5-string recommendations?

I've bought basses at ebay in this range. You can get Fender MIM Jazz V's all the time in this range. The last few have gone for 200.-350. Occasionally (but not often) even an MIM Deluxe Jazz V, if they post real bad photos of it.

A bass that comes up used sometimes, with a great sound, is the MTD Kingston and Kingston Heir 5-string; the Heir adds a jazz pickup at the neck to the MM at the bridge, so you can get a "smoother" tone option. The MTDs are 35" scale, so try a bass with that scale to make sure you like it.

Good luck! If you know players at other churches, ask them what they'd do.

 

I'm proving on a Slivertone should be pretty easy in that price range. You can get a pretty decent used Spector or Ibanez in the $300's range. Used MTD's a good choice as mentioned. I woudl stay away from the MIM V jazz basses, there are dozens of better 5-strings in that price range.

 

i played a 5 string Bongo last night.

it was amazing.

 

Ironically, the best low-end five string made by Fender is a Squire. The Squire PRecision Bass Special Five can be had new for $200-250. They all have tight, good sounding B strings and 19mm string spacing. They do have big necks, but they sound great with lots of Jazz bass growl and are built to a decent standard of fit and finish. Much better and more consistent than MIM Fender Jazz V basses.

 

The MTDs are 35" scale, so try a bass with that scale to make sure you like it.

Good luck! If you know players at other churches, ask them what they'd do.[/QUOTE]

I would say with a five string go with a 35 inch scale.
I also play in a bapist church and went to a five string about
a month ago. I play with piano and some times organ. I feel and have been told it sounds better than what I was playing.
I tryed out some fives with the 34 inch scale and was not impressed. Also tryed to down tune a Washburn force 4 using a B string from a set for a five and it did not work out. I was thinking force 5 for replacment till I tried that. The force 4 is real good but did not down tune to B. The sound just was not there on the B. string. I went with a Peavey Cirrus BXP 5
that is a little over that price range but works for all my music. I also play with a Southern Rock & Blues band and it will also rock.
Hope this helps. Wink

 

Used MTD Kingston 5
SX BG205 or Brice/Douglas 5

 

A Washburn T-25 or a Schecter Omen 5.

 

Very interesting!

I have played a couple of these in music stores and I have to admit -- I was impressed! I hesitated to pull the trigger because of the "Squier" name on the headstock but I thought about it long and hard.

I understand that one might have to eventually upgrade the pups & pots but at that price point ($200+/-), it definitely caught my eye.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

i'm also pretty surprised by the new squier basses (and guitars). i don't know if the ones in japan are the same as the ones in the US, but they're almost amazing for the price.

 

I have mentioned in that past that in a 2003 issue of BassPlayer, session (Outcast, TLC) and gospel musician, Debra Killings mentioned that it is her main bass in the studio. Granted, she is Squier endorsee, but I know from experience how good these basses sound. Although I will not pull the trigger on another bass until I visit Basscentral, I may just get a used Squier Precision Bass Special V that I know is available at a great price.

 

the only thing i can think of is if you get a musicman stingray5 style instrunent, of which Vintage is a good make.

 

If you're considering a Fender, try out a Tribute L-2500.

Its G & L's Korean made bass, but its got those bad-ass MFD pickups, honkin' bridge, and active/passive controls that give them such a distinctive sound. I paid under $400 for a new one.

Despite being a budget bass, I'd say its tone and playability is easily the equal or better than any of my 5 Fenders, including Am Deluxe Jazz, AM Deluxe P-bass, which were much more $$$.

hth...EG

 

Hey,

If you like the sound of the EMG pickups consider a Schecter 5 string (buy used to fit in your price range). I played a Schecter Custom 5 and it was a great bass.

I just bought a Lakland 55-01 and it's a beautiful bass. For the Lakland, even if it's used it might be a little outside of your price range. My advice, when buying good solid equipment it's best to go by this policy: Take what you want to spend and add 50% of that to your allowance. That's what I did when I bought the Lakland and I couldn't be happier.

 

My main bass till last month was a Fender Squire Precision 5 that I Installed Bartolini Jazz pups, painted the cavities with Stewart Mcdonald copper shielding paint and installed CME pots. I also replaced the strings with DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams. Total cost including buying it new was $415.00 This was a fun project and I love the bass but just don't use it since I got my Mtd Grendel 5. (amber body with maple fretboard) I would definitely recommend the Squire and not be put off by the name. Has a really hefty die cast bridge and is great out of the box and also has all of the makings for a great project bass. I am considering posting it on the 'for sale' section but it is always difficult to part with a project that worked out.

 

Keep it, you'll never get back what it's really worth.

 

I decided to pull the trigger on a SP5 today -- there was a used one at a local shop (Brickhouse Music for those of you in the Minneapolis area -- Many thanks to Clark who took care of me. He made sure it was properly set up and checked the electronics before I left the store!!!) for an excellent price.

Brought it home and swapped out the pups for some Seymour Duncans that I had lying around. Changed the strings to some LaBella BNT's.

WOW - this thing is NICE!!!!!!!! I am suitably impressed! For what I spent, I got exactly what I was looking for, which was a relatively inexpensive 5-string that feels, sounds, and plays nice.

Now, some caveats:

1) It was used (and had been languishing on the shelf for a good while), so I got a great deal.
2) I didn't pay for the replacement pups -- I already had them.
3) I bought it from a reputable shop from a salesman I trusted to give me good advice and not screw me.

Also:

* You have to like a 34" scale on your 5-string (which I do)
* You have to like the relatively wide Fender 5-string neck (which I do)

All that said, this is an excellent instrument and I am very pleased with the purchase!

 

That sounds great. I may soon get one and put in some Aeros. I always hear about how great those sound in DJ5s, putting them in the Squier would be a great way to get close to that sound.

 

I have been very pleased with my P-ProTone5. The soapbar type pickups are not the best being weak and I am in the middle of replacing them with Jazz 5'ers, that I bought really inexpensive. The sound of this bass is very growly on the low register. The neck is wide as a runway but flat - means some work for hands.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents....