5-string shopping, where to go?

[joelns]

Go to a music store and try out a few Ibanez models

I have tried a few and Ibanez is on my short list.

 

[ric4682]

To be honest, I'm leaning right now toward Ibanez. I've played a few over the years, and they've been comfortable.

As a small guy with short arms and small hands, I know the struggle of trying to find a 5 string that feels comfortable and manageable, while still sounding excellent. Ibanez is definitely a great place to start and their SR series is designed to be comfortable.

It’s decently under budget, but Ibanez has a 33” scale 5 string that is very comfortable. The inch shorter really makes a difference with the playability. I think it’s called the BTB845V.

I don’t know if I would recommend a Spector. I find that because of the ergonomics the low frets feel like they’re more of a reach. It’s good that you’re looking at where the strap button lines up with the fretboard. I think it’s also important to see how close the bridge is to the end of the body. Those two factors really seem to impact how far away the first couple of frets feel. I’ve also found that no matter how ergonomic the bass is, I just can’t get comfortable with a 35”.

If I had $3000 I would definitely be looking the TB classifieds for something that catches my eye, and then asking the seller about the comfort and reach of the bass.

 

[joelns]

As a small guy with short arms and small hands, I know the struggle of trying to find a 5 string that feels comfortable and manageable, while still sounding excellent. Ibanez is definitely a great place to start and their SR series is designed to be comfortable.

It’s decently under budget, but Ibanez has a 33” scale 5 string that is very comfortable. The inch shorter really makes a difference with the playability. I think it’s called the BTB845V.

I don’t know if I would recommend a Spector. I find that because of the ergonomics the low frets feel like they’re more of a reach. It’s good that you’re looking at where the strap button lines up with the fretboard. I think it’s also important to see how close the bridge is to the end of the body. Those two factors really seem to impact how far away the first couple of frets feel. I’ve also found that no matter how ergonomic the bass is, I just can’t get comfortable with a 35”.

If I had $3000 I would definitely be looking the TB classifieds for something that catches my eye, and then asking the seller about the comfort and reach of the bass.

Thanks for the suggestion about bridge placement. That's a great call out.

I'm leaning toward buying new from Sweetwater or some similar dealer where I have the opportunity to try it out for a week or two and return if it's not right.

 

[g-dude]

Thanks for the suggestion about bridge placement. That's a great call out.

I'm leaning toward buying new from Sweetwater or some similar dealer where I have the opportunity to try it out for a week or two and return if it's not right.

Don’t be afraid to ask for some suggestions and get their input either. More data points are better than fewer data points.

 

[joelns]

Don’t be afraid to ask for some suggestions and get their input either. More data points are better than fewer data points.

Absolutely. I'd certainly plan to have a conversation with my sales engineer up front. He may have some ideas that I hadn't considered.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

This is probably part 1 as I am several months away from the purchase. Got some bills to square away first. I’m also not a gearhead, so don’t really know much of what is out there and available. I've also not had much experience with a 5'er, but I am very much interested in the additional voicing options with the low B string. That said…

Here’s general specs for what I’m looking for as far:

BEADG tuning
j-bass style thin neck
Budget to around $3k, can go a little more for the right instrument
I played a Dingwall, and the 37” scale on the B-string is unworkable for me (small hands, I’m short, short arms, shoulder injuries, reach is limited, etc.). This also leaves me concerned about the Strandberg as the horn strap button is over the 15th fret, which will make the reach a bit longer than my shoulder can tolerate.
Music styles for a gig can range from jazz standards to country to metal and even punk, we play a very wide range of material and genre
Light is good, due to previous mentioned shoulder injuries
Would really like 24 frets. 20 isn’t quite enough for some of the stuff I like to play – mostly by myself for practice rather than in a band situation.
If active, easy access to battery (no screws is ideal) would be handy
Open to headless, open to multi-scale, open to fanned frets

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.

My current basses do cover most of my tonal needs, but neither is really a “do it all”, and I'd like a few more frets.

I currently have an old G&L El Toro with Seymour Duncan active PJ configuration which has that modern vibe.
I currently have a Fender MIM J-bass with tapewounds which has the vintage vibe.

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. Pretty much limited to GC and a couple of small shops that don’t have much in the way of basses other than Fender/Squire, low end Ernie Ball, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help or directions to pursue.

Sweetwater!

 

[Pelagic]

I skimmed through the pages and didn't see it mentioned, but Modulus is also a good option. I have a Quantum 5 (normally 35" scale) but had it built as a 34" scale after reading an interview with Phil Lesh. I had a broken index finger and I had issues in the lower frets. The bass is pretty light, 5 strings, can literally produce ANY tone I shoot for and the battery access request you had is most likely something they could do for you. The neck is really slim as well with a super low action that requires vary little exertion to play. Its a fantastic instrument that I've had for over 20 years and I'll never sell it. Good luck in your search!

Quantum — Modulus Graphite

 

[zortation]

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. Pretty much limited to GC and a couple of small shops that don’t have much in the way of basses other than Fender/Squire, low end Ernie Ball, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help or directions to pursue.

Warwick GPS Streamer maybe? You could swing a new one for that cash.
16.5 mm spacing, 34" scale, and awesome tone and build.

 

[crankypants]

L-2500

 

[abarson]

I've got hand issues as well, and the most comfortable for me are Tobias/MTD asymmetrical necks. Overall ergonomics and weight are excellent on all models I've played.
A new USA-made MTD might be out of your price range, but you can find used ones that meet your budget. USA-made models are 35" scale.

The import MTD Kingstons are also very good. You might like either a Saratoga Deluxe (Jazz surrogate) or ZX.
The Saratoga is 34"/21 frets while the ZX is 35"/24 frets..

 

[dkelley]

I really don't like the feel of basses longer than 34", and the low B strings on every 5 string I've owned have sounded awesome. Even on a cheapo 5 string squier affinity j bass, after I set it up right and shimmed the neck.

Yes, I do the work myself, and that is why I can grab any cheap bass and make it into a perfectly useful and good sounding bass.

BUT, still, my point about scale length remains true for me and for many others - 34" is plenty long enough for a low B string.

And, unlike some people, I find a lighter B string sounds far better and blends more with the other strings, and doesn't get weird overtones up high on the neck or have issues with the sustain. Lighter strings actually ring far better imho, once you get used to the feel.

That, of course, is not something everyone agrees with. But it's my personal finding, and also I used some research into the physics behind the way strings vibrate, to make that decision. It's hardly concrete though - as there are great and poor examples of light and heavy, short scale and long scale, B strings.

 

[dkelley]

Oh, and as a result, my favorite 5 and 6 string basses to play, that were 34", were Carvins and Ernie Balls. There are plenty of other great ones though, just those happened to be what I liked and were available at reasonable prices at the time for me.

 

[Dincrest]

Like others have said, with a $3K budget the world is your oyster.

You'll get a ton of suggestions, and most of them are what we would buy for $3K. My suggestion is no exception, though, for what it's worth, my criteria for an ideal 5-string bass pretty much echo yours.

My #1 is an ESP/LTD bass, so if you are considering Ibanez, may I suggest looking at ESP basses as well? Their "thin U" profile feels right to me: Not too chunky, not too skinny, but just right.

Here's their top of the line "off the shelf" bass. Made in Japan at their Tokyo factory and all that. Next step up is the custom shop.
Link: E-II BTL-5
(Again, this is what I would buy if I had a $3K budget).

 

[getBAK]

Ok - so 5-String, No 37" Dingwalls, 24 Frets, Narrow spacing and flexible

I think one of my first stops would be The Yamaha BBNE2 - that's Nathan East's signature model. $2500 street price and DIALED IN 34" scale Looks very traditional J-Bass-ish. These are relatively easy to find on the shelf.

[This invalid link has been removed] on a 35" scale and $2100 street price. It's a Tobias, and looks like one.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] makes some outstanding basses, pretty much all custom. I'm not a big fan of headless, but for those who are, he's got a few that great. The Vanquish is available as a 35" multi-scale. You'll easily get through the door for under $3000

 

[bass theory]

Based on the information you are giving:

• short arms and smallish hands.
• wanting the tonal range of a low B
• wanting a narrow neck.

Ibanez is king of the fast, sleek, narrow necks. short scale basses have an advantage with 5 strings because of the deep rumble you get from a short 125 or 130 or 132 B-string. full scales of any kind just don't match it. Although it is true that the b-string will feel loose to a full size 4 string player. That is something you will just have to decide if you can get used to or not.
Also, the B-string will not wear in as fast on a short scale due to the lesser tension. so it will not retain tuning for some time. On a new bass you may have to retune the b-string every hour for days or even weeks depending on how much you play.
I personally love the resonance of a hollow or semi-hollow. nothing sounds quite as sweet as an open b-string played on a short scale semi-hollow.

Put these all together and they point to an Ibanez AGB205. However, they are harder to find these days than a true unicorn. Also, at $700-$1,000 they would seem like cheap crap if you are intending to pay thousands. also beware, you will pay for that beautiful tone in that all semi-hollow single cuts tend to have neck dive.

5 string basses overcome many of the disadvantages of full scales for those of us with smaller hands because of the ability to play at he 6th fret rather than 1st. you could capo a 5string at the fifth fret and lose nothing to a standard 4.

So if you don't like the idea or the reality of a semi-hollow. And are not sold on short scale. But really want a fast sleek narrow neck. here is something worth considering. at $1700 - $2000

ibanez sr premium series bass - Bing video

Personally I can never hope to afford one, but I sure wish I could.

 

[Sixgunn]

Premium or Prestige checks all the boxes including the upgraded electronics...pocket the change.

Riis

^^^This^^^

I recently got an SR2605 premium 5 string and it goes up against my "boutique" stuff, no problem and a LOT less than 3 grand!!!

 

[roller]

$2,500-3,000 will buy you a really nice Valenti spec'd out the way you like. Nino's stuff is fantastic and he's great to work with. There's scads of posts on his creations and the main thread on his basses can be found here:

The Valenti Megathread Part IV

Nino makes a 33-inch-scale, 24-fret bass that may have your name on it.

+1 on finding a great bass from a variety of builders used. Lots of really nice basses along the lines of what you're looking for (Sadowsky, Valenti, Mike Lull, Devon, etc.) can be picked up used for around $3,000.

Thanks in advance for any help or directions to pursue.

 

[g-dude]

I don’t know if I would recommend a Spector. I find that because of the ergonomics the low frets feel like they’re more of a reach.

So full disclosure, it took me a little while to get used to it, BUT I don’t even notice it now.

Some of that is really down to where you wear the bass. I tend to wear my Spector a little lower, and have slightly more of an angle for the neck, as opposed to my Jazz Bass.

 

[Zooberwerx]

^^^This^^^

I recently got an SR2605 premium 5 string and it goes up against my "boutique" stuff, no problem and a LOT less than 3 grand!!!

View attachment 4206948

Nice catch...that's sharp!

My brother-in-law lived in the 'Springs on Galena.

Riis

 

[Audiomicrowave]

I just started recently on my first 5-string. I got the Lakland 55-02 and have absolutely loved it. I was a little concerned with the 35" scale, considering I've played on a 32" scale for the last 20 years or so. I rarely notice the difference in scale lengths. I achieve all the tonal variety I need for my playing, and the neck is among the best I've ever played on. You can pick one up for far less than your $3K budget as well.

BW