Best 5 String Under $1K?

[Dbassmon]

Marcus Miller PJ or J 5 by Sire - Everything they make is less than a grand unless you want a figured AA top. - Passive tone control, active pre with 3 band Eq sweepable parametric mid, rolled edged fingerboard. Really quite amazing what they are delivering. Have a Look

Sterling By Musicman Ray35 - astoundingly good instruments. Have A Look

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I have the Sterling Ray35 - it was $1300 CDN so probably around $1k in the US. It's a wonderful bass - the build quality is probably the best of all my basses (Fender MIM P and MIA Jazz). Fat and juicy tone, and playability is top notch. The pre-amp eq frequencies are perfect. Couldn't really hear any difference from the MM versions in the store when I bought it. Highly recommend!

 

[StrivingOn]

Wow! This thread has grown to 4 pages. TILT! Thanks for all the great info. I’ve narrowed my search to a Sire V7, G&L Tribute and Sterling. Still need to check the Schecter and Yamaha offerings.

 

[CryingBass]

+1 on the btb33 if you can find one used <1k

 

[petergales]

I needed to buy a 5 string on a budget and settled for a Yamaha BB235. Sounds great and the band members think so too.

 

[stelles75]

Marcus Miller PJ or J 5 by Sire - Everything they make is less than a grand unless you want a figured AA top. - Passive tone control, active pre with 3 band Eq sweepable parametric mid, rolled edged fingerboard. Really quite amazing what they are delivering. Have a Look

Sterling By Musicman Ray35 - astoundingly good instruments. Have A Look

I like my new Ray35, but it's a friggin hoss. I haven't weighed it yet. Afraid to.

The newer Sire models have caught my eyes, as well. Also, a friend of mine has a Cort and it's very high quality for what he paid.

You can probably also snag a Reverend Mercalli or similar for under $1k. I own two Rev basses and they are both a dream to play. I got my Thundergun for $650 and it has the same pup config as the Mercalli 5 (but in 4, of course). They are pretty rowdy and I recommend.

 

[StrivingOn]

Thanks for the info on the Reverend basses. They look great but I’m leaning more traditional in design so have my eye on the Sire V7 5 string. Sunburst with maple neck looks very cool.

 

[stelles75]

I'm neglecting to mention... I'm smitten with my new Yamaha BB434. There is a 5 string model. You can get one for $500 or less. Really beautiful instrument and I'm shocked at how little they cost for the quality and playability. But get what you want! The Sires do look nice. Good luck!

 

[jglunt]

G&L Tribute L2500

 

[Robert Cecchini]

Thanks for the info on the Reverend basses. They look great but I’m leaning more traditional in design so have my eye on the Sire V7 5 string. Sunburst with maple neck looks very cool.

Hey Dave my wife's a Brubaker from Broomall, PA close? Hey here's a nice 2019 Kiesel 5 string check it out:
Dropbox - Kiesellb5.MOV - Simplify your life

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sterling Ray35.

 

[pepj]

I'd add a used BassMods K534 for just under $1k.
Should be able to find one.
Compared to a Sire v7 vintage gen 2, I'd say it is a step onwards, for sure, ime.

 

[tom-g]

https://www.fame-guitars.de/en/fame-baphomet-5-saiter-bass_en/
https://www.fame-guitars.de/en/fame-baphomet-5-saiter-bass_en/
It’s 1000 € which comes out to be more than 1k$ but for that it’s handmade.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

@OP does that include used?

 

[el murdoque]

I don't have any particular recommendations but wonder if a medium scale might be better for E-C tuning.

I'm not entirely sure about this. I don't come from a guitar background, but when you're moving high up the neck, it gets wide and minor chords start being problematic when the frets are too close together.

 

[el murdoque]

I'd like to add an interesting aspect:
If you want to go E-C on a budget,
5 string basses that have the problem of a floppy B string could be worth looking at.

 

[StrivingOn]

As an update to this thread I just took delivery on a Sire V7 5 string. Beautiful instrument, fit and finish and set up are right on. This is my first 5 string so it going to take some getting used to. B string is a little floppy but the action is very low so I think that can be remedied. Does anyone know what kind of of strings these come with? There are no wraps which I find curious. Here’s a pic:

 

[GTHintz]

I wonder if it could be the Marcus Miller super brights by Dunlop. Or regular Dunlop super brights. Marcus endorses them so that's my guess. Hopefully that's what's on your bass. They're better than the crap no name strings some bass companies use. Well I looked and since they are flats I'm going to guess Dunlop but the flats.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

What a beauty - congats! You'll get used to it in no time - I got my first 5'er last year and took me a week or so. The trickiest thing for me was muting the extra string. Also, you should be able to email Sire and ask them what the stock strings are.

 

[StrivingOn]

What a beauty - congats! You'll get used to it in no time - I got my first 5'er last year and took me a week or so. The trickiest thing for me was muting the extra string. Also, you should be able to email Sire and ask them what the stock strings are.

Thanks for the encouragement!