I like my 2014 Fender American Dimension Bass V. They can be found on the used market. Fantastic neck and rich, powerful sound.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Five string for 4 player
- Thread starter Peter - Oregon
- Start date
I'm quite happy with my 5's but for a current model I'm using a Sire M5 which is VERY versatile. Weird that the 4 string is 34" scale while the 5 is 35" scale. Took a little getting used to. After the first gig I wondered why my left hand was so fatigued! If that's overkill, the M2 is similar but with fewer bells and whistles (still mighty versatile, though). Good hunting!
BBB
BBB
Last edited:
One thing, I haven't see mentioned is string spacing (apologies if someone did already) for me the biggest adjustment was the string spacing between 4 and 5 string. If you are wanting a smooth transition between the 2 then pick something that has a similar spacing, I made myself adjust between my Warwick streamer 5 string (narrowest spacing) to my Jazz V middle and my PJ with widest, so I didn't follow my on advice. but that's how learn
It's not just spacing, it's also reach - if you keep the same spacing between strings (which applies both at the nut and the bridge) then the reach to the G string is further - much further. So, you either need to learn how to play floating thumb, and accept a really wide neck, or you need to find a good compromise with tighter string spacing, but not a lot more reach. I personally believe that keeping the string spacing the same isn't the easiest approach.
Anyway, I built a 5 a few years ago for " just when I need one". After a while of going back and forth, I decided it's easier for me to play one physical platform, so....all my basses are now 5's (with the same exact neck shape). Be ready for that - it happens to some of us.
Hi Peter 
A five string is a different instrument! It is not a 4 string with an added string!!!
It's not only the string spacing that is (usually ) different!
It's all the position changes that are different (at least if you are serious about using a 5er)
There is a lot to (re)learn if you wan't to use a five string efficiently!
Switching between 4 and 5 stringers is challenging!
You don't play with down tuned guitars? Or a singer who needs the songs to be played half a step down?
Just told the brass section to forget about that low Eb (I don't feel like it today) 
Yep! This!!!!
Especially when someone only needs those lower notes only occasionally!
One set of strings and a filed nut away from low B heaven!
Peter,
please don't take me wrong! I don't want to discourage you from playing a 5 string bass!
I started playing 5ers in the mid 90s
They are awesome! I play them on all of my gigs! (not only from time to time!!!)
If you want to go for a fiver:
Have fun finding the right axe (take your time: the neck is everything!)
In your price range:
Yamaha's BBS have been mentioned (great bang for the bucks!!!).
Don't trust folks who tell you that they sound like Fenders! They don't! (I think they sound better!)
Sire has some new MM style basses (haven't played one yet,
but one of those would be my first "bass to try out" in that price range)
greetings
Wise(b)ass
A five string is a different instrument! It is not a 4 string with an added string!!!
It's not only the string spacing that is (usually ) different!
It's all the position changes that are different (at least if you are serious about using a 5er)
There is a lot to (re)learn if you wan't to use a five string efficiently!
Switching between 4 and 5 stringers is challenging!
You don't play with down tuned guitars? Or a singer who needs the songs to be played half a step down?
Just told the brass section to forget about that low Eb (I don't feel like it today) Yep! This!!!!
Especially when someone only needs those lower notes only occasionally!
One set of strings and a filed nut away from low B heaven!
Peter,
please don't take me wrong! I don't want to discourage you from playing a 5 string bass!
I started playing 5ers in the mid 90s
They are awesome! I play them on all of my gigs! (not only from time to time!!!)
If you want to go for a fiver:
Have fun finding the right axe (take your time: the neck is everything!)
In your price range:
Yamaha's BBS have been mentioned (great bang for the bucks!!!).
Don't trust folks who tell you that they sound like Fenders! They don't! (I think they sound better!
)Sire has some new MM style basses (haven't played one yet,
but one of those would be my first "bass to try out" in that price range)
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Harley Benton MM85a. I wanted a fiver to see if I liked it. Didn't want to spend loads to discover it wasn't for me. If you slap, forget it as the neck pickup is too close to the board. Otherwise this is a really solid bass. The 5 way switch gives a load of options and the build quality is really pretty good. It's a little bit fugly but not minging. I really like it and for 170 English pounds - a steal........
Still absolutely prefer 4 strings though, but hey ho for the price it is worth having around..
Still absolutely prefer 4 strings though, but hey ho for the price it is worth having around..
Last edited:
Great post as always Wisebass. I greatly appreciate all the input on this post, lots of great suggestions, and important points. As I often find, not easy to find the basses to play. I am intrigued by all the positive Yamaha talk, and the price is right. Headed to my local GC to see what they might have in stock to check out.
I too am a 4 string bass guy. I had a Sterling StinRay5. I sold it because the neck was too fat and the string spacing was huge. I recently bought an Ibanez 405EQM and man! What a difference! It can play active and passive, the tonal range is insane, the neck is a jazz neck, the string spacing is almost the same as a 4 string and it’s lightning fast. Definitely worth checking out!
Also, FWIW, Musicians Friend has a loyalty program. You sign up and get 15% off on new items. The Ibanez is $529, 15% is $79.35. and they offer free shipping. They also give you something like 8% in points for future purchases. These are real numbers and that’s where I bought my Ibanez.
Good luck!
Last edited:
You don't play with down tuned guitars? Or a singer who needs the songs to be played half a step down?
Just told the brass section to forget about that low Eb (I don't feel like it today)
We play all of our songs in Eb standard. so don't have to switch tuning ever. Just Drop Db and occasional song that requires the Ab. but I can play any of the songs on either one. 75% are drunk by the end of our first set, so it is good to have that freedom
Just told the brass section to forget about that low Eb (I don't feel like it today) We play all of our songs in Eb standard. so don't have to switch tuning ever. Just Drop Db and occasional song that requires the Ab. but I can play any of the songs on either one. 75% are drunk by the end of our first set, so it is good to have that freedom
Last summer I was looking for a bass to use as my less expensive option for the festival gigs we're starting to do. I figure that, if the weather doesn't look rain-free, then I'd use that one. I bought a Sire V5R five string, a passive Jazz bass, for $659 IIRC plus another $79 or so for the case, and found it to be an outstanding bass and I now give it its share of playing time like I do with my other basses. I don't consider it to be inferior at all. It's extremely well made, the pickups make it sound like a Jazz bass, and the neck and fretboard feel amazing. For the price, Sire is hard to beat and, if you decide you want something other than a passive Jazz, they have several other styles to consider as well. I can highly recommend them based on my experience.
I also have a G&L L-2500 which is another bass that's very well made, feels great, and has tons of tonal variety so you can go from a warm pillowy tone to a snarling beat (I think an underrated feature of the L series is rolling back the volume to about 70% to tame the agressive tone and putting flatwounds can help tame it in a different way if you want to make it more versatile tonally). Mine's a USA model and I'm not sure if the current priced on a used L-2500 is under your $1000 target right now, but the Tribute series gets great reviews here on TB and is in your price range.
I'm also a HUGE Stingray fan - I currently own two and also had a third a long time ago - and the Sterling by MusicMan basses also get great reviews as well. They can be had for under $1000 and are also worth serious consideration. I prefer the HH model for the tonal flexibility, but the H model has a lot of fans as well.
I haven't owned one but have researched Yamaha BB series basses before I bought my Sire and they seem to be another worthy choice. I've never owned a PJ and the BB's seemed really intersting to me, but I ended up with the Sire because I know I like Jazz basses almost as much as I like Stingrays (I also have another Jazz bass in my collection besides my Squier).
All of these should be available under your $1000 threshold.
I also have a G&L L-2500 which is another bass that's very well made, feels great, and has tons of tonal variety so you can go from a warm pillowy tone to a snarling beat (I think an underrated feature of the L series is rolling back the volume to about 70% to tame the agressive tone and putting flatwounds can help tame it in a different way if you want to make it more versatile tonally). Mine's a USA model and I'm not sure if the current priced on a used L-2500 is under your $1000 target right now, but the Tribute series gets great reviews here on TB and is in your price range.
I'm also a HUGE Stingray fan - I currently own two and also had a third a long time ago - and the Sterling by MusicMan basses also get great reviews as well. They can be had for under $1000 and are also worth serious consideration. I prefer the HH model for the tonal flexibility, but the H model has a lot of fans as well.
I haven't owned one but have researched Yamaha BB series basses before I bought my Sire and they seem to be another worthy choice. I've never owned a PJ and the BB's seemed really intersting to me, but I ended up with the Sire because I know I like Jazz basses almost as much as I like Stingrays (I also have another Jazz bass in my collection besides my Squier).
All of these should be available under your $1000 threshold.
Last edited:
75% are drunk by the end of our first set, so it is good to have that freedom
Maybe get a fretless fiver! => Get's you to 100% Wise
