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Advice on a new 5-String

Blue Dragon

Blue Dragon

Jan 4, 2016
245
535
67
#1
Well, I've said many times that I was going to take my Ibby Saber 900le from the 90s to the grave with me. I think I have died. Gonna sell it and a Precision MIM (the latter to my daughter so I'll give her a good deal obviously) because I'm just not playing them since switching to 5ers. So I figure I'll end up with between $500 and $600 for a new 5-String.

What I've got now is a 5 String Jazz(style) which I love, but I do find I miss the sound of my Precision. So looking at recommendations for a Precision-like sound in a 5 string in that price range. Currently my thinking is a Yamaha BB435 which I've heard is pretty close. Sure, I'd love a Precision Pro V, but even in the used market there's nothing down in my price range. I really don't play professionally - just for fun, so I can't justify dropping $1000 on a used Fender.

Anything else in the market you-all might recommend? Obviously I prefer new, but not opposed to peeking at Reverb and the marketplace here.
 
#2
$599.00 new
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#3
Consider the Ibanez Talman. I've tried a few, and I've been impressed with the feel and B string quality for the price. They're really good basses IMO, with pickups designed by Nordstrand.

Electric Basses Talman Bass - TMB605 | Ibanez guitars

Considering the positive review, I have no doubt the Sire basses are great, but I prefer flatter fretboards, especially on fives with their wider necks.
 
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#4
I definitely like both suggestions so far. If I have a concern about the Sire, it's that I prefer wider necks at the nut if I have the choice, and it doesn't appear to be something I can try out locally. Also the P7 apparently is currently sold out, and there appears to be a long lead time after ordering before arrival. But the Sire nails the Pbass visual style at least, and that's not insignificant to me.

The Talman has the Ibanez name, which may sound odd but my dearest bass is that Ibanez Saber I'll be selling, so I'm obviously an Ibanez fan. Plus, based on my calculations, it's slightly wider at the nut than the Yamaha (45mm vs 43mm). For some reason I thought the Talmans were a short scale, but a peek at the specs shows I'm definitely wrong about that.

I know - now I'm getting picky. Really I'm not and both of these look like great options. Perfect competition for the Yamaha. I'll have to try my best to get my hands on both to try em out!
 
#8
Thinking about 5 strings for you...

I don't see your location information. If you happen to live near a Guitar Center, I remembered seeing this Nino Valenti M21-J5 for $1049.99 while scrolling through the GC website. It's a little above your budget of $1000, but it only recently had a price reduction from $1299. GC will probably reduce it again, if it's still in stock after 90 days. It is located at the New Orleans location. If you are not in the area, you could ask your local GC to bring it in for you to test.

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The SIRE bass posted earlier in this thread would also be a great selection.

Stores seem to be selling American Fender Dimension basses at reduced prices.

This doesn't happen often, but I've occasionally seen used Warwick Jazzman 5 for sale around $800-$850.

Hmm... If I was actively looking for a 5-string, I might inquire with Ibanez if/when they plan to re-release the Affirma (AFR), which they teased at the NAMM show in January 2018. Then again, I don't know what they may have planned to be the selling price.

Just a few ideas.
 
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#13
A good new 5-string is a used 5-string. I bought several guitars for half to 2/3 of their new price which were barely or never used. People buy things they don't need on a whim and sell them later when reason kicks in or when they find out learning an instrument is too much work. They buy a guitar for its look or its good reviews and find out they don't like the neck profile or the sound or they're used to another shape… They're obsessive and sell yesterday's new thing to buy tomorrow's new thing. Do them a favour and take advantage of all this.
 
#16
I've got one of the Squier VM Precision Fives and couldn't be happier: I'd have a very hard time supposedly 'upgrading' to an American P5. They are discontinued, but they do show up used from time to time. It really is a PBass with an extra string.
 
#20
The Reverend definitely looks good, but out of my budget. Squier VM Precision 5 would actually be my first choice, if I can find one. Not where that budget of $1000 came from - I'm stuck at about $600 tops. If I go Ibby, it would be the Talman for my needs. G&L I'll always be happy to check out.
 

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