• 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

#81
Let's set the string tension debate straight.

There are basically two ways to increase the tension in your string (make it less "floppy").

1) Increase the scale length
2) If you can't do that, increase the string gauge.

It's fairly simple physics governed by the following formula:

f = sqrt(T/P) * 1/2L (f = fundamental freq. of the string, T = Tension of the string, P = mass per unit length of the string, L = length of the string (bridge to nut in this case))

If you rearrange the equation to solve for T we get:

T = 4*L^2*P*f^2

Since we want to keep f fixed, we can't increase the string tension by increasing the frequency (tuning the string to A instead of B)

We're left with two options... increase the length of the string (L) or increase the mass per unit length (P). It's pretty difficult to increase the length of your string if you're playing a 34" scale bass... So, your best option if your string is too floppy is to increase the mass per unit length (string gauge).

If you like a particular string gauge, and it is too floppy on your 34" scale bass, you'd probably want to go with a 35" or 36" scale bass.

It should also be noted, EVERY 34" scale bass will have the same B string tension when using the same gauge string and when the string is tuned up to the correct fundamental frequency.

Bottom line, if your B string is too floppy for you, go with a larger string gauge.

You can read this for more info:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#82
lamarjones said:
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.
Click to expand...

The Cirrus would be tough to beat at that given price point. It's still possible to find basses with a much more solid low B, but not without breaking the bank.

Smallmouth_Bass said:
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.
Click to expand...

Dingwall is always an obvious choice, although I don't know how the Combustion line compares yet.

I know I'm in a minority, but I just don't get the EBMM 5ers. I suppose they might be one of the better 34" scale stock basses, but I've yet to play one or hear one that compares to my Cirri. Compared to my customs, they fall very short. It's not exactly a fair fight, but I like overkill. Simply put, I consider the EBMMs to more or less be a 4 banger with an added string. A truly great low B tends to come from something made specifically for the task.
 
#83
spade2you said:
I know I'm in a minority, but I just don't get the EBMM 5ers. I suppose they might be one of the better 34" scale stock basses, but I've yet to play one or hear one that compares to my Cirri. Compared to my customs, they fall very short. It's not exactly a fair fight, but I like overkill. Simply put, I consider the EBMMs to more or less be a 4 banger with an added string. A truly great low B tends to come from something made specifically for the task.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess we all feel differently about the 5-string dilemma :-)

I have a EBMM SR5 as my all-time favorite 5-string bass, and it feels nothing like an SR4 with an added string (to me).

Here is a list of the (some of them VERY expensive) basses that, IMO, did not compare to the B-string on my SR5:

Alleva Coppolo LM5 Deluxe
Celinder J-Update 5
Celinder Custom 5
MTD 635
Sadowsky RJ5 (Tokyo)
Mørch Custom 5
Atelier Z JS-560
Fender Marcus Miller V
...and a number of cheaper 5-strings.

The only thing that sometimes bother me about the SR5 is the tight string spacing. But then again, if I need to slap, I bring out my good old J or P anyway!
 
#84
Smallmouth_Bass said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yup. The Dingwall B string clobbers any other B string I've played.

To the OP, if you're on a budget there are a couple of 5 stringers I would recommend:

Peavey Cirrus - My friend has one with a wenge top. Fantastic tone, playability, and B string. They are sometimes called the "poor man's Ken Smith" on TB.

Carvin SB5000 - Great tone, build quality and a fantastic value. The B string on mine is exceptional. It's 34" scale.

I can also recommend the Sadowsky M5-24 and the Ken Smith BSR5MW (both of which I own) but they are in a higher price bracket. Both are 34" and have very good B strings.
 
#85
spade2you said:
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.
Click to expand...

In fairness, the thread title is the "best 5 string you've ever played" not the best 5 string.

I nominated a bass that I played and owned, but not my current bass.
 
#86
spade2you said:
Dingwall is always an obvious choice, although I don't know how the Combustion line compares yet.
Click to expand...

I've seen a video on Youtube with the Combustion and the B string sounds very solid, comparable to the pricier Canadian built Dingwalls.

spade2you said:
I know I'm in a minority, but I just don't get the EBMM 5ers. I suppose they might be one of the better 34" scale stock basses, but I've yet to play one or hear one that compares to my Cirri. Compared to my customs, they fall very short. It's not exactly a fair fight, but I like overkill. Simply put, I consider the EBMMs to more or less be a 4 banger with an added string. A truly great low B tends to come from something made specifically for the task.
Click to expand...

This is where Dingwalls, and also my Sadowsky, excel. The B string has the same timbre quality as the other strings, so it sounds well integrated.
 
#87
The SR5 is what many would consider the industry standard for 5 string basses since they were one of the first production 5 strings. I think they're great but they might be a bit too midrangey for modern gospel. I use one at church for modern rock worship but for gospel, I think a Jazz, or dual soapbar bass or some version thereof would be more appropriate for a modern scooped sound.
 
#88
spade2you said:
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.
Click to expand...

This explains why Music Man keeps cropping up. They are great basses with a good low B but not the best I've heard, however they are common and more people have tried them compared to say, a Brubaker (which has a an awesome B).
 
#90
In my hands, the best feeling 5 I owned was a Ken Smith BSR5WG. Neck was perfect in my hands, loved the weight 9.0 lbs. Wished it had more bite in the tone though.

But the two best sounding I had were my Musicman SR5HH and Spector NS5. Both were boat anchors though, and ultimately the 35" on the NS5 bothered my wrist.
 
#92
Just got home with my new five string. I got an ibanez sr505 with a mahogany body and a bubagina neck. It has bartoloni pickups. I got it for a little over five hundred. Out off all the ones I played today this one was sweet. The neck is thin just like my cirrus, and it's super light. It's got a brighter sound than the cirrus, but I believe its just the strings. Thanks for all the help.
 
#93
DrewWalden said:
I'm currently looking for a new bass. I currently play an American peavey cirrus 4, but just got a gospel gig and I'm needing the low b. Any ideas? What do you guys like. I needs to be a good deal as I'm a broke college student, but I am a music major and need high quality, as good or better than my cirrus.
Click to expand...

Drew, glad you found a bass that you could afford that you are happy with.

I quoted your post for emphasis. I don't know how this thread got derailed from 'Best 5 string' to 'Best low B string'.

A great B string is one component of a great 5 string. But it is not the only component.

The best low B I have ever played was on a Dingwall Afterburner. The bass was very good overall too, but out wasn't the best 5 that I have ever played, and frankly, it didn't work for me, in spite of the great low B.

spade2you made the comment about many of us picking our bass as the 'best'. I am sure some people are just validating their purchase, but many of us have played hundreds of basses, looking for 'The One.' Some, like lamarjones have owned over a hundred in their quest.

I played many 5 stringers before I bought my Nordstrand, and have played many more since. Some costing 4 times what I paid for my Nordstrand. Foderas, Sadowskys, Roscoes, F Basses, Conklins (USA), Ken Smiths, Elricks, Callowhills, Brubakers, you name it, I probably played it.

A few of these were the equal of my Nordstrand. A few had marginally better B strings. None of them surpassed it, for ME. That's why I didn't buy one of the many others that I played. That's why I sold one that I thought was 'The One' before I found my Nordstrand.

Some of us aren't looking for validation. We really own the best that we have ever played. Shouldn't that be your goal anyway, if you can afford it?
 
#96
I can tell you what to stay away from... the Peavey Grind. I owned one for a few months. The neck was terrible, my local mom and pop (who are very good by the way) tried to set it up twice. Buzzing was awful. Flat spots... Just a terrible instrument. Luckily i bought the store warranty and i got back what i paid. I may have just got a lemon, but still...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back