Hi, I'm looking for a 5 string bass around $1100. I want it to have a 34" scale neck, 19mm string spacing, and 24 frets. I bought an MTD kingston Saratoga Deluxe 5, and while it was a good bass, and had most of the things I wanted, I couldn't adjust to the 21 frets given I've gotten accustomed to playing a certain way on 24 fret basses. The closest thing I've found is the JMJ5 from Fujigen (fgn) in Japan, but they're never in stock. They also don't have a midrange control which I highly prefer. Does anyone know of any basses that meet this criteria?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Looking for a 5 string bass with specific features.
- Thread starter shadowsfal5656
- Start date
Ibanez can get you most of the way there with many of their models. I dunno which ones have a 19mm spacing though.
Warwick Broad Neck models are 20mm spacing, 34" scale, 24 frets.
Not sure on price though, you'd have to go used and get lucky.
Sire V5-24
sire-usa.com
Sire Marcus Miller V5-24 5-String
SIRE 24-FRET PASSIVE VINTAGE BASS Sire's new passive vintage jazz bass with 24 frets allowing players to be more creative and versatile in soloing and cording due to longer and wider reach in the fretboard. Bearing Marcus Miller-approved Sire Champ neck features makes it a true knockout for the...
sire-usa.com
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,936
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
I’m pretty sure a lot of the BTB models have wider spacing.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,936
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
Most 5-strings in existence have a 34” scale, including most of the great sounding low Bs we hear on recordings.
Was gonna say Sadowsky MetroExpress 5-string until you said 24 frets. I paid $950 for mine at Sweetwater (ask your rep to knock some off the $1150 or so price). Then bought a Sadowsky VTC Preamp from Warwick's Distribution web site to basically upgrade it to a Metroline. Roger Sadowsky has videos on YouTube for how to install the preamp. Killer bass with extraordinary craftsmanship/build/playability for $1150. But comes up 3 frets short of 24.
Ibanez BTB845 checks your boxes (except it's 35" scale not 34"). I have small hands and 35" scale is no problem for me. I also recently went looking for a 19mm 5 string with 24 frets and ended up buying a Kiesel. They're above your price range but excellent quality. You might find a used one.
Bunny Brunel, either the Carvin or ESP one. But it will have to be used as they are not in production anymore, which is a shame. They had everything you are asking for. I have the Carvin one. When Carvin dropped them Bunny went to ESP to continue making them. They both share the same specs as they were Bunny’s creation and specs. The early Carvin ones, which I have, were a JJ pickup arrangement, while the later Carvin ones and the ESP ones were MM J pickup configurations. Early Carvin preamps had a mid boost or cut as well as bass and treble, whereas the later and ESP versions had mid-frequency selector as well. 34” scale, 19mm spacing, 24 fret, through body neck. Used market they should be at your price point. ESP may continue to make something similar.
Earlier Carvin
Later Carvin
ESP
Last edited:
A used Sandberg Basic might fit the bill, if you can find one. For example, Sandberg Basic 5 String Bass Guitar Blueburst Matte
OK, I didn't know Sire had this model (I have a V7 and an M7). I second this suggestion! However, I don't at all understand why they made it passive instead of with their awesome pre (passive tone control, 3 band active pre with freq shift mid control, AND of course active/passive switch). IF I were to get one of these, I would swap in the Sire pre!Sire V5-24
Sire Marcus Miller V5-24 5-String
SIRE 24-FRET PASSIVE VINTAGE BASS Sire's new passive vintage jazz bass with 24 frets allowing players to be more creative and versatile in soloing and cording due to longer and wider reach in the fretboard. Bearing Marcus Miller-approved Sire Champ neck features makes it a true knockout for the...
I also have a new MetroExpress J/J 5. I've been considering the VTC preamp as well, how did it change the tone?Was gonna say Sadowsky MetroExpress 5-string until you said 24 frets. I paid $950 for mine at Sweetwater (ask your rep to knock some off the $1150 or so price). Then bought a Sadowsky VTC Preamp from Warwick's Distribution web site to basically upgrade it to a Metroline. Roger Sadowsky has videos on YouTube for how to install the preamp. Killer bass with extraordinary craftsmanship/build/playability for $1150. But comes up 3 frets short of 24.
I love it. It just has more versatility now (not that the original J was not versatile) as far as tonal adjustments. I found it worth the roughly $200.
NOTE: When I upgraded, there are two VTC upgrade kits... one that comes in pieces and requires a lot of wiring/soldering... and one that is a full drop-in assembly where you basically just solder the existing pickup/ground wires. I went with the latter. So simple. Highly recommend watching Roger's YouTube video. Make sure to pay attention to the part where he's replacing the 1/4" input jack... specifically, don't forget to use some shrink wrap around it before inserting it into the jack hole or you'll run into grounding issues.
