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Best 5 string youve ever played
- Thread starter DrewWalden
- Start date
I tried a bunch of fives before buying a 2008 Am. Standard Fender Jazz V, which is excellent. But the best were a Mike Lull MV5, Mike Lull P5, and Pedulla Pentabuzz. Every single Lull I've tried has been amazing, so if he made a 34" scale J-bass five, I may have ponied up for one (probably used). The recent availability of 34" scale on USA Lakland fives has piqued my interest, but it might be a long time before a Lakland 34" P5 comes up used.
These threads are mostly worthless because people only nominate their bass or one of the few basses they've played. True low B connoisseurs with an objective ear can be rare in TB.
Construction can often trump scale length, but let's face it, when you compare a cheap 34" scale to a cheap 35" scale, the 35" usually takes the cake....keeping in mind there's a huge amount of musicians who can't hear the difference, but that's not me.
Construction can often trump scale length, but let's face it, when you compare a cheap 34" scale to a cheap 35" scale, the 35" usually takes the cake....keeping in mind there's a huge amount of musicians who can't hear the difference, but that's not me.
Drew - I see you live in Johnson City, TN. That's just up the road from me and I'd be happy to let you play the fivers I own so you can draw your own conclusions. PM me if you want to schedule a visit.
Fender American Jazz Deluxe V
Fender American Precision V
Schecter Studio 5
OLP Tony Levin 5
SX Jazz 5
Big range in pricing here, so one of them is sure to fit your budget and/or your taste (won't necessarily be the same bass, though
).
Fender American Jazz Deluxe V
Fender American Precision V
Schecter Studio 5
OLP Tony Levin 5
SX Jazz 5
Big range in pricing here, so one of them is sure to fit your budget and/or your taste (won't necessarily be the same bass, though
).
Yes, I tend to agree.
These threads, for the most part, can be better described as "What's your favorite bass?" or "What bass do you own?". Nobody knows what your actual budget is and what your preference in sound, neck size, scale length, feel, weight and looks are. My suggestion is to get out there and get your hands on as much as you can.
love that bass the neck is awsome I'd very strongly reccomend checking out rondomusic.com
I recently bought a SX ursa 6 for $150. bucks and I would consider it a bargain at more than twice the price so I'm sure you'd find a gem of a 5 string!
in fact I'm about to buy one of their short scale jazz basses to turn into a piccolo bass.
The best I've played believe it or not was a carvin LB75. I returned it as there some issues with the bass but the b string sounded exactly like the other strings just lower notes. It was unbelievable. Though the other Carvin 5's I've owned didn't even come close.
For the price though a MIA Peavey Cirrus is pretty tough to beat.The cirrus is a killer bass especially considering you can get one used for around $800. The import Laklands are good too but tend to be heavy and IMO aren't as well built as the Cirrus.
For the price though a MIA Peavey Cirrus is pretty tough to beat.The cirrus is a killer bass especially considering you can get one used for around $800. The import Laklands are good too but tend to be heavy and IMO aren't as well built as the Cirrus.
To an extent, musicians seek affirmation on their choice of gear and tend to identify with people using the same stuff. Sadly, a common Achilles of a lot of musicians tends to be losing objectivity, although I guess you can't know what you're missing if you haven't played/heard something truly great. IMHO, this explains why certain basses are toted as #1 in the low B department.
Let's remember what we're dealing with here. It's strings,wood,electronics,and a player. Each of those things is unique at some level. I have picked up expensive and cheap basses that I have thought sounded terrible. I have discovered this: expensive basses are more likely to sound consistent,play well,and be well made. The higher your budget, the more likely you will find one YOU like without much shopping. On the other hand, the wood doesn't know it's korean. If it's a good stick, then it's a good stick. If you're willing to shop, you'll find a great bass, for little money. Things to remember: 1) a good bass will sound good unplugged. 2) try it out through a PA set flat, so you can hear the bass, not the amp. 3) don't turn your nose up at ANYTHING. It could be your bass.
My first 5 was a "brownsville" bought for $250. I still play it often, but another one just like it sounded like crap. I also own a Schecter stilletto5 that has become my "do all" bass, bought for $450 new. My newest is a LTD 6 w/ spalted maple top, bought for $429 new. Also played the fives of this series, and they sounded like crap. This 6 sounded great, so I bought it.
Happy hunting.
My first 5 was a "brownsville" bought for $250. I still play it often, but another one just like it sounded like crap. I also own a Schecter stilletto5 that has become my "do all" bass, bought for $450 new. My newest is a LTD 6 w/ spalted maple top, bought for $429 new. Also played the fives of this series, and they sounded like crap. This 6 sounded great, so I bought it.
Happy hunting.
If you consider owning a bass as having payed for it and it arriving to your house in a technical sense, then i have owned a few hundred.
I can tell you without a doubt there there really isn't anything BETTER than a cirrus, only different in feel and sound. The cirrus is a spectacular bass so don't expect to really outdo it.
That said, what would you want different than your cirrus? The 5s have slightly tighter spacing than I like. The tone is kind of specific to the cirrus, and some say in the Smith realm which I agree with, so if that is something you want different then speak up. Also, I tend to like a wide but thin (back to front) neck and I find the cirrus neck just very slightly thicker than what I play now.
What I am really getting at is you need to define the specs you like. It really is the top problem with people trying to find the bass and not specifying on TB.
I can tell you without a doubt there there really isn't anything BETTER than a cirrus, only different in feel and sound. The cirrus is a spectacular bass so don't expect to really outdo it.
That said, what would you want different than your cirrus? The 5s have slightly tighter spacing than I like. The tone is kind of specific to the cirrus, and some say in the Smith realm which I agree with, so if that is something you want different then speak up. Also, I tend to like a wide but thin (back to front) neck and I find the cirrus neck just very slightly thicker than what I play now.
What I am really getting at is you need to define the specs you like. It really is the top problem with people trying to find the bass and not specifying on TB.
[This invalid link has been removed] make GREAT instruments!
That includes the best 5 I ever played.
i havent played alot of fivers just a rockbass vampyre that i didnt like a traben that was new and had a neck bow a modulas that was wicked nice but unaffordable but my fav is my bc rich widow which plays great and is surprisingly comfortable. i thought it was gonna be an uncomfortable beast but i love it. still like 4 stringers better though.
With that in mind, I still maintain that Dingwalls, especially the 37" to 34" scale length ones, have the best sounding B-strings by far. For me, that is the standard. When I try basses out in music stores, I am happy to know that my basses are the best that I have played. I have never tried a Knuckle Quake bass though, which are the only electric basses that I know of that have a longer scale B.
For standard fret basses, I generally tend to prefer 34" scale lengths. While 35" can (but not always) improve the B-string definition, it also makes the treble strings sound thinner.
A lot of people have nominated the EBMM Stingray 5. I would agree that it is a solid instrument with a good sound. It has the characteristic Stingray sound that might not be your thing, but if you like it, it is a great choice.
Well do you want suggestions, or is this an opinion question?
Best 5er I've played is easily the MusicMan SR5 HH. Tight, tight B-string, flexible pickup/coil options, 3-band EQ, and classic looks. If I had the coin for one, I'd probably snag one.
As for one that's a good value, I say try the Squier Affinity Jazz V. Cheap, great platform for modding, etc.
Best 5er I've played is easily the MusicMan SR5 HH. Tight, tight B-string, flexible pickup/coil options, 3-band EQ, and classic looks. If I had the coin for one, I'd probably snag one.
As for one that's a good value, I say try the Squier Affinity Jazz V. Cheap, great platform for modding, etc.
DrewWalden said:
Schecter guitars are pretty good for the price. I went to Americanmusicalsupply.com for my guitar and or it for 350 usd. It was marked down. I'm not sure if you can get it for the same price but thats what I would try. I think the pickups are emg-40 or something like thay
Tell that to Stingray 5 players..you might get an argument.
Just another over-generalization by the uninformed.
