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5-string fender J-basses, do they suck? If so why?

Does a 5-string Fender J-bass rock or suck?

  • Yeah, it rocks!

    Votes: 141 68.8%
  • Booooo it sucks!

    Votes: 64 31.2%

  • Total voters
    205
I own a Marcus Miller 5 which really came to life after using the F Bass 5 string set (tapered core) and had it professionaly setup.

MM5s are MIA. The feel of the neck and fingerboard is amazing.
Replaced PU and pre but this had nothing to do with playability which for me is a big part of the "suck" factor.

:bassist:
 
Heres my J Five...


Basses015.jpg


after awhile... the Low B.. just wasnt for me... i went to sell it... then my teacher suggested i go with a hIgh C instead...

all my 5ers have High Cs now...
Basses013.jpg



and my J Five is satisfactory... kind of... i'd still like to switch up the pups...


if you are a light players then the J5 is cool.. but once you start playing harder the B flopps around and clicks the frets... and to cure it you must raise the action(from what im told...) Playing at the bridge allows you to play ahrder also but if you like playing somewhere else why change... if you dont want to.
 
I had an American Deluxe Active Jazz 5 that sounded pretty good, the build quality was amazing. I ended up trading it for a Lakland 55-02 because after I played the B string on a 35in scale neck, there was no going back. I'm not bashing the Fender at all, it was a great bass but you'll just have to compare a few and decide. The difference in the sound quality of the B string on the 35in scale neck was more than worth the trade. I wish Fender would produce a five string model with 35in scale, I bet it would be amazing.
 
I don'tlike the J5's, but I loooove the Roscoe Beck 5's.

I've heard lousy B's and acceptable B's. Setup and string choice make a huge difference. But the bridge spacing can't be changed much. And that is the source of my problem with the J5. The strings are too close together in the right hand. I need a 5er that has the same spacing as a J4. I'll probably go Lakland.
 
that's a nice bass.

I dont like those tuners at all though.

I just acquired a squier 5 string, and it's quite nice. The B is a little floppy, but nothign a change of strings and raising of action wont cure!

Hey, to those that tune to high C, wouldnt a guitar A or D do the trick?
 

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