Brownsville UB500 5-string bass?

[willyrep]

Got to play one of these while on the road in Florida at a local Sam Ash. It surprisingly felt great and had a solid j-bass tone and decent low B..... except it was lefty, so I wasn't able to draw a "precise" conclusion. I actually dig the looks, the body kind of reminds me of the Benavente Jazz style basses( no offense to you Benavente owners). I'm looking for a beater 5-string right now for upcoming road work; Anyone have one of these? Any horror stories? There's one on ebay I may be bidding on shortly.
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...N&rls=en-us&tbs=isch:1&ei=aCCXS5_9GJnqNeacqXs

 

[big90sbasshorns]

no horror stories for mine. It's totally road worthy, very balanced, and a dream to play. I think of it as my super-j bass. I love when people see it they always think it's a J, then they notice the body is smaller and more aggressive. With the bridge pickup solo'd it can really growl!

I also have found that a perform better live when I don't have a 1000+ dollar bass on. Something subconscience kicks in that I don't need to baby it and can really dance around and have fun and not have to worry about bumping it or nicking it.

 

[stflbn]

Not a fan of the headstock by any means, but I've always liked the looks of the reworked body style.

 

[willyrep]

Yeah, i was pretty blown away by the tone and playability, and I was playing a lefty upside down. Bridge seems nice and heavy-duty and the body style was really comfortable. I played it through a decent Hartke rig in the store and it was very impressive. Headstock is a bit "sharp" looking but I can live with that. I just miss having a fiver and this artist I tour with likes the extra lows. What do ya'll string yours with?

 

[willyrep]

On one that's been on ebay. It has a black headstock which is different from the lefties I've seen but nonetheless, I got a pretty good deal on it. For those that have one, is it a full 19mm string spacing at the bridge? (comparable to a Fender 4-string spacing?)

 

[big90sbasshorns]

Bridge seems nice and heavy-duty and the body style was really comfortable. What do ya'll string yours with?

+1 to that! wait until you're on stage playing it for a few hours, it's sooo comfortable.

I'm strung up with DR light sunbeams.

 

[willyrep]

I'm looking forward to getting it, hopefully will be here within the next week. I'll post my first impressions and how it holds up on the gigs. Cheers!

 

[big90sbasshorns]

Strap-Loks! Maybe it was just my strap...or maybe it's the angle that the more aggressive J style causes the strap to come off of the body , but i've almost lost that bass a few times before I put 'Loks on it. Can't wait to read your review!

 

[willyrep]

Yeah, I swear by my Dunlop locks. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[big90sbasshorns]

Did you get it? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on it if you did buy it!

 

[bazzanderson]

I JUST picked up one of these off of eBay for 99.00. I've been away from 5 strings for too long and didn't want to spend too much money getting back into one. Turns out a pawn shop in Austin was selling it....since I live in Austin I just picked it up. I have to say I'd be impressed if it was 300.00 but for 99.00 I'm VERY impressed. Sure it's Chinese with a basswood body but it actually sounds really good and the transparent white/cream finish with tort pickguard is very nice. I'll add a pickup cover and that's it for mods. Tuners, bridge and pickups seem solid. String spacing is perfect for me. Neck is very playable but with plenty of room. Headstock is ugly but I can live with it. B string is a little bit floppy (reminds me A LOT of an early 2000s MIM 5 string J I had in feel and tone.....which isn't great but not bad either) but definitely playable and usable with a decent tone. I'll post a pic tomorrow. Thoroughly surprised by it.