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best “dirt cheap” 5 string?

H

hfyu

Apr 1, 2021
1
0
#1
Hey everyone, i'm currently looking for a 5 string jazz bass to experiment on. I own a 4 string Fender P bass which has been amazing, however i've been wanting to experiment with a 5 string bass as well as jazz pickups lately.

i don't really want to spend a lot of money on one, preferably less than 200$, no more than 300$. quality isn't too big of a deal since i know you can't get much for the price range, plus i plan to mod it down the line. this will probably be more of a practice bass that i take out to play every once in a while.

i've been looking at the rondo sx ursa 2 as well as some of the glarry basses, but i'm still unsure. what do you guys think?
 
#2
hfyu said:
Hey everyone, i'm currently looking for a 5 string jazz bass to experiment on. I own a 4 string Fender P bass which has been amazing, however i've been wanting to experiment with a 5 string bass as well as jazz pickups lately.

i don't really want to spend a lot of money on one, preferably less than 200$, no more than 300$. quality isn't too big of a deal since i know you can't get much for the price range, plus i plan to mod it down the line. this will probably be more of a practice bass that i take out to play every once in a while.

i've been looking at the rondo sx ursa 2 as well as some of the glarry basses, but i'm still unsure. what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

A used anything is always a great option. Some of the used BB series PJ basses are likely under $300. You could definitely fine decent Squiers, especially Affinities in a that price range too.
 
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#4
Never played a Glarry, but an SXes make a good platform, IMO.

IMGP5212a.jpg
 
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#6
hfyu said:
i've been looking at the rondo sx ursa 2 as well as some of the glarry basses, but i'm still unsure. what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Rondo has zero 5 string basses in stock and won't get more for a while. They're also about twice the price when they're in stock. Glarrys are $130 shipped, maybe a few dollars less if you catch a sale or find a cheaper ebay seller.

I'm having a great time with my Glarry GIB5, but it's got 24 frets, a tiltback headstock, and isn't exactly a jazz bass despite the J pickups. I like the GIB better, but if you want a straight J copy you want the GJazz 5 instead.

Glarrys aren't unplayable out of the box, but if you have standards you'll want to do a basic setup, and if you want low action you'll need to level the frets. They'll probably have a couple minor finish flaws. This shouldn't be a surprise for any instrument under $250.

That said, they're amazing basses for the price! I'd put them at $200-250 for value. The necks are straight, the tuners aren't sloppy, everything works, and the stock pickups aren't super hot and thus still have J-bass clarity. You can set them up and play them without needing to replace anything.
 
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#10
hfyu said:
Hey everyone, i'm currently looking for a 5 string jazz bass to experiment on. I own a 4 string Fender P bass which has been amazing, however i've been wanting to experiment with a 5 string bass as well as jazz pickups lately.

i don't really want to spend a lot of money on one, preferably less than 200$, no more than 300$. quality isn't too big of a deal since i know you can't get much for the price range, plus i plan to mod it down the line. this will probably be more of a practice bass that i take out to play every once in a while.

i've been looking at the rondo sx ursa 2 as well as some of the glarry basses, but i'm still unsure. what do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Brand new? Glarry
Used? Dean
 
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#15
I don't own one (yet) but sent an eBay seller a question about string spacing so I'll post their response....if I get one from them. I know if I get one, I'd replace that bridge immediately with a hipshot A at 18mm spacing (if the width of the fret board allows it).

eastcoasteddie said:
I'm gonna say " No way, José".
It has 18mm pickup pole piece spacing, but looks like 16mm bridge spacing. Nice pole-piece alignment.
View attachment 4228259
Click to expand...
 
#16
I had a Sub Series 5 string made by Sterling (Musicman) and liked it very very much. The neck was extremely comfortable, the tone was what you'd expect from Musicman (though the parts quality is somewhat lower than their USA models), the weight was under 9 pounds, and it was cheap. I bought mine from the online Guitar Center used site. I think I paid around $150 for it about a year ago.
 

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