I've been wanting a new bass, and I'm committed to the 5-string. I think the Traben Array Obsession is my favorite, but I'd like to know if there is a bass for a similar price from one of the more "popular" brands that is better. By the way, I'd be using it for a praise band most all of the time, and I know the Traben's aren't famous for that, so...
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I need advice on best 5-string for $500
- Thread starter 24/7Worship
- Start date
There's some pretty nice basses out there for $500 in the used market. You could get a Corvette standard, or few a little more, a Peavy Cirrus. I like the Yamaha BB 5 strings a lot too, especially the older ones.
I play an Ibanez SR505-BM with Bartolini MK-1 pick ups. It runs a little bit more than $500 ($579) but IMO, worth every penny.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
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- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I use a Squier Affinity Jazz V when I tour. It cost $227 US brand new & sounds like a mountain. I replaced the bridge with a Hipshot ($85) & put flatwounds on it. You could use the rest of the money for something else. Just make sure you play a few before picking one. Check for dead spots..etc. You will want a good set up as well. Maybe the store is capable & maybe not.
Agreed, this is probably the best 5 stringer in this price range. You may have to rip some of the foam off of the bottom of the pickup to lower them and like Moe said, get a pro setup done but afterwards you will have an amazing bass. My friend owns one and it has the tightest B string of any bass that I've ever tried and I've tried quite a few. Mind you tightness does not equate to how good a B string is IME, but you will get a VERY solid tone from this B string. I also recommend Yamaha basses strongly. I can't remember any specific models in that price range but I have never played a bad Yamaha from cheap to not so cheap so I'd say they're a good bet. Also, If you can find an Ibanez SR series bass without the Bartolini MK-1 setup give it a try because they are some pretty nice basses. My only issue with Ibanez basses is always tone but they feel amazing and play just as well so they're worth a try. To be fair (and to precede the following semi-rant) I suggest you try out on the the Bart MK-1 setup basses. I may dislike them and many others may as well but there are many who do like them, as this thread demonstrates, so they may be worth a shot. Tone is a very speculative thing so check one out for your self.
/ranton
I noticed a lot of recommending the Bartolini MK-1 pre/pup configuration that comes in Ibanez basses and some other lower end bass models so let me be the first to tell you to stay away from it. Please. The preamp is flat and barely has any impact on the tone of the bass beyond making it more muddy or nasally and the pickpus are more stale than elementary school lunchroom bread. The only upside to these pickups (and this only applies to the 5 string models) is that they leave routes that are direct drop-ins for Nordstrands (Big Singles, Big Splits, and Dual coils). I know it sounds harsh but I've tried at least 7 Ibanez SR basses and the only one that I liked did NOT have the Bart MK-1 electronics. I've also tried a Lakland and Cort/Elrick bass both with these pickups and electronics and they both sounded sub par for their price. If you want more opinions, search "Bartolini MK1" or something like that in the Pickup & Electronics sub forum there are quite few threads on them.
/rantoff
Hope you find a great fiver, and I'm sure you will because even on a budget there are plenty to be had
!
+100,000 and you can get it for under 500 if you snag one of the deals that musicians' friend or g.c. always has going on.
SR505 is my bass of choice for all around playing, and it would definitely fit into a praise setting, looks and sound.
As others have said, used it the way to go for a bass in this price range.
Used gear and In no set order of preference:
Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz V
Lakland 55-01
G&L Tribute L2500
Peavey Cirrus BXP
If you absolutely must go new then these are pretty decent basses IMO in your budget. But I'm sure you can find these used too if you look hard enough.
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Used gear and In no set order of preference:
Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz V
Lakland 55-01
G&L Tribute L2500
Peavey Cirrus BXP
If you absolutely must go new then these are pretty decent basses IMO in your budget. But I'm sure you can find these used too if you look hard enough.
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"Better" is in the eye of the beholder, but I'd go with the Ibanez SR405 or SR505 strictly because of the thin/narrow necks, the sound, and the looks.
Like I tell everyone - go to your local GC or music stores, and try .. stuff .. out - see what you like.
Like I tell everyone - go to your local GC or music stores, and try .. stuff .. out - see what you like.
Having played both the Ibanez ATK-305 and Yamaha BB415 I can heartily recommend them both. I actually kinda regret getting rid of my ATK even though I like my Fender Deluxe Jazz V - there was something very snappy about the ATK and if you have smaller hands like me the neck is awesome because it is a lot smaller than the Fender. The BB415 was a great easy passive P-Bass as well - plays well and sounds good.
You are contradicting yourself. First you tell him to check one out for himself to see if he likes them then you tell him to stay away from them.
I've owned an Ibanez Sr706 and currently own a Sr535 and played dozens of Ibanez's, both with the MK-1 and without. I will be the first to admit that the MK-1 pickups and preamps aren't the best on the market and there are better ones you can upgrade too. But I do not think they are quite as bad as you're making them out to be.
I wouldn't call them stale, but I do think the frequency responses of the mids and lows could be a tad better. When I have to dial in bass from the bass that its very easy for the tone to lose a tight focused sound. The mid range when you have to dial it in IMO/IME is usable but still lacking a certain quality. The Sr line with mk-1 set up is already a very bright/midrange sounding bass. In all the Sr's I've played in the stores and from all the people I know that own them, I've always found the best tone from them to be set pretty much flat and let the amp shape the sound, especially in the bass and midrange response.
Another thing that's worth mentioning is there was a noticeable difference in tone among all the SR models that I've played with this system. I didn't care for the tone of most the Sr505 yet I like the tone of the Sr535 that I bought, which though similar, still sounds different from the Sr705 and other Sr's. Same goes for the 55-01 series, I've played a hand full of them where the MK-1 didn't sound too good and in other 55-01's it sounded fine.
To the OP: this is why you should play as many different basses as possible. No two basses, including the same brand/model sound the same.
