Any ideas for a good workhorse 5 string?

[soflbass]

Agreed- the TRBX305 was going to be my recommendation prior to reading the entire post. What about do you wish was different?

I am an admitted Yamaha fan so if you are looking for something that looks or plays a little more Fender-like then I would go used Yamaha BB415 or BB425x.

/\This.
Are you having issues with the 305? If so, please explain. I own a TRBX304 and I gig it regularly. It's a workhorse. Or are you looking for a different sound? Play around with pickup height and you may be pleasantly surprised. At your price range new, I'd have suggested the 305 as well.

 

[wizerd]

Have owned both a VM Jazz, 4 and5 and a SUB4. I would opt for the SUB myself. Curious though, the Yamaha TRBX 5ver beats them both IMHO and for the same $$. Maybe look for a good used Ibanez 505? The neck should feel close to the Yamaha with different tone options depending on the pups. Happy hunting.

 

[mikeyjm2]

VM Squire 5

Yeah, got my first 5 string and that's what it was: Squier VM Precision 5. New for $309.99 at Sam Ash. I continue to be impressed with the quality of it, and I have several other MIA Fenders as a point of reference. Not saying the Squier is on par with MIA Fender quality-wise, but it is a LOT of bang for the buck.

I bought it not wanting to spend a ton of money on my first 5 but still decent quality. I'm not at all disappointed in the value of these Squiers.

 

[micahwc]

The TRBX 305 is a great workhorse and it should be miles ahead of the Squier VM 5. I ended up selling mine, but it was easily better than my MIM jazz V. It's what I was playing in my avatar picture.

 

[tubatodd]

I too used to own a TRBX305. They aren't bad basses, but I wanted something else.

They are harder to find in the US, but the Cort C5 Plus is a killer bass. There is one a reverb.

Cort Artisan C5 plus ZBMH 2016 Zebra Wood

 

[G On Bass]

Lakland Skyline 55-02

A good workhorse? I start with Lakland Skylines.

I'm in need of a good workhorse 5 string. I currently play a Yamaha tbrx305, which isn't a bad bass, but I'm just looking for something a little nicer. I'm torn between the VM Squire 5, and a MM sub ray 5.
This is going to mainly be a work instrument, so I'm trying to keep the price <300 used (so if a stagehand bumps it over in a pit, or somebody walks off with it, I don't have to sell my soul to replace it.)
I'm open to other basses if anybody wants to suggest others.
What are the best budget 5 strings?
Thanks

I bought a SUB used and the neck warped... I have owned Squier VM5's and they seem very very solid. At your price range, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on a VM P or VM J, though I personally would go after one of the Jag PJ5's.

 

[Ellery]

Recommend a Schecter Stiletto. Mine is neck thru Studio model with a locking bridge and EMG pups. Benefit is these are really well made basses, but have a low resale value, So you get a lot of bang for your buck. MSRP on mine was 1100 and I got it used in excellent condition for less than 350.

 

[Wfrance3]

This?
Schecter Raiden Special 5

I don't know the seller but have had one of these basses. Talk about bang for your buck...

 

[KickingBass]

Used I'd say an Ibanez SR505, a used Sire (if you can find one), that SUB Ray sounds like a good idea, a Peavey Foundation USA as someone else mentioned is very good. That Yammy is probably at about the same quality as these though to honest.

 

[scuzzy]

if you are into the stingray tone, the MTD Kingston original is amazing and the neck is killer. great quality, wonderful neck. the tone is stellar.

but as said before, your yammie is probably as good as the ones you proposed. if not, look into the used USA peavey's, as someone mentioned....they are the best bang for the buck still.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Someone send me one of these sub-300 dollar laklands

 

[Jim Carr]

I'm in need of a good workhorse 5 string. I currently play a Yamaha tbrx305, which isn't a bad bass, but I'm just looking for something a little nicer. I'm torn between the VM Squire 5, and a MM sub ray 5.
This is going to mainly be a work instrument, so I'm trying to keep the price <300 used (so if a stagehand bumps it over in a pit, or somebody walks off with it, I don't have to sell my soul to replace it.)...

If you raise your budget to the $500-$600 range, a lot of fine used instruments would be within reach.
Besides, I bet your soul is worth more than $301!

Check out used Lakland Skyline 5-strings. There are passive and active basses with a wide range of features.

 

[mesaplayer83]

US Peavey Foundation 5. Nothing else will come CLOSE for the money. I have two, love them, but since getting my Cirrus they aren't getting played, as the Cirrus fits my current band situation better. But, very high quality instrument, and you should be able to pick one up under $250

Was going to say the same thing - mine probably gets gigged more than my other 5ers combined(EBMM Sterling 5 HS and Schecter Hellraiser-5)... The Foundation 5 has been rock solid for hundreds of gigs, plays and sounds great...

 

[Antisyzygy]

I'm in need of a good workhorse 5 string. I currently play a Yamaha tbrx305, which isn't a bad bass, but I'm just looking for something a little nicer. I'm torn between the VM Squire 5, and a MM sub ray 5.
This is going to mainly be a work instrument, so I'm trying to keep the price <300 used (so if a stagehand bumps it over in a pit, or somebody walks off with it, I don't have to sell my soul to replace it.)
I'm open to other basses if anybody wants to suggest others.
What are the best budget 5 strings?
Thanks

Ibanez makes some pretty killer 5 strings. They're comfortable if you like thinner necks. You shouldn't have a problem stretching your dollars with a used Ibanez SR.

Ibanez SR-505 BM - 2014 | eBay

I'd stick with SR305 or higher. E.g. SR405, SR505, etc.

 

[AcridSaint]

The $300 limit makes it tough. I would probably go with the VM Squier which can be had for ~200. If you can spend a tiny bit more, you can get into a tribute L2500 for ~350. Great sounding bass that will give you a lot of tonal options. Some that come close to a jazz (if you do the k-mod) and some that come close to the MM.

 

[Strung_Low]

How are the necks on the Peavy Foundations? Thicker like a Grind, or thin like Ibanez?

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm a Musicman guy all the way, but I gotta be honest. Thought I never played a sub Ray, I owned a Squier active Jazz 5, that absolutely killed. The one with the ebanol (I think?) fret board. That bass sat more perfectly in the mix, and had more punch and character than basses costing 5X as much. Don't know if they still make them, but if you can find one - I'd say go for it. It's the one that has the little stupid slap switch that I don't think anyone ever uses. It scoops the tone in a horrible way. IMO.

 

[68Goldfish]

G&L L2500 Tribute. Seriously awesome bass.

 

[chris_b]

With apologies to those coming up with lists of sub $300 basses, I'm suggesting Lakland Skylines because I'm hoping to exert some influence on the budget to get to another level.

A level where I think there are some excellent basses for the money.

 

[richntiff]

neck on the Peavey is thin front to back and fast. One of my favorite points about the US Peavey's is the neck profiles - most comfortable (for me) that I've found on ANY bass.