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About $2000 to spend, in the market for a 5 string
- Thread starter holllowbody
- Start date
The Dingwall AB1 is a great bass and can be found used (mint) in the $1500-1700 range. Very nice bass and I own one.
Personally, I believe Roscoes are the best basses available on the market today. I rehearsed this morning with a Dingwall, Stingray, MTD and a Roscoe (all 5ers except for the Stingray) and the Roscoe HANDS DOWN was the best souning bass IMO and in the opinion of my band mates. I wanted to play a couple of songs with each just to compare.... the Roscoe was MUCH better sounding than the others.
A used LG or SKB 5er can be found in the $1700-2000 range. Active pre though.
As I peruse some of the suggestions I have noticed that the Warwick Thumb BO 5 has both pickups mounted near the bridge. Same thing with the Music Man that has only one pickup. With no pickup near the neck does that make the bass ideal for slap style playing since the strings wont be as likely to hit the pickups and it wont be as "crowded" up there? I noticed that my Corvettes don't have much clearence between the neck pickup and they seem to be more suited to playing with a pick, finger picking etc.
So, if the playing style was such that the strings would be prone to "move" alot (be it from tuning down, playing hard, slap or whatever) would I want to find something WITHOUT a pickup near the neck??
So, if the playing style was such that the strings would be prone to "move" alot (be it from tuning down, playing hard, slap or whatever) would I want to find something WITHOUT a pickup near the neck??
Flea started on a MM just for that reason, to slap the h3ll out of it.
Without the ability of the strings to smack on a neck pup, the slapping tone is much smoother. BUT! Without a neck pup, you can lose a lot of tone.
Without the ability of the strings to smack on a neck pup, the slapping tone is much smoother. BUT! Without a neck pup, you can lose a lot of tone.
I have a lakland JO skyline 5 string for sale .
Passive jazz bass.
seems to be what you are looking for.
Passive jazz bass.
seems to be what you are looking for.
If you have $2K to spend, look at a used highend 5 string. There are soooo many basses out there, you really need to try every one that you can. Sadowsky makes a great 5 string bass. Roscoe is another. Don't be in a hurry to buy "something", buy what you want.
Why the bolt-on preference? I had the same preference for many years because every bolt-on I played had more punch and presence in the mix. The Warwick Thumb NTs and Spector Euro LXs changed my view on this.
You mention passive pups. I assume you're okay with active electronics as long as the pups are passive?
Since you've got 2K to spend, I'd suggest checking out some Zons. Most of the models fit all of your requirements. A Stingray is probably nice option as well. They're not for me, but they theoretically fit all of your requirements. I would definitely try before buying a 'ray. I'm sure some will argue with me, but I've experienced a WIDE variation in tone from various Stingrays I've played -- from snappy, lively, and sensitive, to dull and lifeless.
If you're not completely opposed to an NT, check out a Thumb and a Euro LX. Got a Thumb from a fellow TBer after auditioning one at a store. I have a $$, but the Thumb blew it away in every category you mentioned (though it's not as versatile).
You mention passive pups. I assume you're okay with active electronics as long as the pups are passive?
Since you've got 2K to spend, I'd suggest checking out some Zons. Most of the models fit all of your requirements. A Stingray is probably nice option as well. They're not for me, but they theoretically fit all of your requirements. I would definitely try before buying a 'ray. I'm sure some will argue with me, but I've experienced a WIDE variation in tone from various Stingrays I've played -- from snappy, lively, and sensitive, to dull and lifeless.
If you're not completely opposed to an NT, check out a Thumb and a Euro LX. Got a Thumb from a fellow TBer after auditioning one at a store. I have a $$, but the Thumb blew it away in every category you mentioned (though it's not as versatile).
I will play every one that I can, but I don't know where I will be able to play Sabowsky and Roscoe. If I go that route I will very likely have to buy unseen, unplayed. Buying a used bass unseen (other than pics which we all know don't tell the whole story) is a bit scary especially with 2K on the table. But I will keep my eyes on the used market nonetheless.
What I can readily audition consists largely of more common, popular basses. Not exotic high end basses.
If I were to get a new bass it'd probably be an Elrick or I'd wait for the new Dingwall Combustions to be released. You can afford a 'true' Dingwall though. Never played one but people say they're AWESOME.
Bolt on preferance: I like the way they sound and I like how they make the bass easier to service.
Yes, active electronics are fine. While I am not completely opposed to active pickups, I would prefer passive.
I have never heard of Zon before. I perused basscentral and they see to fit the bill, thanks for the suggestion. I have no idea where I would play before I pay though.
I should be able to find some Rays to play though.
Question for you: Why is the thumb not as versitile and a corvette?
"Question for you: Why is the thumb not as versitile and a corvette?"
The thumb has this midrangey burpy sound all the time due to the pickup placement, if you like it them awesome. the corvette has a more traditional tone, but still inherantly warwick
another option, seriously, if youve never played a EMBB bongo 5, you really should try it out. i dont like the stirngray5 at all and i havnt played a sterling5 so i cant say for that, but the bongo is $money$. i play 4 strings, and want to get a 5, and thats waht im looking at tops right now. dont even worry about it being active, its soooo versitile, and sounds great.
whenever im at a music store and play 5ers, the ones i like are always down to the same few instruments. EBMM bongo 5, Modulus VJ5, also the tobias killer b is real solid, imo.
on the bongo note, basscentral has them with an all rosewood neck. which is beyond baller.
i hope you find my opinions useful
The thumb has this midrangey burpy sound all the time due to the pickup placement, if you like it them awesome. the corvette has a more traditional tone, but still inherantly warwick
another option, seriously, if youve never played a EMBB bongo 5, you really should try it out. i dont like the stirngray5 at all and i havnt played a sterling5 so i cant say for that, but the bongo is $money$. i play 4 strings, and want to get a 5, and thats waht im looking at tops right now. dont even worry about it being active, its soooo versitile, and sounds great.
whenever im at a music store and play 5ers, the ones i like are always down to the same few instruments. EBMM bongo 5, Modulus VJ5, also the tobias killer b is real solid, imo.
on the bongo note, basscentral has them with an all rosewood neck. which is beyond baller.
i hope you find my opinions useful
I looked around online at some Dingwall Afterburners and I can't help but to think that the ergonomics are just plain bizzar largely due to the slanted frets. Why are they slanted like that? Is there a particular style of play that they are suited for?
the thumb has much more of this midrangey burpy sound all the time. either you hate it or love it. the corvette has a more traditional tone, imo
They're slanted like that because each string is a different scale length. The B string may be a 35" scale but the G may be 30". It's really not that big of a deal. I played a Dingwall a few months ago and loved it to death. The fanned frets actually feel more natural on your hand than the straight ones.
Big +1
I have owned a cirrus for over 7 years and have to say it's extremely versatile tone wise. I've used it for metal, rock, blues, funk, fusion, jazz, and have always been able to dial in a perfect tone for whatever occasion. although I do have the neck-through 5 which retail for about 2,400 but the neck-through has a 35" scale length(bolt on has a 34") and the low B always sounds amazing, and the neck is reinforced with graphite along with the dual-expanding truss rod. I've only had to have 1 neck adjustment in the life of my bass, and I play alot of slap with pretty low string height. and although they list a little above your range a quick look on the bay finds some NEW OLD STOCK for just under your range. check um out!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Cirrus-5-Bubinga-Wood-New-Old-Stock_W0QQitemZ200094536994QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item200094536994&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
and a used one for around 1,300
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Cirrus-5-5-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-With-Case
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