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Looking for a 5-String with some Growl for about $1000 or less

jmone

jmone

Mar 1, 2010
483
273
#1
Well I am in the market for a new bass. This would be my first 5-string. I haven't been playing bass for all that long and considering it is my first 5-string, I didn't want to blow like $2000 on a new instrument I'm not sure I'm going to love playing say 5 years down the line. That is why I feel if I can get something in the mid price range, I can justify the price and I know it will last me for a good while until maybe I become more certain of where my bass playing journey will take me. Nonetheless, I know where I stand now. I've been getting into this sort of progressive metal thing and really enjoying that. I wanted to start playing more of it.

Now the problem is where to start. I know the kind of tone I want which is that really growling bass tone. I love the sound of it. I tried hitting up a few local music stores and really all I got to play were a lot of Ibanez's. I'm liking the sound of them, I really am. From what I played it would be a tie between a Ibanez BTB705DX or an ESP LTD B-415. I think that is what I am leaning towards based on what fits my price range and what sounds the best to me. I'm not just about to go plop all this money down on a bass without actually getting opinions and feedback and leaving the little bubble of basses I got to put my hands on.

I know everyone has their own opinion and everyone is prone to be biased but the idea right now is to hear what everyone else has to say, go out and find stores that are selling these things, try them out and arrive at my final decision.

Sorry I'm not the most experienced bass player out there. I just need some form of opinion before I go out and do anything.
 
#6
A used Warwick Corvette 5 string would be 800-1000$ or even less in some cases, and is pretty great for that tone no matter what year it was made, though the older ones are a bit better for that.
 
#11
What's growl to you? A tight Grrr sound in the lows and low mids? Spector. A throaty Rickenbacker-like chunk in the high mids and trebs? Rickenbacker.

I would go for the bass that's comfortable to play and has a nice neck. You can always drop new electronics into it at some point in the future.

I have a cheap Ibanez that I gutted and put in an Aguilar preamp and SGD pickups. Also have a Spector Euro 5LX. Love 'em both.
 
#17
Strat Hater said:
I give personal prefrence to the BTB. They are sooo cumfy to play and I love the tone
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Totally agree with that, it's just I didn't want to limit myself to only what I could find.

mcglyph said:
Get a used SB5000. For the money you are talking, you could almost get total Carvin customization! Check it. Talk to Flock at San Diego Carvin.
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I will defiantly look into these. Thanks for the recommendation.

cableguy said:
Used is the best bang for the buck. I'm partial to G&L (great growl) so I would look at a used Tribute 2500.
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Also as well thanks for this! I enjoy brodening my horizions so this will be something I will be looking more at and hopefully get to play.

Rockin Mike said:
What's growl to you? A tight Grrr sound in the lows and low mids? Spector. A throaty Rickenbacker-like chunk in the high mids and trebs? Rickenbacker.

I would go for the bass that's comfortable to play and has a nice neck. You can always drop new electronics into it at some point in the future.

I have a cheap Ibanez that I gutted and put in an Aguilar preamp and SGD pickups. Also have a Spector Euro 5LX. Love 'em both.
Click to expand...

Growl more in the low and low mids. You said Spector. Could you recommend something within my price range. All I'm seeming to find is the Legend Classic? I don't really want to get a cheap bass and then gut it into changing the electronics. Maybe that's just my own opinion though.

bottomzone said:
I'm not sure what your definition of growl is, but here are a basses that have it IMHO:

Peavey Cirrus:
Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ - Let Me Praise You Now (Live).wmv - YouTube

Carvin SB5000:
Carvin SB5000 Funk Loop - YouTube

Sterling by Music Man Ray 35:
Sterling by Music Man Ray 35 Overview - YouTube

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
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I gave these all a listen. Thanks for them. The Peavy is route I wouldn't have even thought about going down. Something to consider.

sethlow3 said:
A used Stingray 5 smokes just about everything mentioned thus far IME. A single H is usually easy to find for 1k. Growl and punch for days too. If you really want some growl, GK amps would up the ante on that as well.
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Maybe it's just me, but all the Stingray 5's in the stores around my area are going for about $2000 or just under, so that's a bit out of my price range.



Thanks for everyone who posted. I was not expecting to wake up to this many replies this morning.
Also to anyone who recommended Warwick's. I really didn't think I could afford one. I don't know why local online classifieds didn't occur to me. I looked and found some of the 5Thumb models for around the $1000 range. I think if I can find someone I will pick it up. I don't know if I have that kind of luck though. Also I am now considering the Warwick Corvette's. Something I want to look more into
 
#18
JoshOohAh said:
Totally agree with that, it's just I didn't want to limit myself to only what I could find.

I will defiantly look into these. Thanks for the recommendation.

Also as well thanks for this! I enjoy brodening my horizions so this will be something I will be looking more at and hopefully get to play.

Growl more in the low and low mids. You said Spector. Could you recommend something within my price range. All I'm seeming to find is the Legend Classic? I don't really want to get a cheap bass and then gut it into changing the electronics. Maybe that's just my own opinion though.

I gave these all a listen. Thanks for them. The Peavy is route I wouldn't have even thought about going down. Something to consider.

Maybe it's just me, but all the Stingray 5's in the stores around my area are going for about $2000 or just under, so that's a bit out of my price range.
Click to expand...

Look used.
 
#20
Don't get a new Stingray in a store. Get a used one online. A lot of stores allow for a 30 day trial period. Though it's not like you'd need one with a Stingray 5. They are very consistent feeling all across the spectrum. I have never played one I didn't like. The B string is outstanding. Plus if you must go new, guitar center, bass central would charge 1500 not 2k! I'm sure your local stores would price match. The single H's are best IME. No need for the extra Pickups IME.
 

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