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5 string suggestions

RDT

RDT

Aug 28, 2009
177
0
South/Central Illinois
www.walkinwithcash.com
#1
OK, I'm ready to 'upgrade' my 5 string bass. Currently play an Ibanez SR505. I really like the bass, so it'll be used as a back-up. Within the last 5 or so months I started playing a 5 full-time, and have fell in love with the versatility of being able to play in keys lower than E without having to tune down. I currently play in a 'progressive country' band, covering artist such as, Brad Paisley, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Miranda Lambert, as well as originals of the same style. Being new the "5" side of basses, I'm unsure what to choose.

I'm looking to spend around $1300.00...max $1500.00

I've looked into the Fender American Standard 5 string V Bass, as well as a few other Ibanez 5 strings. But, I'm just not "up" on other manufacturers, as I don't have G.A.S. (I've owned and played the same 4 string for the last 22+ years).

Only playing the Ibanez 5 string, I like it's neck qualities: 45mm nut and 12" radius. However, the 34" scale probably 'limits' the low B!?!?:confused: The only other 5 string I've played more than in the store, was a Spector (unsure of the model). I really didn't like the neck finish...seemed to be too 'sticky'. However, I only played it through 1 set...about 13 songs.

F.Y.I.: I play through a David Eden head and a custom built 6x10 cab...no effects...just straight.

Any suggestions? I know there are going to be a lot of different ones, but that's what I want...so I can look in different directions.
 
#5
I really like the Ibanez SR 5-strings. The SR4005E Prestige is a beautiful instrument, but is about $100 north of your budget. Being a Schecter owner, it is hard not to recommend the Link Removed. It is way under your price range, but a damn fine piece of work. I think it would work well in the progressive country mix.

Strictly in your given range though, I would probably go with an American Standard V Jazz bass, if I was looking for a nice Country music instrument.
 
#6
If you go used there are a ton of great basses in that price range. It's really just a matter of finding the one that works for you.

Based on your style of music: MM SR5, G&L L-2500, Lakland 55-02 or modified 55-01, Am. Std. P5 or J5. Am. Dlx. P5 or J5 would all be great choices.

Then there's the more esoteric instruments and all of the wonderfull work being put out by the small and boutique luthiers.

Just start browsing the TB classifieds and see what rings your bell.
 
#7
MM Stingray or Sterling. In your price range you could get a used HH or HS configuration and you'd be all set. In fact, there's a GORGEOUS honeyburst with maple neck HH for sale right here on the TB classifieds... $1150 when last I checked. And no, I am not affiliated in any way with the seller!

I play the same style of music that you do (Americana-AltCountry-GrungeFolk or whatever they're calling it today), and I use a fretless Stingray 5 as my main bass. I've been using a fretted Warwick Corvette (passive), but I'm selling it so I can buy a fretted Stingray. Some people will say this bass is too bright for our kind of music, but put a set of pressurewound or halfround strings on there and you will be smiling wider than a country mile! :bassist:
 
#8
Lakland 55-02 sounds good for you. If you wanna go passive, you can get a used skyline DJ05. Both 35" scales, both look killer and both would fit in well with the type of music you're playing. As mentioned earlier, used Modulus Q5's can be found in that range too. Never played on one, but from what I hear, there isn't a better B string in existence. Maybe Dingwall? but thats another bass I haven't played.

Don't rule out 34's though, there are some killer ones out there. Look hard enough and you might find a used bolt on Ken Smith BSR5 or CR5 (I did) in that vicinity.
 
#9
PSPookie said:
If you go used there are a ton of great basses in that price range. It's really just a matter of finding the one that works for you.

Based on your style of music: MM SR5, G&L L-2500, Lakland 55-02 or modified 55-01, Am. Std. P5 or J5. Am. Dlx. P5 or J5 would all be great choices.
Click to expand...

+1. $1300 gets you A LOT of bass here in the classifieds. Heck, in some cases, it can get you 2 main player basses! :bassist:
 
#15
OK, after an exhausting day researching and soul searching, I think I'm going to up my ante on what I'm willing to spend.

Between the Sadowsky Metro vs. NYC line. Is there much of a difference in quality and tone. I'm not really worried about resale value...like I said before I've owned the same 4 string for the last 22 years.

I AM concerned about quality. Are the Metro versions like the squire version of the Sadowsky line? Don't get me wrong, I have a squire tele that has a better neck and tone than many American tele's. However, I did have to put a NOS vintage bridge, and NOS pups to get it that way. But, the 'good' squires are few and far between.

I realize there is about a grand or more difference in price.
 
#18
A 35" neck has 3% more length than a 34". In other words "not much". I've had good luck with both scale lengths.

The larger issue for me is right hand (for right handed bassists) spacing. Personally, I don't like them tight - I bought and sold a lot of five strings (among them a beautiful G&L L-2500) to get the right spacing.

Get the Sadowsky if you want to, but you have a lot of good choices in your original budget. Roger Sadowsky makes great basses and is a true gentleman, but I'm not big on active electronics.

My search pretty much ended with my Skyline 55-01. I've dropped in Nordstrand dual coils and I'm still planning on reworking the electronics. I played a Fender P 5 like Lync posted at a shop and fell in love. If I had the cash and found one like that one was I'd buy it.

I'd recommend either the Fender or Skyline, but those are simply my preferences and shouldn't affect your choices too much. 17mm string to string at the bridge is typically thought of as a narrow spacing, 19mm is pretty much what four strings have and some five strings, like my 55-01. To me that's a very important thing, more important than, say fingerboard radius, which may be more important to you.

Play a lot of five strings!

KO
 
#19
While it's always nice to get some recommendations, I think you should focus on features and specs rather than particular models. For example, you like your Soundgear a lot and I'm fairly sure that Soundgears have some of the slimmest and thinnest necks on the market. You might find it very uncomfortable to switch to a bass with a thicker or wider neck. Also, you mentioned not liking the feeling of the neck finish of the Spector you tried. You should make sure you know how your Soundgear is finished and how that Spector is finished and chose accordingly. How much does your Soundgear weigh? If you get a bass that is considerably heavier (maybe 1.5 to 2 pounds difference or more), you might not like it.

The best advice is to try as many different basses as you can. Don't focus on which brands or models you liked as much as which parts and/or features you liked. If you stick to the used market and are willing to lose a little money here and there, you can buy/sell/trade your way through a number of basses and really get a sense for what works for you.

Finally, don't make any decisions about a bass and how it feels until it's set up to your liking. Comparing one bass with low action and light gauge strings to another with high action and heavy strings is going to skew your opinion no matter what the other specs are.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck!
 
#20
Schizoid75 said:
While it's always nice to get some recommendations, I think you should focus on features and specs rather than particular models. For example, you like your Soundgear a lot and I'm fairly sure that Soundgears have some of the slimmest and thinnest necks on the market. You might find it very uncomfortable to switch to a bass with a thicker or wider neck. Also, you mentioned not liking the feeling of the neck finish of the Spector you tried. You should make sure you know how your Soundgear is finished and how that Spector is finished and chose accordingly. How much does your Soundgear weigh? If you get a bass that is considerably heavier (maybe 1.5 to 2 pounds difference or more), you might not like it.

The best advice is to try as many different basses as you can. Don't focus on which brands or models you liked as much as which parts and/or features you liked. If you stick to the used market and are willing to lose a little money here and there, you can buy/sell/trade your way through a number of basses and really get a sense for what works for you.

Finally, don't make any decisions about a bass and how it feels until it's set up to your liking. Comparing one bass with low action and light gauge strings to another with high action and heavy strings is going to skew your opinion no matter what the other specs are.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

+1 very well put try them all if you can
 

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