5 String. New 2020 vs Used - Budget 1500-2000

[Groovin1122]

Why is it some of you recommend some pre-2000s bass's or just older models over newer stuff like the Ibanez EHB series which appears to have newer tech/construction etc.. (Outside of the fact that is priced lower due to it being used) As someone who only has 1 bass and doesn't have a lot of experience playing other basses's/knowing about different pickups etc.. What should I take into consideration when looking for a 5 string? Are there older models that are just better than anything new in a similar price range? I just would think that a new 2020 bass would have improvements over bass's from 5-10-20 years ago. Like most things..

I've heard of people recommendation older used Modulus's, Dingwalls, Lakelands etc.. But some of the stuff that came out of NAMM this year just looks so pretty/shiny.

 

[Gorn]

I'm not sure 2020 basses are objectively better than 2000 basses. Marketing department people will tell you otherwise but not much has changed. It's not like a 2000 Toyota vs a 2020 Toyota. Or a computer or smart phone. Those changes are significant. Besides that, people have strong opinions about the things they like. The only thing to consider that really matters is how the bass feels and sounds in your hands. That's why playing basses in stores is a better way to judge than reading opinions here. That's not an option right now, but it will be again some day.

 

[wvbass]

I'm not sure 2020 basses are objectively better than 2000 basses. Marketing department people will tell you otherwise but not much has changed. It's not like a 2000 Toyota vs a 2020 Toyota. Or a computer or smart phone. Those changes are significant. Besides that, people have strong opinions about the things they like. The only thing to consider that really matters is how the bass feels and sounds in your hands. That's why playing basses in stores is a better way to judge than reading opinions here. That's not an option right now, but it will be again some day.

I've picked up a few 20 year old basses (MusicMan, Spector, G&L) and a few newer basses (Dingwall, G&L, and Warwick) in the past couple years and can confirm this. The difference between a G&L and a Spector and a Dingwall and a Musicman is WAAAY more significant than, say, the differences between an old G&L and a newer one.

The two things that are different, IMO:

Fretwear. If you don't have access to a decent luthier or the ability to dress frets yourself, you really should get your hands on the older bass before you buy it.

Weight: This is far from an absolute rule, but there is more concern about weight than there used to be, so it can be easier to find a lighter bass by buying new. If you look around a little, though, there are basses of all weights from both time periods.

 

[getBAK]

IMHO the CNC machining on wood has improved a lot in the last few years.