good first 5 string

[GBassNorth]

As far as inexpensive (if you lump used basses in the mix) Lakland had what I thought was the best low B. Until I tried (and subsequently bought) a Squier Jazz 5. Might just be the one I tried, but the B played every bit as good on the Squier as the lower end Lakland which played better than any of the MIA Fender Jazz basses I've tried. I don't have a clue as to how Squier does it, but the one I bought and all the ones I've tried have a fantastic low B, much more so than the MIA Fenders I've owned and tried.
So there you have it, you wanted low cost - Squier is about as inexpensive as you can get, new or used you can pick them up for about $150 to $300.
Happy hunting.

 

[hrodbert696]

What about a Yamaha BB425x? They go for $600 new. Excellent tone and a great B string.

 

[G On Bass]

500-700ish?

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

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!

+1 on the Lakland to a point. Laklands are great basses. I've had many over the years. One big thing to consider with them is that they are 35" scale (which is the only reason I don't play them anymore). For some folks it's a problem, not for others. It's mostly a preference. If you're OK with it, 55-01's are great basses.

Though not as sexy or brand-aware as Laklands and Fenders, IMHO it is almost impossible to beat a Carvin B50 for value vs. playablility. Same neck and electronics as the SB5000. Among the most comfortable necks ever, and the B is every bit as good a any of the 35" basses I ever had. You can pick up a used one (when they become available) for well within your budget, and a brand new for maybe a couple hundred more. Yes, the resale value tanks on new ones, but if you can find a used one, you're set. I just sold off an MIA P5 to keep my B50's.

But another consideration with 5 strings is sting spacing. Laklands, B50s, Squier Deluxe Jazzes and others are 19mm at the bridge, some Fenders are 18mm, G&L's/Sterlings are usually 17.5. String spacing, IMHO, has more to do with successful migration to a 5 sting than anything else. Go to a store, play as many as you can without getting hung up on the name on the headstock, and see what you like. You'll know.