good first 5 string

[th30nlyAket]

im used to a jazz bass. i had a mim fender 5 jazz before and the b string just seemed to suck, i want to try it agian but what bass should i try. i like the jazz feel and sound but they dont seem to have a good low b sometimes

 

[enricogaletta]

First of all it's important to know what is your budget.
The fenders in my opinion are the best in 4 strings field, and more they are simple, better it will sounds. The low B and the modern "tone" concepts are not their stuff.
For that, there are several companies that made great research and innovations on 5 and more strings basses during all the last decades.
If you like fender style and punchy low B you should try a Sadowsky at least.

 

[zon6c-f]

I have stated this so often and will repeat as often as necessary.

Squier: JAZZ-5 Active: Great B-STRING, DETENTS IN ALL KNOBS. Wide tonal pallette. Very affordable.

I own a handful of basses. My 2009 Squier J-5 Active is my go-to bass for everything from late 1980's forward, when rock, country and pop started having more prominant use of B-String.

 

[th30nlyAket]

First of all it's important to know what is your budget.
The fenders in my opinion are the best in 4 strings field, and more they are simple, better it will sounds. The low B and the modern "tone" concepts are not their stuff.
For that, there are several companies that made great research and innovations on 5 and more strings basses during all the last decades.
If you like fender style and punchy low B you should try a Sadowsky at least.

500-700ish?

i seen a 24 fret jazz bass for 500 that seems ok. Also what about lakland and KSD(ken smith design)

 

[morgansterne]

my peavey grind 5 is really easy to play compared to my fender jazz. I kind of wish I had started on it as the tonal differences between different places on the neck and different strings (on the jazz) started me with some bad habits, which I've spent the past year unlearning.
The grind has a boring tone but that's my only complaint about it.

 

[Munjibunga]

Lakland is good. Nice playable neck.

 

[MarthaSamira]

Lakland is good. Nice playable neck.

This.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Get a Carvin, their B is world class, the only better one I have seen is Dingwall.

 

[RocThrower]

I would recommend looking for a Yamaha TRB1005 on ebay since I believe they are out of production. I picked one up in April for around $500.00, and it's a great sounding/playing bass with a solid sounding B string.

 

[basspraiser]

Laklands have some of the BEST B strings in the business...and you should be able to find a decent 55-01 used for $500 to $700 or thereabouts....a used 55-02 (more versatile) will run ya $800 to $1000 or therabouts...

eitehr are well worth the cash!

 

[basspraiser]

I just saw this:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/lakland-skyline-5501-w-bigsplits-926180/

GREAT deal on a mod'd 55-01 (no affiliation with the seller)....

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Lakland is good. Nice playable neck.

Yup. I've had a few of them and they have all been great basses.

 

[mikestro]

I’m a mediocre bass player that has played in my church all my life. I have owned several 5 strings and over the years my affordability scale went way down. When I was single and lived at home and had no children to feed, I once paid $1800 for a five string custom made bass made by Michael Dolan in California. That was my most expensive bass, that I don’t even own now. Now I have too many responsibilities but I have been able to trade in my basses over the years and get modest priced basses. I currently have a MTD design Kingston Heir costs around $1100 but I traded in a 2005 fender jazz 5 sting and a Carvin. I also have a very cheap Rondo Music SX 5 string jazz bass copy that for around $150 sounds amazing, but is very heavy, around 10 pounds. Very modifiable. Rondo Music also has a very good line of 5 sting basses under $500. I've heard people play their basses on you tube and they sound great.

Mikestro

 

[iriegnome]

I built a Warmoth 5'er for my first one. Loved it. Great project great bass

 

[scottfeldstein]

Just throwing it out there: I really love my Ibanez SR505. They're around $500 new and there's a ton of used ones out there. Fast neck, active EQ, bartonlini pickups, super light weight, and I like the mahogany looks.

 

[Rinder]

i really like the look of some of the brice 5ers on rondo if you're trying to save some green. if you're not happy with it i'm sure kurt would give you a full refund even if its not defective

 

[seang15]

I built a Warmoth 5'er for my first one. Loved it. Great project great bass

How about an Ibanez ATK305??

 

[svt1233]

Absolutely hate lakland necks. They all feel chunky, rough, and unrefined. Like I'm playing a 2x4.

 

[Jim Carr]

Lakland is good. Nice playable neck.

+1

Used 55-01 or 55-02. Don't think for one second that 35" scale is "too big." The lowest frets are a tiny fraction of an inch farther apart. Love the feel of the neck. Silky, refined.

I had brilliant young jazz bassist as a teacher (Yuka Tadano). She plays a 41.5" scale upright but has average-sized hands for a 5'5" Japanese woman. Scale length matters a little, but technique conquers all.

The 35" scale on the Korean made 55-01/2 series gives one of the best sounding B strings out there. Easily within your budget, used. Check TB classified, and no, my 55-01D is not for sale, but here is a pic!

 

[blindrabbit]

SBMM Ray35. Squier VM Jazz 5. G&L Tribute L-2500.