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5 string Jazz Bass Suggestions

#6
BBNE2, BBP35, TRBX605, BB735...There is a whole line of incredible Yamaha instruments for not so much $$$$
I am not touching anything which brand name ends with "-ez". So, I don't know anything about those characterless pieces of plywood.
Check TUNE line of instruments. I have killer 5 strings TWB53, Sounds and looks 2 times pricier. Plays like dream. 35"
 
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#7
user362432 said:
BBNE2, BBP35, TRBX605, BB735...There is a whole line of incredible Yamaha instruments for not so much $$$$
I am not touching anything which brand name ends with "-ez". So, I don't know anything about those characterless pieces of plywood.
Check TUNE line of instruments. I have killer 5 strings TWB53, Sounds and looks 2 times pricier. Plays like dream. 35"
Click to expand...

Awesome I’ll check those out!
 
#8
So far I've owned several 5 string jazz basses; a Fender Standard, a Lakland 55-94 (I know!!), a Mike Lull and a Sadowsky Metro.

These were all good basses that I could have easily played for the next 20 years. The Fender was a good one with "that" sound. The Lakland was excellent and I played it for 12 years. The Lull sounded and played so very well with it's 18v Aguilar pick-ups and preamp. I can't emphasise too much how good they all were but the Sadowsky was the one I kept.
 
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#9
chris_b said:
So far I've owned several 5 string jazz basses; a Fender Standard, a Lakland 55-94 (I know!!), a Mike Lull and a Sadowsky Metro.

These were all good basses that I could have easily played for the next 20 years. The Fender was a good one with "that" sound. The Lakland was excellent and I played it for 12 years. The Lull sounded and played so very well with it's 18v Aguilar pick-ups and preamp. I can't emphasise too much how good they all were but the Sadowsky was the one I kept.
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The Sadowskys really do like like a great choice. Which one was it that you had? The issue I’m finding with them is even used ones go for quite a bit of cash.
 
#10
Sire if you don’t want to spend over $800.

Sadowsky if you do.

If you want to consider something used and must have a Fender , I’d suggest finding a Suhr era Fender Jazz 5.

I must admit that even though I have this Sire V3, I use my Stingray Special 5HH in 4th gear ( position 2) to get a great Jazz bass tone.
 
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#11
Eliot Lorango said:
The Sadowskys really do like like a great choice. Which one was it that you had? The issue I’m finding with them is even used ones go for quite a bit of cash.
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Mine is a Sadowsky Metro R5V with 3ts, tort and morado. I bought it used, it has a lot of scars but the sound is just right. I've tried other Sadowsky's and this bass has always sounded better to my ears.

Back then I had about 6 basses. I don't usually buy on the off-chance but a couple of years ago that's what I did! I tried them all on gigs and made the final decision to come down to 2 basses, the Sadowsky and a Lull Precision.

If cost is a deciding factor the used market will always be a good starting point, also check out the Sadowsky Metro Express range. I would also look at Lakland Skylines, they are always a lot of bass for the money.
 
#13
Lakland Skyline 55-60. It's passive but you don't need a pre-amp to get a solid low-B out of it. Be aware, it is a 35" scale but I've not had any issue coming from playing almost exclusively 34" Fender basses. The extra inch give the B string a very clear and articulate sound and is one of the best B strings in this price range.

If, on the other hand, you want active, I can highly recommend the Lakland 55-02. The pickup switching allows you to split the humbucker and get Jazz bass voicings with either the front or rear coils paired with the neck pickup (think 60's vs 70's bridge pickup spacing).

Both can be picked up used in the $1000-$1200 range. You can buy one of each for the price of a Fender Elite Jazz V and have options. That's what I did!

IMG_0950.jpg
 
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#18
Eliot Lorango said:
i know this topic has been asked time and time again but I would love some new suggestions. I’m on the hunt for a 5 string jazz bass (active preferred if I’m diving into that low B) but I keep finding myself only looking at the Fenders and Laklands. Any suggestions or direction would be awesome!
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Valenti

DSC02070.JPG

DSC01781a.jpg
 
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#19
user362432 said:
BBNE2, BBP35, TRBX605, BB735...There is a whole line of incredible Yamaha instruments for not so much $$$$
I am not touching anything which brand name ends with "-ez". So, I don't know anything about those characterless pieces of plywood.
Check TUNE line of instruments. I have killer 5 strings TWB53, Sounds and looks 2 times pricier. Plays like dream. 35"
Click to expand...
+1 for the BBNE2. Also, consider a BB5000A.
 
#20
The G&L MJ-5 is a great suggestion. I have the same preamp in my M-2500, and I love it even though I normally dislike active basses. The MJ-5 has noiseless pickups, and narrower nut width and bridge spacing than Fenders, so it offers a different feel. If you want full 19mm spacing at the bridge, it won't be for you, but I love it. All USA G&Ls get Plek fret leveling, so they typically set up with lower action than Fenders IME.
 
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