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

[40Hz]

I bought one of Spector’s “Built in the Czech Republic” Rebop 5-strings ages ago and it’s all the fiver I ever needed. Mine has a very plain-jane looking natural finish. But what it lacks in visual bling it makes up for in sonic attitude. These kitties can snarl and roar if you want them to. Rebops have a reputation for being very aggressive basses if you push them.

You can occasionally find them in good condition and within your price range if you shop around. I think Reverb had one just like mine going for around $800 recently. Highly recommended. Great modern sounding bass with a comfortable neck and low B string tension to die for.

I really like mine. It’s definitely a keeper for me.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5H. No need for another 5'er.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

Locally a guy was selling a really nice looking Spector Legend Classic 5 with a HS case for $400. Looked brand new. I was tempted...

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The way I look at it, if you mean to play a lot of, if not strictly, 90’s rock then look for what 5’s were ubiquitous in the 90’s. Stingray 5 comes to mind immediately. I had a ‘94 Stingray 4 and wanted to get a SR5 soooo badly. But back in ‘97, there was only the “classifieds” newspaper and I found a crazy deal on a brand new L2500...which I still own today. It was very different than my Stingray...too different to the point that I really didn’t like its tone at all. But fast forward 20 years, I have rediscovered its original tone and capabilities...it truly is an amazing instrument. One really needs to familiarize oneself to it...you either love it or hate it...no in-between.

As mentioned before, in the $700 range, I’d go with a Sterling Ray35 or the Ray35CA (classic) even though they have been discontinued, some stores still have stock last time I checked.
But if I had the coin (about $2k), I’d definitely go with a USA Kiloton 5 with some nice options (trans-blue with natural body binding like my L2500, pearl block inlays, white pearl PG...)

 

[tedsalt]

Save some scratch and pick up a Squier Vintage Modified Precision 5 if you can find one. They don't make them anymore, so they're a little harder to find used. Good weight, tone and playability to boot.

 

[Hercules]

I am almost exclusively a 5 string player. I have played every 5 string bass that i could get my hands on over the past 5 years and there are alot of nice ones out there but in my opinion the MTD 5 strings stand head and shoulders above the rest. The combination of 35” scale, 19 mm spacing, zero fret, and asymetrical neck all adds up to ultimate 5 string bass to me.

 

[bassbully]

Lakland Skyline 55-01 hands down why? Well first off I own one and love it. You might have to look used but it has a 35” neck, tight B string, pleked neck, hand setup in USA.... but built overseas. You get hipshot tuners and a carbon rod reinforced neck. A great looking and playing bass that sings all night.

 

[pickles]

My advice is to stay in leo-land and skip all the neck throughs and fancy woods. Those basses can be cool but you usually need a different amp or at least eq settings when switching from a P/J/Ray. SR5, g&l, Sadowsky, and Lakland are go-tos. But if you want 4 string style string spacing and 34” scale, that leaves you with Sadowsky, or Fender, but I find Fender 5s to be hit and miss (try before you buy).

So I think you should get a Sadowsky Metro RV5, or maybe an MV5, but err on the side of alder body for thick rock punch.

Or an SR5 if you can deal with the tight string spacing.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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!

A little over year ago I scored a German made Warwick Corvette STD with active pickups from GC for under $600. On EBay they are running under $1,000, with most in the $700-$800 range. It’s an 11 pounder so it isn’t for whimps, but it’s got one heck of a voice. Very articulate.

That said, just a couple of things, let your ears be your guide and be patient. No need to rush. There are a lot of suitable options out there, so wait until what you want to pops up at the right price.

 

[SchnaiderGT]

'90 rock + less than $1000 + 5 strings= Musicman Stingray 5

 

[Bthebassplayer]

Yamaha BB 735!!

 

[Element Zero]

Can’t go wrong with an Ibanez ATK.

 

[andruca]

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)

View attachment 2896602SR5's by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr

View attachment 2896603ATK by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr

You sir, have quite a taste in basses, or are my parallel universe twin.

My pair of ceramic Ray 5ers...

My MIK ATK-405 (closest neck specs to a Stingray5 that I've found on ATKs)...

Might I suggest you try one of these...?

Still, my keepers are my Rays, with the absolute keeper being the one with the birdseye neck.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Used Carvin JB5, PB5, SB5000, Icon5.

 

[packrat]

I've got several 5-string basses (Sr405, bongo 5, hellraiser 5), but the rebop is currently out ahead in playability and feel of all the non-fanned fret basses, and the slightly longer scale length is just fine. I'd suggest looking out for one of those.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Another vote for PV.
My Cirrus will do almost anything...
except sound like a P.
I usually use that and my P to compliment each other.

 

[WaynerBass]

ESP’s LTD AP-5

Has Slim P-bass style body
Alder body
Maple neck
Eboney fretboard
Jumbo frets
EMG P/J active
Passive controls
Babics Bridge
Grover tuners

 

[lfmn16]

I was eyeballing the Wolf basses as they look really nice, but of course I've never played or heard one in person.

I never played a Wolf bass, but I bought one of their guitars. All I can say is it was adequate. I'd never buy another one. In that price range there are plenty of basses and I think the resale value for a Wolf is somewhere around zero.

I'd look for a good used G&L. I bought one on a whim over a year ago and it's been my main bass ever since.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

Used Carvin JB5, PB5, SB5000, Icon5.

Actually was considering a SB5000 a local guy was selling. Had some bad damage around the input jack that had been covered with a metal plate and then uncovered, leaving 4 screw holes. I could have dealt with that for the right price, but he still wanted 800 for it.

 

[briandavismurph]

Agreed. I had one and loved it.

I still don't know why I ever sold it.....

+1.....or make that + 2.......I have two 5501's one fretted one fretless and they are in constant rotation, 35 inch scale makes for better intonation on the B and you can get a wide range of sounds from the active system with two Bartolinis. Build quality for a $6-$8 hundred dollar bass is superb.