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Analysis Paralysis... Help! Buying New Bass!

M

Mike Ikona

Jun 1, 2021
95
212
#1
Hello friends, I am looking at buying an additional bass. Currently, I own an MTD Super 5, MTD Z5, Ibanez BTB805MS, Ibanez EHB1005MS, and SqDuier Affinity 5 string jazz. I live a few hours from any real music stores, so I buy often without trying the instrument first. My favorite by far is my MTD Super 5. Second I s the MTD Z5. I'm looking at the following basses:

1. MTD Kinston andrew Gouche 5
2. Lakland 55-60
3. G&L L2500 CLF
4. Sadowsky Metroline Modern 5 (this would piss off the wife due price)
5. Sadowsky MetroExpress 5 PJ

Whatever bass needs 19mm string spacing . Seems like I prefer 35 iinch scale, but 34 inch isn't a deal breaker. I'm leaning towards the G&L due to the reviews...But I like the others too. The MTD AS seems to be my second choice so far. Also, I play in an 80s cover band and a rock/reggae cover band. Any suggestions would be welcome. I appreciate your time and hope you have a great week! Many thanks!
 
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#5
I'll say that my G&L L2500 CLF 750 exceeds all expectations. I also prefer a 35" scale, but that G&L 34" feels really good. It is a tone monster and you can dial up a pretty huge array of great sounds. I often pair mine with a Sadowsky Pre-Amp pedal, and that just further thickens the tone to an even better level.

I cannot speak to rest of your options as I've never played any of those. The MTD AG definitely interests me though.
 
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#6
Quite the dilemma, but you know TB is here for you. :)

I own a G&L L2500 750 series, and it's a great bass. As long as you are okay with a more aggressive sound, it will serve you well.

For your preferences and style of music, though, I would probably go the Lakland route. A good 35" scale 5-string J bass can cover a lot of ground.
 
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#8
judging from your currently owned basses, I'd unfortunately recommend the Sadowsky first and G&L second, simply because both of those offer a different pickup placement then any of your current basses, both have the "smith" placements, which makes for a slightly punchier and more mid forward sound.
 
#13
If your Super 5 and Z5 are stock, the ZX5 and AG5 have the same body style and similar necks (though the AG5 has a purpleheart fingerboard, I think) but the electronics are totally different, and different between the two. The ZX5 has more of a standard Bartolini voicing where the AG5 has custom MTD voicing, which to me is a bit brighter and not as much "in your face", if that makes sense.

The 55-60 is a great J-bass, And probably as good as almost any passive Fender.

The G&L sounds totally different from both the MTD's and the Lakland, but sounds great, and may be the most aggressive sounding of the group. The down side of the G&L is the weight, yet mine is supposed to be on the light side (for a G&L 2500 Series 750.)

My 2 cents worth…
 
#14
Mike Ikona said:
Hello friends, I am looking at buying an additional bass. Currently, I own an MTD Super 5, MTD Z5, Ibanez BTB805MS, Ibanez EHB1005MS, and SqDuier Affinity 5 string jazz. I live a few hours from any real music stores, so I buy often without trying the instrument first. My favorite by far is my MTD Super 5. Second I s the MTD Z5. I'm looking at the following basses:

1. MTD Kinston andrew Gouche 5
2. Lakland 55-60
3. G&L L2500 CLF
4. Sadowsky Metroline Modern 5 (this would piss off the wife due price)
5. Sadowsky MetroExpress 5 PJ

Whatever bass needs 19mm string spacing . Seems like I prefer 35 iinch scale, but 34 inch isn't a deal breaker. I'm leaning towards the G&L due to the reviews...But I like the others too. The MTD AS seems to be my second choice so far. Also, I play in an 80s cover band and a rock/reggae cover band. Any suggestions would be welcome. I appreciate your time and hope you have a great week! Many thanks!
Click to expand...
Budget? I would get something used
 
#15
If you can't easily decide - don't buy any of them.

Sit back and analyze why you're buying another bass, and be honest with yourself. What gap is it filling? What does it bring to the table that you don't already have? Once you can define what it is you need/want and why, then find a bass that matches that criteria regardless of what is on the head stock. You are more likely to be satisfied with what you have or what you invest in next if you can define what it is you are after. If you just want to buy a bass, then pick one that will easily move along in the classifieds.
 
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#17
Russ Frost said:
If you can't easily decide - don't buy any of them.

Sit back and analyze why you're buying another bass, and be honest with yourself. What gap is it filling? What does it bring to the table that you don't already have? Once you can define what it is you need/want and why, then find a bass that matches that criteria regardless of what is on the head stock. You are more likely to be satisfied with what you have or what you invest in next if you can define what it is you are after. If you just want to buy a bass, then pick one that will easily move along in the classifieds.
Click to expand...
He already told that he has analysis paralysis -- you are sending him into a unrecoverable state with this flowchart/straw man :D . I say go with your gut or most irrational feel
 
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#19
I wasn't a fan of the MetroExpress models. 18mm spacing on a neck made for 19mm. Also, bad/rough fretwork.

Tried G&L 750 19mm and the necks were way chunkier than I like.

That said, can't speak on the other 3, but if you already own other MTDs, I'd switch it up. And between Lakland and the Sadowsky, Lakland.



Mike Ikona said:
Hello friends, I am looking at buying an additional bass. Currently, I own an MTD Super 5, MTD Z5, Ibanez BTB805MS, Ibanez EHB1005MS, and SqDuier Affinity 5 string jazz. I live a few hours from any real music stores, so I buy often without trying the instrument first. My favorite by far is my MTD Super 5. Second I s the MTD Z5. I'm looking at the following basses:

1. MTD Kinston andrew Gouche 5
2. Lakland 55-60
3. G&L L2500 CLF
4. Sadowsky Metroline Modern 5 (this would piss off the wife due price)
5. Sadowsky MetroExpress 5 PJ

Whatever bass needs 19mm string spacing . Seems like I prefer 35 iinch scale, but 34 inch isn't a deal breaker. I'm leaning towards the G&L due to the reviews...But I like the others too. The MTD AS seems to be my second choice so far. Also, I play in an 80s cover band and a rock/reggae cover band. Any suggestions would be welcome. I appreciate your time and hope you have a great week! Many thanks!
Click to expand...
 

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