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5 string recommendation

#22
Another vote for the Ibanez SRxx5 series basses. I love the playability and tone of my SR505. In the last 20+ years I've owned several other 5 string basses (Peavey Foundation 5 & Millennium 5, Carvin BB75, Fender/Squier Jazz 5, S.U.B. 5), for me, none of the others were as natural to play (meaning easy to switch between 4 string) or sounded as good without mods as the SR. I'd love one of the premium series SR, but can't justify the additional cost. As a side note, some of the Cort basses look and feel virtually identical to the Ibanez SR basses (some are made in same factory), but they aren't widely available and don't hold resale value as well. YMMV
 
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#23
That's one of the reason I went high end basses route. The neck profile. I had a GL L2500 and the neck was too chunky for me. But in this price range there are not so many options for a good neck profile. And I don't like narrow string spacing. I think the spacing should be as close to 19mm as possible but the neck profile be thin. Of course it's just my opinion.
 
#26
OOD said:
i played one and it felt like a baseball bat to me. I own the L2000 tribute and it feels nice. Now I wonder if I played a rare/discontinued model.
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Emanuel Apascaritei said:
That's one of the reason I went high end basses route. The neck profile. I had a GL L2500 and the neck was too chunky for me. But in this price range there are not so many options for a good neck profile. And I don't like narrow string spacing. I think the spacing should be as close to 19mm as possible but the neck profile be thin. Of course it's just my opinion.
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OP is asking for narrow string spacing, which the L2500 has.
 
#29
I had 2 5 string Wals. A mk 2 and mk 3 and they were fantastic basses and probably the best instruments I've owned, but while they shone in my originals band and the studio work I was doing at the time, they didn't sound so good in the Blues, Soul and Funk bands I moved on to. The Lakland 55-94 just fitted in to that playing situation so much better.
 
#30
The Warwick Rockbass Corvette may be an answer. You can get a used one or maybe even a new one for close to your budget. Mine has a bolt on neck and weighs less than 9lbs. Unlike most Warwicks it has a very slim neck profile....like a Jazz almost. The passive MEC pups sound piano like even with the flats I use. I have to add a bit of bottom end with my EQ on the Bassbone to get dub tones but I like it pretty darn good. I have other basses which are much more expensive but maybe not as fun to play. I f you have small hands it would probably be just right for you.
 
#32
If you want something that's not heavy and with narrow string spacing, Washburn has the T-25 Taurus. That was my first gigging bass, good instrument, affordable and comfy to play. The strings are QUITE close, however - great for pick, not so much for slap. I've also been interested in, but never tried, the ESP B-5e. Fits your budget, worth looking into.
 
#34
Just putting it out there...MTD Kingston series CRB and Saratoga. For the $$, not bad on cost...new, less than $600 and killer features for passive basses. The 5 Strings are 34" scale, so you may be comfortable with the fret spacing already. They are imported, but in that price range, you probably won't find anything USA made anyway. If you want active electronics, the rest of the Kingston's are Active, and Saratoga Deluxe was just released - of course, its a little higher at the price point.

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Worth a peek. I have a had a MTD Kingston Heir 4 for 10 years and play it everyday still. I just picked up a Heir 5 for the same reason you are looking, and it is just as great.
 
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#35
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I love five-strings, and play them exclusively, although in a much different setting.

My .02 worth - I always tell people to play what they're comfortable with. If you're struggling with the nature of that extra string, and you have an idea you always will, then a better option might be to have a second bass on hand to accommodate (four?!) different tunings. I can't see pulling that off with just one bass, just due to the nature and effects of detuned and retuned strings on one instrument... a logistical nightmare. It would be at least 50% easier to deal with if you had 2 basses.

Good luck, and don't give up on that fiver til you're sure it's not for you. :thumbup:

FWIW - I have a Gibson V from the late 1980's that's as light a bass as you'll find. They were solid mahogany, set necks, basically a "studio" Thunderbird. The string spacing is incredibly narrow... like they literally just squeezed an extra string onto the same neck, and put a five-string bridge on there. These basses aren't particularly sought after, and can usually be had for about $500-$700. Here's mine:
 
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#40
chris_b said:
I had 2 5 string Wals. A mk 2 and mk 3 and they were fantastic basses and probably the best instruments I've owned, but while they shone in my originals band and the studio work I was doing at the time, they didn't sound so good in the Blues, Soul and Funk bands I moved on to. The Lakland 55-94 just fitted in to that playing situation so much better.
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Yes....They are unique sounding instruments due to the filtered preamp and pickups ...but if you really know how to fine tune the preamp properly ,I can't imagine them not sounding good in ANY genre. It "especially" shines in Funk actually and is responsive to many techniques you would use in that genre.
 

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