• 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 workhorse...

#21
wow-

you guys rock! There are just sooo many optins, all of them good.

I've got to figure out which bass(es) to part with in order to make all this happen. The Peavey cirrus definately goes, but the standup is where the dilema sits.
It's a cheapo chinese plywood bass, but when I got it it was unplayable, so I took it to a really good bass luthier and here did the fingerboard and bridge so it plays really well. I hate to see it go, 'cause it I play it a lot... decisions decisions decisions.


I'm seriously Gassing over this one right now, but it's just over the far reaches of affordability-

wm1.jpg
 
#27
Since this is primarily a popularity contest regarding people's favorites, I'll chime in.

How about a Conklin Groove Tools? Not gonna break the bank, and built like a damn tank. Neck is a purpleheart/wenge laminate. Not going anywhere!

Newer ones have a 3-band active EQ, and Bart MK-1's. The neck on the Groove Tools is really narrow. 17mm spacing I belive. Too thin for me, but that's exactly what some people are after.

Downsides are that they are 34" scale and bolt on. The neck heel is really carved nicely so as almost to feel neck-through-ish (if that makes sense!).

Anywho, only you will know your bass when you play it. Try everything you can. I'd recommend trying a GT, however.

Good luck on the quest, and congrats on the gig! :)
 
#29
Brendan said:
That's not entirely true. If it were, I'd be all over having mentioning Dingwall, Spector, Roscoe, and FBB.

..er...
Click to expand...

Well, I probably worded wrong. My bad. People all have their favorites and swear by 'em. And they are the recommendations that usually come out when someone on TB asks for a recommendation.

ALL of the basses mentioned are great instruments, no doubt. When I think workhorse, I think a bass that does it's job, with little worry if it gets some road rash in the process. I certainly don't consider my custom Conklins workhorses. Same goes for some of the awesome high-end stuff being mentioned here. I'd be afraid of dinging them up in a club/bar. That's why I have my Groove Tools as well as my Yamaha RBX765A. I think they are great basses for the price, AND I don't mind of they acquire some battle scars. Good chance I'd cry of my custom got boogered up at a show!

Just my .02 :cool:
 
#31
Any and all suggestions are welcome!

That darn Bene as brough into question my initial goals- when I started looking, I was thinking I have my main bass, I just need something that will be satisfactory- along the same lines as the Cirrus, but a 5 string.

then the more I looked, the better the basses got, the more I started thinking, I'm going to be playing this a LOT- i'd better be really stoked on it- and I need to sound as good as I can! - what started as a need for a workhorse is turning search for something exceptional, unique- with that nasty budget qualifier keeping it semi sane.

now i'm basically waffeling between the Bene and the Skjold based on nothing but emotion at this point. :confused:

thankfully, I'm pretty sure anywhere I turn at this point the end results will be great! :cool:
 
#36
Sgt Floyd-
you might consider a Dingwall Afterburner, you'd can get one for much less than your 2K limit. These are workhorse basses, that have incredible tone and playability. Plus, they sound amazing. The good news about Afterburners they take abuse and keep ticking.
 
#37
Brendan said:
That's not entirely true. If it were, I'd be all over having mentioning Dingwall, Spector, Roscoe, and FBB.

..er...
Click to expand...

emjazz said:
Have you thought to check out a Roscoe?
Click to expand...

FCM3 said:
Sgt Floyd-
you might consider a Dingwall Afterburner, you'd can get one for much less than your 2K limit. These are workhorse basses, that have incredible tone and playability. Plus, they sound amazing. The good news about Afterburners they take abuse and keep ticking.
Click to expand...

How about a Spector or FBB?:D
 
#38
pickles said:
Looks like the kind of bass that a bandleader or engineer "won't like the sound of" before you even plug it in :bawl:
Click to expand...

My customers have all come to me and been very vocal about the fact that the bandleaders and especially the soundman have raved about the look and sound of these basses. Some of the customers include Bob Babbitt , Michael Dearing of Gretchen Wilson's touring band , Biker4him ( talkbass member ) Bassjam (talkbass member ) and several others.

This does not mean they are better than other basses ( that is subjective), it is just so far,my customers have had a great responce from the people who hire them and the people who mix them.

Pete
 
#39
sgt.floyd said:
yeah- but look at it. its one of the sexiest basses I've ever seen!

I'd bet that mostly wenge neck is dead stable too-

ahh if only the money tree had sprouted- :rollno:
Click to expand...

I played that bass at the Dallas Guitar Show this last weekend. I liked it very much :hyper: It is pretty heavy and would be great for sit down studio gig , standing with it for four hours a night might be hard. You would definately want a 4" wide strap. I love wenge and the look of it and you are right it is very sexy , it had a very defined lowend punch that only dense mass seems to give :D . Mike Tobias loved solid Bubinga bodies for this reason, but they too are heavy :help:. BTW have you talked to Brian at the Lowend to find out the rockbottom price? I'm sure he will make you the best deal he can.

Pete
 
#40
Pete skjold said:
My customers have all come to me and been very vocal about the fact that the bandleaders and especially the soundman have raved about the look and sound of these basses. Some of the customers include Bob Babbitt , Michael Dearing of Gretchen Wilson's touring band , Biker4him ( talkbass member ) Bassjam (talkbass member ) and several others.

This does not mean they are better than other basses ( that is subjective), it is just so far,my customers have had a great responce from the people who hire them and the people who mix them.

Pete
Click to expand...

Sarge, I have to chime in here. I picked up one of Pete Skjold's fivers with the new electronics last weekend at the Dallas Guitar Show and am really loving it. I'm not a touring pro/bass god by any stretch, just an average player who plays most often at my church, going through the PA in an auditorium that seats around 1000. Sound dude (who is an ex-pro) LOVED the tone of this bass Sunday, and he's not easy to please.

For reference, I also own Sadowskys, an MTD, an F-bass, and a Roscoe sixer. These are all excellent basses in their own right and please don't hear me saying I like any of them any less than the Skjold - they all have strong points and are great basses.

That said, Pete's bass easily holds its own in this group tonewise, IMO. It is light, plays easily, well-constructed, and the preamp is so flexible that I can dial in just about any variety of tone I want, which is important to me since our church does a variety of music styles.

Bottom line, I'm very pleased with my Skjold. Don't decide against it until you've played one, if possible. :bassist:

As always, my $.02 - your mileage may vary...

Greg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back