How to choose a 5

[Basboeg]

Funnily enough, im looking at the same two basses. But i was also thinking of the sr505.

How does it compare to the 905?

Between the 905 and 505 I chose the first one, because of two reasons: The B-string is a lil' bit more tense because of the bridge (strings-through-body) and the neck-through on the 905 and also it simply felt more comfortable (the curved body which you see on lot of Warwicks is really nice for longer gigs/rehearsals).
I've always felt like the 505 is just a wooden board with strings on it but many people have disagreed with me. The 905 however feels pretty much like the former Ergodyne-basses which were some of the most comfy basses on the market.
Also, as TheInsane mentioned: Good balance is something very important on a bass if you're looking for something comfortable, and most of the weight in the 505 lies in the neck, and not the body. (Just like Ibanez "prestige" series)

i think what's important is how the EADG strings feel and sound rather than the B. seriously, you'll be playing a lot more on the 4 than plonking the open B, so it shouldnt be that high on a piority list (and sometimes a floppy B may be due to dead/bad stock strings).

I totally disagree. If you have a bad sounding B-string; what's the point of playing a 5-stringer?

 

[69nites]

i think what's important is how the EADG strings feel and sound rather than the B. seriously, you'll be playing a lot more on the 4 than plonking the open B, so it shouldnt be that high on a piority list (and sometimes a floppy B may be due to dead/bad stock strings).

balance and how it sits on a strap/sitting/standing would be my first thing i notice. no point getting a boat anchor with a nice B.

He already knows about the EADG strings

He's asking about things to look for specificly in 5 strings not in basses in general

if the EDAG strings sound bad the B is likely going to as well

No one is mentioning the top 4 strings because he already knows about them not because they aren't important

 

[modflea]

String spacing that is comfortable coming from 4 string, neck shape and not clarity on the Low B string.

This is exactly what I was going to say. I looked for a bass that felt closest to my 4 as I could get.

I will add something else. When you plug in the bass and play it, try to find a bass that the strings sound the same volume from string to string. Years ago I sat down to get my first 5 and every bass I played was really quiet on the G string and was really loud by the time I got to the B. Only the Peavey Axcellerator 5 passed that test. The Ibanez was the worst. The Fender Jazz 5 was decent but not as even sounding as the Peavey.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Do like I did, take 7 years and systematically buy and sell 20+ used 5 string basses. That'll help you decide what is right for you.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

While I have played plenty of 34" Bs that were subpar, I have also played a lot of 35" Bs that were just as bad.

+1! Me too. You'd be surprised, adding that extra inch is only like 2.9% increase in the scale length. I've owned and played plenty of 35" scale basses that have horrid floppy B strings even when using high quality strings. And then I have owned 34" scales basses with absolutely amazing B strings, like my SR5, Bongo 5, BSR5J, Modulus Flea 5, Warwick Thumb 5, '98 Fender Jazz Deluxe V, and every Sadowsky I have ever played.

 

[The Penguin]

i think what's important is how the EADG strings feel and sound rather than the B. seriously, you'll be playing a lot more on the 4 than plonking the open B, so it shouldnt be that high on a piority list

It sounds like you actually play

I'm with you, the B string litmus test is silly, more so when it's the open B.

 

[The Penguin]

I will add something else. When you plug in the bass and play it, try to find a bass that the strings sound the same volume from string to string.

Great point.

Sometimes the in-balance can be from sloppy bridge height settings especially after changing from taper core to non taper core or the other way around. Sometimes it's an easy fix, sometimes it's bad design.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

It sounds like you actually play

I'm with you, the B string litmus test is silly, more so when it's the open B.

On my last gig (two full sets) I played the open B string a total of 12 times (12 eight notes) in one song only. Definitely not a high priority. Though, I play the low D a ton, so low D though G on the B string do need to sound like they fit with the rest of the bass (at least for me).

 

[heath_the_great]

in all honesty, i bought my first 5 string sight unseen.....i was still playing my kubicki, then i traded it in to brian barrett at the low end, we talked up a deal, i packed it up, sent it to the states then about 2-3 weeks later i got my ksd, and its still my main bass after over a year....my ksd is a 35" scale and with the badass i think that lengthens the string that little bit extra, its been a mission to find a set of strings that fits it properly, finally found em, dean markley blue steels 45-128's

the only 5 strings that sound really good to me are the ksd's, stingrays (the olp tony levin is rather nice too), G&L's and a few ibanez's

 

[embellisher]

OK, so I went out today and looked at several 5 strings. As usual, I find that there is a lot in my price range that is worth some attention (and a lot of junk too). I have figured out that I prefer a 35" scale, so at least I have that going for me.

So far my favorites are the Ibanez SR 905 and the Schecter Stiletto Studio 5. I am also intrigued by the Conklin GT5, but there are no Conklin dealers in Georgia so I can't get my hands on one to try it.

Please give me any opinions you may have on the aforementioned basses. In particular, I wish someone would explain why the Ibanez costs $200 more than the Schecter -- they seem pretty comparable to me.

The Ibanez would be the winner for me. The sculpted body is very comfortable, and the neck through is something I really like.

I prefer the Bart MK-1 pickups to the EMG HZ pickups, although the HZs are decent.

The Schecter neck doesn't feel as comfortable to my hands as the Ibanez neck.

The Conklin GT-5 is a decent enough bass, but it is getting hard to find, since it is discontinued. I don't care for the neck/body joints on the Conklin bolt ons. They start around the 12th fret, and get thick pretty fast. It makes playing in the upper register difficult if you have small hands and/or short fingers, and is just uncomfortable to me.

 

[Earwigger]

Yamaha BB615; 1.75" spacing, nice playing neck, B string plays and sounds very good, very even. light weight alder body, MY favorite of the whole bunch.

Very well. You are singularly responsible for my decision to buy one of these.

As for 5-strings, make sure the B string sounds good and plays good. Ibanez is usually decent with their B strings, but Fender is not. Theirs are sort of an afterthought. They are floppy and have very little definition.

Warwicks have pretty nice B strings too..

 

[Basboeg]

Warwicks have pretty nice B strings too..

+1. Warwick knows how to build 5- and 6-stringers.

 

[BigMikeW]

I have decided to take the plunge and get a five string. The problem is that since I do not play 5ers, when I go into the music store to check them out I just don't know what to do with them. I generally feel mildly ******** when holding one -- like what little musical knowledge I have has simply evaporated.

I'm sure, as with most things in life, if I struggle through this initial difficulty I will be rewarded for my efforts. Nonetheless, I would like to make an informed decision before plunking down my cash. So, my question to you TBers is this: What do I look for when buying my first 5 string? (e.g. thing to look for and thing to avoid)

And just to save you guys/gals some time, I've got "buy what sounds good" and "you get more for your money used" covered.

Thanks for the input.

Go to www.sadowsky.com and just pick one in the flavor you like. Glad I could help!

 

[hyp.spec]

Between the 905 and 505 I chose the first one, because of two reasons: The B-string is a lil' bit more tense because of the bridge (strings-through-body) and the neck-through on the 905 and also it simply felt more comfortable (the curved body which you see on lot of Warwicks is really nice for longer gigs/rehearsals).
I've always felt like the 505 is just a wooden board with strings on it but many people have disagreed with me. The 905 however feels pretty much like the former Ergodyne-basses which were some of the most comfy basses on the market.
Also, as TheInsane mentioned: Good balance is something very important on a bass if you're looking for something comfortable, and most of the weight in the 505 lies in the neck, and not the body. (Just like Ibanez "prestige" series)


I totally disagree. If you have a bad sounding B-string; what's the point of playing a 5-stringer?

I've played both the 905 and 505 (own the 505) and I actually prefer the 505 over the 905.

For $200+ less you basically get the same thing, but with a bolt-on neck.

Also, I absolutely love the neck with its natural finish than the 905.

The 505 has a somewhat darker tone due to different woods, but the Bartolini's are awesome nonetheless.

Play the 2 and see what you like!

 

[PSPookie]

Add the Yamaha TRB to my list of candidates.

 

[bassman10096]

+1 on strings. If you compare the materials different strings are made from, manufacturing methods (round core, hex core, round, half round, flat, etc), string guage, etc. I always find they are the biggest overlooked (maybe not biggest in total, but BIG) factor in how a 5 or a 4 will play and sound. I think all the major factors have been mentioned already, so it sounds like you have the right stuff to judge from. Good luck.

 

[markjazzbassist]

How does the "B string" feel, sound?

+1

 

[nonohmic]

Yamaha BB615; 1.75" spacing, nice playing neck, B string plays and sounds very good, very even. light weight alder body, MY favorite of the whole bunch.

i played one of these and while i agree with every thing youve said the b string on the one i played was horrible!

as soon as the low eq went past flat it sounded like crap. maybe it was some bad wiring and stuff.

but definitely struck me as being really comfortable to play.

pity about the look imo

 

[SwitchGear]

Very well. You are singularly responsible for my decision to buy one of these.

As for 5-strings, make sure the B string sounds good and plays good. Ibanez is usually decent with their B strings, but Fender is not. Theirs are sort of an afterthought. They are floppy and have very little definition.

Warwicks have pretty nice B strings too..

Can you post a review of your Yammie after you have a chance to play it a bit?

As for my new BB615, I've heard nothing but positive comments about it's sound.

 

[de la mocha]

Personally I gave up on 5 strings and more because I never found one that feels right. I've purchased a few and taken them back over a while (my most recent was my 5 string fretless SX which I traded for a four string fretless jazz).

I don't think I'm a five string guy and I'll just down tune. I don't feel comfortable with the B string.