i think most people here would agree this is totally false. There are good 34" and bad 35" basses.
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Best 5 string youve ever played
- Thread starter DrewWalden
- Start date
i think most people here would agree this is totally false. There are good 34" and bad 35" basses.
+1
To this day I've never played a better fiver IMHO than a USA Cirrus 5, and they are floating around out there for less than $1000 if you look hard enough.
I totally disagree with this since 2 of the best 5's in the business, sadowsky and musicman are 34 and the B's are better than most 35" basses.
Both my Warwicks have very nice tight B strings. I strung 0.130 on them and they both sound well defined. Mine are Dolphin SN 5 and an old Corvette Bubinga 5. Just set it up and it'll play and sound great!
My left hand was super excited with the Ibanez Sr-505. It was so easy to get around the neck. It was the perfect bass once you cut the neck at the 19th fret and attached it to something that sounded good....
No one has mentioned a neck thru bass. I love neck thru, a lot of gospel players play bolt on, why is it?
Montanamike said:
Can you get a 35'' music man? I love the tone but i havent tryed any of there fivers.
No, the sound of the 34" stingray is better than most 35"ers in the same price range.
I disagree. I've played 34" scale basses with very solid B strings. I've had two Yamaha 34" 5 strings and a Lakland 35" and the Yamahas were just as solid.
+1 On the Fender MIM. I don't know which Fender Pacojas is talking about but I had a MIM Jazz Deluxe I got used for around 400 or 500 all around good bass. Another good bass I've had for about a year now is the Carvin B5, this imo is a great versatile bass and don't forget the Music Man Sub 5. These basses can be found used for about 300 to 600.
Montanamike said:
Right on. I had thought about getting a four string stingray and doing the low tune B E A D. Any thoughts on this???
I wouldn't want to tune bead simply because If you play a fill you would have to start way up on the neck to get the higher frequencies that really pop. If one was playing mainly root tones I'd say it would be fine
CARVIN!!!!! May I say BANG FOR THE BUCK! If you're looking for a neck through, get an LB75 or the Icon 5 string model. They do great fretwork. If you want to go super cheap (i was a broke college student once too.....) check out SX basses on www.rondomusic.com
they have a 5 string jazz bass that's uber cheap. Consider it a diamond in the rough. I've worked on a few of these (i do a ton of repair/ setup work...) and the sound/ play as good if not better than a MIM Fender...or even some American standards!! They do require some work. With an SX, I give the frets a gentle leveling/ crowning/ end dressing/ polishing....I'll sheild the electronics cavity with copper tape,build a new nut (bone or tusq) and a fluid setup from there with new strings......you've got a tone monster & have paid about what a Squire would cost you. There's my 35cents.
they have a 5 string jazz bass that's uber cheap. Consider it a diamond in the rough. I've worked on a few of these (i do a ton of repair/ setup work...) and the sound/ play as good if not better than a MIM Fender...or even some American standards!! They do require some work. With an SX, I give the frets a gentle leveling/ crowning/ end dressing/ polishing....I'll sheild the electronics cavity with copper tape,build a new nut (bone or tusq) and a fluid setup from there with new strings......you've got a tone monster & have paid about what a Squire would cost you. There's my 35cents.
If you want the best B, then my vote would go for a Dingwall. Don't let the fanned frets scare you, it's easier than it looks.
Lakland 55-02 - and you're there.
Other good choices would be:
Carvin- buy used
Peavey US Cirrus - buy US series
G&L US 2500 (or buy Tribute and save)
a 5-string MusicMan is cool too, but
if you want all in one and with good fit, finish and awesome sound, get a Lakand 55-02. Sometimes (but not often) you may be able to get a US 55-94 in the $1500 range... that closes the deal...
Other good choices would be:
Carvin- buy used
Peavey US Cirrus - buy US series
G&L US 2500 (or buy Tribute and save)
a 5-string MusicMan is cool too, but
if you want all in one and with good fit, finish and awesome sound, get a Lakand 55-02. Sometimes (but not often) you may be able to get a US 55-94 in the $1500 range... that closes the deal...
If you are not comfortable on the 35" Cirrus, then a Lakland may not be for you.
The best 5 that I have ever played is my Nordstrand SC5. Carey is no longer doing full customs, but I have heard nothing but great things about the Nordies. They are high end Jazz type basses. www
nordstrandguitars.com
If those are out of your price range check out a Musicman Stingray or Bongo. Excellent basses!
Used, you could check out Sadowsky, Roscoe, Zon, maybe even a plain bolt on Ken Smith, or a Pedulla.
The best 5 that I have ever played is my Nordstrand SC5. Carey is no longer doing full customs, but I have heard nothing but great things about the Nordies. They are high end Jazz type basses. www
nordstrandguitars.com
If those are out of your price range check out a Musicman Stingray or Bongo. Excellent basses!
Used, you could check out Sadowsky, Roscoe, Zon, maybe even a plain bolt on Ken Smith, or a Pedulla.
Donny Bassman said:
+1 34" fine on a quality bass.
+1 B-E-A-D tuning (need to carefully file nut). Cheapest option by far. Do plenty of scales up the neck to get used to it.
+1 for Thru-Neck - gives incredible depth of sound which you can't dial in on EQ.
I play an older Tobias Classic 5 with 34" thru-neck. Awesome sound.
The Cirrus 5 USA is a great bass and incredible bang for buck.
