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Looking for a solid 5-String Bass for $500

#44
Balazs Martai said:
Hey guys!

New to the forums, though I have come across this site a few times while doing some Google searches.
Anyway, my dilemma is pretty straightforward.
I recently joined a band, and I need a good 5-string bass for around $500. I'm willing to go a bit over, but not a whole lot.

As far as background and what I'm looking for:
- My current main is a 4-string Schecter Stiletto Studio. It's what I learned on when I started playing 6 years ago, and I still love it.
- For the time being, I picked up an ESP LTD B-105. Not a huge fan of it. Probably because I can't get the B-string to come through when I hit an open note, only when holding down frets. Tried changing action and whatnot to fix the issue, but no luck. Anyway, I digress...
- I played an Ibanez SR255 in the store the other day, and I actually liked the neck a lot, so I started looking at the SR505. However, I've read enough mixed comments that I think I'll stay away from it.
- The band and I play mostly originals, but do some covers such as Killswitch Engage, System of a Down, etc. Nothing too complicated, but I like to add lots of little fills. I alternate playing with fingers and picks.
- Here's me playing because why not;

Any advice? Please and thank you. :)
Click to expand...

Used Yamaha BB-415. Great bass and can be found used for $300.

BB415H.jpg
 
#46
Yamaha TRBX-505. Was the easiest for me to switch from 4 strings to 5 strings because of 34" scale and neck/bridge spacing, had the best B on a 34" scale and is very versatile with active/passive switch. I'm playing live in passive mode, except when I'm doing small acoustic gigs where I engage active preamp as it gives me more control going direct in PA.

My main bass now over others costing > $1500
 
#49
with some of the 5vers mentioned , you're going from 34" to 35" scale ... if that matters to you at all . ?!

I'd shop on the classifieds here on TB ... i'll think you'd get the best used bass for the money .. !! used will be a better value ... and if you want something different down the road , it will be easier to sell and get your money out of .. !! that rarely ever happens with something bought new .. !!

go shop ... !!
 
#51
g&l l2500 tribute used.

Balazs Martai said:
Hey guys!

New to the forums, though I have come across this site a few times while doing some Google searches.
Anyway, my dilemma is pretty straightforward.
I recently joined a band, and I need a good 5-string bass for around $500. I'm willing to go a bit over, but not a whole lot.

As far as background and what I'm looking for:
- My current main is a 4-string Schecter Stiletto Studio. It's what I learned on when I started playing 6 years ago, and I still love it.
- For the time being, I picked up an ESP LTD B-105. Not a huge fan of it. Probably because I can't get the B-string to come through when I hit an open note, only when holding down frets. Tried changing action and whatnot to fix the issue, but no luck. Anyway, I digress...
- I played an Ibanez SR255 in the store the other day, and I actually liked the neck a lot, so I started looking at the SR505. However, I've read enough mixed comments that I think I'll stay away from it.
- The band and I play mostly originals, but do some covers such as Killswitch Engage, System of a Down, etc. Nothing too complicated, but I like to add lots of little fills. I alternate playing with fingers and picks.
- Here's me playing because why not;

Any advice? Please and thank you. :)
Click to expand...
 
#55
BasseeJames said:
Where have you heard negative reviews on the SR505, everyone I know loves the SR range and if they don't its because of personal preference rather then a fault with the instrument
Click to expand...

Agreed - I love my 505. SR's aren't for everybody with the tight string spacing, but I certainly wouldn't count them out. Really the only negative I've read is that the finish can chip easier than others.. But you've got guys paying $4K for "heavy relic" basses anyway, so i don't really see that as a bad thing :)

Edit: BTW - I found mine on CL for $300 with an upgraded preamp (OBP3), so this would be a great bass for a little more than half of your budget
 
#59
I was in your shoes until this February, and after months on end of listening to samples of the sub ray5, the cort artisan c5h, the Yamaha trbx 305 and bb415, trying REALLY HARD to like the yamahas, taking a bus across greece to try them out, I decided on the Jackson js3vqm and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. By far the best fit for me, and a extremely underrated bass, definitely worth checking out ;-)
 
#60
KJAXE said:
Used Lakland skyline, 4401 or 5501
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The Skylines are great basses.. but the 19mm spacing may not be to his liking based on what he has now... In his case he can't go wrong with a Schecter.. the SS5 is a fantastic bass.. The only reason I sold mine was because once I got a Fender JV24 I realized that I preferred 19mm spacing.. so all my basses have been 18-199 since.. The SR505 is an ok bass.. I was not too impressed.. but themn I had one of the earlier versions.. in fact it was my first 5 that played well... I had a Jackson 5... yeah... I said that.... ;) but the B was so bad on it I never really got into it until I got that 505... but I found it to be kind of flimsy.. It was built ok.. aside from the scratchy post.. and it felt ok in the hands.. it just felt like balsa wood... and it was replaced by my Schecter SS5 which was just a much better bass in every way... Eventually I sold both basses but once I got the Schecter I never played the 505 again..
 

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