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5-String on a budget?

S

SteveMorris

May 9, 2008
7
0
Fayetteville, NC
#1
Hi All,
I've been playing a cheap Fender P-Bass 4 string for around 12 years, but only playing seriously for 2-3 years now. I want to get something a little bit nicer and would like to get a 5-string. I definitely want something that will allow fast fingering, and I've heard Ibanez are great in that department. I like the look of a lot of their all-wood finishes, with no pickguards. However, I am open to any manufacturer that will give me the playability and look I want. I am open to new or used but would like to keep the cost around $500-600 US if possible. I welcome any input on this, especially if you can provide specifics on why you like or dislike a certain bass. Thanks a bunch guys and gals!
 
#5
SteveMorris said:
Hi All,
I've been playing a cheap Fender P-Bass 4 string for around 12 years, but only playing seriously for 2-3 years now. I want to get something a little bit nicer and would like to get a 5-string. I definitely want something that will allow fast fingering, and I've heard Ibanez are great in that department. I like the look of a lot of their all-wood finishes, with no pickguards. However, I am open to any manufacturer that will give me the playability and look I want. I am open to new or used but would like to keep the cost around $500-600 US if possible. I welcome any input on this, especially if you can provide specifics on why you like or dislike a certain bass. Thanks a bunch guys and gals!
Click to expand...

I bought this used here on TB for $500 shipped:

Peavey USA Millennium Plus 5
Picture022-1.gif

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Made in USA
Alder body with 1/4" flamed maple top
Maple neck with carbon fiber rods for strength
Pau ferro fretboard with maple position dots
Tusq artificial bone nut
Hipshot Ultralite tuners
Hipshot type "A" string-through or top-load bridge
Active MM/J pickups
Active 3-band preamp with sweepable mids
9.3 lbs

It just took a little patience but they're out there and it's the most comfortable bass I've ever played!
 
#6
You'll want to watch the For Sale forum here for a little while. Great deals on lightly used gear pop up all the time.

There are some great suggestions already, but some others you might also want to check out are a new G&L Tribute L2500, a used MTD Kingston, a new MIM Fender Jazz Deluxe V , (I had one and LOVED it), Ibanez ATK's are getting great reviews here lately though I've never played one, a Yamaha BB415 or BB615, .....
 
#7
I have seen a number of folks on this site already who are fans of the Lakland 55-01 and 02. Is there anything specific that sets them apart from their competitors, or just a good all-around for the $$$?

Incidentally, I am playing through a Hartke bass attack pedal, Fender amp and Fender half-stack cab. I play a variety of music from hard rock to folk-ish slower stuff (although I often switch to 6-string acoustic for a lot of that). I am not a skilled slap player, so that's not a big factor for me.
 
#10
SteveMorris said:
I have seen a number of folks on this site already who are fans of the Lakland 55-01 and 02. Is there anything specific that sets them apart from their competitors, or just a good all-around for the $$$?

Incidentally, I am playing through a Hartke bass attack pedal, Fender amp and Fender half-stack cab. I play a variety of music from hard rock to folk-ish slower stuff (although I often switch to 6-string acoustic for a lot of that). I am not a skilled slap player, so that's not a big factor for me.
Click to expand...

Lakland 5-strings have one of the clearest speaking B-strings out there. Nice and tight! The basses have excellent build quality. The string spacing is a very comfortable 19mm.

I used to own a 55-01 and my only issue with it is that it weighed about 11 lbs - the body is swamp ash, though. My Peavey fiver weighs just over 9 lbs. My Peavey will never have the same resale value as a Lakland because the Lakland name is more respected than Peavey, but Peavey's cred is getting better.

Gotta love that Bass Attack pedal!
 
#14
bassist4dalord said:
+1000!! It's an amazing bass, and I've only played it a couple times at GC. And at $300, that's perfect!!
Click to expand...

mine was just a really nice $300 bass at the GC in Youngstown, OH last week...this week with a quick setup, it's a GREAT bass!

After I get it back to Australia and get it more meticulously setup and strung with some D'Addario XL-170's (my personal choice in strings) it will be OUTSTANDING!


Mind you, there are a LOT of other great budget basses out there...Peavey makes a few great basses for under $700, and also don't overlook the ATK-305 @ $530...and the G&L tribute L-2500 @ $600 is a killer deal. (I DID my 5 string research ;) )
 
#15
SteveMorris said:
I have seen a number of folks on this site already who are fans of the Lakland 55-01 and 02. Is there anything specific that sets them apart from their competitors, or just a good all-around for the $$$?
Click to expand...

I find that the Lakland 55-01 is IMO the best bass out there in the $500-$700 range. I think what sets it apart from the rest is the build quality and the neck profile. The 55-01's have graphite rods in the neck just like a bass over $1000 would have, and the shape of the neck is pretty much perfect. The 35" scale really allows the B string to stay tight and low on the fret board, and at 35" it's really easy to play, unlike some other 35" scale basses. The only drawback you may encounter is the electronics which really aren't that bad but they're easily upgraded for around $300. After you do that you'll have a very professional quality gigging instrument.

fourstringbliss said:
I used to own a 55-01 and my only issue with it is that it weighed about 11 lbs - the body is swamp ash, though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, since they're the Korean built model the wood quality isn't as consistent as the USA models, but then again it's not $3000. I found my 55-01 to be a hair under 10 lbs. and since I'm a bigger guy it really didn't bother me too much.
 
#16
You guys knew it was going to happen...lol

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I say for a new purchase in the price range you posted (New this retails for a street price of about $525.00) you can't go wrong with the ESP B-5E. IMHO ESP can't be touched in their price range for quality and playability.

Neck through construction
47mm nut
String thru body/bridge
3 band active eq and pre-amp
Mahogony and walnut body
maple/mahagony neck with ebony fretboard

I own three ESP's and the neck profile is very fast and very comfortable to play, and i just can't say enough about their product....

otherwise i would go used as well....
 
#19
First off, thanks for all the great input so far guys...

OK so I went to my local music store and played a variety of 5-strings they had. They do not carry Lakland, and did not have a G&L Tribute either. Of the ones I was able to play, I really liked the Ibanez SR705 (but it's blue) and the ESP B-405 (wasn't crazy about the especially raw wood grain though). These were a bit higher than my price range, but I can save up a little if I can't find anything a little cheaper that I like. I wanted to find a Peavey Cirrus BXP but all they had was a Grind BXP, for about $400. I actually liked how it played but the electronics didn't seem so great.

I most liked the Ibanez SR705 (thinner neck was nice) and I'm trying to compare it online to the SR505, which is a natural mahogany finish. They both have the Bartolini pickups and EQ, is there any major difference in these two guitars other than woods and finishes?
 
#20
SteveMorris said:
I most liked the Ibanez SR705 (thinner neck was nice) and I'm trying to compare it online to the SR505, which is a natural mahogany finish. They both have the Bartolini pickups and EQ, is there any major difference in these two guitars other than woods and finishes?
Click to expand...

The 705 has a maple cap and block on the body while the 505 does not, which should make the 705 sound a bit brighter IMO. I think you would be happy with either model.
 

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