A Band Director's 5-Stringer Question

[scoleo7]

I'm a high school band director (brass player) wanting to learn bass for myself, but also in an effort to relate to the issues my jazz band bass students will encounter while learning the instrument. Having said that, I've been looking at a bass for myself to own. I already know I eventually want a 5-stringer because I LOVE the extra range the low B string provides, so I figured why not just start on one of those as my first axe (even though books will guide me through 4-string methods).

I bought a Squier Active V Jazz bass, but it feels a little massive to me (despite the fact that I'm a big guy and have large hands). Reading many posts, most of you like the sound of this model, but agree it's neck is wider, bigger and heavier than the norm. I was having second thoughts on whether I would keep it or not.

Today I played an Ibanez SR305 at my local GC. They also had a Squier Active V, so I did a sort of side-by-side comparison. Noting that I'm only a beginner bass player, but have been a professional musician/teacher for 14 years. The Ibanez had a much deeper tone, seemed to be more "shape-able" in terms of sound, and was able to produce more volume than the Squier.

As far as uses, I plan to do more jazz (walking blues lines, bebop, etc) and funk (slap, etc), and latin (bossas, tumbao type stuff, etc). I feel like at this point, I might be more prone to get the SR305, but the general buzz about these is that they are on the smaller side in terms of neck width and proximity of strings.

Is there a particluar brand/model of 5 string bass that is considered the NORMAL standard neck width/string spacing? Like everyone else new to the instrument, I'm on a budget (TRYING not to go over $400), and am trying to get a bass with respectable sound/quality/etc. I'm also trying to find something I can try before buying (or be able to return if I don't like), so stuff like eBay and online purchases from distant bass shops are out of the question. (I'm near Chicago if that helps anyone).

Thanks in advance for any insight you all can give. I'm a member of several instrument forums, and this one is really one of the best I'm come across.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Ibanezes are fine basses. I would spend a few more pennies and get a SR505, but the one you like is fine also. Many bassists prefer wider string spacing like that of the Squier because it is easier for slapping and other techniques, but many love closer spacing. The choice is purely personal. If you learn with narrow spacing, it should be a breeze for you to play.

 

[the humanity]

it is a nice bass.

another Ibanez worth looking at may be the Ibanez GSR206- an affordable 6 string, for even more range. not as wide a tonal range, but a very nice sound. the knobs are meh, but cheap to replace if they break.

 

[Kwesi]

I'd take the Squier but we're two different people so we might have some differences in our opinions. IME, Squiers just have a better tone though. If you played the Ibanez and like it better then get it. If the Squier is uncomfortable but the tone is great give it some more time and see if you get used to it. That's what happened for me with 2 of my 4 favorite basses.

I'd say that the "standard spacing" for 5 strings 18mm (19mm is standard for 4 strings) but thinner spacing seems to be more common among cheaper brands. I think Ibanez's are something like 16.5 or 17mm (from one string to another) but they're still comfortable enough for me to slap on. Squier's are 18mm or 19mm . Preference varies from person to person, of course. As far as neck width, I don't know of any standards but I don't really care about neck width so much as shape. I do like the Ibanez neck shape better but the Squier's isn't bad by a long shot.

 

[relbling]

Neck width and string spacing are both best determined by how you feel playing the bass. I played a Carvin for years which had what was considered a somewhat narrow string spacing. I now play a Dingwall which has a much wider string spacing (with the resultant neck width). It took a little bit to get used to the wider spacing (more so than the fanned frets, but that's another topic) but now it's perfectly comfortable. And it is easier to slap than my old bass was. So I guess that you can become used to anything, so go with what is comfortable for you.

Ross