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5 string recomendations

E

eilsey

Dec 29, 2010
3
0
#1
Hey all, im looking to get a new 5 string bass and would like some advice / recomendations to help me narrow down my choices

i have been playing for about 4/5 years on and off, and play most kinds of music, i am looking to sell my 4 string shine, 4 string acouatic ibanez, and 4 string richenbacker copy and get a decent 5 string with the proceeds am hoping for around 300 - 350 budget

can you guys recomend me some decent 5 strings around that price range

ive been considering the ibanez sr srx 's if anyone has any feedback on these but any sugegstions of decent models / makes welcome particuarly intrested in something that can cope well with eadgc tuning as well as more conventional beadg

also any suggestions of where to sell a rickenbacker copy as ebay removed the listing due to their aggrovating copyright issues

many thanx :)
 
#4
If you want to buy a good five string that's new, then I suggest you keep saving until you can afford something much better than the $300 will get you. Though, crazy deals do pop up from time to time in the price range you're looking at, IMO, you're still pretty much limited for what you can get should you decide to go the used gear route.
 
#5
eilsey said:
can you comment any further on differences between ibanez's and which is better as thay do quite a few diff 5 strings thanks
Click to expand...

Neither is really "better" than the other. Build quality is about the same on both. The tones are completely different, as are the necks. The Ibanez SR necks are extremely "thin," the Fenders are standard sized. The body woods are also completely different in the two.

Your best best is to go and play some of each then determine which bass is right for you.

You can find used SR405's and SR505's in the price range you're looking at. (Especially the older discontinued ones.) You can also find used MIM Standard Jazz and Precision basses within that price range. But, I still suggest being patient and saving more money so that you can get a better bass than any of those.
 
#8
If you're looking for that classic fender Jazz bass sound in a sub $300 five string check out the Squier Jazz. I have one and it out plays many of my high end basses. I paid $229 for it brand new at Guitar Center (that's the normal price not a sale price) several months ago.
Obviously try before you buy to see if you like the look, feel and sound of a Fender Jazz (Squier is made by Fender). If you do, then try it against the Fender Jazz 5 made in America (which costs over $1000) and the made in Mexico (which costs around $600). I found that the Squier sounded much better than either one and felt and looked exactly the same. YMMV - good luck.
Here's a link for more info Invalid Link Removed
 
#10
mmbongo said:
Here is the best deal you'll find on a new bass:

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Ibanez BTB 305, $299. Wider spacing, better woods, better electronics, and overall better feel than Soundgears which feel like toys to me.
Click to expand...

+1
BTB has been on my radar as well. I have also been looking to get a used Lakland 55-01. I have seen them go as low as $450 and I originally dismissed them as being way out of my budget. Ibanez will probably be your best bet, but I would go used and try to get something atleast in the 500 series or better.

+1 on saving some more bread.
 
#11
hey guys thanks for all the input, proberly should of made this clear earlier though im in england not usa so working in £ not $ so £300/350 is around $500/600 i think although prices are a lot higher over here too any advice more tuned to english buyer much appreciated but thanks again
 
#12
I had a SRX 705 a while back, that was a COOL bass, I miss that one, I think I sold it for $350. The BTBs are very nice, I have a BTB 675 that I really like but those are a little more expensive.
I've also had a couple of SR885s, those are a fantastic bargain, they're usually around $300 in the US. I think the SR885 is about the best bargain for a 5 string, made in Japan, sweepable midrange, Gotoh tuners. The SR885 has the thinnest neck of the Ibanezes I've owned, - I wouldn't say the other two had super thin necks.
USA Hamers are always worth looking at, most everybody loves those and they're usually very affordable ($500-$700) range.
 
#13
mmbongo said:
Here is the best deal you'll find on a new bass:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ibanez BTB 305, $299. Wider spacing, better woods, better electronics, and overall better feel than Soundgears which feel like toys to me.
Click to expand...

The GSR 205FM, it has a mahogany body, so the body woods on that and the BTB 305 are the same.

The better feel aspect of things, is just your opinion though. Many people like the overall feel of the SR. So I wouldn't say one feels better than the other. It's personal preference.

All in all though, I agree with you, for the price of that BTB, that's a great way to go. The pickups and electronics could be swapped out should he not like the tone and he'd still have a great bass.
 
#14
GBassNorth said:
If you're looking for that classic fender Jazz bass sound in a sub $300 five string check out the Squier Jazz. I have one and it out plays many of my high end basses. I paid $229 for it brand new at Guitar Center (that's the normal price not a sale price) several months ago.
Obviously try before you buy to see if you like the look, feel and sound of a Fender Jazz (Squier is made by Fender). If you do, then try it against the Fender Jazz 5 made in America (which costs over $1000) and the made in Mexico (which costs around $600). I found that the Squier sounded much better than either one and felt and looked exactly the same. YMMV - good luck.
Here's a link for more info Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

This is my recommendation as well. I have been playing everything that I could in your price range and higher and had narrowed the field down to the Ibanez SR series. 2 days ago I finally found a Squier Affinity V to play and it's now at the top of my list. The B string is the best that I've played at this price point. Great fret work and a very comfortable neck. Pickups are very good as well.
 

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