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Looking for a cheap 5er

Mound of Sound

Mound of Sound

Jul 15, 2006
810
27
Brookline, NH
#1
Hey guys. I'm looking to buy a really cheap 5 string to bang around with in my garage. Cheap meaning $250 or less. I know there's the SX route, which I may go. Just saw these on the eBay, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with them:

5 string hollow body

Value and feel are most important. Doesn't need to sound overly awesome, as it's just for me to beat on while drinking beer outside this summer.

I currently own a G&L L2500 fretless that will not be seeing the inside of my garage any time soon.


What do you guys think?
 
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#6
Thought about the Squier Vintage Modified range? I've heard nothing but good things about those. If you'd prefer something active the Squier Deluxe Jazz's seem pretty good as well.

I'd be tempted to get a G&L L-2500 Tribute if I were you though, you'd feel right at home. I love mine, not as nice as the US model, but there's not THAT much between them. I know that's way outside of your price point though, even 2nd hand.
 
#7
I actually like the look of the ebay bass, maybe not the colour, but I like the look and price!!

Thought about the Squier Vintage Modified range? I've heard nothing but good things about those. If you'd prefer something active the Squier Deluxe Jazz's seem pretty good as well.
Click to expand...

Is there a VM 5 string?

I am actually really tempted with the Yamaha's, slightly more expensive, but get plenty of praise and look good.

EDIT: Ok, I searched and saw the VM V, sorry 'bout the stupid question!!
 
#8
EskimoBassist said:
Thought about the Squier Vintage Modified range? I've heard nothing but good things about those. If you'd prefer something active the Squier Deluxe Jazz's seem pretty good as well.

I'd be tempted to get a G&L L-2500 Tribute if I were you though, you'd feel right at home. I love mine, not as nice as the US model, but there's not THAT much between them. I know that's way outside of your price point though, even 2nd hand.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought about a Tribby as well. I really don't want to blow too much on it, but that may be the way to go to 'feel right at home'


Keep the suggestions coming!
 
#11
EskimoBassist said:
Thought about the Squier Vintage Modified range? I've heard nothing but good things about those.
Click to expand...

i just got mine the other day, i love it!

2012-04-19%252011.17.09.jpg


worth every penny.
 
#16
Rickett Customs said:
One word would come to mind with that bass in the link........intonation.

If it were between that and an SX or Douglas, I'd take the SX or Douglas.
Click to expand...

My choice for a beater bar bass has been SX. Without TOO much modding and work or expense they can turn into great feeling/playing/sounding basses. I own six...

Personally, I'm fascinated with the hollow body too. I've got a Carvin AC50 fretless semi-hollow body and I totally LOVE it. Of course it's way out of the garage bass range (like your L2500). Hence the interest in the cheapo. I can say, that I agree intonation is probably going to be less than optimum unless some serious effort is spend on that bridge. My Carvin has great intonation, but it's been tweaked in and you have to stay with same strings (since it's fretless are always nylon wrapped anyway) But still I think I'm getting GAS for that hollow body bass myself!

And from there, I agree that the real bar bass answer is something nice, but used in the Squier-Peavey-Ibanez Any of those can be tweaked into a really nice thumpers with very little effort or cash.

But a general garage-bass rule in my book would be to stick to some kind of classic Fender clones. And try to pick ones that are built from real wood like ash or alder rather than the soft junk trees. SX fits as do a number of other brands now showing up that also are made from nice wood. What were they called? Exaviere or something? There are others.

Still I'd consider the hollowbody in spite of the intonation issues if I were you because they are very light weight, sound good, and make great comfy jam basses.
 
#17
One that has yet to be mentioned is Dean....yes I know snicker if you will, but, i just pulled out my 15 yr old Trans red Dean 5 string fretless. I haven't picked it up in 6 mos. and its still in tune the neck is straight and true. The neck is bolt on, nice and shallow depth feels great w/ 5 piece maple w/2 dark stringers? 2 emg HZ soapbars sound quite acceptable. I have never adjusted the truss rod in 15 yrs and it is flat straight and true.
I have played this bass on a ton of jazz gigs w/ compliments from bandmates
...Funny thing is I took a Sharpie to the headstock and blacked out the "ean" in Dean. I have had people ask me "whats that bass" I say well it's a D Bass and they usually say ..yea I heard of them. haha Then I tell them it's a Dean. Obviously the "V" shaped headstock wasn't a clue to them. oh well
I have a friend who uses one for his main axe.
Myself I try to entertain myself with both beer and Champagne tastes!
Oh yea I see them fretted and fretless on CL all the time for 2-300 bucks.

peace Kirk
 
#20
I got this cheap stingray clone bass off of ebay. It was about $135. I added a string tree and a 4 band Audere preamp and a battery box. It needed fret work and it needed to be set up. I also added straploks. So now it is a $320 bass that is a killer. I play it in single coil mode and boost the bass, low mids, and high mids and cut the treble. It has a nasty tone that is part p-bass, with a little jazz, and a little stingray mixed in.

Maestro 5 string bass
 

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