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I need some quick help here... (5-string bass under $550)

M

Mike Money

In Memoriam
Mar 18, 2003
7,100
17
38
Bakersfield California
Disclosures
Avatar Speakers Endorsing Hooligan
#1
Yes, there is Ibanez... Yamaha... Fender... Shecter... Spector... OLP... G&L...

I'm getting a 5 soon. I went looking today, GC didn't have much in my range. They will give me a used G&L USA model for $425.. but its not all that beefy.

The Ibanez they had lacked any balls at all... the top 4 strings were fine and punchy, but the low b was lame.

Fenders are to heavy for my tastes..

I haven't played any shecters, but they seem nice.

I don't need a great bass... I want something that sounds nice, has some punch, preferably active... and can take a beating.

No brands barred... as long as it is under $550... hell, even if it is used.
 
#3
Bought my Yamaha BB605 for the equivalent of $500. Good bass with nice range of tone and the neck is somewhat flat which I like.

Had the bass for around 7 months now and I am very pleased with it. Nice active and passive sound.

It's the new BB605 so any second hand ones you come across are likely to be the old models, which I've been told don't really match up to the new models.
 
#6
Dillion VMB-500 is a excellent passive bass, for well under $550.00

Link Removed

If you're interested, email John Dillion and he will direct you one of his dealers that's closest to you.

The quality, fit, finish and hardware on these basses is outstanding for the money. And they come with one of the nicest playing 5-string necks around.

TD

PS, yup I owned one for just under 6 yrs now,
 
#7
If I were you, I'd be giving serious consideration to that G&L. What model is it?

Lack of beef isn't a common G&L complaint. Unless someone's mucked with the pickups and/or tone circuit, I'll bet new strings and a setup are all it needs.
 
#14
Do the MTD by far man.... the neck is like butta and the quality is top notch. I owned a Kingston 5 a few years back and now i'm SERIOUSLY looking into the Active Heir for a backup. The B string is very tight and very well defined.

What was the G&L model? I was looking into getting one of the Tributes as a backup for my MIA Fender Jazz V, but after seeing the newer Active Heir's, i think i'm going that route...
 
#15
Reverend G-Money said:
Do the MTD by far man.... the neck is like butta and the quality is top notch. I owned a Kingston 5 a few years back and now i'm SERIOUSLY looking into the Active Heir for a backup. The B string is very tight and very well defined.

What was the G&L model? I was looking into getting one of the Tributes as a backup for my MIA Fender Jazz V, but after seeing the newer Active Heir's, i think i'm going that route...
Click to expand...


I'm not sure what the model was.. it was mint/seafoam green.... one p-style pick up, 5 string... Guy said it was an 80's model..
 
#19
I recently tried out a new Washburn 5 string neck through that was absolutely first rate in the price range you mentioned.

Also Carvins are nice, but their resale value is usually low, so try e bay for a carvin lb 75 or bb 75. They are spectacular, stable and you can take batting practice with them.
 

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