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First 5 String Bass
- Thread starter Bendog
- Start date
What's great is that nowadays, even affordable 5ers can be great. I remember back in the 90s when getting a decent low B was a roll of the dice even among nicer basses.
Anyway, since you already like your Schecter CV-4, why not consider a CV-5 since you already know you like them, and use the rest of your money to invest in a good amp (assuming you still only have lower watt practice amp or something). CV-5
Or there is the Schecter SLS Elite, which is the top end of Schecter's production line, assuming you want to stick with Schecter. Shopping
Schecters are sleepers that punch above their weight class. In my most active years gigging, touring, and attending shows, I saw a LOT of working bassists using Schecter Stiletto Studio basses. Shopping
ESP's LTD line has some cool 5ers. If you want something that has traditional looks but with modern electronics, there is the AP-5. If you want something very "metal" there is the F-series. If you want something in the middle, there is the D series. (I'm an LTD fan and own 3). Products - Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Earlier this year I bought a new-old-stock 2018 D-5 from Music Forte in Levittown (outside of Philly) for $650 and it looks, feels, and sounds like an instrument costing twice that. It's a small mom 'n pop store so it may not have Sam Ash inventory, but what's there is well taken care of.
And +1 on the TalkBass classifieds. You can get some really amazing stuff through them. I certainly have and even met some very cool people in the process. With $2000, the world is your oyster. Since you mentioned Pennsylvania and Maryland...
PA classifieds: =126&c[thread_field_id_strings]=strings&c[thread_field_value_strings][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_strings][1]=%25five%25&c[thread_field_id_state]=state&c[thread_field_value_state][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_state][1]=%25PA%25']Search Results | TalkBass.com
MD classifieds: =126&c[thread_field_id_strings]=strings&c[thread_field_value_strings][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_strings][1]=%25five%25&c[thread_field_id_state]=state&c[thread_field_value_state][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_state][1]=%25MD%25']Search Results | TalkBass.com
Anyway, since you already like your Schecter CV-4, why not consider a CV-5 since you already know you like them, and use the rest of your money to invest in a good amp (assuming you still only have lower watt practice amp or something). CV-5
Or there is the Schecter SLS Elite, which is the top end of Schecter's production line, assuming you want to stick with Schecter. Shopping
Schecters are sleepers that punch above their weight class. In my most active years gigging, touring, and attending shows, I saw a LOT of working bassists using Schecter Stiletto Studio basses. Shopping
ESP's LTD line has some cool 5ers. If you want something that has traditional looks but with modern electronics, there is the AP-5. If you want something very "metal" there is the F-series. If you want something in the middle, there is the D series. (I'm an LTD fan and own 3). Products - Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Earlier this year I bought a new-old-stock 2018 D-5 from Music Forte in Levittown (outside of Philly) for $650 and it looks, feels, and sounds like an instrument costing twice that. It's a small mom 'n pop store so it may not have Sam Ash inventory, but what's there is well taken care of.
And +1 on the TalkBass classifieds. You can get some really amazing stuff through them. I certainly have and even met some very cool people in the process. With $2000, the world is your oyster. Since you mentioned Pennsylvania and Maryland...
PA classifieds: =126&c[thread_field_id_strings]=strings&c[thread_field_value_strings][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_strings][1]=%25five%25&c[thread_field_id_state]=state&c[thread_field_value_state][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_state][1]=%25PA%25']Search Results | TalkBass.com
MD classifieds: =126&c[thread_field_id_strings]=strings&c[thread_field_value_strings][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_strings][1]=%25five%25&c[thread_field_id_state]=state&c[thread_field_value_state][0]=LIKE&c[thread_field_value_state][1]=%25MD%25']Search Results | TalkBass.com
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Absolutely listen to aus_bass above: you need to feel out what you like, and the best way to do that is in person. I played 4’s for years in rock, blues, metal, and cover bands. When I switched to the 5 it was for the sonic range: my band was going lower than the E/drop tuning on my 34” scale 4 string could. Many 5 strings can have a “floppy” 5 string at 34” scale, but not all. Two of your main deciding factors will be string spacing (the 5 can have significantly tighter string spacing than your current 4, only somewhat adjustable), and pickup arrangement. I discovered, after several basses, that I like the Bartolini dual soap bar the best, with a couple different preamps (and the Warwick Thumb MEC, as well). The Bart is easily sculpt-able and drives pedals well. But that’s me. I also like 17” string spacing, and while I dig a 35” scale, a 34” is much more comfortable and I don’t have to look when I play much at all on a 34”. I’d NEVER have figured out what I like without physically playing different basses. Other folk’s opinions are great, but you need a personal baseline to consider their options from. Follow the advice of the fella above: go in person and make a day of it. And don’t just settle for the usual suspects. Playmew, used/consignment, and the stuff you can’t afford, everything on the wall that has 5 strings. Annoy the workers with questions. Play the same line over and over as you spin thru the eq on a bass. You may not have played long enough to tell a huge difference now, but a I’ll bet you do. You’ll find one/a few that just feel RIGHT. That sound right. That make your fingers wanna play!! (That’s prolly when you will have found the neck thickness/profile and scale combo you like). Have fun, and DO NOT BUY THE FIRST ONE YOU LIKE. And for what it’s worth, a used Porsche is still better than a new mustang, so if a used higher end bass on the classifieds here meets the specs you find you like on basses in person, don’t be scared to go that route. Also, make sure your current rig will handle the low B.
A lot of good suggestions so far.
There are a lot of specifications one has to sort through that might or might not matter to you.
String spacing, scale length, active or passive, bolt on or neck thru,neck radius, number of frets and, of course, weight.
I agree with those who advocate for buying used. Brands I own include Carvin, Lakland, and Peavey, but I also think highly of G&L, MusicMan, Yamaha, Cort, and Ibanez. These days almost any major brand make very playable instruments.
I don't think anyone has mentioned Sire yet either.
There are a lot of specifications one has to sort through that might or might not matter to you.
String spacing, scale length, active or passive, bolt on or neck thru,neck radius, number of frets and, of course, weight.
I agree with those who advocate for buying used. Brands I own include Carvin, Lakland, and Peavey, but I also think highly of G&L, MusicMan, Yamaha, Cort, and Ibanez. These days almost any major brand make very playable instruments.
I don't think anyone has mentioned Sire yet either.
Honestly before you drop 2k like everyone stated you really should go tryout as many 5er's as possible. String spacing Size, width, & shape of neck do you have a preference? Is there type of bass you prefer or want Jazz Bass, P Bass, PJ, Single or Double Humbucker. Scale 34 or 35 fan frets or traditional It would suck to drop 2k on a bass only to find out you hate it a month later. Maybe tryout a Squire, Ibanez, or Sire lower end 1st just to see if you even like 5 string bass.
I was a 4 string player only for years my 1st 5 string was Ibanez Fretless bass. I had saw a close friend play his F bass 5 fretless at the Bake Potato. I wanted one instantly but at the time I only had 2 basses Ibanez sr500 and Geddy Lee MIJ Jazz Bass. By that time I knew enough about what I preferred neck wise and wanted the least expensive quality bass I could find Ibanez won out and was great choice I still own that bass. Many years go by the 5 string bug bites me again This time it had to have a roasted maple neck so Sweetwater Exclusive Squire contemporary Jazz HH cost was perfect gift card paid for it all.
Replaced the pre-amp with Audere Classic great pre-amp btw. But come to find out The neck size was not to my liking at all and I didn't love the pickups either. I contemplated changing the pickups but ended up not going any further with it. I still have it but it sits on my rack and only gets cleaned and tuned once a month. But it wasn't a completed lose because I learned form the bass I absolutely love Roasted Maple necks. My next 3 basses all have roasted maple necks. Long story short try as many things as you can before your drop 2k on what you think is your dream bass and it ends up only being a learning tool of what your next purchase should and will be. BTW my most recent Bass I bought this past spring was a Music Man SR5 special love that roasted maple neck. But I chose that bass after trying out the BFR Fretless another TB'er bought and posted today. Had I not gone to GC and tried 6 or 7 5 string bass I never would have known that was the right 5 string for me. GAS is real I still want a 5 string Jazz bass Sire V5 to mod and has a roasted maple neck LMAO! Also I know it will work for after trying out Sire v7 2nd gen 5 string. Good Luck enjoy the search its a fun process I'll keep an eye out for your NBD post.
I was a 4 string player only for years my 1st 5 string was Ibanez Fretless bass. I had saw a close friend play his F bass 5 fretless at the Bake Potato. I wanted one instantly but at the time I only had 2 basses Ibanez sr500 and Geddy Lee MIJ Jazz Bass. By that time I knew enough about what I preferred neck wise and wanted the least expensive quality bass I could find Ibanez won out and was great choice I still own that bass. Many years go by the 5 string bug bites me again This time it had to have a roasted maple neck so Sweetwater Exclusive Squire contemporary Jazz HH cost was perfect gift card paid for it all.
Replaced the pre-amp with Audere Classic great pre-amp btw. But come to find out The neck size was not to my liking at all and I didn't love the pickups either. I contemplated changing the pickups but ended up not going any further with it. I still have it but it sits on my rack and only gets cleaned and tuned once a month. But it wasn't a completed lose because I learned form the bass I absolutely love Roasted Maple necks. My next 3 basses all have roasted maple necks. Long story short try as many things as you can before your drop 2k on what you think is your dream bass and it ends up only being a learning tool of what your next purchase should and will be. BTW my most recent Bass I bought this past spring was a Music Man SR5 special love that roasted maple neck. But I chose that bass after trying out the BFR Fretless another TB'er bought and posted today. Had I not gone to GC and tried 6 or 7 5 string bass I never would have known that was the right 5 string for me. GAS is real I still want a 5 string Jazz bass Sire V5 to mod and has a roasted maple neck LMAO! Also I know it will work for after trying out Sire v7 2nd gen 5 string. Good Luck enjoy the search its a fun process I'll keep an eye out for your NBD post.
I've tried a few; my keepers are a Status Graphite (wooden neck model) and a couple of Warwick Corvettes.
Beware that there are Warwicks with slim necks (I like those) and some with chunky ones (I have one, but never play it).
I've also had a Rickenbacker (curiously I didn't bond with it), a Stingray SUB (built like a tank but too big for me), and a couple of Warwick RockBasses (neck profile not right for me).
Beware that there are Warwicks with slim necks (I like those) and some with chunky ones (I have one, but never play it).
I've also had a Rickenbacker (curiously I didn't bond with it), a Stingray SUB (built like a tank but too big for me), and a couple of Warwick RockBasses (neck profile not right for me).
You are right. I guess that's a big ask these days.
I bought mine off a guy who couldn't sell it. In the end he reduced the price and I was lucky enough to be there when he did. That was nearly 12 years ago. I know the prices have gone mad since. Maybe that wasn't such a good example!
I lucked into my Lakland 55-94 in pretty much the same way. The seller was having no luck on eBay and relisted the bass several times before I jumped on it, but, again, that was a long time ago, in 2003.
All I can say, there are bargains out there if you are patient, careful and are ready to move quickly.
If you are fairly new to bass and comfortable with the model you are playing, try to find one in a five string version or something similar. Shop around a bit, I don't want to mention brands but you can find the "budget" version of some bigger names for less and they are quite similar to the more expensive items. Also, if you've never played five it may not be your thing. Some people go to five and then go back to four. Would you consider going used? There's lots of great gear out there that is "previously enjoyed" for a reduced cost and better to be out a couple of hundred rather than close to two grand to find out it's not your thing. Best of luck.
If I was in your position I wouldn't drop 2K on a bass. I'd look for something that I could bring to any of the situations you list and it would fit right in. I'd also stick with a 34" scale length to ease the transition to 5 string...and I would limit my ability to get fiddly with too many tone options so that I just focus on getting comfortable with the extra string.
So for me it would be some kind of a P5 bass. I have a 2008 Fender P5. Highly recommended if you can find one used, However this Sire looks really nice
Sire Marcus Miller P5 Alder 5-string Bass Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst
Also get a set of DAddario Chromes strings and play them in for a month before you decide if you like them.
This will give you the tone looks and playability to fit right in at any blues jam, southern rock or Jazz gig.
So for me it would be some kind of a P5 bass. I have a 2008 Fender P5. Highly recommended if you can find one used, However this Sire looks really nice
Sire Marcus Miller P5 Alder 5-string Bass Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst
Also get a set of DAddario Chromes strings and play them in for a month before you decide if you like them.
This will give you the tone looks and playability to fit right in at any blues jam, southern rock or Jazz gig.
This. The parameters of a 5 string are more numerous than a 4. Do your self a favor by playing as many as you can, note what fits you best - then do some serious shopping.
Let me know when you couldn't sell your Lull, LOL. I missed two of them before COVID from a Chicago guy and I am still crying.
^^^This^^^
There is zero point in recommending brands until you know what specs work for you. 5 strings differ wildly and finding the right one is most of the battle.
Lots of good suggestions here BUT Like one poster pointed out String Spacing, weight, neck thickness etc. may be important to overall playability and comfort not to mention how is your muting technique?
