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

[Marley's Ghost]

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.

There's a sweet looking SB5000 on Evil Bay with a nice case for $825. Rock solid made in USA battle axe. The action is ridiculously low on mine and it growls for miles.



Carvin SB5000 5 str Bass with roadrunner Case | eBay

 

[Maxdusty]

Looks like you have the Holy trinity there, a jazz, P and a Ray.
For a fiver, I'd pick a bass with two humbuckers for something different. Do you want a 35" scale ? This would mean a tighter B string.
For your budget, you have a number of choices - Warwick, Peavey - basses already mentioned by others and also there's the Schecter Studio. Used, they're about $500.

 

[skidmarkbass]

I don't play five strings anymore, however, I have 2 Warmoth 5ers that are just awesome. I see them used all the time in your price range and like a Fender you can always mod it.

 

[Maxfenderbass]

I guess it really depends on if you want active or passive. 90s Rock screams nu-metal to me, Warwick lead the stride then, along with Ibanez and Spector. I would also consider a Sire if you want active. Passive is a whole other thing.

 

[MoeTown1986]

If you love our 4 string P bass, why not get a 5 string P bass?

 

[ezstep]

Already mentioned, but another vote for MTD Kingson/Heir, G&L Kiloton Tribute or L2500 Tribute, or a number of used Carvin's.

 

[overit]

Old Peavey USA

 

[Altitude]

If you have absolutely no predisposition on a tone goal, body shape, or brand, and you just want a well-built, flexible, great-sounding 5 string bass, choose between a G&L Tribute L-2500/M-2500 or a Lakland Skyline 55-01. Both are outstanding instruments, even more so for the price.

Here is a useful @edfriedland video explaining the differences between the G&L L-2500 and M-2500, if you're curious. As a bonus, you'll hear Ed play them and want to sound like him, so you'll buy one.

 

[krovx]

From the classifieds I grabbed a used US Peavey Foundation 5 for less than $300. I love the US foundation, fury, and others. Insane value.

I love Warwicks in BEAD, they seem voiced well for it. My least favorite part of the bass is the bridge, but you get use to them. I highly recommend a tapered core for the low B and possibly E. Do not widen the bridge saddles. They are silly expensive to replace, as are most OEM Warwick parts.

If you prefer flats, tapered options are limited. I have enjoyed Dunlop nickel and stainless steel strings as they offer many tapered options and are inexpensive.

Bass strings online is a great store to purchase custom sets for BEAD. Setup an account and let him know you are a TB member to receive a discount.

 

[GreyBeard]

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

My pair of ceramic Ray 5ers...
View attachment 2897344

My MIK ATK-405 (closest neck specs to a Stingray5 that I've found on ATKs)...
View attachment 2897345

Might I suggest you try one of these...?
View attachment 2897346

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

Both of my Rays are absolute keepers. The white on white was my 1st and favorite Ray5 and the fretless was a gift from my wife on our 1st anniversary. They are not going anywhere

 

[TeamScorpioRI]

Peavey Cirrus 5 has been my go-to for a while now. Awesome tone that cuts through the mix and one of the most stable bases I have ever had. Very little need for doing a set up. 18v Active electronics. I change the batteries maybe once a year.

Heres a deal on one at GC. Needs some knobs, but those are no big deal (go gold for a good look): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Rickter]

@two fingers recommended a used Fender Precision 5 and I would second this option. If you can find one in your budget, they are an excellent choice. The American P5 is my weapon of choice. Hasn't let me down in any situation.

 

[Gizmot]

I have a G & L L-2500 and it has served me well as an introduction to 5-strings.

I have a couple of Warwicks and I like them a lot. I'd go for a Streamer - excellent build quality, flexible active electronics and very comfortable to play.

The new Rickenbacker 5-string might also be a contender, but I want to hear one before making any proclamations. I saw and touched a couple at NAMM and the neck felt pretty good.

 

[two fingers]

@two fingers recommended a used Fender Precision 5 and I would second this option. If you can find one in your budget, they are an excellent choice. The American P5 is my weapon of choice. Hasn't let me down in any situation.

Yeah I originally bought mine as an FSO ("Fender Shaped Object") backup to my Roscoe Beck Signature 5. Once I got my hands on that neck, and heard that classic tone in a 5 string, it became my #1 (until my Hammersmith) and I sold the RB5. And that's saying something....because the RB5 is a great bass.

 

[blong1]

I have a G & L L-2500 and it has served me well as an introduction to 5-strings.

I have a couple of Warwicks and I like them a lot. I'd go for a Streamer - excellent build quality, flexible active electronics and very comfortable to play.

The new Rickenbacker 5-string might also be a contender, but I want to hear one before making any proclamations. I saw and touched a couple at NAMM and the neck felt pretty good.

Agree with the streamers. I have 2 of them and love them both.

 

[Sam Dingle]

my keeper 5 string is a sadowsky mv5 metro but i know thats out of a lot of peoples price range. If I hadn't heard of sadowsky and gotten bit by the bug in high school I would go with a lakland 50 something or other. I played on when I sat in on a gig monday and its as very nice. I highly recommend it:

its the less expensive version of this bass:Invalid Link Removed

 

[zon6c-f]

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!

I own several basses and prior to this purchase I had always shunned Squier

For a fraction of cost of higher valued basses you can buy Squier Jazz 5 Active

Years later I’m still pleased with mine

Haven’t found need to upgrade anything

Just change strings as desired and occasionally 9 volt

The Low B is strong

Best $ I’ve spent on a new bass ever

 

[pedroims]

With little luck you can find a Lakland 5502 for $800, this will be my first choice.

The new Yamaha BB735 sounds like a great choice too.

Used Carvin SB5000 for $800 is also doable.

Good luck!

 

[Funky Ghost]

Depending on the kind of neck you like a Peavey Cirrus covers the 90's sound quite well. I have a Peavey Cirrus 5 and, for me, I don't care for the thin neck profile. I'm much more of a c shape guy so ended up with a modded VM JV and couldn't be happier, especially at the price point.

 

[BassikLee]

To echo what has been said here, for the money, it's hard to do better than a US made Peavey five. They offered several models. If that's not your cup of tea, G&L and Spector have some that will fall into your price range as well.