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About $2000 to spend, in the market for a 5 string

#41
Ric5 said:
They used to make 5 string Rickenbackers ...

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The problem with the 4003s5 was the string spacing was 2 1/16" at the bridge ... too tight for fingerstyle ... then they made the 4004cii5 which had a string spacing pretty much identical to the Musicman basses. The problem with the 4004cii5 was it had pickups that had 2 1/4" rails and they couldn't cover the 2 3/4" string spacing. The really sad thing can't seem to make a good 5 string bass.

But the 4004 4 string bass can be modified into a good 5 string bass.

bass5%20062.jpg
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A local guy here has a Ric 5er. It has the tightest string spacing I've ever seen. I can't play it to save my life :mad: They just added a 5th string on a 4 string neck that's already narrow :rolleyes:
 
#47
holllowbody said:
Would a Music Man Sterling/Stingray suite my needs? It appears that it would. The obvious thing would be to try one, but that is not always an option, hence the question.

Keep in mind, hard rock with lots of low end is the kind of music being played. I also want some high pitched fret noise to come though the mix. I want it to be well suited for a fairly aggressive style.
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Can never go wrong with a Musicman IMO/IME. They're active though not passive.
 
#48
Spector Euro 5LX is my first suggestion in that price range, but it's a through-neck bass. For a few bucks more, get a Spector USA built NS-2J, which has a bolt-on neck. There are pickup variations: "2J" stands for 2 J-bass style pickups. There are also 2 humbuckers, J in neck position / Hum in bridge position, and Hum in neck position / J in bridge position versions of this bass.

Spectors are my favorite basses, but the Warwicks are also nice.
 
#50
holllowbody said:
Would a Music Man Sterling/Stingray suite my needs? It appears that it would. The obvious thing would be to try one, but that is not always an option, hence the question.

Keep in mind, hard rock with lots of low end is the kind of music being played. I also want some high pitched fret noise to come though the mix. I want it to be well suited for a fairly aggressive style.
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I dont play a 5 string, but you cant go wrong with either the stingray or sterling tone if your playing harder stuff, it has active electronics and humbucker pickups which arent your preferences, but Id defiantly at least try to play one of either or both if you can before you buy.
 
#51
Go full-on custom!!That's what 98% of bassist dream of!!

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Man,you seriously cannot beat this guys prices.They have been featured in Bass Player magazine among others with rave reviews.He'll be starting on mine in about a month.What's good for me is I'll be present for most of the build!! How cool is that?That played a BIG part in me choosing him.This guy really gets it.EXCELLENT prices.Flipped my wig when he quoted me a price for what I wanted.

You can go full-on custom w/your budget.
 
#52
holllowbody said:
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?
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I have a 4-string Thumb, so while both pickups are closer to the bridge, the neck pup isn't as close as on a 5-string thumb. The Thumb is far from a mid-range only bass, but it is more midrange dense than most basses. The 'vette I have is the $$, so the coil taps make it much more versatile. I can dial in many more tones, but nothing that makes me feel like it's made from magic.

Again, I learned the the BO tone isn't just related to whether it's BO or NT, but I definitely see the advantage to a BO if something goes awry with the neck.

Where do you live? There may be a throng of TBers by you who wouldn't mind letting try their basses before you make a 2K decision.
 

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