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inexpensive 5 string basses?

#41
scuzzy said:
that one is an edc705 knock off. why knock off an obscure 90's bass? who knows. but it was done. I had a bona-fide (he's a suitor!) Ibby edc705 and it was a great plastic bass. i miss it sometimes.
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What makes you think it's a knockoff? The logo on the headstock is scuffed off for some reason and the bridge doesn't look original but otherwise it seems legit to me. They made them in metallic red for a bit.
 
#42
ardgedee said:
What makes you think it's a knockoff? The logo on the headstock is scuffed off for some reason and the bridge doesn't look original but otherwise it seems legit to me. They made them in metallic red for a bit.
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These look the same to you?
orange-5st-monboard-2-12-good-jpg-jpg.4715734

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#43
if you don't want to be it heavy, just get a SR505. it will be lighter than a 305 or a TRBX.
it's possible to find a 505 at 7lbs, but not the other ones, I believe.

if you want it to be lighter and still decent, well, I'm afraid, you'll need to omit 'inexpensive'.
 
#45
TomB said:
Have you looked at mini-P basses? They’re all under 8 lbs and can be strung BEAD, very easy to play the upper frets as well if you miss the G string. Sorry if you addressed this idea already.
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do they make a 5 string mini P? i haven't seen one. btw, i already own a 4 string mini P. also i'd think the 28.6" scale might get a little mushy even for me on the lowest notes on the low string... they did on my previous mikro 5 string.
 
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#47
pcake said:
do they make a 5 string mini P? i haven't seen one. btw, i already own a 4 string mini P. also i'd think the 28.6" scale might get a little mushy even for me on the lowest notes on the low string... they did on my previous mikro 5 string.
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Ok. I don’t think they make a 5-string, why my comment about upper frets. Maybe shorter scale isn’t your answer.
 
#48
pcake said:
in 1993, the first bass i ever had to use regularly was a 36" 5 string with a neck so wide at the 12th that i HAD to play over under as my hand could reach scross it, and it weighed a metric ton. after that, i switched to 4 strings except for a very short period with a mikro 5 string.

but i'm realizing that some of the songs i like to play would really benefit from having a lower string rather than doing workarounds or tuning down.

my first thought was a mezzo 5 string, as i really like the neck on my mezzo 4. but there are a couple things - first, the 5 string mezzo has the same nut width as the 4 string, and while i love the 4 string version, i might love it less if the strings were crammed closer together. issue two is no one has one in stock.

it seems like ibanez is my best bet due to my issue with weight and my shoulder issue, which keeps me from reaching over a large lower bout without pain. the thing is, all the ones i'm considering have the same nut width as the 4 strings and as each other. maybe it'll be fine.

the only ones in stock that i can find are the GSR105 - i have 2 GSR100s, and i love 'em, but the shape/weight means limited playing time - and the GSR205, which has a finish i don't like, but i can live with that. the lightest one sweetwater has has a doable weight. if i kept it, i'd probably change the pickups.

i came very close to buying a GSR200 or SR300 five or six years ago, but ended up with a used SR500, which i've since sold. my shoulder problems have changed since then, and playing a bass for a few minutes at a store has never really let me know what playing it for real on my own chair or on a strap will be like for my shoulder.

i'm sort of asking for thoughts on the above basses, kind of musing it through. right now, my mezzo is my most comfortable bass to play, and it's become my go-to.

i have emailed our rep at sweetwater to ask if he has an approximate date when they'll have more 5 string mezzos or maybe some more 5 string SR305s in case there were some lighter ones than they have now.
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For your budget I'd be looking at Schecter, Ibanez gsr 295 or 305 or even 505 if you can find a good used one. The gsr is passive and personally I like passive unless that preamp is damn good. It's amazing how durable and big the sounds on Ibanez are with how light the bass is. If you can find a cheap trbx from Yamaha they are really great too. The only other one I'm thinking about would be to try one of the cheaper stingray basses. The sterling sub5. If I remember correctly they are the heaviest out of the ones I mentioned but I think they average under 8lbs though. But I'd put a strap on it and see if it's comfortable. The main thing here is we don't want your shoulders getting any worse and if you're comfortable you're playing better. Any of those mentioned I've played and they all are going to give you reliable and good sounding instruments. The rest is how comfortable and how you like the look. Good luck! Let us know what you find!
 
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#49
Mine was an "Open Box" model on Ebay, for a few bucks less. I am a short scale player, so going from 30" all the looong way up to 32" is no real issue. My only gripe was fret sprout; not sure what the deal was with that, but I was thinking of returning it to seller and they offered $45 off my price. Heck, yes. I have all the tools to file down and round the fret ends. Plays like a dream now. 7lb 9oz, to boot!!
IMG_7035.JPG
IMG_7036.JPG
 
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#52
pcake said:
like an idiot, i was going by retailer info. shoulda checked ibanez. you're so right! (why don't we have a head bashing on a brick wall emoji?)

well, heck - all i need now is for someone to get one in stock.



it's probably not for me. a lightweight bass with waist that doesn't push my arm over the lower bout, which can't be too protruding, are the most important things. i also prefer a slimmer neck at the nut with a 12 to 16" radius. thanks for suggesting it - it's always a good idea to know what's out there.
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:banghead:
 
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#54
i ha
pcake said:
in 1993, the first bass i ever had to use regularly was a 36" 5 string with a neck so wide at the 12th that i HAD to play over under as my hand could reach scross it, and it weighed a metric ton. after that, i switched to 4 strings except for a very short period with a mikro 5 string.

but i'm realizing that some of the songs i like to play would really benefit from having a lower string rather than doing workarounds or tuning down.

my first thought was a mezzo 5 string, as i really like the neck on my mezzo 4. but there are a couple things - first, the 5 string mezzo has the same nut width as the 4 string, and while i love the 4 string version, i might love it less if the strings were crammed closer together. issue two is no one has one in stock.

it seems like ibanez is my best bet due to my issue with weight and my shoulder issue, which keeps me from reaching over a large lower bout without pain. the thing is, all the ones i'm considering have the same nut width as the 4 strings and as each other. maybe it'll be fine.

the only ones in stock that i can find are the GSR105 - i have 2 GSR100s, and i love 'em, but the shape/weight means limited playing time - and the GSR205, which has a finish i don't like, but i can live with that. the lightest one sweetwater has has a doable weight. if i kept it, i'd probably change the pickups.

i came very close to buying a GSR200 or SR300 five or six years ago, but ended up with a used SR500, which i've since sold. my shoulder problems have changed since then, and playing a bass for a few minutes at a store has never really let me know what playing it for real on my own chair or on a strap will be like for my shoulder.

i'm sort of asking for thoughts on the above basses, kind of musing it through. right now, my mezzo is my most comfortable bass to play, and it's become my go-to.

i have emailed our rep at sweetwater to ask if he has an approximate date when they'll have more 5 string mezzos or maybe some more 5 string SR305s in case there were some lighter ones than they have now.
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if you can find one, a used LTD would be a good potion. eventually i might get one of those GSR105s you mentioned a few years down the road. i play a 4 string B334 right now, my church's bassist has the same thing but a five string, and it feels amazing. little bit wider than a four string at 45mm, but the spacing is soooo comfy dude.
 
#55
Snert said:
Ditto, but I'm a fan and own several.

Agreed, but I'll step in early before anyone tells you because of the small body, first position is a reach. Well, it is, but a strap pin extender is common amongst wood Steinberger (and clone) owners and is cheap and easy, and can be tailored to fit you. There was a recent revival of an old thread on this but I can't find it. Just did. There are other threads too, and some in the Spirit thread, but I'm sure you'll get the gist.
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100% agreed! This is the only gripe I have with those Steinberger Spirit basses.
 
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