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Looking for a "keeper" 5 string...suggestions appreciated!

Bass Man Dan

Bass Man Dan

Endorsing Artist: Ned Flanders' Bass-a-Reeno
Oct 20, 2017
1,910
5,352
Cincinnati
#1
Ok, here's where I'm at. Back to bass playing after a long hiatus. Guys I'm playing with are getting serious about playing some gigs. We play 90s rock covers. I have all the 4s I need and then a couple. But I'm only taking 2 basses with me at any one gig. I need a five to cover a couple of songs, but it will also be my only backup at any gig.
I'd like stay around $700, could go a bit higher but not $1,000. Used is great. I really don't care too much about string spacing, neck thickness, or even weight as ideally I won't be using it the entire time.

My "keeper" 4s, just for perspective, are a Geddy Lee MIM, a Fender American Standard P bass, and a 1986 EBMM Stingray.

I like what I've heard of Warwick. I love my Fender P bass sound. I've seen some Spectors and G&Ls for sale but have never heard those in person. I was eyeballing the Wolf basses as they look really nice, but of course I've never played or heard one in person. Anybody playing 90s era rock with a five string that has a sound you love? I appreciate any suggestions. I've gotta buy one soon!
 
#2
I actually play a lot of 90's rock. I use a MusicMan StingRay 5 mostly. The neck is 1 3/4" at the nut so switching from 4 to 5 isn't too drastic. The 2 that I have are both over 20 years old and have had (0) issues. If the price is too rich then look for an Ibanez ATK305 thru 815E. Any of the 5 string ATK's are really excellent and can be had used for a song. (my experience)

24988904628_af1196c17d_k.jpg
SR5's by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr

25753379198_018ffc0381_k.jpg
ATK by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr
 
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#3
G&Ls can give some of the gnarliest tones out there, and perhaps more than a Spector. The L2500 is known as a super-aggressive mid machine. Spectors tend to sound scooped, which is the opposite of a P-Bass, for example.

My pick? Look for an old (US-made) Peavey...Cirrus, G-V, Dynabass, Milllennium, or others you can research. They are simply INCREDIBLE value for your money. You can't get a true P-Bass tone, but mine come darn close (I have two Cirruses and a Millennium), and the quality is 100% hand-made American. Also, you can always add eq from your amp, pedal, etc. I have to give the nod to Peavey, over G&L, when it comes to workmanship. I've never owned a custom G&L, though, so can't say anything there. All of the production and custom Peaveys I've had/tried, never ceased to amaze me.

Here's a beauty, and it'll KILL pretty much everything up to the big boys (comparable):

Peavey Cirrus 5 1998 Flame Maple | Josh ' s Guitars
 
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#4
songwriter21 said:
G&Ls can give some of the gnarliest tones out there, and perhaps more than a Spector. The L2500 is known as a super-aggressive mid machine. Spectors tend to sound scooped, which is the opposite of a P-Bass, for example.

My pick? Look for an old (US-made) Peavey...Cirrus, G-V, Dynabass, Millenium, or others you can research. They are simply INCREDIBLE value for your money. You can't get a true P-Bass tone, but mine come darn close (I have two Cirruses and a Millennium), and the quality is 100% hand-made American. I have to give the nod to Peavey, over G&L, when it comes to workmanship. I've never owned a custom G&L, so can't say there.

Here's a beauty, and it'll KILL pretty much everything up to the big boys (comparable):

Peavey Cirrus 5 1998 Flame Maple | Josh ' s Guitars
Click to expand...
Man, I hadn't thought one bit about Peavey, which is pretty stupid considering I had a Sarzo as my main bass for a long time when I was young. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
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#8
Bass Man Dan said:
LOL! I don't need any help feeling old!!!:roflmao:
Click to expand...

Hey I'm 46 so I'm not throwing rocks. :cool:

Seriously, I have a couple 5 strings and a couple of 4 strings as my main basses. I mainly play 5 so one of my 4s wears flats and one in strung BEAD. I would string one that way without modding the nut first just to see if you like it strung that way first. If you like it widen the slots in the nut so the strings come down. Nutn to it.

You can use to money you save to replace your stone washed jeans. :D​
 
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#9
two fingers said:
Of course, you could string up one of your 4 string basses BEAD. During your break, that became very popular. :D
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I have a BEAD bass. It works fine. The only time I miss the G is is if I'm (rarely) in a position to fill or riff or something that I would use the lower G, 5th, octave in some combination. Best way I can explain it is it's not a big deal, but if you kinda start that direction out of habit and then you catch yourself in that split second, it's weird for that split second. Probly picking nits, and am super happy with the trade-off for the weight!!
 
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#11
A few suggestions.
1- A lakland 55-01 would be my first suggestion. It was my main for years before I went back to 4 strings.Some folks don't like the preamp, but even with a new pre, you'd probably still be under $900.

2- The USA made Peavey's suggested here are great ideas. Sometimes you can even score a used Cirrus 5 for under a grand if you look around. That would be a killer choice.

3- G&L L2000's can still be found used for 900 or less if you take your time. It's shocking how you can get a used USA G&L often for less than 30% more than a new import "Tribute" G&L. I love G&L basses.

Seems like your current rig leans towards more chunky classic designs, but while you're out playing basses, be sure to try out the Spectors, Warwicks and Ibanez Soundgears and such. Neither is my ergonomic or visual cup-o-tea, but they're well made basses and well regarded. You can get tricked out, fancy wood, high-end instruments for ridiculous prices.

If you've got 7-9 hundred bucks in the used market the world is your oyster. Above all if it's a keeper you are looking for, play everything you can before making your decision. At the same time if you buy used and it doesn't work out the way you want don't be afraid to sell and buy something else. If you buy used intelligently you can almost always get back what you paid for it.
 
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#12
Eilif said:
A few suggestions.
1- A lakland 55-01 would be my first suggestion. It was my main for years before I went back to 4 strings.Some folks don't like the preamp, but even with a new pre, you'd probably still be under $900.

2- The USA made Peavey's suggested here are great ideas. Sometimes you can even score a used Cirrus 5 for under a grand if you look around. That would be a killer choice.

3- G&L L2000's can still be found used for 900 or less if you take your time. It's shocking how you can get a used USA G&L often for less than 30% more than a new import "Tribute" G&L. I love G&L basses.

Seems like your current rig leans towards more chunky classic designs, but while you're out playing basses, be sure to try out the Spectors, Warwicks and Ibanez Soundgears and such. Neither is my ergonomic or visual cup-o-tea, but they're well made basses and well regarded. You can get tricked out, fancy wood, high-end instruments for ridiculous prices.

If you've got 7-9 hundred bucks in the used market the world is your oyster. Above all if it's a keeper you are looking for, play everything you can before making your decision. At the same time if you buy used and it doesn't work out the way you want don't be afraid to sell and buy something else. If you buy used intelligently you can almost always get back what you paid for it.
Click to expand...
You are 100% right. I just sold 4 basses in the last 24 hours and I came out pretty far ahead overall.
 
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#19
two fingers said:
Hey I'm 46 so I'm not throwing rocks. :cool:

Seriously, I have a couple 5 strings and a couple of 4 strings as my main basses. I mainly play 5 so one of my 4s wears flats and one in strung BEAD. I would string one that way without modding the nut first just to see if you like it strung that way first. If you like it widen the slots in the nut so the strings come down. Nutn to it.

You can use to money you save to replace your stone washed jeans. :D​
Click to expand...
Well, I think that's it. You will notice I am now a supporting member. No joke. I had well over $800 ready to roll, but I dig my Corvette strung BEAD alot! Two Fingers if you are ever anywhere near Cincinnati, Ohio, I owe you a nice dinner of your choosing!
 
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