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Mid Priced 5 String Battle Royale !!!

Which five string bass would you go for in the $600-$900 range. ?

  • Lakland 55-01

    Votes: 53 39.0%

  • Bacchus 5 string

    Votes: 16 11.8%

  • Spector Coda 5

    Votes: 13 9.6%

  • Other

    Votes: 54 39.7%
  • Total voters
    136
  • Poll closed .
#41
The Lakland, at least in my limited experience (playing them in shops) punches well above it's weight in terms of price. I can't think of another fiver in that price range that feels as solid or plays as well. There are some very good instruments available in that price range, but the Lakland outclasses all that I've played, including some that I'm a big fan of (such as the Tribute L2500, the nicer Ibbys, MTD imports and the Sterling By Musicman stuff). I can't walk past a music store - I just can't do it - and every time I pick up a 55-01 I'm completely blown away at how good it is for the price.
 
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#43
Saratoga_5Rose.jpg
 
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#44
dinodino said:
Obligatory Sire V7 recommendation. The V7 and the M7 are both great candidates. That being said, I played a 44-01 yesterday for the first time, and it was the first 35" scale bass I've ever played that didn't feel like a 35"er to me - great neck and weight. The fit and finish (especially on the body) didn't seem as nice as the Sires I've encountered though.
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Pretty sure 44-01's are 34" scale
 
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#46
hover said:
Based on this, how did Bacchus even make the list? To most everyone unfamiliar, that name might as well be Hondo. ;)
I think the criteria then would be more like Fender, Fender or Fender.

I really can't stand brand whores. :)
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When you make your living as a side guy, "brand whores" (as you called them) are what pays the bills. Love it or hate it, it's a fact.

As far as Bacchus ...it can be justified because :

A) It looks like a high quality Fender

B) It doesn't say "Squier" , "Hondo", etc (which automatically makes people think "cheap")
 
#47
Mentioned by a few people already, but if I were looking at that price range, I'd try like hell to get my hands on a Sire M7...specifically, the one in transparent blue...if only they offered it with a maple board...but I think I'd be able to live with rosewood in this particular case...:bassist:


P.S. There are pics of the M7s on the No Treble website...and, of course, the Sire website...
 
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#48
rogypop said:
G&l tribute l2500, brubaker brute
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I have heard a lot of good stuff about the G&Ls.. never played one though. I do have a Brute... and they are nice too.

dgrizzly said:
I prefer the 5502 over the 5501. Scooped mine used for $800 + shipping.

Edit: Sorry, saw your "new" criteria. 5501 all the way! Haha
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I actually did not like the 55-02.. I preferred the 55-01.. I sold my 55-02 after about two weeks.

Lync said:
Saratoga_5Rose.jpg
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I have an Heir... the Kingstons are great basses... I actually preferred my modded heir over the 55-02.
 
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#49
Sav'nBass said:
I have heard a lot of good stuff about the G&Ls.. never played one though. I do have a Brute... and they are nice too.



I actually did not like the 55-02.. I preferred the 55-01.. I sold my 55-02 after about two weeks.



I have an Heir... the Kingstons are great basses... I actually preferred my modded heir over the 55-02.
Click to expand...

I was strongly considering the Heir when I was looking. What makes you prefer it over the 5502?
 
#54
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Didn't say it had poor tone. Said I prefer the tone of the MTD. Tone is in the ear of the beholder. Everyone's preference is different . I was not bashing the Lakland at all. I just told you why I preferred the MTD.
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Gotcha - of course tone comes down to preference, along with feel. My questions was why one preferred a Heir over a 5502, so your response would lead people to think the Lakland you tried had dead spots, poor tone and improper intonation.
 
#55
Dark Horse said:
When you make your living as a side guy, "brand whores" (as you called them) are what pays the bills. Love it or hate it, it's a fact.
Click to expand...
Trust me, though not my sole income, I am constantly hired sideman work...and I gig Ibanez and Fender knockoffs in a lucrative modern country band regularly as well. Brand-whores is an endearing term of sorts, but surely the negative connotation remains for the frustration. I understand your position. My post WAS in light-spirit, hence the fender fender or fender comment, as many BL's can't even look past THAT.

Dark Horse said:
As far as Bacchus ...it can be justified because :

A) It looks like a high quality Fender

B) It doesn't say "Squier" , "Hondo", etc (which automatically makes people think "cheap")
Click to expand...
Of course. My ONLY contention with Bacchus is it is hardly a household name by comparison, and in this list felt more like a bass you already had your eye on vs the criteria I bolded in the post prior...and, regardless of aesthetics: considering Squier makes a legit quality looking bass, has the right headstock, and if you sanded off the logo NO ONE would be the wiser. ;)

Best of luck on the hunt
 
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#57
Dark Horse said:
I'm currently shopping for a new 5 string in the $600-$900 price range. I'd love to have a 35 scale, though it's not necessarily a dealbreaker. I'm just looking for good quality sound, and solid build quality. I put three of my top choices in the poll, and also added a "Other" category. If there's one you feel I should really look at in addition to the three choices, by all means make a suggestion! I play pretty wide variety of styles, everything from Texas country to rock 'n' roll to reggae. i'd like to probably keep to more traditional looks as well.
Click to expand...
I got a Schecter, then replaced the electronics and pups, all for under $800 (I did buy the schecter a few years ago when it was $100 less). But added the electronics I wanted (Aguilar preamp and Seymour Duncan pups). I'm happy, band unemployed currently, but still happy.
 
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#58
hover said:
Trust me, though not my sole income, I am constantly hired sideman work...and I gig Ibanez and Fender knockoffs in a lucrative modern country band regularly as well. Brand-whores is an endearing term of sorts, but surely the negative connotation remains for the frustration. I understand your position. My post WAS in light-spirit, hence the fender fender or fender comment, as many BL's can't even look past THAT.


Of course. My ONLY contention with Bacchus is it is hardly a household name by comparison, and in this list felt more like a bass you already had your eye on vs the criteria I bolded in the post prior...and, regardless of aesthetics: considering Squier makes a legit quality looking bass, has the right headstock, and if you sanded off the logo NO ONE would be the wiser. ;)

Best of luck on the hunt
Click to expand...


:)


Yeah, I got the gist of what you're saying and how it was intended. And I knew it was all in the Spirit of helping.

:)
 
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