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Good Graphite basses

B

bassfacekevin

Dec 22, 2005
653
0
Ann Arbor, Michigan
#1
Hey, I'd just like to say that I'm very impressed with this website. I think that everyone who posts genuinely want to help others out, and not just jeerk people around. Anyway, to the meat of the question:

I'm looking for a bass that has a 35" scale, 5 string graphite neck, and either EMG (preferred) or bartolini pickups with a 3 band eq preamp. Wood type isn't all that important to me, I just want the bass to be fairly light. Also, I am not a huge stickler to body shape either, (Jazz bodies are great, and I love singlecut looks, but I don't think that you can make them with a graphite neck) Playability and tone are very important to me, and I'm not all that hung up on body types (though I do prefer to steer clear of p-bass bodies, they just don't seem to hang well on me) All of this sounds pretty fine and dandy, but the problem is this: I'm a college student, so I'm trying to find this mythological bass for around $1,000... (feel free to laugh) Is there anyone out there who knows where I could find something like this? or should I throw in the towel, and get something else? thanks.

~K
 
#5
A 5-string graphite-necked bass for around $1k will be a tough find. Four options come to mind, in descending order of rarity:

1) an older used Modulus Q5 (as mentioned above), usually equipped with Bart soapbars, I believe
2) A used Steinberger headless bass (NOT a Steinie Spirit); they usually came with EMGs, IIRC, but possibly not with a 3-band eq. 5-string versions are quite rare.
3) An older Zon Sonus; they typically are equipped with Bart linear Js but only have a 2-band eq
4) a used low-level Status (any decent Status is extremely hard to find in the U.S.), though those won't come with name-brand pickups (though the ones that are stock are reputedly very good)

Washburn sells Status-built headless basses with graphite necks for much less than a branded Status, but the electronics are subpar.

Yours is a tall order. Good luck!
 
#7
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#8
It's really tough to beat a Zon, but only a few of them have a 35" scale. Most of them are 34".

You will occasionally find a Zon or Modulus for around $1200, but they get snapped up very quickly.

The Peavey G Bass is a good choice. I don't know why they didn't go over better. You can usually get a 5 for under $500.
 
#10
VifferMike said:
2) A used Steinberger headless bass (NOT a Steinie Spirit); they usually came with EMGs, IIRC, but possibly not with a 3-band eq. 5-string versions are quite rare.
Click to expand...
As well as being rare, the 5's in narrow spacing are expensive, and the very rare XL5W is even more so.
VifferMike said:
4) a used low-level Status (any decent Status is extremely hard to find in the U.S.), though those won't come with name-brand pickups (though the ones that are stock are reputedly very good)
Click to expand...
If you're lucky and patient you can get a NT Status 5er for a good price, but the lower level models are usually a BO. The Status/GMTpickups are very good.

VifferMike said:
Washburn sells Status-built headless basses with graphite necks for much less than a branded Status, but the electronics are subpar.
Click to expand...
They're a maple NT beam not graphite.
 
#11
I have a Peavey G5 here. They're pretty much a bargain used, got mine as-new for $450 w/case. Remarkably smooth playing bass and only 9lbs, 4oz. I forget who made the necks for Peavey but they did a nice job.

I thought about changing out the pickups too, but a set of exposed core Rotos breathed a bit more life into it.
 
#17
I say look for a used Zon too. You might be able to find a Sonus 519 which has a 35" scale but also wider string spacing. I'm sorry I don't know how much a used one would cost you, as I've not looked for a used one yet. But if you do find one used around $1000, or even if it costs a bit more than that and if you don't mind spending the extra cash, I'd say go for it. I have a Custom 4 on order. Zon's are great!
 
#20
Hey, thanks for all the replies, that sounds great, I've played several modulus' and I think they're excellent. I suppose that my questions now are A) Could anyone point me in the direction of any of these bass deals and B) does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to custom build a bass to the aforementioned specs. for around $1G? I'm not hung up on names, I just want something that plays and sounds excellent
 

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