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Any inexpensive 5 string basses?

Legattabass

Legattabass

Oct 21, 2010
551
10
Maryland
#1
Hello TB,

Are there any 'introductory' 5 string basses out there, low in price and reasonably reliable, that I could investigate? I love my 4 string bass, but there are many situations where having a B string without messy downtuning would be helpful.

I'm interested in things that are 300 bones or less. Active or passive. I'd like to avoid as much mud as possible on that B string. Something that can handle downtuning, if necessary. I don't need bells or whistles, fancy electronics, or reknowned pickups. It just has to do the job. The guitarist won't notice anyway. He wouldn't notice if I were playing an upright ;)

I'm sure Rogue basses will come up in this discussion; I'm happy to hear people's experiences with them. As it is, I am wary of ordering them, sight unseen.

This would be used for (gasp), METAL, prog rock, stoner rock, drone, hard rock, etc. I don't play anything too "burpy", percussive or jazzy. No insult intended, it's just not my scene.

I can play with a pick, or with my fingers. I generally play through a Big Muff Pi pedal, and ocassionally I turn on the mole too.
 
#2
Link Removed

Rogue, some Ibanez and Squier models are also good. It depends on what you consider inexpensive. Good deals are often to be had in the classifieds section here.

Also, jumping to a 5 brings in lots more variables: String spacing (16-19mm), scale etc...

Do a search here on Essex (SX), Douglas and Brice (the Rondo bass models). There are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many threads about them. Good Luck!
 
#10
Legattabass said:
I had a t-40. That was too heavy. Less than that? AOK!

It's $200. I take it this is a steal?
Click to expand...

I don't know what AOK is or how it compares to a t-40, but a good strap will take care of it. $200 is an excellent price for an ATK, most people are very happy buying them new for $550. Back to the weight, I think it's around 10.5 pounds? It can do the Stingray thing and so much more, so if you get a good strap it'd be worth it for $200.
 
#11
Can only speak for the Squire Affinity Jazz 5...

We have one in our studio. Totally impresses me. Came setup almost spot on. Few tweaks and sounds and plays way better than you would expect a $300 bass.
 
#12
Check MusicGoRound and Craigslist in your area.

+1 on the lower end Ibanez for $300-ish

You might be able to pick up a used Peavey Cirrus BXP for right around your $ range. But let's face it it, it's hard to get a lot of bass for $300 unless you stumble upon a great deal.

Also beware...in the beginning stages of going from 4 strings to 5 strings, I suggest that you consider this: a 5 string is not just a 4 string bass with an extra string...you need to approach it like a different instrument or that low B is really going to mess you up for a bit. I know. Be patient. Just my $.02 after having made the same transition (years ago now) and being in a working band playing 4 strings the first time I tried it.

Mac
 
#13
Have you considered stringing your 4 string BEAD or go with a hipshot d-tuner?

I have a hipshot and go to a D with no trouble at all. I hear it can go to a C though I haven't tried it so can't vouch for that.

You say you love your 4 string so could be a cheaper option?

Not anti-5 in any way - 5's are great. Just a different approach to throw into the mix.
 
#14
shadowmac said:
Check MusicGoRound and Craigslist in your area.

+1 on the lower end Ibanez for $300-ish

You might be able to pick up a used Peavey Cirrus BXP for right around your $ range. But let's face it it, it's hard to get a lot of bass for $300 unless you stumble upon a great deal.

Also beware...in the beginning stages of going from 4 strings to 5 strings, I suggest that you consider this: a 5 string is not just a 4 string bass with an extra string...you need to approach it like a different instrument or that low B is really going to mess you up for a bit. I know. Be patient. Just my $.02 after having made the same transition (years ago now) and being in a working band playing 4 strings the first time I tried it.

Mac
Click to expand...

Truth be told, I borrowed a friends 5 string for a few months when I was very new. I wasn't skilled enough to really master the B string (or the EADG strings, at that point :rolleyes:), but at the time I parked my thumb on the B string to mute it. Any tips on adjusting are appreciated!

Paddy said:
Have you considered stringing your 4 string BEAD or go with a hipshot d-tuner?

I have a hipshot and go to a D with no trouble at all. I hear it can go to a C though I haven't tried it so can't vouch for that.

You say you love your 4 string so could be a cheaper option?

Not anti-5 in any way - 5's are great. Just a different approach to throw into the mix.
Click to expand...

That's a good suggestion.

I haven't had much luck downtuning so far (MIM P bass, 1/4lb pickup, seems to get nasty, muddy and clanky in anything lower than standard, no matter what gauge strings I use). I just feel like it plays so well in standard; downtuning feels like I'm shortchanging the instrument. Does that make sense?
 
#15
You should be able to find plenty of good used 5ers in that price range. You can get a really nice one for only a bit more.

Ibanez makes several 5 string models that fall in that price range. Don't count out Peavy five strings either.

I have no experience with the Rondo basses. I've played a few Squire and Fender 5 strings, and I've not been overly impressed with the B string on those.

Bang for the buck, Ibanez is probably where you need to look. I own an Ibanez BTB (in my avatar) and it's rock solid. I also own a US made G&L L-2500 and my Indoneasian made Ibanez is built every bit as good. Now, my Ibanez is a Prestige model, which has a few more bells and whistles than a standard Ibanez, but they make good basses.
 
#19
Legattabass said:
I've heard very mixed things about Rogue basses. I'm not too keen on shoddy electronics in a basswood body. But I'm willing to be convinced! What experiences have you had with the bass?
Click to expand...

Well I'm just getting back into playing after a 15-16 year hiatus, but I have no complaints so far. I changed the strings and setup the bass and it plays great IMHO. The scale is long enough that the B string isn't sloppy. I'm running it through a practice amp for now and have no complaints. I am nowhere near ready for a band setting, so that may make or break it.

To make a long story short, for about $100 I'm happy with it.
 
#20
In a starter instrument, I would avoid the Rogue simply because it's not enough bass, and the Squier Active Jazz 5 because it's a very "active" sounding bass, and doesn't sound like it's the sort of thing you're after.

I hear that the Affinity Jazz 5 is pretty decent, but if you've got $300 to spend, why not go for something a little more tasty?

If Stingray and P-bass tones float your boat and you can get a used ATK305, grab it and run. I have an ultra-exotic snobwood active 5-string, and my ATK gets equal play time. Prices are rising again after the MF blowout, but they're still a steal at $250-350.

You can probably score a used Peavey Grind NTB5 for under $300. The "baby Cirrus" features a very solid chassis, only held back by so-so pickups. If it turns out you like it, then it's just a pickup swap away from being a serious stage instrument. EMG 40-sized soapbars drop right in, so you can go with a wide range of p'ups from EMG, Nordstrand, Bartolini, etc. Note: the one I had was made in Vietnam, and the finish was a bit iffy. A rubdown with Tung oil and 400 grit sandpaper fixed it up a treat....

If you can find a used Washburn Taurus T25 in your price range, you'd have a nice Warwick-ish 5-string. Like the Peavey, the lumber is good enough to support a pickup upgrade. Jazz pickups, a little more on the burpy, punchy side than the Peavey or the ATK.
 

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