Does such a bass exist? (SS content)

[Temcat]

Does anyone know if a bass with the following specs exists... [UPDATE] and if yes, then what is the minimum price you can get it for:

1) ~30" scale (OK maybe 32" if it's headless)
2) 5-string
[DEL]3) Inexpensive (say, ~$500 or less)[/DEL]
4) Non-sloppy B string (as an example, the B string in my Affinity Jazz V is acceptable for me)
5) No neck dive
6) 2 pickups (JJ, PJ, 2 soapbars)
7) Preferably not butt-ugly, but that's really subjective.

 

[Thombas]

A 30 inch scale with a not sloppy b-string sounds like challenge no. 1, good luck ;-)

 

[spade2you]

Not in that price range.

 

[Temcat]

Not in that price range.

Well, I know there are always Birdsongs Do you know anything significantly cheaper?

 

[spade2you]

Well, I know there are always Birdsongs Do you know anything significantly cheaper?

No.

 

[AltGrendel]

I think that #3 and 4 are going to stop you (almost) every time.

In fact, Alembic (I know you aren't looking at them) won't make a shorty 5ver unless you want a high C.

 

[kosmicwizard]

Thinking outside of the box has me thinking that a 5 string piccolo bass with a sub-octave pedal always on could be the ticket. Still isn't going to be cheap through. Cheers.

 

[spade2you]

I think that #3 and 4 are going to stop you (almost) every time.

In fact, Alembic (I know you aren't looking at them) won't make a shorty 5ver unless you want a high C.

Anyone reputable luthier canmake a 30" scale bass with 5 strings, but making the B sound good is the trick. Cliff Bordwell makes a killer 32" scale low B, but I'm not sure how he feels abotu 30" scale. Chris Stambaugh isn't a fan of anything less than 33" scale with his basses.

That being said, the sub $500 budget makes it a bit of a pipe dream. If there were a bass matching this description, it WOULD be the best bass for metal and there'd be more threads about it than the Geddy Lee Fender Jazz.

 

[Temcat]

Anyone reputable luthier canmake a 30" scale bass with 5 strings, but making the B sound good is the trick. Cliff Bordwell makes a killer 32" scale low B, but I'm not sure how he feels abotu 30" scale. Chris Stambaugh isn't a fan of anything less than 33" scale with his basses.

That being said, the sub $500 budget makes it a bit of a pipe dream. If there were a bass matching this description, it WOULD be the best bass for metal and there'd be more threads about it than the Geddy Lee Fender Jazz.

OK I got it, let's make it "the cheapest bass of this kind you can find".

 

[SBassman]

There aren't too many 5 string SSs in the universe. I imagine getting a legit B is quite the challenge. As it is, lots of people throw stones at the E on our SSs.

Your post though reminded me of the Kinal Kompact, which is a gorgeous acoustic SS, made in 4 and 5 stringers. I don't remember how he strings the 5.

But, it doesn't match your specs. I multiple ways, including the price.

If you are really set on this, your best bet may be to build it yourself.

 

[garmenteros]

Used 5 string alembic spoiler. 32 scale. One of the best Bs I've ever heard only surpassed by my 35 scale length customs but easily beating out all Musicman 5 strings I've owned, not to mention fenders. If you're patient enough maybe you can get one in the 1500 to 2000 range. I got mine dead cheap though as I had to restore it. Worth it though but I ended selling it back to the original owner.

 

[johndough247]

Brand new, the bridsongs are the cheapest option (short of some unknown builder most of us don't know about).

Oh...SS has been thrown around to mean so many different things here: Short Scale, Solid State, Stainless Steel...I wasn't sure what was meant til I read the OP lol just putting it out there

 

[spade2you]

OK I got it, let's make it "the cheapest bass of this kind you can find".

A bare bones Stambaugh 33" scale or bare bones 32" scale Cliff Bordwell would probably be the best bass that does the job extremely well. Used Alembic 32" scale is an option, although I don't typically see the 5s for sale as often as 4 strings. There will be cheaper, but this will be sacrificing performance in the B department.

 

[DarkStar90]

you may want to check out callowhill, they made a short scale six string for owen biddle.

 

[xaxxat]

This one is a sixer but it meets several of your objectives:

Link Removed

 

[Temcat]

I have PM'ed one of the few owners of that Brice model regarding B string quality.

A web search on Brice HXB-406 short scale reveals quite a few questions about it but almost no answers, which is understandable: not everybody is willing to pay $300 for something that is going to be an extra tough sell even if it is OK (a shortie AND a 6-stringer).

 

[superdick2112]

I have to ask - why do you want the 30" scale? Is it for comfort & easy playability, or is it to keep the overall length of the bass down?

 

[SBassman]

This one is a sixer but it meets several of your objectives:

Link Removed

That's a nice looking bass. I wonder how the B performs.

 

[notverygood]

I had a short thread about the Brice a few days ago, but couldn't find any owners. I even went so far as to e-mail rondo and found out they are in stock. too bad I've spent my play around money already.

 

[Temcat]

I had a short thread about the Brice a few days ago, but couldn't find any owners. I even went so far as to e-mail rondo and found out they are in stock. too bad I've spent my play around money already.

As a matter of fact, I even posted a question in that thread, but there were no answers from owners.