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5 String for $300-$500?

Peeved T-40

Peeved T-40

Jan 12, 2021
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#1
Is there a good quality 5 string bass that could be had for between $300-$500?

I've been looking at these so far:
Yamaha TRBX350
Ibanez SR405EQM
Jackson JS3QV
Schecter Stiletto Stealth 5

If anyone has any opinions on any of these or has suggestions for some used basses to look into instead, I'd love to hear them!
 
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#3
Reedt2000 said:
The Sterling By Musicman SUB basses are not bad at all for the price. Some of the step up Sterling models show up used around $500, same is true of the G&L Tribute series. Both very solid options and ones I'd go for over the ones in your list. Not that any of those are bad options, just not my cup of tea :D
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just out of curiosity, what don’t you like about the ones on my list?
 
#8
My current stable:
20210224_230852.jpg


tl;dr Jackson

The Ray5 plays fantastic and sounds like a less clanky Stingray. The Jackson is incredibly comfortable. It's my best playing bass and the one I would choose 9/10 times for a long gig or practice. It's got every feature you can cram into a bass basically, and I like that it both looks better then the Yamaha and has a 3-band EQ vs. 2-band + funky switch.

I've not gotten to play a G&L or a Yamaha but I would seriously consider them, especially if I could play them first.

I used to own an Ibanez SR300E, which is like the base model of the one on your list. Great bass, very much like a 34" version of the Jackson. These basses are very similar though, so I'd pick whichever of the two I liked the look of best or got the best deal on or some combo of both.

I haven't played many Schecters but I've liked the ones I've played. Still I'm quite happy with my choices and I wouldn't trade the Jackson for any on the list. The Ray5 I'd trade for a G&L or maybe Yamaha but that's mostly because I have the Dimension now.
 
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#10
BBassBassington said:
I haven't played many Schecters but I've liked the ones I've played.
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I haven't found many people talking about Schecters and even fewer talking about that one specifically. It's the pickup combo that caught my eye. Maybe I've been living under a rock but I haven't seen many P/Humbucker combos. Usually you just see PJs everywhere. It's really pushing the limit of my budget but it seemed interesting enough to look at.

what's your experience with the brand?
 
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#13
Those are all solid brands and good instruments, so there isn't really something major that you're missing or taking a big risk on. Along with the various instruments listed by others, you have a wide variety of instruments that will all probably serve you well. At this point it's about nuanced things like numbers and configuration of pickups, design aesthetics, passive/active, etc. The world's your oyster! :thumbsup:
 
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#14
Peeved T-40 said:
Is there a good quality 5 string bass that could be had for between $300-$500?

I've been looking at these so far:
Yamaha TRBX350
Ibanez SR405EQM
Jackson JS3QV
Schecter Stiletto Stealth 5

If anyone has any opinions on any of these or has suggestions for some used basses to look into instead, I'd love to hear them!
Click to expand...

I have four Schecters instruments and all of them are really great. I have two basses and two guitars. I got them all at clearance prices. I have a Schecter Riot 5 string bass that I paid just $252 for new and a DV-4 bass that I got for $350 new. I've always wanted to get a Stiletto and I've considered getting Stiletto Stealth 5 because the Riot and the DV-4 are a little uncomfortable playing seated but otherwise they are awesome. I wouldn't hesitate to try a Schecter.
 
#15
Robot.G said:
I have four Schecters instruments and all of them are really great. I have two basses and two guitars. I got them all at clearance prices. I have a Schecter Riot 5 string bass that I paid just $252 for new and a DV-4 bass that I got for $350 new. I've always wanted to get a Stiletto and I've considered getting Stiletto Stealth 5 because the Riot and the DV-4 are a little uncomfortable playing seated but otherwise they are awesome. I wouldn't hesitate to try a Schecter.
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I've seen people complain about their pickups. any thoughts on that?
 
#17
Robot.G said:
I've seen people complain about a lot of things. I'm curious about those complaints but I have none myself. Plus pickups are pretty easy to upgrade. I'm more concerned about setup and playability out of the box.
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most of the complaints i've seen have said that Schecters sound muddy and un-defined. Granted, I've only seen a few people complain. just thought I'd ask. Some one else said the bridge ripped out of the body on his. That one was probably just QA issue on his unit.
 
#18
Peeved T-40 said:
most of the complaints i've seen have said that Schecters sound muddy and un-defined. Granted, I've only seen a few people complain. just thought I'd ask. Some one else said the bridge ripped out of the body on his. That one was probably just QA issue on his unit.
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Look at the value of all of your potential options on the resale market. You might find a great deal and that might also steer you in the right direction.
 
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#20
Peeved T-40 said:
most of the complaints i've seen have said that Schecters sound muddy and un-defined. Granted, I've only seen a few people complain. just thought I'd ask. Some one else said the bridge ripped out of the body on his. That one was probably just QA issue on his unit.
Click to expand...

First off, good list. You aren't going to go wrong with any of these.
I just got an Ibanez 405EQM and I love it. The balance is perfect despite being super light. The neck is super fast and comfortable. The B string has great punch and clarity and doesn't feel loose.

I played a Schector Elite-5 for a few months that I borrowed from a friend. It was a predecessor to the Stiletto Studio-5. You consistently see the Stiletto Studio-5 as one of the best in numerous reviews. However, I will say I prefer the sound and playability of the of the Ibanez over the Elite-5 (and that bass has a solid neck-thru-body). I thought the B string was a bit muddy on the Schector. That being said, I love my Schector Studio-4 and think it may be one of the best 4 strings I have ever played or owned.

I went with the 405EQM because of the single/humbucker/power tap option. This bass has a great tonal range. I only have one 5-string, so it had to check all the boxes. I primarily have played 4 string. But there are some really fun songs you can only play on a 5, so I can't live without my Ibby now! (He get's center stage because of the finish.)
WALL-TO-WALL-BASS.jpg
 
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