BB415 or BB1025X. Used Laklands are probably the most reasonable passive fives with 19mm spacing at the bridge. If want to go active, your choice or narrower and wider spaced fives gets much bigger.

 

[CORBS]

The G&L Tribute 2500 is probably your best bet. The necks are pretty big, but if that does not bother you then you will be playing one of the best sounding basses ever made. The G&L 2500 import (Tribute) has exactly the same pickups and electronics as the US made versions.

There is or was also a MusicMan Bongo 5er in the classifieds in your price range, and that is another great sounding and versatile bass, though not passive. You might also try the Godin Shifter 5 string, it's got 3 single coil pickups like the MusicMan Big Al, but I think the 5 is just under 1000$ new. Made in Canada, I think.

 

[mmbongo]

Clarify what you mean by 'passive pickups'. Do you basically not want to have a battery in your bass? If that's the case, most everything mentioned here other than Fender is active...although technically they have passive pickups.