Mid Priced 5 String Battle Royale !!!

[CGremlin]

it really bugs me when US names like Fender, Lakland and G&L do this, thus obscuring who is actually building their instruments to anyone not savvy enough to know

I can't speak for Lakland and G&L since I don't have experience with them, but Fender seems reasonably up-front about things, and it's no secret that a lot of their instruments are made in Mexico or overseas with the place of manufacture clearly marked. Those that don't know to look probably don't really know enough about the instrument to make a real value judgment to begin with.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I can't speak for Lakland and G&L since I don't have experience with them, but Fender seems reasonably up-front about things, and it's no secret that a lot of their instruments are made in Mexico or overseas with the place of manufacture clearly marked. Those that don't know to look probably don't really know enough about the instrument to make a real value judgment to begin with.

"Reasonable up-front" is a matter of perspective; Have you noticed has tiny the "made in Mexico" tag is on an MIM Fender? They don't exactly advertise it.
Lakland has it's "Skyline" line that was made in Korea and now made in Indonesia (apparently Korea was paying it's folks too much)
G&L's "Tribute" line is made... heck, I'm not sure.... Let's google it. Ah - Like Lakland, they were made in Korea (At the Cort factory, as it happens) and are now made in Indonesia. Sigh. One wonders when THAT will be "too expensive".
But look - not trying to hijack this thread into a "offshoring is bad" thing - except that the perception that an instrument under $1000 is almost always made where labor is cheap / environmental laws are lax. That's all. If a buyer is cool with that, then by all means, get one!

 

[P. Aaron]

I chose other as in, a used MIA Precision V can be had for around $900-1000. More likely under $1000. I have been playing on since 2010 and it is well made, light weight and tone-wise works well in many genres. Fender has improved the QC quite a lot in the last several years.
I do play about 35-40 shows a year with either the AM Precision or the Dimension 5. Very happy with both.

Hope you do find something that works.

 

[CGremlin]

But look - not trying to hijack this thread into a "offshoring is bad" thing

No worries - it didn't come across like that. To me, anyway.

 

[blen dem]

Bacchus...incredible instrument for the price. Just got one a few weeks ago (Craft series Standard J5) and it's killer! Amazing playability, lightweight and great useable tones in passive or active mode.

 

[Dark Horse]

Bacchus...incredible instrument for the price. Just got one a few weeks ago (Craft series Standard J5) and it's killer! Amazing playability, lightweight and great useable tones in passive or active mode.

Awesome, I'm really digging on those ...

 

[Eilif]

I LOVE my 55-01. Tight B string. Really good stock and a lovely platform for modding someday since you can drop anything in a MK or P2 shape into it's routes.

If you want to take a chance on newer basses...
-The Sire 5-ers are of course getting great reviews.
-Lastly,if you want a slightly smaller spacing, This soon to be released Talman with Nordy's is very tempting.
Ibanez Talman Standard 600 5-String - Natural

 

[HubbardsFate]

OP, I have to suggest you consider an Ibanez BTB as well. I used to own a 6-string BTB - a bolt-on model from the mid-2000s - and although I found the pickups a bit sterile, it was otherwise one of the best basses I have ever owned. In the three years I owned it, I never had to touch the truss rod, and the thing never went out of tune. I sold that bass in May of 2011 as I was going through some stuff and decided to step away from bass for a bit, but if I could have my time back...

I think most, if not all, of the BTBs these days are neck-thrus...and I think they may have changed the neck profile somewhat...I sat down with a 6-string Premium model in Long & McQuade a year and a bit ago, and it wasn't nearly as comfortable as my old bolt-on had been. But, like almost all of Ibanez's offerings, the BTB has many variations on the theme, including the more recent single-cut Terra Firma models...I'm rambling here...check out some Ibanez BTBs if you get a chance!