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first 5 string

remcult

remcult

Dec 26, 2012
1,344
1,579
New Jersey
#1
Hiya folks,

I've been playing my MIM Fender Jazz Standard for a while now, and while there's nothing really wrong with it, I just feel like it's time to move on. I've been thinking of taking a look at basses like the 4-string MTD Kingston Heir, but I'm also curious about learning to play a 5-er. If I'm going to save some cash and drop it on a nice new bass, I figure why not go for something new, and which may help me expand my palette? I'm not necessarily looking for a boutique; the main 5 string I've researched at has been the Marcus Miller signature. Any other suggestions? Where/what else is worth looking into?

Criteria:

-Versatility: I like to play music from a lot of genres, from jazz to funk to heavy rock, and I need something that's capable of adapting somewhat to different situations. This means, hopefully, features like a good preamp

-Price: Like I said, I'd save for this, but the absolute high range would be around $1100 new. I'm really looking for something more in the $850 range; no bias against buying something used

-Weight: I don't want a tank. I'm not interested in something over 8-9 pounds

-I've got smallish hands, so you know, that's something to take into account

-I'd like to be able to use the higher register with relative ease.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit this, but I think that covers the basics at the moment.

Thanks for the help!
 
#2
The MM is certainly nice. But if you feel at home on a Fender, maybe also take a look at the Deluxe Active Jazz V (MIM), which isn’t quite so tough on the wallet. There’s also a lot of praise here at TalkBass for the Ibanez BTB series. Lastly, Carvin offers some very nice 5-string options in your price range. Happy exploring!
 
#3
Used Lakland 55-01, 55-02 or 55-60. Also the old Korean passive MTD 5ers with the MM-style pickups are great and cheap, though hard to find stock. Don't fear 35" scale basses. I have a 10 year-old bass student who plays a 37 12" scale half-size double bass. It just takes practice and technique.
 
#4
IME the Fender Vs have a neck and string spacing on the wide side, so that could be an issue with your smallish hands. The Ibanez BTB that has been mentioned is a good bass, however the 24th fret does not extend across all 5 strings, which may or may not be an issue for you, depending on your needs. I would suggest also looking at the ESP B-series of basses. ESP generally gets as rep as only for metal, but through my experience with them they are able to handle everything I through at them from Jazz to Djent (think Periphery and Meshuggah). They do have some shapes that are more metal oriented but the B series is more of a super-strat shape

Tl;dr: take a look at ESP, very versatile with onboard EQ, not too big for your hands or shoulder, won't break the bank.
 
#5
If I was in the market for a new fiver, I wouldn't be sale to buy anything with a clear conscience without checking out the newest version of the Ibanez ATK805(E?). It meets all of your criteria with the possible exception of weight. I think they run just over 9 lbs.

Good luck and have fun hunting!
 
#9
I want to thank everybody for the feedback, I've definitely got some more researching ahead of me.

It seems fair to disregard the hands/weight criteria, as folks seem to feel these are overly limiting, so if anyone's got additional suggestions, feel free to post!
 
#11
IbbyMonster said:
Ibanez SR505 is an awesome bass. Try one of those and see how you like it. It is lightweight, has a slim body, slim neck, and the electronics are amazing. So much bass for the $$$.
Click to expand...

+1 I totally agree that this pretty much fits what you want to move "on" (let us not say move "up" shall we?) to a 5er and something classic yet quite differnet from the old school Fender. I've got an SR506 and I know of what we speak.

That said, let me also say that my main axes are G&L L2500 in fretted and fretless. That is ALSO another "move on" but in a rather different way. Give one a try if you can. It's in the right price range if you can find a nice used USA one. Some people hate the chunky necks and switches so you'll have to see if it fits you.
 
#14
bassbenj said:
That said, let me also say that my main axes are G&L L2500 in fretted and fretless. That is ALSO another "move on" but in a rather different way. Give one a try if you can. It's in the right price range if you can find a nice used USA one. Some people hate the chunky necks and switches so you'll have to see if it fits you.
Click to expand...

+1 on the L2500. You could even go tribute if you want. 34" scale and 17.5mm spacing would work well with smaller hands. Don't believe the 'chunky neck' BS anymore. Older G&L's had thicker necks, but they've slimmed down recently. My L2500 that I got in 2011 has the same neck as my Stingray 5 did.

These are the Swiss Army knives of the bass world. Jazz, P, Stingray, active, passive, they do it all, and do it well.
 
#15
The Ibanez 505 has been called multiple times - I would like to add the Ibanez SR 605!! Awesome instrument! I played a lot of different basses and can find a positive thing in almost all of them, but I always come back to this Ibanez because it is like made for my hands/body-range


Also, have a look at Yamaha basses - I always adored the old TRB five-string of my bass teacher! Frind of mine plays a newer BB 5string - awesome sound!!
 

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