It's not that hard to learn and you ought to be able some basic adjustments if you play. The needed tools aren't terribly expensive either.
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 cheapest 5 string ?
- Thread starter vintageboy
- Start date
It's not that hard to learn and you ought to be able some basic adjustments if you play. The needed tools aren't terribly expensive either.
Well i just haven't had a super bad NEED until now actually. I want to adjust the saddle hight on my ibanez because I'm getting a lot of fret buzz since I replaced the strings. And the neck is already bent in the direction to reduce buzz. I guess that leaves me with just saddle height.
No offense, but am the only guy here who gets tired of "best cheapest" threads? Folks - you can't get something for nothing. You get what you pay for. Some things are greater value than others, but common sense, people. I, for one, would never suggest an SX to someone because it will have *zero* resale value, where some low-cost squier will at least be something you can sell later. Cheap is Cheap. No way around that, unless you get a killer deal on a used piece.
You really should learn a little more about what's going on with your instrument. I guarantee you that you'll be happy that you did...
Last edited:
Harry,
I'm no more bothered by those types of threads than I am by the ones from the opposite end of the spectrum. People have different desires & needs. If a person wants to acquire the best 5 he/she can for the least amount of money, more power to them. In contrast, if they decide that they want to get a 5 that costs as much as purchasing a home, good for them! Me? I doubt that I will ever let cost determine whether something works for me or not as a player.
The reality is that cost does have a significant impact on the ability many have with regards to acquiring items. I think that's why the OP posed the initial question. Just seeking info on what's the best quality 5 available for the least amount of money. I see nothing wrong with that at all...
Last edited:
No offense, but you haven't any idea what you are talking about!
You CAN get something for nothing. It happens. Maybe not as often as we'd like, but it happens. And you don't "get what you pay for" unless "the shaft" is part of what you get. The world is filled with humans all scheming to give you less while charging you more while making up some fantasy to justify it! And to say SX have ZERO resale value is wrong beyond belief. Everything as SOME resale value. And if you actually read some of the threads on TB you'd see that SX resale is actually far better than many top end basses. Carvin for example has really lousy resale (which is actually good since the idea is to buy those great basses cheap) while old headstock SX basses often sell for what they did new!
But there are details you don't mention. And that is there are compromises. If I buy an SX and it needs some setup, strings, shielding etc. and I can do that, then I've saved cash. If I buy an American Fender or even a Carvin for a grand, I expect it to not have any issues or it goes back. But there is no bargain there. It's just that I don't have to deal with the fixes. And some Squires need work too. Sure, I say with everyone else here that knowing how to change your strings, tune your bass and even do setups makes you a better player. And no there is no need to develop luthier skills, but everything you can't do yourself means you must pay money to have someone else do it. And even worse, you can't be sure they'd do it the way YOU want it done.
So sure, an SX isn't for everyone. Spending twice as much on a nice ESP LTD that needs no work could be cheaper than paying to have a "cheap" bass brought up to snuff. It's all about what is best for the person buying...and one way you figure out what is best for you it to ask questions in yet another "cheapest bass" thread.
But you are correct that used basses are often great ways to save money (provided you don't have to pay a lot of money to get them fixed). I'd recommend a nice used SX since you can get them FREE!
No offense.
Honestly these days cheap basses are pretty good, regardless of brand name. Remember that many are made in same factory. .... ltd, ibanez, and many others are made in same Indonesia factory. Good too.
I have a G&L L2500 tribute. It is very versatile and is top quality for import line. Same electronics as the USA version. My first 5 was a low end Schecter I got on a closeout. Very bad neck dive so I sold it.
I really wanted to like the ibby sr505, but they were hit or miss on every one I tried. Play it first......and beware the finish tends to come off.
I thought the import warwicks were not very versatile and the electrics felt cheap. The vm squiers are pretty good if you find one that feels good. The mm subs are nice if you like that sound and hot powerful preamp. I would probably take a mim jazz deluxe or lakland 5501/2 if I did not have the G&L.
Have fun shopping....
I really wanted to like the ibby sr505, but they were hit or miss on every one I tried. Play it first......and beware the finish tends to come off.
I thought the import warwicks were not very versatile and the electrics felt cheap. The vm squiers are pretty good if you find one that feels good. The mm subs are nice if you like that sound and hot powerful preamp. I would probably take a mim jazz deluxe or lakland 5501/2 if I did not have the G&L.
Have fun shopping....
I would also recommend looking for a used bass. I just found a Peavey TL-5 and it is truly an exceptional instrument in every way. I don't think I could find anything close to this quality for less than over a thousand dollars new.Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying a 5 string.. but don't have much $ to spent...
What is the best cheapest 5 string to your opinion ?
Thanks
Personally, I would still buy an Affinity Jazz V. Yes, there are plenty of choices available in that price range but every time I play mine I think to myself "why would I want something else?". It's just so nice to play and it sounds really good too.
Nydhog
Guest
- Aug 27, 2014
- 168
- 75
- 39
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by Eminence Speaker, Endorsed by Harper Guitar's
As to what Harry said: not everyone cares about resale. I haven't sold an instrument yet. I don't need a super expensive bass to sit around being expensive and me being worried it'll get dinged up either. With this SX if it got stolen I can just oh no I'm out 189 bucks. Aka one or two decent gigs. On the same token if it gets fubar can part it out into project basses.
Well i raised the saddles to get the strings away from the fretboard a bit and that helped a lot. Not nearly as much fret buzzzzzz, problem solved. Had to retune... I better check the intonation tomorrow too. *strokes chin quizzically * Oh yes, intonation check will commence tomorrow.
Couldn't agree more. My travel Ibby got destroyed by airport handlers, and I tried a SUB for the first time as a cheaper travel bass for when I'm flying and don't dare trust the others (Stingray, Bongo and J) to the handlers. Much as I loved the Ibby this one is in a different class and plays just like the Stingray on which it's based. Doesn't sound quite the same, but sounds great in its own way with a set up and new strings. A couple of hours at the store and this one had a home.
Just one thing about the Sub if you go that route. If you're not comfortable on the truss rod and maybe the saddles, have the store do a basic set up as a condition of purchase or you'll be taking it back for the fret buzz.
Last edited:
okcrum
in your chest
There are different answers to the question. The key is to remain realistic with the answer. Cheapest that does the job, right?
For a student or a would-be luthier, I'd recommend an SX or Affinity, no problem. Used if available to check out first.
For a semipro who's gigging locally I'd recommend Squier, new or used. I know a PHX guy who sounds great on his modded Douglas, too. That's one of his "around town" basses.
For a touring pro, I'd probably recommend a used Carvin as the cheapest fiver.
For all the praise the cheap basses get, remarkably few top pros have them on tour. The road is not the bedroom, the basement, or the garage. They cannot afford to bring johnk_10 on tour with them. The 30 hr you spend making your SX sound perfect cannot be replicated nightly before each show when you bring 4 basses. THAT is the price difference right there.
Seriously, tone isn't the only thing; it's one thing. Same with looks. Reliability and repeatability are major considerations when you use the instrument all the time. Stability under environmental changes, availability of parts, ease of maintenance, quality of materials and preparation (bake times and profiles on wood!), and resistance to abuse are all important. Take your SX (or your Realistic JimmyM
) to 40,000 ft. and -40F and soak it there for a few hours; then return it to STP. Do that with an MIA Fender or Carvin. Notice any difference?
There's more than one correct answer to the question, no offense intended.
For a student or a would-be luthier, I'd recommend an SX or Affinity, no problem. Used if available to check out first.
For a semipro who's gigging locally I'd recommend Squier, new or used. I know a PHX guy who sounds great on his modded Douglas, too. That's one of his "around town" basses.
For a touring pro, I'd probably recommend a used Carvin as the cheapest fiver.
For all the praise the cheap basses get, remarkably few top pros have them on tour. The road is not the bedroom, the basement, or the garage. They cannot afford to bring johnk_10 on tour with them. The 30 hr you spend making your SX sound perfect cannot be replicated nightly before each show when you bring 4 basses. THAT is the price difference right there.
Seriously, tone isn't the only thing; it's one thing. Same with looks. Reliability and repeatability are major considerations when you use the instrument all the time. Stability under environmental changes, availability of parts, ease of maintenance, quality of materials and preparation (bake times and profiles on wood!), and resistance to abuse are all important. Take your SX (or your Realistic JimmyM
) to 40,000 ft. and -40F and soak it there for a few hours; then return it to STP. Do that with an MIA Fender or Carvin. Notice any difference?There's more than one correct answer to the question, no offense intended.
Last edited:
