Help me pick a 5 string with a vintage vibe

[rawchuck]

I am looking for my first 5 string. I am hoping to get the best J inspired bass I can.

My budget is $3500 and I am considering two options, but am open to suggestions.

Option 1 is getting a Sadowsky Metroline 5

Option 2 is getting a Fender Am Pro Jazz V and upgrading the electronics and possibly bridge.

in the end, I think the cost will be similar, so I am looking for opinions on which will be a better quality instrument with a vintage sound


Thanks.

 

[Reedt2000]

You could always assemble a warmouth build, your budget is plenty and then you can control the hardware and electronics (or buy either of the 2 you're looking at, they're both great basses ).

 

[rawchuck]

You could always assemble a warmouth build, your budget is plenty and then you can control the hardware and electronics (or buy either of the 2 you're looking at, they're both great basses ).

Great idea. However, the reason I was thinking Fender Am Pro is to be able to try a few and find one that speaks to me at the outset. In my experience, parts guitars can go either way….at least with an off the shelf model I can experience the basic instrument first, and return if necessary

 

[Geri O]

I'm always hesitant to make this recommendation for a couple of reasons, but I will this time....

IF....you could up your budget to $4500 (I know, getting up there.), look at Mike Lull MJ5 basses. Everything I've ever wanted in a Jazz bass and more. Great B string tone.

That's all.

I did find the American Elites (now the Ultras) to be quite good basses, FWIW.

 

[Bass Viking]

I think Sadowskys are better quality but more modern sounding. Check out Modern Vintage basses. Vintage vibe and well built. They have 5 string models and come in well below $3500.

Modern Vintage Basses – Page 2

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I recently played a (Warwick-Made MasterBuilt) Sadowsky. There was nothing vintage about it.
Perhaps a Nash JB5 is a possibility?

 

[ahc]

Of your two choices, the Fender, a passive bass, would be much closer to the vintage sound you want. If you install a preamp in it, that no longer holds true.

 

[tb-player]

You want vintage vibe in a 5? Call John Scott at Bluesman Vintage Guitars. You can save a little cash and get a handmade 5-string with all the vintage feel of any 60s Fender.

Hit me up in the DMs and I’ll give you his info. Seriously consider it. Some of the best basses in the biz.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Check out Anaconda basses out of the UK.

 

[CMGunther]

I second the Mike Lull suggestion, but suggest a used Passive Lull, p or pj. I just bought one and it’s already been on a couple sessions where my old fender P would have gone. Classic tone, modern playability.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Might be more expensive but Olinto deserves a look.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

5 string.........the best J inspired bass ...

No affiliation;
Oh, and it can do "vintage vibe" quite nicely.

2002 Fender Roscoe Beck Artist Series Signature Bass V | Reverb

 

[roller]

I am strongly considering parting with my Shoreline Gold Valenti. See it below on post #1748 and see what ya think.

The Valenti Megathread Part IV

I am looking for my first 5 string. I am hoping to get the best J inspired bass I can.

My budget is $3500 and I am considering two options, but am open to suggestions.

Option 1 is getting a Sadowsky Metroline 5

Option 2 is getting a Fender Am Pro Jazz V and upgrading the electronics and possibly bridge.

in the end, I think the cost will be similar, so I am looking for opinions on which will be a better quality instrument with a vintage sound


Thanks.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Keep looking in the classified. A couple of Lull recently sold in your price range.

 

[burgerdj]

You’re getting into used Alleva Coppolo territory with that budget. But I think a Lull would be a great investment and you could score a sweet one with maybe a bit of budget leftover.

 

[Sam Dingle]

If you haven’t played either do that. I’m not a fan of the fender 5s or Sadowsky metros today. Personally opinion for sure.

If I had $3500 I’d grab a used Mike lull 5 if you are ok with the 35 inch scale

 

[_B_E_A_D_G_]

If you haven’t played either do that. I’m not a fan of the fender 5s or Sadowsky metros today. Personally opinion for sure.

If I had $3500 I’d grab a used Mike lull 5 if you are ok with the 35 inch scale

There are a few Lull with the 34 inch scales (I think there was a 34" M5 recently in the classifieds?), but you have to be patient...

I think Sadowskys are better quality but more modern sounding. Check out Modern Vintage basses. Vintage vibe and well built. They have 5 string models and come in well below $3500.

Modern Vintage Basses – Page 2

Ed Friedland says a lot of good things about these, I still have to see one in the wild. Are they as good as he says?

 

[slappahdabass]

My favorite bass is my Fender AmProII jazz V. I installed Delano pickups and a John East preamp and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have $1400 in it total which leaves you room for a whole lot of other crap in your budget.

 

[Jugghaid]

I second the Mike Lull suggestion, but suggest a used Passive Lull, p or pj. I just bought one and it’s already been on a couple sessions where my old fender P would have gone. Classic tone, modern playability.

Yup. I had a V4 I never should have let go.

Still gonna get a V5 eventually. After probably 25 different high end Jazz basses, Lull is my favorite.

 

[Lo-E]

Sadowskys are fantastic basses but they are decidedly not vintage-y.

In your shoes I’d be looking for a used Alleva-Coppollo, Lull or Valenti. Mas Hino also favors a vintage feel on his builds.

You might also want to look into Fugigen basses (FGN). They’re well below your price range and I believe they make a passive J5 that’s based upon 60s Fender specs, more or less. They make very good instruments. Use the extra money for strings.