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First 5 string search (Squier, Ibanez, Yamaha, Sterling…)
- Thread starter carlosjrf
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LTDs are nice!
The F205 is also a nice option if you want a 35" scale 5er on a budget.
(I have an early 2000s F-205 that's 34" scale and has a slightly chunkier neck than modern LTDs and that thing plays and sounds better than it should, despite being a lower-end bass).
The F205 is also a nice option if you want a 35" scale 5er on a budget.
(I have an early 2000s F-205 that's 34" scale and has a slightly chunkier neck than modern LTDs and that thing plays and sounds better than it should, despite being a lower-end bass).
You might find a used Warwick Rock Bass in this price range.
I sold my old Corvette Basic 5 for 370 euros a few months back, it had a severe case of neck dive, a baseball bat of a neck and narrow string spacing (this last point may be an advantage or a disadvantage, no way to tell without trying) but it sounded as good as basses 3 times the price.
I went with a Yamaha BB405. They are very underrated which means used prices are cheap.
Dean Edge-1 5 string. At $249 it is definitely worth a look.
I would stay with something in the 18mm spacing camp with jazz bass or EMG 40/5 size pickups. As you learn this string spacing willallow you to move easily from bass to bass without having to adapt your technique. The pickups sizes will allow you to upgrade easily should you desire.
As for brand, which ever has a style you like with the specs listed above. Most of the basses in this price range are well made and of similar quality.
As for brand, which ever has a style you like with the specs listed above. Most of the basses in this price range are well made and of similar quality.
You can consider sadowsky metroexpress, Thomann and others are selling them with a big discount because of the launch of new models in 2024
If you are really not wanting to go over $500 id seriously consider a Spector Legend. Nothing mentioned here previously will touch it in terms of tone and quality
That was my thought: stick with standard Fender Jazz 4-string string spacing (19mm) or Fender Jazz 5-string spacing (18mm). At one point my main bass was a 6-string Ibanez with narrow string spacing. Really messed me up when picking-up a classic 4-string.
That's the one that I have and I love it
Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings and it sounds like the bass end of a piano
I don't have a Sire, but I've tried out several and they generally are an excellent value and within your budget. The 5 string Schecters I've tried have also been excellent, as well as the Yamaha BroadBasses (I forget the model).
Most 5-ers outside of Fender/Squier that I see tend to be active.
With any of the entry-level basses, I'm a strong proponent of trying out in person before buying. Quality control, though generally good these days, is less on the lower end basses. Dead spots on one bass don't appear on an identical model. I experienced this firsthand with my five string warwick rockbass. Display model at GC had a huge dead spot on the 3rd fret of the low B, but the feel otherwise felt perfect for me. When I got to try out another one, I was satisfied and bought it immediately (and still love it).
Most 5-ers outside of Fender/Squier that I see tend to be active.
With any of the entry-level basses, I'm a strong proponent of trying out in person before buying. Quality control, though generally good these days, is less on the lower end basses. Dead spots on one bass don't appear on an identical model. I experienced this firsthand with my five string warwick rockbass. Display model at GC had a huge dead spot on the 3rd fret of the low B, but the feel otherwise felt perfect for me. When I got to try out another one, I was satisfied and bought it immediately (and still love it).
I tried and like them, but the only boost preamp is not my thing. Otherwise it would be at the stop of the list if I found one even if over budget.
I've owned several Yamaha BBs (mid-low tier) and played many TRBX, also owned a Ray35 and an Ibby SR505 (also a CTB5, my first 5er, but that was the entry level Ibanez stuff of its day). My Sire V3 5er is overall a better instrument than any of those. Awesome onboard preamp, with active/passive option too. Comfortable neck and 18mm spacing at bridge. Will only set you back roughly ~400€/$ new. That or a used V7, but all V7s I've played are heavier than my V3.
Possibly/probably unhelpful post: I love salsa music, I dislike typical Ibanez tones, almost always see Ibanez’s in Salsa bands getting shiny shoes on the floor & moving.
Regardless of what my ears enjoy, some used upper end Ibanez with Bartolini soapbars is probably the correct ingredient to put in that stew, and it can work fine enough for the rest of what you do.
Realistically, if you’re a truly good player with a good ear, a good DI, and an at least okay amp as a monitor, you can make a Squier P5 with its stock strings & stock pickup work better than any of us mediocre players could work a Dingwall strung with TIJR strings going through a Darkglass preamp, a Reddi DI and Mesa Subway rig.
Regardless of what my ears enjoy, some used upper end Ibanez with Bartolini soapbars is probably the correct ingredient to put in that stew, and it can work fine enough for the rest of what you do.
Realistically, if you’re a truly good player with a good ear, a good DI, and an at least okay amp as a monitor, you can make a Squier P5 with its stock strings & stock pickup work better than any of us mediocre players could work a Dingwall strung with TIJR strings going through a Darkglass preamp, a Reddi DI and Mesa Subway rig.
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I have the opposite experience. As string number increases, I want closer spacing. And vice versa.
For me, this allows me to transition from bass to bass much more easily. my hand positions remain similar, especially my thumb behind the neck, and the only change need be a flattening of my hand for muting purposes.
The one difficulty I had with spacing was when I picked up a Tune brand six string. It had 18 or 19 mm spacing and felt like a surfboard. Best tone ever but it was exhausting for me on a gig. It got sold.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but my experience is the opposite. 5/6/7 with tighter spacing and 4’s with classic is comfortable and has the smoothest transition. Remembering where everything is on a 5/6/7 is a different story!
Here’s me on a 4 string at a gig, I think my Ibanez RB850 is 18mm. (With my son home from College sitting in on keys!
)And here’s a narrow six on a gig. Ibanez SRF706 with 16 or 16.5 spacing. Second time out live with a six — and so much easier with this one than my Tune surfboard.
I recently had the same question and ended up going with the SR405. I loved everything about it, except the sound. Ended up sending it back. Soap bar humbuckers just never work for me.
My next 5 might be a passive Sire.
My next 5 might be a passive Sire.
