A decent bass for under 750

[grass132456]

Hey guys!

My friend wants to get his first 5 string and I'm wondering what would be a solid 5 string bass to get! He has tried my Ibanez SR 505 and he really likes it, the lightweight and the thin string spacing. What would be a decent 5 string with thin (17 mm) spacing?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don't think there IS a better 5 string in that pricerange. What does he not like about the SR505? What's his budget?

 

[grass132456]

Is budget is about 750. Nothing wrong with getting the same bass as me I'm just curious of what others say about other thin string spacing 5 stringers besides the sr 505.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Might have helped if I read the thread title, eh? I went looking for a 5 recently, didn't buy one, but I didn't play any I liked better than the 505. The mahogany models have that crappy tinted varnish that wears through easily, other than that a superb bass. I think they make a painted poly version too. He could probably get an SR605 used for under $750. People rave about the Nordstrand pups on the higher end models, but the barts sound great to me. The Squier VM series 5 string is a nice bass too, but more standard Fender string spacing. If he's into slapping, wider string spacing probably easier to adapt to.

 

[Wallace320]

Given street price and strin' spacin', considerin' three band active eq with passive Barts an excellent choice, walnut finished ash bodied Sr605 is the right option.

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Wandering Bastard]

At that price, Schecter, Ibanez and LTD all make very interesting offerings.

 

[progrmr]

I've got a Squier Jaguar Bass V with the active pickups - it's very similar string spacing to a 505 and sounds excellent.

But as was stated earlier, if he likes the 505 he can get one just like it for less than $750!

 

[neo 7]

Used USA Peavey Milluniman <sp>

 

[Wallace320]

I've got a Squier Jaguar Bass V with the active pickups - it's very similar string spacing to a 505 and sounds excellent.

But as was stated earlier, if he likes the 505 he can get one just like it for less than $750!

Unfortunately I don't really think Squier Jag V to have the very same string spacin' of Ibanez soundgear 5s
Squier adopt the same 5s neck specs on each n'every Fender: 1,875" at the nut (with the exception of the sole Squier active deluxe Jazz V with an astonishin' 2" at the nut!)
Usually Fender, and Fender inspired, 5s adopt an 18mm string spacin' at the bridge... Ibanez Soundgears have 16,5mm on 5s and 6s (with the exception of the Gerald Veasley sig bass: 14mm) so I don't see how they can be comparables, lettin' the phat boost circuitry on Squier (and Ibanez Gsr models) alone

Cheers.
Wallace

 

[grass132456]

Thanks for the input guys! My friend tried out a ibanez btb with 19 mm spacing and it was too wide for him. I remember also wanting a peavey cirrus 5, but I don't think hey make those anymore too.