Best 5 String Jazz Bass?

[paradog]

Lakland.

 

[Doug Parent]

In the market for a 5 string jazz bass or something in the same tonal spectrum. I don't live in an area where I can try a bunch out. So what are some good choices in that category.

Some folks think "brand X" 5 string jazz style bass is THE BEST (because they feel comfortable with 19mm string spacing, yet they don't even know there are different basses offering different spacing) so I would suggest you try a Fender American Deluxe because the string spacing is pretty much middle of the road between 19mm (Sadowsky) and 17mm (Ibanez) Maybe order one from one of the larger online retailers that offer refunds within 30 days.
The American Deluxe has better appointments that translate into better playability, which last I heard, was still a good thing.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Fender's CS Custom Classic, Sadowsky's Will Lee 5 and Dingwall's Super J5 are all incredible, but....
After all this time, I'll still put Jimmy Copollo's LG5 on a pedestal...I do not think there is a better option...

 

[friendlybass]

Fender Deluxe active jazz bass V. Mine spanks everything else ive ever heard

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Alleva Coppolo, Sadowsky, Regenerate, Ken Lawrence, F-bass, and Zon are all J-basses I have owned and really liked! You could not go wrong with any of them.

Dan

 

[smeet]

You need to try them for yourself. The different makes can sound and feel surprisingly different from each other. Here's my take on the ones I've tried or heard. It's really preference, there's no a lot of bad options out there. I've liked all of these:

F bass: very hifi and modern, generally bright and scooped sounding. Beautiful, and heavy.
Sadowsky: modern, with a touch of vintage. Cuts through and works well in a busy mix. Pre is 2-band boost only.
Nordstrand: vintage in general, but with modern touches - my favorite, love the 3 band pre, love it passive.
Dingwall super J: modern construction but surprisingly warm organic sound with strong mids. Generally quite light.
Alleva Cop: very vintagey, very expensive.
Fender: Standards have the fender sound. Deluxes sound very modern, less growl and punch.
Carvin: great value, customizable, generally somewhat modern in construction and sound.

 

[cnltb]

In the market for a 5 string jazz bass or something in the same tonal spectrum. I don't live in an area where I can try a bunch out. So what are some good choices in that category.

This guy makes amazing instruments and does custom work too, if you want anything a little different.
[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[TonyP-]

Ok lets think about this...

The only requirements you mentioned is Jazz bass tonal spectrum and your not a fan Warwick neck profile.

Thats not saying to much, but your new here to TB so instead of just throwing what I like at you. You should probably mention a little more of what your looking for...

Vintage or Modern?
What is it that you don't like about the Warwick profile?
Are you looking for more of 70's snappy MM style Jazz or a more conservative 60s flair with Alder/Rosewood?
Do you have a scale preference? 34" or 35" (If you play hard technique I suggest 35")

These answers will help a lot and narrow it down.

 

[CGremlin]

I've been very pleased with my Fender Modern Player Jazz V. Yeah, it's made in China, but the fit and finish on mine was amazing, they offer a lot of tonal variety owing to the switchable humbuckers (it's quite easy to get a traditional Jazz sound), and they're dirt cheap so if you don't like it, you're not out of a lot of money - you often can find them for $399 if you look around.

 

[Ewo]

OP, if you want the neck profile of an old J (in particular, the string spacing at the nut), my nickel is on the Sadowsky Will Lee 5. Feels just like my oooold Fender J, with the B string added.

They don't currently offer a Metro version in 5, unfortunately--but I lucked out and found one used in the TB classifieds a while back.

 

[Mattsochistic]

Say it with me...MTD! Cant beat their tone and Mike will taylor the woods to your tonal goals. Now that's class!

 

[Baird6869]

Play a bunch yourself instead of reading about TBers favorite basses. If you can't, buy used. You won't lose a fortune if you hate a bass and have to resell it.

If you want traditional, go Fender or Alleva Coppolo. If you want modern, Sadowsky is hard to beat and a good Metro 5er can be had for under $2k if you are patient.

Fender, Lull, FBass, Sadowsky, Valenti, Carvin, Pavel, Lakland, MBass, Fodera, Alleva Copollo, etc. are ALL great in their own way. Might not be the best for you.

 

[Dragan]

I love my Fender USA standard 5 with Sadowsky outboard preamp (or Aguilar,sometimes,for different taste). This way I can have traditional bass with very familiar design and feel and modern,meaty and boosted sound.

 

[CL400Peavey]

This is what I would be looking for....

 

[stretch80]

A little further afield -- Just got a Reverend Mercalli 5 which is an awesome sounding 34" 5 with 19mm spacing, great b string, passive and while the pickups are humbuckers, they are jazz placement, and it does the jazz-bass tones well.

 

[gregbackstrom]

Best? IMO of course, the Mike Lull M5V or Sadowsky NYC JJ5.

I couldn't agree more. I've played LOTS of others, but these have remained my go-to basses for years!

 

[TMARK]

You have some great recommendations. I vote the Fender Marcus Miller Jazz V. Well built. Bright. The preamp is transparent. With Nordstrand NJ5s it's really great. String through body makes for a nice B string. Great tension even with low tension strings like DR Sunbeams.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Depends on your price. I'd go with a Carvin JB in the $1000-$1500 range or a Fender American 5 string. $2000-$2500, I'd look for a used Sadowsky metro. $3000-$3500, probably a Lull. $4000 and up, Sadowsky NYC. Any of these will kick butt.

 

[jim nolte]

Honestly, Fender makes a great 5 string J bass now. You can't go wrong with Sadowsky, Nordy, Fbass or others like that. I am partial to FBasses, because to me they sound great, with Sadowsky right up there.

I'll second that, my main bass is a F BN5 but I had a chance to play a Fender American Standard 5 for 2 days and I loved it! I'll always keep my F but I would always consider getting a AS Fender 5 someday. Jim

 

[AndroWal]

I have an Overwater J5-24 which is excellent. Perfect balance, great sound, playability...