This is an update of a thread I started a few days ago. I didn't have a clue what I was getting into and have eliminated the majority of possibilities I had in mind after spending hours studying these forums. I'm going to be purchasing a bass in a week to 10 days or so. That's my window. I'm a guitar player looking to get a 5 string bass for my studio. I'll be the only one playing it and I don't just use a bass to follow the guitar - I love playing bass - a lot. I like Geezer Butler's tone, and I almost have my heart set on a Schecter Diamond P-5. If I had more time, $$$, and were more proximal to some decent music stores, I'd be playing, playing, playing. But my circumstances are what they are, and I need to make the best of it. I have previously owned a Fender MB5 that ended up being crap, but I made it work for me. I also briefly had a Traben Attack which was stolen & I never got a chance to record with. I used it for one gig when our bass player's father passed away (I play in a heavy blues band on the side - think Gov't Mule with 2 guitar players). The people who responded to my earlier post were extremely helpful and I'm very grateful to have found TB. Hope that all wasn't too long winded. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions???
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Best 5 string bass for under $600???
- Thread starter romefalls
- Start date
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
It lends itself more readily to a more modern, jazzy tone as opposed to Geezer (who I love), but my Ibanez SR505 is a real quality instrument for the price. And I find with a decent preamp/dirt pedal I can get any of those old retro sounds as well. Bonus: guitar players tend to like it because of the fast, slender neck and the feather-light weight.
+1 on Ibanez. My SRA305 was on a close-out for $279. EMG HZ pickups, Wired J-bass style w/ added "Phat II" (EMG's EXB), laminate neck, 24 fret, light weight and well balanced with lightweight Gotoh tuners in 2+3 tuner configuration so B string doesn't bind, pickups in the correct place (neck pickup is in the same relative position as the D-G segment of a P bass in order to strike the proper balance between fundamental and overtones on the B string, and bridge pickup in the '70's Jazz bass position), proper neck contour, not too thick or thin, and versatile tone, everything from Thursday night to Sunday morning.
I am in the process of transferring everything from playing on 4-string after 37 years of playing to this bass.
I am in the process of transferring everything from playing on 4-string after 37 years of playing to this bass.
New 5 string SX bass at rondomusic.com, update the pickups and pots, still less than $350 brand new total and a good sounding and solid instrument.
Welcome to TB!
If your heart is set on a Schecter Diamond P5, get it. It's the best "traditional" spaced five string bass for the price. Look for some threads here about them. No complainers anywhere.
The Ibby is a good bass, but I've had mixed luck with any SR below the 700 series. If your preference leans towards narrow string spacing, go Ibby.
If your heart is set on a Schecter Diamond P5, get it. It's the best "traditional" spaced five string bass for the price. Look for some threads here about them. No complainers anywhere.
The Ibby is a good bass, but I've had mixed luck with any SR below the 700 series. If your preference leans towards narrow string spacing, go Ibby.
If you like passive classic look without the batt then Yamaha BB415, or the new one BB425 which are the "next" BB5000.
Active: Ibanez also very good and light SR505 an SR705. But be careful with the string spacing, only 16.5mm on ibanez.
Active: Ibanez also very good and light SR505 an SR705. But be careful with the string spacing, only 16.5mm on ibanez.
