First 5 string bass

[Growl93]

Hey, so lately I'm having this wish to get myself a first 5 stringer.
So far I've exclusively played 4 strings basses.

I've been looking into Cort B5, Cort A5, Warwick RockBass Streamer 5 Std & Spector Legend 5 Standard.

Now I've taken favoritism between Warwick & Spector, and now before you attack me that there's plenty of threads about this before, I've went through all of them, and they arent up to date. Spent few weeks researching and it's really hard to find info on these newer models.

Meaning Warwick which now has 2 band preamp, and new Spector Standard which has locking bridge. I'd look into Classics but they are out of production.

Anyone has experience with either?

I've sent email to Spector with some question I had about Legend Standard, got no replies, so I wanna at least try to obtain more knowledge here before I pull the trigger.

Now if you tell me try before you buy, that is not possible in my case, I can only try Corts from my current list. Warwicks and Spectors are unavailable in my country.

To me Warwick seems to offer more and better hardware, but it's also more expensive, and those MEC vintage passive pickups are hardly replaceable/upgradeable, so far I've never seen pickups like that, while Spector uses soapbars which is easy to upgrade, and uses better body wood?

Also if you want you can try to have me consider some other basses in similar price range, but I don't want anything MusicMan or Fenderesque and it should use soapbars or humbuckers as pickups.

These are the questions I've sent to Spector, you can look into them to give me some answers.

And thank you in advance fellas.

First looking into the body shape from the description from the official site it says "The extremely comfortable curved body". Does this mean the body is arched, or its body is flat? I've found some old info on TalkBass, but it seems it's an old version with a different bridge, and the owner says it has got a flat body different to what description said.
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Second, this same thread says it has got some tweaked G&B preamp in it, while the FAQ about differences between Performer and Legend on your site states "Czech made Spector TonePump Jr active tone controls.". So which one is it in the current model?

From what year all these changes happened, was it 2019?

How's QC for Legend models? Too many times I had to go to luthier for fret dressing and shims.

What's the average weight for these models, and should I expect a neck dive?

And last thing that worries me is scale, I'm really used to 34'' scale, should I expect my muscle memory to "derp" on this 35'' and to get cramps in my fretting hand? Or the bridge is moved back to compansate for extra length?

 

[G On Bass]

IME, a 5 string is all about what fits the individual player. Some like wide string spacing, some narrow. Some like 34", some 35". Some people look for a specific string spacing at the nut. If you know the specs that you prefer, that should narrow the search some. I play pretty much exclusively 5's, but there are 5's I struggle with due to too-narrow spacing. If you have tried the Corts, and they are good for you, then look for basses with those specs. Just in looking at specs on the website for the Cort B5 and the Spector legend, there are big differences. Cort is 34"at 18mm at the bridge (perfect for me), and the Spector Legend seems to be 35" and ~16.7mm (I know this would not work for me). I assure you, those are going to be 2 totally different playing experiences.

Is the used market an option for you?
My 2 cents..

Good Luck!

 

[Growl93]

Is the used market an option for you?

It actually is, however my local one is very limited, since buying power of people here is pretty low, so you won't find anything special. I tried looking at Ebay, but those prices don't make sense since it would be cheaper for me to get a new one. And I'd also prefer a played in instrument that is already setup (meaning frets fixed and stuff).

 

[Fernando Costa]

If you are in Europe it is easy to find MEC pickups. But most importantly already said, start by deciding string spacing and 34" or 35" scale, whether you want it active or passive. It's a good start. Sandbergs can be 34" or 35", they are active/passive and the string spacing can be adjusted. It's a great instrument, it can have P-Bass type pickups, Jazz type pickups or humbuckers. I have a California TM5, 34" and I am completely satisfied.

 

[Zooberwerx]

It actually is, however my local one is very limited, since buying power of people here is pretty low, so you won't find anything special. I tried looking at Ebay, but those prices don't make sense since it would be cheaper for me to get a new one. And I'd also prefer a played in instrument that is already setup (meaning frets fixed and stuff).

Where are you located?

Riis

 

[Growl93]

Where are you located?

I've updated my profile, but it's Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

 

[Growl93]

If you are in Europe it is easy to find MEC pickups. But most importantly already said, start by deciding string spacing and 34" or 35" scale, whether you want it active or passive. It's a good start. Sandbergs can be 34" or 35", they are active/passive and the string spacing can be adjusted. It's a great instrument, it can have P-Bass type pickups, Jazz type pickups or humbuckers. I have a California TM5, 34" and I am completely satisfied.

View attachment 4945385

Gotcha man, but Sandbergs are pretty much outta budget I prepared for fiver, have too thin of a neck profile for me, and are too Fenderesque, but thank you for recommendation.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I've updated my profile, but it's Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Is that near Virginia Beach?

I'd aim for a budget-conscious model but from a better-known manufacturer as the QC is usually consistent. You may absolutely hate fivers and could sell without losing your shirt.

Riis

 

[Growl93]

Is that near Virginia Beach?

Like other side of the world

I'd aim for a budget-conscious model but from a better-known manufacturer as the QC is usually consistent. You may absolutely hate fivers and could sell without losing your shirt.

That's the idea, thank you.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I'm of German heritage and have a special fondness for any country that has 10k ways of preparing / serving cabbage.
My local store (...2 blocks away) has (2) lower-tier Cort Action 5 strings for $199 each hence the question. One is red, the other is blue.

Riis

 

[Growl93]

I'm of German heritage and have a special fondness for any country that has 10k ways of preparing / serving cabbage.
My local store (...2 blocks away) has (2) lower-tier Cort Action 5 strings for $199 each hence the question. One is red, the other is blue.

Riis

I know which one you mean, I have it used here also as option.

 

[MrLenny1]

Sorry no experience with Cort or Warwick.
All of my fives are 34" scale and 17.5 mm string spacing at the bridge.
Sorry no experience with Cort or Warwick.
I doubt that the factory will answer you. TB is your best bet for info.
Happy shopping.

 

[groove pump]

Hey, so lately I'm having this wish to get myself a first 5 stringer.
So far I've exclusively played 4 strings basses.

I've been looking into Cort B5, Cort A5, Warwick RockBass Streamer 5 Std & Spector Legend 5 Standard.

Now I've taken favoritism between Warwick & Spector, and now before you attack me that there's plenty of threads about this before, I've went through all of them, and they arent up to date. Spent few weeks researching and it's really hard to find info on these newer models.

Meaning Warwick which now has 2 band preamp, and new Spector Standard which has locking bridge. I'd look into Classics but they are out of production.

Anyone has experience with either?

I've sent email to Spector with some question I had about Legend Standard, got no replies, so I wanna at least try to obtain more knowledge here before I pull the trigger.

Now if you tell me try before you buy, that is not possible in my case, I can only try Corts from my current list. Warwicks and Spectors are unavailable in my country.

To me Warwick seems to offer more and better hardware, but it's also more expensive, and those MEC vintage passive pickups are hardly replaceable/upgradeable, so far I've never seen pickups like that, while Spector uses soapbars which is easy to upgrade, and uses better body wood?

Also if you want you can try to have me consider some other basses in similar price range, but I don't want anything MusicMan or Fenderesque and it should use soapbars or humbuckers as pickups.

These are the questions I've sent to Spector, you can look into them to give me some answers.

And thank you in advance fellas.

I've tried several 5-string basses through my years - that includes owning a couple - but I've never been able to "click" with one, although my hands adore a wider, more chunky neck!! I won't recommend a specific instrument, but I will recommend... strongly recommend... that you try either a Warwick or a Spector before you buy one.

Many instruments from both of these companies have a layout that can be prone to "unfortunate" balance on a strap. That's my kind way of saying that they can have significant neck dive. When the end of the upper horn (strap horn) on a bass doesn't extend up to roughly parallel with the 12th fret, that can be an invitation to some neck dive, especially if the bridge is mounted away from the bottom edge of the body. This can also possibly make it tougher to reach lower notes down at the 1st or 2nd fret.

But the particular fit depends both on the instrument and the player. I've owned a nice German-built Warwick Corvette and a Korean Spector (both were 4-strings). My experience with those basses taught me to look out for those design features.

If you can try the one you're interested in before you buy it, that would be smart. And make sure that you play it on a strap while standing up for more than a minute or two. But if you only play sitting down, then there's one less thing to worry about

 

[Zooberwerx]

I know which one you mean, I have it used here also as option.

Yours is actually a step-or-two above the model I referenced. That's sharp...bonus points if comfortable and priced right.

Riis

 

[Growl93]

Yours is actually a step-or-two above the model I referenced. That's sharp...bonus points if comfortable and priced right.

Riis

There's just one below, and it's same model just 2 band preamp. However not a big fan of this color.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I would make a 35” scale a must. I think it makes a real difference with the B, and realize other esteemed luthiers can offer better educated arguments that it makes little difference, but I own two 5ers and much prefer the longer scale for the B. I also own a 35” four string and don’t feel the same about any advantage there, but think the difference in string tension equates to a smoother first position B.

 

[mini-milli]

I have a Warwick Streamer Std with the MEC vintage humbuckers and really dislike the pickups. They are very low output and have very little punch. I swapped mine out for EMG Js even though the pickup cavity is too big (I will get a pickguard cut to cover the holes). I do love the ergonomics though so I would recommend a Rockbass Streamer LX or NT over the Std. The pickups are Fender-shaped so even if you don't like them, it's much easier to swap them out.
I haven't played the others on the list so I can't say about how the Warwick would stack up compared to them.

 

[Growl93]

I have a Warwick Streamer Std with the MEC vintage humbuckers and really dislike the pickups. They are very low output and have very little punch. I swapped mine out for EMG Js even though the pickup cavity is too big (I will get a pickguard cut to cover the holes). I do love the ergonomics though so I would recommend a Rockbass Streamer LX or NT over the Std. The pickups are Fender-shaped so even if you don't like them, it's much easier to swap them out.
I haven't played the others on the list so I can't say about how the Warwick would stack up compared to them.

Is yours one with preamp or older passive model?
And would standard soapbars fit the cavity?

 

[mini-milli]

Is yours one with preamp or older passive model?
And would standard soapbars fit the cavity?

Mine is the passive model. The model I'm seeing on Warwick's website is still passive. Do you have a link to the exact model you're looking at?
Adding a preamp didn't save the pickups in my experience - I already tried that with a Bartolini A/P pre. It was better but still not great.
No, standard soapbars do not fit the cavity. Bartolini makes one pickup that fits it but as far as I know that's your only other option.

 

[Growl93]

Mine is the passive model. The model I'm seeing on Warwick's website is still passive. Do you have a link to the exact model you're looking at?
Adding a preamp didn't save the pickups in my experience - I already tried that with a Bartolini A/P pre. It was better but still not great.
No, standard soapbars do not fit the cavity. Bartolini makes one pickup that fits it but as far as I know that's your only other option.

Warwick RockBass Streamer Standard, 5-String

Which bartolini pups are those?