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5 string with good active and passive tone?

EveryGoodBoy

EveryGoodBoy

Guest
Dec 21, 2011
7
0
Seattle
#1
I'm in the market for my first 5 string and I'm hoping to find something new or used under $1k with both good active and passive tones. I know there are a lot of basses out there with passive pickups and active EQs, but many don't have switches to bypass the EQ. I am primarily a guitarist and don't want to buy a lot of niche basses, so I'm looking for something versatile. I currently play a Fender Jazz with flats and want something a little more modern (want to play some slap and bright chordy stuff) but that can still deliver that nice thumpy Motown sound. I'm currently eyeing the Yamaha TRBX505 but haven't been able to get my hands on one yet. Any other recommendations?
 
#2
Ibanez SR655/ SR755 has active/passive switch and a PJ configuration. Sire V7 5 string is also great with passive/active switch. Both should fit your needs really well depending on what you're looking for.

In full disclosure, I've owned both - the Sire is gone now and the Ibby is in the classifieds.
 
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#3
Thanks for the recommendations. I've thought about the SR655, but aesthetically I just don't care for the Soundgear basses. It does meet all of my criteria though. I haven't heard of Sire, but I'll do a little more research. It would certainly match my Jazz in looks (its a 75 reissue in ash/maple with pearl blocks). Looks promising.
 
#5
Most active/passive basses don't do both well. Typically the switch to passive disables all EQ controls. In other words it's more of an emergency battery fail feature than a true active-passive bass. For a true active-passive bass consider a G&L L-2500. EQ works both in active and passive (but is cut only) and you can either find a used USA version in the price range or the Tribute models new in the same range. The knobs, switches and strange setup can be intimidating at first, but allow the bass to be just about the most versatile around once you finally "get" how they all work.

Check out some of the G&L L2500 discussions here to get more of a feel what people see in those basses. They have a taste of old school and yet do some modern too. My L2500 USA fretless is by FAR my favorite bass and I have some really nice high end "niche" basses.
 
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#7
The top end of your range - $800 to 1000 - would get you a used Lakland Skyline 55-02.

I used to own a TRBX505. Nice instrument. But the Lakland is a higher quality instrument that can cop a lot of tones, has a better B string, and is one you'd probably never feel the need to upgrade. Well worth it to pony up a few hundred $$ more.
 
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#9
bassbenj said:
Most active/passive basses don't do both well. Typically the switch to passive disables all EQ controls. In other words it's more of an emergency battery fail feature than a true active-passive bass. For a true active-passive bass consider a G&L L-2500. EQ works both in active and passive (but is cut only) and you can either find a used USA version in the price range or the Tribute models new in the same range. The knobs, switches and strange setup can be intimidating at first, but allow the bass to be just about the most versatile around once you finally "get" how they all work.

Check out some of the G&L L2500 discussions here to get more of a feel what people see in those basses. They have a taste of old school and yet do some modern too. My L2500 USA fretless is by FAR my favorite bass and I have some really nice high end "niche" basses.
Click to expand...

This
OOOHHH YEAH #1

jasper383 said:
You could go 5 string passive Jazz like a US Fender or Lakland 55-60 or Darryl Jones 5, and add a preamp pedal like the Sadowsky outboard pre pedal.
Click to expand...

and this too
OOOHHH YEAH #2

Cheers,
Wallace

PS: at least... those're exactly the paths I followed different moments in time
 
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#12
Go as many places as you can and play as many instruments as you can. I have gone through a LOT of 5 strings (Spector, The Bass Company, SX, Ibanez... The little at is long and embarrassing).

The 2 that I found that are keepers were both around your price point:

Human Base X.OC5 (MM style Delano pickups, Glockenkland Pree, active/passive, coil tap) and very balanced B string and incredible tone.

Mike Pulcinella Level 5JJ. Found this on consignment for $650. The seller put Dimarzio pickups and swapped in the Aguilar OBP-1, so I am swapping in an Audere preamp so I can get the active/passive capability, but a KILLER tone!

Don't be afraid to try some of the lesser known brands, IMHO they have something to prove and a fine don't disappoint!
 
#19
There are several $1000 fives in the classifieds that would be worthy of ANY professional music environment. (an Inca Silver Lakland w Nordstrands comes to mind).

Personal rant: I'd love to see a trend towards mass produced basses with high end PASSIVE pickups. (like an Ibanez BTB w hot Nords/Aguilar)

It seems like pickup makers would be happy to their product become a focal point of the instrument and manufacturers can spare us the need to upgrade cheaper electronics.

Many folks would drop in preamps of their choice or, in my case, be happy to make their sonic adjustments downstream.
 
#20
There are really a lot of good choices.
The hardest thing,I think, is finding a retailer with a decent stock on hand. Especially mid priced instruments. Hopefully you live in an area with a few stores to check out.
 

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