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Looking to add a 5 stringer to my set

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by fusion man 85, Dec 22, 2014.

  1. Dec 22, 2014 #1
    fusion man 85

    fusion man 85

    Dec 7, 2013
    Im looking to add a 5 stringer to my set up. Heres some of what im looking for, thin easy feeling neck, maple fretboard(not a deal breaker if its not), passive pickups, but willing to try active for this bass(not gonna be in regular use).easyly upgradable to .Looking at fender jazzs spector legends, and some peaveys and ibanezs what can you guys and gals recomened looking at
     
  2. Dec 23, 2014 #2
    hrodbert696

    hrodbert696 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 15, 2010
    Like old Hampshire, but New
    Budget?
     
  3. Dec 23, 2014 #3
    Doc Mojo

    Doc Mojo

    Oct 29, 2014
    Ohio
    what parts are you looking to upgrade?
     
  4. Dec 23, 2014 #4
    G On Bass

    G On Bass

    Dec 31, 2007
    Ventura County, CA
    You gotta state your budget or we can't be of much help. So before blindly throwing out the name of my favorite 5 string as the perfect one for you, here's my usual 'first 5 string' advice.

    -Play as many as you can. 5 strings have many, many more differences between models than 4 strings: String spacing, scale, nut width etc... Usually something will feel 'right'.
    -Based on playing, find the scale you are comfortable with. Some will insist you need a 35" to get a good B. Others disagree (me included). However, the IME most of the crappy B strings I've found were on cheap 34" basses.
    -Find the string spacing that is comfortable for you. Some folks like narrow, some like wide. Those who slap often prefer wider spacing (3/4" - 19mm), others prefer narrow (~16mm-17mm). There's no right or wrong, it's just a preference.
     
  5. Dec 23, 2014 #5
    fusion man 85

    fusion man 85

    Dec 7, 2013
     
  6. Dec 23, 2014 #6
    hrodbert696

    hrodbert696 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 15, 2010
    Like old Hampshire, but New
    One thing I'll comment on about five-strings in general - the neck makes a whole lotta difference. It does on any bass, but all the more so on a 5er. You get some that try to have a wide string spacing, I assume to make slap easier; the trade-off (or maybe it's a bonus, depending on your taste) is a big wide fretboard like an ironing board (there's an older Squier 5er that comes to mind). Others try to keep the neck slimmer, to please the jazz-bass crowd; but that can run you into very tight string spacing (the Washburn Taurus T-25 is a prime example of this). Neck profiles can feel very different when stretched across the greater width. For instance, I've noticed that I really liked the neck on the Peavey Grind 5-string but it felt clumsy and clubby on the 4 (I'm a jazz bass kinda guy).
     
  7. Dec 23, 2014 #7
    Doc Mojo

    Doc Mojo

    Oct 29, 2014
    Ohio
    "Looking at fender jazzs spector legends, and some peaveys and ibanezs what can you guys and gals recomened looking at?"

    Fender Fives are nice and upgradable like a Harley Davidson. I don't like the way Spector balances but to each his/her own. Sometimes you can find some great Peaveys (Cirrus, GV, etc.) at bargain prices and Ibanez has a well rounded selection (BTB and ATK on the thick side).
     
  8. Dec 23, 2014 #8
    Gilmourisgod

    Gilmourisgod

    Jun 23, 2014
    Cape Cod MA
    The ibanez SR505 has one of thinner necks, but has an active 3 band eq. If you like to slap, you'll probably want something with a wider string spacing. I'm mostly a pick and fingerstyle player, so I like a thin neck. Have fun searching!
     
  9. Dec 23, 2014 #9
    fusion man 85

    fusion man 85

    Dec 7, 2013
    I can finally get a reply in my phone the haven't been getting along today. Im looking for a thin neck like a jazz but still slapable, string spacing not to wide. Pickups easy to change, my budget 500 to 800.
    Active eq and preamps are virgin territory for me, so what do they offer. only considering active for this 5er becuase I don't see as a main axe for a while but I dont want to buy junk at the same time, also a simple control set not to many bells and whistles
     
  10. Dec 23, 2014 #10
    Doc Mojo

    Doc Mojo

    Oct 29, 2014
    Ohio
    Used Ibanez 5 strings might be up your alley.
     
  11. Dec 24, 2014 #11
    hrodbert696

    hrodbert696 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 15, 2010
    Like old Hampshire, but New
    Used, I'd think about a Carvin SB5000 or a Peavey Cirrus in that price range.
     
  12. Dec 24, 2014 #12
    pedroims

    pedroims

    Dec 19, 2007
    Michigan
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2014
  13. Dec 24, 2014 #13
    fusion man 85

    fusion man 85

    Dec 7, 2013
    music man forgot about those any thing about the active eqs and preamps I dhould be aware of? Sounds,tone shaping amp handling,respone to playing soft or hard
     
  14. Dec 24, 2014 #14
    fusion man 85

    fusion man 85

    Dec 7, 2013
    Just saw a warkwick rockbass corvette basic passive 5er for 600 on musicians friend the reveiws where positive. Seems up my ally basic controls jazz pickups.versatile tones. Anyone own one of these your thoughts would help
     
  15. Dec 24, 2014 #15
    FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Probably doesn't meet your criteria but I highly recommend trying a Classic Stingray 5.