• 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.

Easiest 5 string to play........

#21
5 strinig=Dingwall
I am a little bias, but my transition to 5-string basses was soo much easier by going with a Dingwall. The concept of fan frets, and long scale B-string, not only made playing easier but also made the extended range notes more usable in the mix. If your budget allows it I would highly recommend looking into Dingwall.
 
#22
Thanks for some of the suggestions! Will be looking at some of them........and for all the non tolerant smart asses........
I have already been round as many dealers as poss but none of them carry enough stock,unless u like ricks, fender or musicman(which I don't). This is mainly the reason for this as I'm prolly gonna have to mail order what I like the look of and if I don't like it I'm gonna have to send it back.
I like a wide neck and super low action but retaining as much sustain as poss....I play several different styles from slap, groove through to metal.
I like the idea of the Dingwall so may well take a closer look at them.......
 
#24
superretard42 said:
Thanks for some of the suggestions! Will be looking at some of them........and for all the non tolerant smart asses........
Click to expand...

You asked an impossibly vague question and expected other people to take the time and make the effort to find answers for you.

If you don't like some of the answers, try putting more time and effort into the question.

20 people have taken the time to try to guess the right answer before you suddenly reveal that you have large hands and like thin, wide necks. What is this, a game show? What happens after 50 people try to answer your question? Do we get another clue then?

You asked "what is the easiest 5 string to play?" I showed you what is the easiest 5 string to play. If you don't like the answer, ask a better question.
 
#26
Aaaaah s'bin a long time since I've hung around in forums! Nearly forgot about all the regular forum inhabitants that are ready to pounce on every feckin word!
Anyway wotever mate........cheers to all who didn't need the ins and outs of a nats ass to give me suggestions will deffo be looking up some of those suggestions ;-)
 
#27
There's as much mileage in a *good* setup as there is in scale length/nut width/bridge spacing.

My #1 bass is a Yamaha BB415 modded with a John East pre-amp and sporting D'Addario Chromes. This model is very slim at the nut - think J Bass - and is wide but not huge at the bridge. I have it set up to be low all the way down the neck - I'm not heavy handed - and it's an absolute pleasure to play.

My #2 bass is a Yamaha BBG5A which has a wider nut & roundwounds on it, but is otherwise the same. It feels a little harder to play, but no problem, again due to the fact the setup is good.

I also have an original SGC Nanyo Bass Collection 320 Fretless which is ludicrously easy to play, being very light with a beautiful slim neck & the nut set right down almost on the fingerboard.

Three entirely different basses, all delightfully easy to play. I have a small hand, so tend to like the slimmer necks.

G.
 
#32
superretard42 said:
Aaaaah s'bin a long time since I've hung around in forums! Nearly forgot about all the regular forum inhabitants that are ready to pounce on every feckin word!
Click to expand...

I don't think there was anything wrong with your question. The problem is that there is no consensus answer. People vary considerably in what they find comfortable once you put more than four strings on a bass. I think most responders meant well even if their bedside manners leave something to be desired. I did try a lot of fivers in person, found that the medium narrow string spacings on most Schecters and Ibanezs work best for me, and finally went with an Ibanez SR505. You will save yourself some grief if you take the time to get to some stores and play a variety of basses because this is truly the only way to answer the question for you.

Some can't deal with string spacings below ~18mm, some can't deal with the neck widths if the string spacing is greater than ~17mm, and a few like me struggle a lot because the right hand wants 19mm while the left wants 16mm. I suspect we are the ones who most commonly give five a good long try and then go back to four but it remains to be seen in my case. If you think you would like narrow spacing to make the reaches for your left hand easier then Schecter (17mm), Ibanez SR (16.5mm), and Peavey (15.9mm) are good choices. If you think you want the traditional four string spacing for ease of plucking/slapping then Fenders or Ibanez BTB (I hear) are good and I don't know any other brands to suggest since I quickly honed in on the narrow neck offerings. Good luck and do yourself a favor: even if it takes considerable effort to do so try a variety of fivers before you pull the trigger.

Oh, and while I only played one on a single occasion and therefore am not completely confident in this result, for some reason the lowly Squier Active Deluxe V is the only wide spaced fiver that played well for me. I don't know if the neck is unusually thin or what but for those who have hands that want two different spacings it might be worth a play. I wish I knew some more wide fives like it to suggest.

Ken
 
#35
The only 5'ers that aren't easy for me to play are basses with tight string spacing 17mm or < like some of the Ibanez basses..and basses with really wide flat fingerboards, like the Yamaha TRB. I particularly like the feel of Sadowsky, Lull, and Roscoe.
 
#37
I own/have owned Ibanez, G&L, and Lakland five string basses. I have very large hands, and really loved the neck on the G&L L-2500. The Ibanez had a really thin neck from front to back and felt nice to play.

My Lakland is still in the stable, but not so much for feel, but tone. I still haven't completely bonded with the neck, but it's not bad.

I picked up a Peavey Cirrus 6 after playing it because the thing plays like butter. I am not really a 6 string player, as I rarely ever touch the C string, but the Peavey shocked me as to how nice it felt, played, and sounded. If I ever run into a five string version, I will probably unload the 6 and pick up the five. I am totally shocked at how nice the US Peavey is.

As others have said, you really have to play a bass to see if you like it. Play it in the store, leave for a day or two, then come back and play it again. If you still like it, then buy it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back