• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

5-string shopping, where to go?

#22
g-dude said:
Well, I haven’t tried the five string models, but I’m really enjoying my Spector Euro 4LT, and if I ever get another five string, another Spector is on the shortlist, as is the NS Designs Radius CR5 - both seem to be thought out well in terms of ergonomics compared to the Fender shaped stuff.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: g-dude
#26
Warrior Bass (some 5 strings come with 24 frets)
MTD
Roscoe
Fibenare (SUPER thin necks)
Older Yamahas (or a Nathan East Signature but I can't comment on how thin that neck is)
Ibanez

I would recommend F-Basses but most of their 5 strings are not 24 frets from what I have see so far.

You mentioned that there is not much around you. If you could take a field trip for just one day, I would recommend you go to a place likeMusical Instruments For Sale - New & Used Music Gear and try out a ton of basses before making your choice. $3000 can get you are pretty darn great bass! My current F-Bass was only $3,300 and it was WORTH EVERY DOLLAR! Even if you can't pull away from life for a day (which is TOTALLY understandable), the links below are a few places to check out some unique basses (with most of these places being physical stores that can be visited.).

Invalid Link Removed (everywhere haha)
Music Instruments and Lessons | South Shore Music (Massachusetts)
Link Removed (California)
Bass Central owned by Beaver Felton, electric bass, guitars, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, accessories, effects, strings, equipment, bass gear, (Florida)
GuitarBassPro!, Bass Guitars Amplifiers Pro Audio and accessories (California)
https://www.fretspot.com/ (Missouri)
G-Brat's Guitars (Not sure lol)
http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/ (You guessed it, New Jersey)
The Bass Shop | Selected Used and Vintage Bass Guitars (Washington)
The Bass Place - Homepage - The Bass Place (Arizona)
Bass Guitars for Sale - Premium Bass Store | Bass Club Chicago (Illinois)
Planet Bass - High End Bass Guitar Gear that's Outta This World (Minnesota)
Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (Maryland)

There are many more websites to visit but this should get you going haha.
 
#27
just_chill said:
Warrior Bass (some 5 strings come with 24 frets)
MTD
Roscoe
Fibenare (SUPER thin necks)
Older Yamahas (or a Nathan East Signature but I can't comment on how thin that neck is)
Ibanez

I would recommend F-Basses but most of their 5 strings are not 24 frets from what I have see so far.

You mentioned that there is not much around you. If you could take a field trip for just one day, I would recommend you go to a place likeMusical Instruments For Sale - New & Used Music Gear and try out a ton of basses before making your choice. $3000 can get you are pretty darn great bass! My current F-Bass was only $3,300 and it was WORTH EVERY DOLLAR! Even if you can't pull away from life for a day (which is TOTALLY understandable), the links below are a few places to check out some unique basses (with most of these places being physical stores that can be visited.).

Invalid Link Removed (everywhere haha)
Music Instruments and Lessons | South Shore Music (Massachusetts)
Link Removed (California)
Bass Central owned by Beaver Felton, electric bass, guitars, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, accessories, effects, strings, equipment, bass gear, (Florida)
GuitarBassPro!, Bass Guitars Amplifiers Pro Audio and accessories (California)
https://www.fretspot.com/ (Missouri)
G-Brat's Guitars (Not sure lol)
http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/ (You guessed it, New Jersey)
The Bass Shop | Selected Used and Vintage Bass Guitars (Washington)
The Bass Place - Homepage - The Bass Place (Arizona)
Bass Guitars for Sale - Premium Bass Store | Bass Club Chicago (Illinois)
Planet Bass - High End Bass Guitar Gear that's Outta This World (Minnesota)
Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (Maryland)

There are many more websites to visit but this should get you going haha.
Click to expand...

Years ago when I lived in Maryland, I used to visit Chuck Levin's. Bought a ton of gear from there. Now I'm in Nor Cal, and not in the Bay Area. It's like a music gear desert.
 
  • Like
Reactions: just_chill
#31
joelns said:
BEADG tuning
j-bass style thin neck
Budget to around $3k, can go a little more for the right instrument
...(small hands, I’m short, short arms, shoulder injuries, reach is limited, etc.).
...Light is good, due to previous mentioned shoulder injuries
Would really like 24 frets.
If active, easy access to battery (no screws is ideal) would be handy
Open to headless

I know, this is a big ask, as a “do it all” bass is not necessarily easy to find, a bit of a unicorn so to speak.

Thoughts/suggestions? Anything in particular I should look at or where to start searching? Note that I will likely have to buy without trying, as there isn’t much in the area as shops go...
Click to expand...

I hate to do this because it might slow down my build(s), but have you researched Tom Clement? He makes unicorns.

You won't get to play it before it's built, but if you know your parts (pups, placement, strings, etc...) you pretty much end up with the sound you're going for as Tom can do pretty much anything. It's well within your price range (but you could go nuts on extras--chambered, tops, finishes) and he's incredibly FAST for a custom builder of ANYTHING handmade in today's world.

Also, maybe other Clement fans will chime in here, but a huge part of the enjoyment of a Clement bass is watching him build from scratch and keeping you in the loop with everything. It's like watching art come to life (from an idea).
 
#36
If you’re just starting out on a 5, get something of decent quality that you can easily resell. There are so many options these days and one size does not fit all. Like you, I’m not a big dude and the size of the bass and the string spacing are/were the most important elements for me. My Warwick has 16.5mm spacing and it’s perfect - for me. At the time I was looking around for a 5, there were not too many options for a narrower spacing - most were 19-20. These days there are more options. Anyway, you’ve got to try a few out to figure what characteristics are non-negotiable. That will narrow your field. Based on what you’ve described on your wishlist, be sure to check out Ibanez or some of the GPS Warwicks. EBMM spacing is a bit wider (and bodies are larger) but manageable. I’d strongly recommend against spending $3k on a bass you’re unsure of - and there are fabulous basses for far less. Good luck!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000
#38
Just a thought. Other than the neck, is there a production bolt on that wets your whistle? If so, get that (especially if you can find it here in the classified -lots of 5s). It's easier and cheaper to have a custom neck made. Then, if you want to sell it, just put the original back on and keep the custom for another instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pazelaya93

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back