Mid-Level 5'er Recommendations

[somebrains]

Ibanez guys, how are these?: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Reedt2000]

Ibanez guys, how are these?: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I know a local player with a newer ibby 5 string similar to this one with the nordy big singles. It sounds fantastic. I've never liked the super thin necks but this is a lot of bass for the bread.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

IMO used Lakland Skylines are a huge bang for the buck value - great neck, great B String, several electronics options.

 

[somebrains]

I know a local player with a newer ibby 5 string similar to this one with the nordy big singles. It sounds fantastic. I've never liked the super thin necks but this is a lot of bass for the bread.

Yeah, the OP needs to figure out what is or isn't going to work bc we are bookending Warwick to Ibanez in neck width.
I can make whatever work, others can't make it thru 60 seconds with the wrong neck.

 

[jaco944]

I have this for sale right now.
For Sale - Lakland Skyline 55-01

 

[Muttleybass]

Another vote for the Yamaha BB735a. Not sure what your fear is with the PJ, as you can use either or both, plus I like the active/passive switch and 3 band EQ. It's pretty awesome for the price... I bought it as a 'starter' 5, but I use it for my number 1 now.

 

[MrLenny1]

MIK Lakland, used if possible.
Yamaha.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Sire all the way for a 5 string in that range. Any model. Those preamps are among the best in any price range.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I'm looking for a good mid-level 5-string bass I can use for gigging. I bought a Squier VM Jazz V a while back as my first 5'r and simply don't like it much, but found that when I play certain models in the big box stores, I take to them much better. Planning to sell the Squier and a few other things pretty soon to upgrade.

I have an idea of what I'm looking for but want to be sure I'm not missing out on any jewels, so I figured I'd ask for some input from you lovely folks. I play in a covers band and the material ranges from popular 50's stuff, up through the decades, to current music; mostly pop/dance, but with some rock and country mixed in, depending on venue and how the BL reads the crowd.

Things to consider:
- Between $500 - $700, if possible, but willing to stretch a bit
- Modern tone
- Active with an EQ bypass
- Relatively narrow neck/nut width/string spacing
- 2 pickups preferred
- Multi scale or 35" scale not mandatory, but I AM curious about both options

The 2 basses that immediately come to mind would be either another Warwick RB Corvette, this time a 5-string $$, or one of the mid-range SR Ibanez models. But if you know of other models that fit those parameters and hold their own in a live setting, I'd love to know about em.

So, that said, what say you, TB?

Not sure if they are still made, but I'd check used first.

Epiphone Pro-V.

No active bypass, though. 2 pickups, blend knob no switch.

 

[RHA III]

I've got a Ibanez SR1205e that I'll sell ya!

 

[Reedt2000]

There are 2 Spector rebop 5 strings used for $549 each on GC's website.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ibanez guys, how are these?: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Never played the 14, but I've played a 13, and an 18. Both were amazing. Just different features and finishes. But, chances are, that that one is very similar. The price is a steal too.

 

[somebrains]

Never played the 14, but I've played a 13, and an 18. Both were amazing. Just different features and finishes. But, chances are, that that one is very similar. The price is a steal too.

I tried out a cheaper model N equipped a while ago and liked it.
I was trying out a used Demeter preamp at GC LA, my GS112 really woke up.
I think that bass is the reason I've bought Bigmans and Bigblade Man for my Warwicks.
You get a tone that perks up the ears + build quality @ a price point much higher than my W's or Spector if you go by relative asking prices in the used market.

 

[bobdabilder]

Used lakland 5501 or 5502

I'm looking for a good mid-level 5-string bass I can use for gigging. I bought a Squier VM Jazz V a while back as my first 5'r and simply don't like it much, but found that when I play certain models in the big box stores, I take to them much better. Planning to sell the Squier and a few other things pretty soon to upgrade.

I have an idea of what I'm looking for but want to be sure I'm not missing out on any jewels, so I figured I'd ask for some input from you lovely folks. I play in a covers band and the material ranges from popular 50's stuff, up through the decades, to current music; mostly pop/dance, but with some rock and country mixed in, depending on venue and how the BL reads the crowd.

Things to consider:
- Between $500 - $700, if possible, but willing to stretch a bit
- Modern tone
- Active with an EQ bypass
- Relatively narrow neck/nut width/string spacing
- 2 pickups preferred
- Multi scale or 35" scale not mandatory, but I AM curious about both options

The 2 basses that immediately come to mind would be either another Warwick RB Corvette, this time a 5-string $$, or one of the mid-range SR Ibanez models. But if you know of other models that fit those parameters and hold their own in a live setting, I'd love to know about em.

So, that said, what say you, TB?

 

[michael_t]

Things to consider:
- Between $500 - $700, if possible, but willing to stretch a bit
- Modern tone
- Active with an EQ bypass
- Relatively narrow neck/nut width/string spacing
- 2 pickups preferred
- Multi scale or 35" scale not mandatory, but I AM curious about both options

I don't spend much time hang out in this section, but I decided to peek in and this thread caught my eyes because I'll be picking up my very first active 5-string non-Fender bass next week - Yamaha TRBX505.

TRBX - 500 Series - Electric Basses - Guitars & Basses - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha - Canada - English

 

[74hc]

I would look for a used Carvin LB75.

 

[Luigir]

I'm not a fretless guy (yet), but that green one is drool...
Gotta do more research on the switches and how they work, but I'm way more interested in G&L these days. Didn't like they way they looked initially lol, but they've grown on me a bit. Just gotta get one in my hands.

IMHO the swiches and knobs in the G&L look intimidating but are pretty simple:

3 knobs: volume, highs, basses. Notice that high and basses knobs work in passive too.

3 toggles:

1. Pickup selector: neck, both, bridge
2. Series/parallel switch aka bass boost on/off
3. Passive/Active/Active with high boost.

Sure you need to play a bit to find the possibilities but in the end it is pretty natural to use and you can get a lot of tones ranging from vintage to modern ones.

Here you can hear some tones on the 4 string version: