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Any inexpensive 5 string basses?

#21
The Peavey Millenium BXP 5 is pretty nice; a lot of people here will say that only the USA-built models are any good, but if you look around, you can find a good BXP (the import model). Just be sure to have a thorough set-up done. You can get a good passive model for well under $300 if you look around. I love mine!
 
#22
AnnieSocial said:
The Peavey Millenium BXP 5 is pretty nice; a lot of people here will say that only the USA-built models are any good, but if you look around, you can find a good BXP (the import model). Just be sure to have a thorough set-up done. You can get a good passive model for well under $300 if you look around. I love mine!
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I wonder if this logic applies to the Warwick rockbasses... Thanks for the information!
 
#24
Yes...the Rockbass is a nice bass. New they go for around $800 (on par with a G&L Tribute which I think is a better bass). Don't know what the used value of a Rockbass is. The G&L Trib L-2500 can be had for $500 or so used.

I did see this one on eBay. I suspect the price will rise sharply near auction end. It's a US model. If I didn't already have one exactly like it, I'd bid on it for grins.

http://cgi.ebay.com/G-L-L-2500-Electric-Bass-Guitar-/110646046570?pt=Guitar&hash=item19c304af6a
 
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#26
Legattabass said:
That's very nice! I'm in research mode right now, so I don't know how quickly I'd pony up cash for anything; you may not want to rely on me.

What kind of sound does the Yamaha produce?
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Give me a bit & I'll record it for you and post an mp3... And no worries about being in research mode. I'm not hurting for cash or anything. I just don't play it much anymore. :)
 
#28
Legattabass said:
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.
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There are a lot of introductory 5 strings out there for very low prices. But IMHO , you would be better off saving up to buy a good bass. One that you don't have to fight to play, or mod to get it to sound the way you want it to. Just my $.02:bassist:
 
#29
DougD said:
There are a lot of introductory 5 strings out there for very low prices. But IMHO , you would be better off saving up to buy a good bass. One that you don't have to fight to play, or mod to get it to sound the way you want it to. Just my $.02:bassist:
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Well, I'd rather not save up to buy an expensive 5 string; I'd prefer to have a cheapy I can mod (cheaply) to get a feel for fivers, or just play shelf models in GC or elsewhere. The idea is, why drop 5 franklins on something I might not need at all?

I have a lovely modded MIM P that I could turn to, if I want expensive and stalwart ;)

Then again if I love the versatility of a fiver, and I'm just out $100-200 for a rogue or ATK, I can always flip it towards the purchase of a serious instrument.
 
#33
Legattabass said:
Thats high praise.

Still waiting on a response from the guy selling it. Had some questions about tone, condition, etc.

I'm shocked that the ATK's are so highly regarded. Are they the new t-40? The underpriced gemstone of the fiver world?
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Yeah, you should check out the ATK club here. They are amazing instruments at any price. I think they are extremely underated and many others would agree with me(one guy here plays them exclusively). I paid $300 for mine and am more than happy at that price so if you can get one in good shape for $200 I'd say it would easily be the best 5 you could get for the money, unless you stumbled across a great deal on a used USA Peavey.
 
#35
Legattabass said:
Thats high praise.

Still waiting on a response from the guy selling it. Had some questions about tone, condition, etc.

I'm shocked that the ATK's are so highly regarded. Are they the new t-40? The underpriced gemstone of the fiver world?
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I've been playing ATK's exclusively for the past four years,and they truly are GREAT basses. If you can get one for 200 bucks,I'd say it's a no-brainer;BUY IT!! :bassist:
 
#36
DougD said:
There are a lot of introductory 5 strings out there for very low prices. But IMHO , you would be better off saving up to buy a good bass. One that you don't have to fight to play, or mod to get it to sound the way you want it to. Just my $.02:bassist:
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My Squier Affinity V is stock except for the tort pickguard and I don't have to fight it and it sounds great.
 
#37
Actually, the new 2010 model Warwick Rockbasses are being blown out at several on-line distributors, including zZounds and American Musical Supply. This is because there has just been a change in Warwick's US distributorship, and these are typically painful affairs.

I just purchased a new Corvette Basic Active 5 (w/2-piece bridge and Just-A-Nut III), not a second for $399.99. I'm expecting delivery today.

I've also got a Squier Affinity Jazz V which I've upgraded a bit, Lollar pickups and rewire. It's a very surprisingly good bass for very little money.

Both the Affinity and the Corvette are alder bodies. The Corvette has 16.5mm adjustable spacing and the Jazz has 19mm.
 
#38
Legattabass said:
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?
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Just to complete my bit. Just tried setting my hipshot to C on my MM Jazz and doesn't work for me, I'm not going below a D. YMMV.

Seems your getting some great pointers on 5's - I played 5s for years before going back to 4.

Shame downtuning isn't happening for you, maybe it's all about string tension but more informed people than me could answer that one :)

If it were me I'd go BEAD just to see if it works out before spending money on a 5 - for the sake of a couple of quid on a B string you could find your eutopia :cool:. Mind you if it were permanent change I'd say you'd probably need some nut work and a setup.
 

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