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5 String Suggestions

Poke

Poke

Apr 28, 2014
239
484
Cypress, TX
#1
Long time lurker, rare poster. I thought I would come ask the experts since I can't seem to make a decision.

About six months ago, I sold off my only 5 string, leaving me with only 4 string basses, and I am finding that was probably a mistake. Lately I have been jamming with a guitar player friend of mine who wants to work up a set list of songs that requires me to downtune to various tunings, and then swap back and forth to standard. I am more of a "set it and forget it" kind of guy, so as you can imagine downtuning makes me grumpy...so I guess I am in the market for another 5 string.

For the purposes of this exercise, let's say the budget is around $600 or less. I am not expecting this to be my main bass, so I am hoping to keep this purchase in a reasonable price range. I am typically drawn to Fenders or "Fender-ish" looks, but open to hearing other suggestions. For a point of reference, I was pretty much set on getting a Squier VM 5. The problem is my back and shoulder are very sensitive to weight (probably my #1 priority), and all VM's I have seen on Sweetwater are between 10-11 lbs. I currently have a MM Stingray that weighs about 9.5 lbs and I can only handle about 30 minutes before I have to swap it out with a lighter bass.

Any suggestions? Should I just get the Squier and hit the gym so I can wield a beastlier axe?
 
#3
Thanks for the reply. The TRBX305 actually caught my eye. I honestly don't know much about Yamaha's basses. The only one I've ever played was a P bass copy that my high school owned back in the day. What would you compare the TRBX to tonewise? Is the 505 worth the extra $?
 
#5
Poke said:
Thanks for the reply. The TRBX305 actually caught my eye. I honestly don't know much about Yamaha's basses. The only one I've ever played was a P bass copy that my high school owned back in the day. What would you compare the TRBX to tonewise? Is the 505 worth the extra $?
Click to expand...

Yamaha does really consistent quality. I don't own either of the TRBX's, I have tried them out in stores. Can't say that I have a definitive read on their tone, but my impression was basically neutral - which can also mean, flexible. It's not a bass with a really distinct tonal identity that I could notice, not like a jazz or P bass. But I think you could get it to do a lot of different sounds.

The only real difference I could see between the two of them was that the 505 has a standard 3-band EQ to let you tweak your sound, while the 305 instead has a 5-way switch with EQ presets. I kind of think it's like the difference between a digital multi-effects pedal for a hobbyist to just use some standard preset tones, vs. a pedalboard for someone who wants to really create their own tone.

Poke said:
The BB425x is pretty cool looking. I hadn't considered that one yet. Is it known to be on the heavy side?
Click to expand...

If I remember right, "BB" originally stands for "broad body," so... yeah. It's not Sherman-tank Peavey T-40 heavy, but it's not light. I have a BB415 (predecessor model to the BB425x, with a single-piece neck and no pickguard). I LOVE the sound of it - it has hot passive pickups with a real P-bass roar to them, but a little more tonal variety. But I generally prefer not to keep it strapped to my shoulder all the way through a three-hour gig. I'll use it for shorter gigs (church, for instance), or for one set on a bar gig and then switch to something lighter.

EDIT: A couple of others to think about, a bit off the beaten path - the Peavey Grind and the Washburn Taurus T-25. I love everything about the Grind except the pickups, which are kind of wimpy. But I would seriously consider getting one and swapping them out, the boidy, weight, neck and balance are really nice. The Taurus will basically give you a jazz bass tone in a compact package - the body is really not huge, very easy to maneuver. It has narrow string spacing, though, so I wouldn't go with it if you like to slap.
 
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#6
From what I had read some of the VM P bass V's were under 9 lbs. tried the Yamaha 505 and thought it was pretty nice as well as the Ibanez SR505. I liked the B string on the Ibanez a bit better. Seemed to have more clarity and authority than the Yamaha, but that could have been that particular one. I'm on the same boat as you. Looking for an inexpensive 5, but it will be my first. Good luck in your search.
 
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#8
hrodbert696 said:
Yamaha does really consistent quality. I don't own either of the TRBX's, I have tried them out in stores. Can't say that I have a definitive read on their tone, but my impression was basically neutral - which can also mean, flexible. It's not a bass with a really distinct tonal identity that I could notice, not like a jazz or P bass. But I think you could get it to do a lot of different sounds.

The only real difference I could see between the two of them was that the 505 has a standard 3-band EQ to let you tweak your sound, while the 305 instead has a 5-way switch with EQ presets. I kind of think it's like the difference between a digital multi-effects pedal for a hobbyist to just use some standard preset tones, vs. a pedalboard for someone who wants to really create their own tone.



If I remember right, "BB" originally stands for "broad body," so... yeah. It's not Sherman-tank Peavey T-40 heavy, but it's not light. I have a BB415 (predecessor model to the BB425x, with a single-piece neck and no pickguard). I LOVE the sound of it - it has hot passive pickups with a real P-bass roar to them, but a little more tonal variety. But I generally prefer not to keep it strapped to my shoulder all the way through a three-hour gig. I'll use it for shorter gigs (church, for instance), or for one set on a bar gig and then switch to something lighter.

EDIT: A couple of others to think about, a bit off the beaten path - the Peavey Grind and the Washburn Taurus T-25. I love everything about the Grind except the pickups, which are kind of wimpy. But I would seriously consider getting one and swapping them out, the boidy, weight, neck and balance are really nice. The Taurus will basically give you a jazz bass tone in a compact package - the body is really not huge, very easy to maneuver. It has narrow string spacing, though, so I wouldn't go with it if you like to slap.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for the info. I really do like the BB. The styling is right up my alley. I am thinking I am just going to have to tough it out and do something like you described where I swap out a heavier bass with a lighter one whenever possible.

1stnamebassist said:
From what I had read some of the VM P bass V's were under 9 lbs. tried the Yamaha 505 and thought it was pretty nice as well as the Ibanez SR505. I liked the B string on the Ibanez a bit better. Seemed to have more clarity and authority than the Yamaha, but that could have been that particular one. I'm on the same boat as you. Looking for an inexpensive 5, but it will be my first. Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

Very good suggestion on the VM P. I am typically a big P fan. I forgot to mention in the OP that I currently have 2 P's that I really enjoy, and I am probably going to have to get rid of one to make this purchase happen. That being the case, I am going to attempt to get something that gives me a tone that's a little different from what I've already got. A Jazz, or PJ, or something else with 2 pickups is likely what I will settle on. I have considered Ibanez, too, but I'm a little afraid of the slimmer neck. I might have to go try some out again, though. It's been awhile. Good luck to you, also.
 
#12
Poke - not sure what type of music you play or what sound you're after but I think the best bang for the buck in sub $1000 five string basses is the Spector Rex 5 Pro. It's not any heavier than a typical 5 string (about 9 pounds), has a fantastic playing and ultra fast neck thru design and a tone to die for. It's a Tbird style body so may not fit visually in the venues you play but it does balance well (no neck dive) and is built rock solid with excellent customer support and a very active Spector player community. You can find them used for around $500.
The Squier five strings are more traditional looking and sounding and weigh about the same if not a little more and are somewhat cheaper new than the Spector used.
 
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#14
I have a Trbx 305. it's not that light compared to a pbass etc. It's mahogany body with steel hardaware. Having said that is a very well balance instrument. But the 505 comes with a graphite nut, passive and active pickups and mate finish paint. Tonewise the 305 sounds better but the 505 comes with better parts. Both comes with 18mm string spacing.
 
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#19
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Lots of great ideas being suggested. I think I need to visit some brick and mortar stores now and actually play some basses. I was hoping to get opinions on basses that I don't normally gravitate to (I'm a Fender/Musicman guy), and I did so thank you.

SirMjac28 said:
Is a drop tuner out of the question?
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I have considered doing this if I couldn't settle on finding a 5 string. I hesitate to do so for a couple of reasons. Out of the 3 basses I currently own, two of them have some sentimental value and I am just a little iffy about modifying them in any way. Silly, I know. The one that I would consider modifying has the vintage reverse geared tuners (Fender RW P), and I wasn't sure if it would work right, but I haven't really researched drop tuners to see if it would.
 
#20
Crystalman85 said:
If you play metal and wanted a light-weighted bass guitar, check out the schecter stiletto extreme 5-string bass. this bass sounds phenomenal with a set of dunlop super brights or dr high beams.
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Those look pretty cool, but I had a bit of a chuckle imagining myself playing one of those. I don't know if I'm metal enough to pull that off, haha! I'm an accountant with thinning hair and I have to wear a button up shirt and dress pants most days. Maybe it would work, who knows?
 
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