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Going to a 5 String bass

#21
12stringbassist said:
Either of the two basses should be nice for you - your choice, really.

A very quick word of caution about making the switch:
A few years ago I had a real nice Fender Jazz 5-string.
Didn't perservere with it, or use it enough to get confident on it.
Sold it. Regretted that ever since.

Just got a Retrovibe RV5 (Ric style) and I am determined to win through this time.
Corking sound and very happy with it. Recommended.
Click to expand...

I made the same mistake. I bought a beautiful mint condition Fender Jazz 5 MIA and sold it after a couple of months fumbling around on the neck. also regretted it immensley.

Have a Warwick 5 now and will not sell it. Even if it is a bedroom toy, I will persevere with it, though I have no intention of giving up 4 bangers.
 
#22
I recently bought a KSD Proto J5 with less than 400. I got it home and surprise...had Bartolini PUs and Aguilar OBP3. I was blown away by the sound and sustain. Smooth and perfect play ability. Way better than the similar Fender. It was so good I had to find a similar fretless.....and I found one for the same money. This one is still in the mail but can't wait to get it... Meanwhile I sold a couple of 1-2000 $ basses I had .... I'm still looking for a 34" 5 er with 18-19 mm string spacing. Anyone can help?
 
#25
I also recommend the ATK305 and it also was my "transition bass".

Like scooter said it's humbucker is triplecoiled and has lots of different sounds.
I love it. The only thing I think would make it better is if the fretboard was rosewood instead of maple. However that is a petty personal prefrence.

My suggestion would be to get a wide strap like this one Invalid Link Removed because the ATK is a bit heavy but, don't let that scare you it's a great bass.
 
#26
I switched to five in 1994 when I bought my Fender American Jazz Deluxe Plus V. I have 14 now, with one in the works. They work so much better for me, and it took me about a half hour to get used to it.

At first, you can think of it as a four-string with an extra string, but one you move up five frets on the neck where the frets are closer together, things get a lot easier. Then whenever you need that low E, it's right there on the fifth fret of the B string. No more struggling down by the nut. It would take me a day or so to get back into the swing of a 4-string, but it ain't gonna happen.
 
#28
Consider the Squier Jazz V DeLuxe. Great bass that you'd think should cost more. Within your budget if you buy used.
Wide string spacing, which I prefer, it feels like a 4 string and made the transition easier for me. Lovely neck, great sound...and looks good too.
 
#29
Aussie Player said:
I made the same mistake. I bought a beautiful mint condition Fender Jazz 5 MIA and sold it after a couple of months fumbling around on the neck. also regretted it immensley.

Have a Warwick 5 now and will not sell it. Even if it is a bedroom toy, I will persevere with it, though I have no intention of giving up 4 bangers.
Click to expand...

Heh...
It's a journey eh? But the right bass will help a lot. What is the right bass? It's personal.
My first 5 was a Crafter. Wide fretboard. Sold it and bought a lovely Washburn RB2500 with narrow spacing between strings. It was easy to play fast, but I was very clumsy. Did not persevere and sold it too.
Then I briefly had a Peavey. Very narrow spacing. Not good.
Gave up, sold it.

Later I bought a MusicMan SUB5.
Great sound.
And a G&L L2500.
Fantastic.
Still not quite at home, but I decided to keep trying.

Then I found the Squier Jazz V DeLuxe... and the wide spacing made all the difference. It just felt right and I can play it nearly as confidently as a 4 string.
I was avoiding wide fretboards... and it turned out they were great for me.

So my advice... go out and try everything you can at any price range. When you find one you like... make a note why you like it. You will soon find what your preferences in neck profile are etc. You may be surprised!
 
#30
I would highly recommend the schecter diamond series 5 string. May be out of your price range (looking at £550 new) but for the price it plays unbelievable. Juust 2 days ago I sold mine (to fund my new Sandberg California Tm 5 - which is a thing of beauty!). It served me well across both live and recording environments.
 

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