Carvin SB5000 wins it for me hands down, period. At this point there are some that come close but thats about it.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Best 5 string youve ever played
- Thread starter DrewWalden
- Start date
Carvin BB75 Bunny Brunel. I like the wide string spacing. I would like to try the SB5000 or SB5001.
Boombass76
Commercial User
1) EBMM StingRay 5 (34") closely followed by
2) Celinder J-Update 5 (35") and
3) Lakland 55-02 (35").
(particularly in terms of B-string tightness with regard to sounds as well as feel)
Other 5'ers (and one 6'er) that I owned at some point, but did not have as nice B-strings as the above basses:
- Fender Marcus Miller V (34")
- Alleva Coppolo LM5 (34")
- Atelier Z JS560 (34")
- Mørch Custom 5 (35")
- Celinder Custom 5 (36")
- Sandberg PM5 (34")
- Traben Tribal Sun (35")
- Sadowsky Tokyo RJ5 (34")
- Fender Zone Deluxe V (34")
- Yamaha TRB-II 5 (35")
- MTD 635-24 (35")
I also have a Ken Smith BSR5M, but it is stringed E-C, and I have never had a B-string on it, so I won't comment on that in this case.
2) Celinder J-Update 5 (35") and
3) Lakland 55-02 (35").
(particularly in terms of B-string tightness with regard to sounds as well as feel)
Other 5'ers (and one 6'er) that I owned at some point, but did not have as nice B-strings as the above basses:
- Fender Marcus Miller V (34")
- Alleva Coppolo LM5 (34")
- Atelier Z JS560 (34")
- Mørch Custom 5 (35")
- Celinder Custom 5 (36")
- Sandberg PM5 (34")
- Traben Tribal Sun (35")
- Sadowsky Tokyo RJ5 (34")
- Fender Zone Deluxe V (34")
- Yamaha TRB-II 5 (35")
- MTD 635-24 (35")
I also have a Ken Smith BSR5M, but it is stringed E-C, and I have never had a B-string on it, so I won't comment on that in this case.
I think the question of getting a great B string sound is not necessarily a 35" scale length bass. Bass makers have their own ideology about how an instrument should sound like.
I have seen cheap Indonesian made basses that cost $ 350 blow out American Fenders on how good the B string sounds.
I just got a Musicman 5 string fretless and it has a great sounding B string !!
Cheers !!
I have seen cheap Indonesian made basses that cost $ 350 blow out American Fenders on how good the B string sounds.
I just got a Musicman 5 string fretless and it has a great sounding B string !!
Cheers !!
my preference would have to go to a lakland 55-02. best b string ive heard in a stock bass that was readily available.
but i make do with my 200 dollar OLP mm4.
but i make do with my 200 dollar OLP mm4.
I play gospel. I don't NEED a 5-er, but would love to have one and I could really put it to good use.
So far, the only 5-er I have played that I would consider good ( well for me, perfect) for gospel would be a Conklin GT5.
Absolutely awesome playability and a sound that just "fits" gospel.
But a top notch Peavey 5-er would be good too ... I luvs me some Peavy.
Matt
So far, the only 5-er I have played that I would consider good ( well for me, perfect) for gospel would be a Conklin GT5.
Absolutely awesome playability and a sound that just "fits" gospel.
But a top notch Peavey 5-er would be good too ... I luvs me some Peavy.
Matt
The best bass I have ever played and heard is my Alembic Epic 5 string. Nothing else has even come close.
Everyone has a "feel" for an instrument that depends on playing style, hand/finger size, weight, balance, electronics, hardware, the "perfect" tone, etc. So...what one person perceives as the perfect 5 string may differ from your ideal. Having said that....
Several years back, an excellent bass player friend, with many years experience, and I (also a bass player) traveled to a high-end bass specialty shop in search of 5s. He still owns a German Warwick 4 and I had a Fender American Std. Jazz at the time. We spent the better part of a day playing every instrument on the racks (Tobias, Zon, Modulus, Alembic, Lakeland, MM, G&L, Ken Smith, etc). I can't recall them having an F-bass, Fodera, or Dingwall in stock at the time. At the end of the day, we agreed on two instruments that stood out:
He bought a Pedulla Thunderbolt
I bought a Roscoe LG3005 ("little girl")
That was 1996. We both still have them.
If I were looking for another 5 today, I'd seriously consider looking for a used Pedulla. For some reason, they don't seem to hold their value like the Roscoes and therefore can be had for a fraction of the cost of a new one. But...I still love my Little Girl
Several years back, an excellent bass player friend, with many years experience, and I (also a bass player) traveled to a high-end bass specialty shop in search of 5s. He still owns a German Warwick 4 and I had a Fender American Std. Jazz at the time. We spent the better part of a day playing every instrument on the racks (Tobias, Zon, Modulus, Alembic, Lakeland, MM, G&L, Ken Smith, etc). I can't recall them having an F-bass, Fodera, or Dingwall in stock at the time. At the end of the day, we agreed on two instruments that stood out:
He bought a Pedulla Thunderbolt
I bought a Roscoe LG3005 ("little girl")
That was 1996. We both still have them.
If I were looking for another 5 today, I'd seriously consider looking for a used Pedulla. For some reason, they don't seem to hold their value like the Roscoes and therefore can be had for a fraction of the cost of a new one. But...I still love my Little Girl
for me i love yamaha TRB and BB series 5 strings (i have 2 BBG5a's not the cheapest but hardly nathan east sigs), but hands down for me it has to be sandberg the B on my cali PM5 is smooth and clear and easier to play than my yamaha's.
all of mine are 34" BTW and while i prefer a tapered B on the yamaha's to ge the best sound. the sandberg is great with a standard string.
all of mine are 34" BTW and while i prefer a tapered B on the yamaha's to ge the best sound. the sandberg is great with a standard string.
DINGWALL. And that's NOT only because of the fabulous B-String, but because of everything else, too: sound, weight, playability....
Two bargain-priced tone monsters have forced me to become more open-minded:
1) I never thought I'd play more than 4 strings again. But I saw such a bargain on a Hamer Cruisebass 2TEK 5 that I thought, I can't pass it up. I thought I would just trade it for a 4-string soon, but it plays so well and sounds so good, I can't let it go! It is inspiring every time I pick it up.
2) Listen to Eric Czar's tone with Joe Bonnamassa. When I heard that sound, I loved it and immediately started a quest to find out what he was playing. I had always disregarded Ibanez basses in general, so imagine my surprise when it turned out to be an ATK 305. I will never be a brand snob again.
Both of these would be great choices and can be found at great bargain prices in the classifieds occasionally (as little as $500 for the Cruise 2TEK, as little as $300 for the ATK 305).
Drawback: both are relatively heavy instruments. I think that's the only reason they are sometimes cheap. My Hamer is 10 lbs 12oz. but with a good (stretchy) strap, it's really OK.
1) I never thought I'd play more than 4 strings again. But I saw such a bargain on a Hamer Cruisebass 2TEK 5 that I thought, I can't pass it up. I thought I would just trade it for a 4-string soon, but it plays so well and sounds so good, I can't let it go! It is inspiring every time I pick it up.
2) Listen to Eric Czar's tone with Joe Bonnamassa. When I heard that sound, I loved it and immediately started a quest to find out what he was playing. I had always disregarded Ibanez basses in general, so imagine my surprise when it turned out to be an ATK 305. I will never be a brand snob again.
Both of these would be great choices and can be found at great bargain prices in the classifieds occasionally (as little as $500 for the Cruise 2TEK, as little as $300 for the ATK 305).
Drawback: both are relatively heavy instruments. I think that's the only reason they are sometimes cheap. My Hamer is 10 lbs 12oz. but with a good (stretchy) strap, it's really OK.
G&L L-2500 Tribute if you are on a tight budget (saving for a new upright). Since getting mine my SR5 hasn't been getting much love.
I've got a Brubaker and a G&L that will make you eat those words. And they have passive pickups too. You couldn't be more wrong about 34" being useless, and active pickups (you must like EMG) offer no real advantage.
Boombass76
Commercial User
Overall, I agree. My favorite 5'er is a 34" SR5.
That being said, I have had many 34" 5-stringers with very poor low B-strings. . .
I have had some 35" that were better than other 35" (or 36") basses, but overall, I'd say that with 35" you are pretty sure not to get a floppy B. You can get lucky and find a 34" with a super low B-string, too, but you are also much more likely to get one that hasn't.
If you want a 34", you can't go wrong woth an SR5. I have owned around 5, and all of them has super tight sounding and feeling B-strings! The ones I sold had to go due to heavy weight, ceramic pickups, etc. The one I kept is a 92 with Alnico PU and a rosewood board.
Disclaimer: Shameless pitch coming.
I got an MTD Kingston Heir 5 a little while back. Played it and realized that I don't need a five string, so I'm selling it. It's a 35" scale with a great, tight low B. Neck plays like butter and the pickups have a really clear modern sound. I've used it in my church group (not really "gospel" perse) and it did great. Check my sig.
I got an MTD Kingston Heir 5 a little while back. Played it and realized that I don't need a five string, so I'm selling it. It's a 35" scale with a great, tight low B. Neck plays like butter and the pickups have a really clear modern sound. I've used it in my church group (not really "gospel" perse) and it did great. Check my sig.
