$800, 5-String Bass Shoot-Out

[Boom762]

Of these $800 basses, which would you choose if given one for free?

I was going to add the Chapman MLB-1 bass, but oh well. Poll is set.

 

[mark beem]

Definitely the Lakland. I have one and it's fantastic!

 

[stuntbass77]

Definitely the Lakland. I have one and it's fantastic!

View attachment 549253
View attachment 549252

Beautiful!

 

[scourgeofgod]

Really can't decide, for me it's between the Lakland and the Fortress,

I don't think there's a wrong choice here though out of the 5

 

[35hundy]

Somewhere between the Ray35 and the Fortress; both are exceptional.

 

[raventepes]

It was tough, but ultimately, I decided on the Fortress. Hands down, it's one of my favourite bodies to date.

It's gorgeous!! But it's also very under utilised.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

You forgot to add the "none of the above" option to the poll.

But given the options, it'd have to be the Lakland - my only caveat being the Bartolini preamp in these is a little on the fierce side and lacks subtlety in its voicing. Nicely made instruments, though.

 

[Boom762]

You forgot to add the "none of the above" option to the poll.

But given the options, it'd have to be the Lakland - my only caveat being the Bartolini preamp in these is a little on the fierce side and lacks subtlety in its voicing. Nicely made instruments, though.

Purposely sir I figured a none of the above would be a Fender tidal wave. Te purpose for this thread is to see what is valued just between these brands.

I personally love the tonal qualities of the Lakland. However, I love the utilitarianism of the Fortress. 3D bridge and all the little things that went into it. The others Ive got too little experience with in those price ranges. I tend to lean away from Ibanez though. To my ear, they all have the same characteristic tone.

 

[Sav'nBass]

Out of the ones on the list I'd go with the Lakland as well but I have to say.. a real sleeper in inexpensive but very well made 5s is the Brubaker Brute line.

Brute MJX 5 & Brute MJXSC 5

These basses are very well made and they sound great stock. Slap in a p&P upgrade and you have a very nice bass for not a lot of money. Vey playable, great balance, ergonomics are very good for me... and just an overall great bass. I like my modded JJX better than my 55-02.

 

[mmbongo]

You forgot to add the "none of the above" option to the poll.

But given the options, it'd have to be the Lakland - my only caveat being the Bartolini preamp in these is a little on the fierce side and lacks subtlety in its voicing. Nicely made instruments, though.

To be fair, it does NOT have a Bartolini preamp. It's just a generic Korean made preamp, just like the pickups.

 

[mmbongo]

It was tough, but ultimately, I decided on the Fortress. Hands down, it's one of my favourite bodies to date.

It's gorgeous!! But it's also very under utilised.

Pretty sure that's not a Rockbass, that looks to be a German Fortress. Unless Rockbasses now have brass frets and wenge fingerbaords. Either way, that's a nice one, even though I voted for the Lakland because of the normal string spacing and 35" scale

 

[mark beem]

You forgot to add the "none of the above" option to the poll.

But given the options, it'd have to be the Lakland - my only caveat being the Bartolini preamp in these is a little on the fierce side and lacks subtlety in its voicing. Nicely made instruments, though.

To be fair, it does NOT have a Bartolini preamp. It's just a generic Korean made preamp, just like the pickups.

I ended up replacing both the pickups and preamp in mine. Bartolini make a US made, direct drop in replacement for the stock MK-1s. Couple those with the Bartolini 5.2 A/P and I don't believe the MIA Laklands would sound much better.

 

[friendlybass]

For 800 my fender 5 string active jazz whoops some booty and customer service has been flawless from fender.
Of the options though I voted BTB cause I think they look frikkin awesome

 

[mmbongo]

I ended up replacing both the pickups and preamp in mine. Bartolini make a US made, direct drop in replacement for the stock MK-1s. Couple those with the Bartolini 5.2 A/P and I don't believe the MIA Laklands would sound much better.

That's exactly what I did with my 55-01, turned it into a killer.

 

[mark beem]

That's exactly what I did with my 55-01, turned it into a killer.

Testify!!

 

[GastonD]

I voted Lakland firs and fore most because I already own the Ibanez BT675
That said, I would seek my Lakland to be with a maple fingerboard.
Ray and Fortress are behind due to their tighter string spacing, and I like the full 3/4" (19mm) on my 5-strings, as well as 35" scale.

 

[jim777]

I think I would get the MIM Active Jazz Deluxe V as well - or wait on a used SB5000 or Carvin BB75. I wouldn't drop 800 on a new bass for any reason; there are simply too many basses in that category to not be able to find one used for less.

 

[mark beem]

I wouldn't drop 800 on a new bass for any reason; there are simply too many basses in that category to not be able to find one used for less.

I got that used 55-01 Deluxe shipped for under $700.

 

[raventepes]

Pretty sure that's not a Rockbass, that looks to be a German Fortress. Unless Rockbasses now have brass frets and wenge fingerbaords. Either way, that's a nice one, even though I voted for the Lakland because of the normal string spacing and 35" scale

Looking at it again, yeah, that's a German-made Warwick. I also just noticed the Neutrik jack. Regardless though, I love that body shape!

 

[jim777]

I got that used 55-01 Deluxe shipped for under $700.

There you go 800 buys a LOT of bass, especially used.