5 string suggestions

[basspraiser]

How about this?

or this?

they are even well under your budget (cheaper than the Fender US P5 and the neck is MUCH better IMHO and the opinion of others).....and you CANNOT believe Lakland quaility! follow the link in my signature if you are interested....

 

[RDT]

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!

Thanks for the advice...all will be considered.

Today, I went to a couple shops and played about 6 different 5'ers. I couldn't find a Fender P 5, but they did have a Jazz 5. And I hated the neck finish. Also, played a Peavey Cirrus 5 and a custom shop cirrus 5. The Custom Cirrus played like a dream, loved the neck (size, spacing,finish). The body finish looked a little...how should I say, 'painted' on, rather than true quilted finish. Also, I really didn't like the pup's. I know pup's are an easy swap, but I'd like to get what I want to start with. Ya know!

Probably going to go to Guitar Center next Monday or Tuesday and see what they have.

I really want to play a Sadowsky before I put $500 down, then wait 5 or 6 months to get something and it not be what I like. I won't do that either, but finding one to play first is going to be the hard part.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

One thing I will say about cheap basses versus more dear ones.
The affordable basses I have had were always "good enough" and never blew me away. They also would only ever be able to get set up so that some of the neck was good, never the whole neck. YMMV
A few years ago I stepped up to the $1000+ club and dont regret it.
Musicman basses are very solid great sounding basses. So are Laklands and MTDs.
I would seriously look at at the MTD basses. Even the import ones are a great deal.
Also, you can find used MM 5-ers for under a grand quite often.

 

[Crystalman85]

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.

+1

Schecter makes awesome bass guitars.

 

[bassbenj]

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!?!? 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.

I own a MIM Deluxe Fender 5 string V bass and looked at a number of MIA Fender 5 string basses before I got mine. It's not bad, but if an Ibanez is doing it for you I'd think twice about a Fender. Fender is the "classic" bass for "old school" (think flat wounds etc) and Ibanez is the "classic" choice for "modern" basses. So unless your musical tastes are tending back toward an older school sound a Fender may not be your cup of tea. They do not sound, play, nor feel like an Ibanez.

I don't own any Ibanez basses so I can't give advice but if I were you, I'd look hard at the higher end Ibanez models with advice from the guys here. As for me, my "modern sound" bass is a Modulus Q6 (a Q5 is just as good if you don't need the higher notes) It's my main axe. Someone here has already recommended one.

And there are of course many other modern sound basses out there. Just try 'em and listen and see how they feel in your hands. That's the way to do it!

PS. Don't worry too much about 35" scales. Many 34" scale basses have to-die-for B strings. (Fenders don't by the way!) The downside of a 35" scale (my Modulus is 35") is you may have to buy extra long strings special order. 5 string 34" sets are already often hard enough to find in mom and pop music stores.

 

[kencasino]

I had a blue moon for a couple of months, loved the sound, but the narrow neck drove me nuts when switching off to 19mm spacing on my Peavey tl-5 so I traded it in on an ESP B-255 which I loved, but then I got an urge fopr Fender Sound and traded that in on a jazz, and now I have that up for sale here and wishing I still had the ESP. I also bought a rare Squire Precision pro tone V which is an awesome bass. take a look at the reviews. there are two on ebay at this time, and might save you a ton of money, but the neck is wide (2")

good luck however you do it, but remember $ isn't everything in an instrument

 

[G On Bass]

There are soooo many great basses out there. You need to ask yourself if you like 35" or 34"? 17, 18 or 19mm spacing? What kind of tone are you looking for? Active/passive or both?

I tried several 5-strings in my price range (US Fender, Squier, Spector, DeArmond, SX) until I kinda inadvertantly ended up with an older Lakland 55-02. Since then I've sold off everything else and just have Lakland Skylines. I've got a Joe Osborn 5 with Chi-Sonics, a 55-01 (that I modded and put in a Nordstrand NP5 pickup) and I have one of the really cool Bob Glaub 5's on order (like the one in my avatar). The 2 basses I have now cover about 90% of what I will ever need. I would also highly, highly recommend playing a 55-02.

 

[George Himmel]

Alot of bass guitars are one trick ponies. The Lakland 55-02 is very flexable instrument. It offers a variety of tones and what I believe is one of the best sounding B strings at any price. Try it. You might like it.

This guy is being quoted for truth. Except I'd probably edit "might" to be a "will".

 

[RDT]

Well, after talking to a co-worker today, I found out there is a Lakland dealer about 70 miles from my home...and he highly recommended them, too, even though he's a Fender guy. So, to Daddy O's in Springfield I shall go next Monday or Tuesday...who knows, maybe I'll come home with a new toy.

Any comments on my Sadowsky Metro vs NYC question earlier?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

i was up in the Sadowsky showroom a couple of years ago. I couldnt tell the difference between the NYC and metro by playing them or sound. For me I like the Metros better because they have beautifully bound necks.
I havent seen a NYc witha bound neck (maybe they exist?).
The NYC models are more likley to have ebony, bubinga or other fun woods happening.
But the pickups and setup are the same in general.

 

[PZapdos]

You'd definitely have to try one out, as it doesnt seem to be exactly what your looking for (people either LOVE or HATE the neck)

But i got a $1400 Warwick for $700 like new on TB recently, And its just.. amazing.

 

[Rocksolid]

When playing with a mix of Acoustic and Electric Guitars my favourite go to Bass for tone that sits in the mix is a Jazz bass, closely followed by a P bass. i have owned a 5502 and loved playing it - but I personally struggled to get it to sit in the mix properly. I would recommend a good 5 string passive J such as a Fender or a Lakland JO5.

Not dissing 5502's just sharing my opinion.

if you go a a Sadosky Metro I would go for a PJ5. I have a fender PJ5 and love this bass - so many options tonally.

 

[t0t0m]

Between Lakland Skyline and Sadowsky Metro, I prefer the Metros,
But between the Sadowsky NYC 5 and The Lakland 55-94, I prefer Lakie..just from my personal taste.

 

[LARUMBLE]

for a great 5 string get a CARVIN BUNNY BRUNNEL MODEL BRAND NEW CUSTOM

 

[NS2A]

And I hated the neck finish.

You mentioned this a couple times. If you like a bass otherwise, I wouldn't let this scare you off. Steel wool can get rid of this problem in about 30 seconds.

And, a lot of guitarists I played with in the 80's would take ALL the finish off of the backs of their necks.

 

[RDT]

You mentioned this a couple times. If you like a bass otherwise, I wouldn't let this scare you off. Steel wool can get rid of this problem in about 30 seconds.

And, a lot of guitarists I played with in the 80's would take ALL the finish off of the backs of their necks.

Yeah, I know. I 'de-satin-ed' my ES-335 with a scotch brite, then 0000 steel wool.

 

[BluesWalker]

If you can find one, I highy recomment the Fender Rocsoe Beck 5-string bass. It is no longer in production. It is a great bass, tight B string with a 34" scale and it has a lot of other great features you can look up.

 

[mccartneyman]

Lakland -- 55-02, JO5 or, if you can wait, one of the new Bob Glaub 5s. The 55-02 will give you the most tonal options.

 

[nutso42]

To date, my favorite 5-strings are G&L's and Traben.

Go check 'em out.

 

[LaklandBass]

Lakland 55-02 is probably your best bet. although the Peavey Cirrus is a very serious bass that sits comfortably in your price range