/ Register

Midrange priced basses?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Aaron Saunders, Jul 17, 2003.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 17, 2003 #1
    Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    First, I'd just like to establish that I did search, but I also came up with 666 results. Noting the bad omen, and the fact that I am simply not sifting through 666 topics to find something that MIGHT apply to me, I decided I'd better make a topic of my own.


    Anyway, my absolute limit is $1200 CAD. I just simply can't afford anything higher.

    What I look for in a bass first and foremost (well, besides the price tag) is playability. I'm about 5'7 and I have *kind* of small hands but good stretch on them (I can reach from the first to the fifth fret on the E string). But if I'm going to get cramps trying reaching the high frets, I just won't want it.

    Soundwise, I want something that would be pretty versatile -- I like to play blues for the most part, but when the urge strikes me, I want to be able to play some Chili Peppers funk without changing instruments. Simply put, I want a 5 string to modify to EADGC that's versatile and comfortable to play under $1200 CAD.


    At the moment, I'm thinking the Ibanez EDC700 or the EDC710 (2003 version with triple coil bridge pickup instead of the 2002 two double (or single, I can't remember) coil pickups). I've been reading reviews of it for months and all I've heard is "it's got every tone you'd want", "it's really comfortable", and "the smell makes your pets die", etc. The bad thing? I haven't gotten a chance to play one! Argh. Anything you guys can reccomend me would help, and I'm going to Toronto in August so I might be able to get a chance to finally play some of these things.


    Fixed the error, sorry about that.
     
  2. Jul 17, 2003 #2
    bryan bailey

    bryan bailey

    Feb 15, 2003
    North Kingstown, Rhode Island
    1st fret to the sixth!?!?!?!!:eek: I have huge hands, and I can barely do that! But as for a nice bass.......MIA Fender J? Those are always good.
     
  3. Jul 17, 2003 #3
    Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    Ergh! Sorry, that was a typo on my part. I can do 1st-5th, but that cramps up my hand really nastily after a couple seconds. Mind, that's not right ON the fifth fret, it's about halfway between the fourth and fifth.
     
  4. Jul 18, 2003 #4
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Lessee ... $1,200 CN ... that's about $175 US ... I wouldn't call that midrange priced.
     
  5. Jul 18, 2003 #5
    blaire

    blaire

    Jul 15, 2003
    The land of Rice
    Mate, If I could give you any advice , it would be buy the Ibanez! I have a K5 which sounds great,feels great , looks great and its comfortable.I was apprehensive about buying an Ibanez as I thought they were kind of junky but Ive eaten my words. Definitly a good buy.
     
  6. Jul 18, 2003 #6
    bben

    bben

    Feb 28, 2002
    Santa Fe, NM
    Check out the Lakland Syline series if you get a chance. Used, the 55-02 should be in your price range, and 55-01 new. Relatively slim neck, although not as slim as Ibanez.
     
  7. Jul 18, 2003 #7
    rickreyn

    rickreyn

    Jun 16, 2000
    Lutz, Florida
    Laklands are much wider than the Ibanez basses neckwise. At under $1200, you can get a dynamite bass used. The SR5 has a middle of the road neck. Fast and comfortable. It's pretty versatile. You might consider it at about $875 used. New, I'd consider Carvins without the wider neck option.
     
  8. Jul 18, 2003 #8
    steve_man

    steve_man

    May 15, 2002
    If you could do without a 5 string I'd suggest a japanese fender (geddy lee sig, 75 jazz bass re-issue - not the american one). These have thin necks.

    I used to own an ibanez and I've played through so many that in most cases I don't want to own one. an old teacher of mine bought a more expensive model a couple of years back - it was very similar to the gary willis model. I liked it (a lot)!!! the edc stuff. The electronics looks and feel like the pits (I also think this way about some of the hardware)! With ibanez if you're going to pay a little more than I'd say you're getting something that you'd like but as for the lower end stuff??? you may want to move to something that you can try first!
     
  9. Jul 18, 2003 #9
    Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    Mmm, the Geddy Lee is an awesome bass. I've been playing it for months at the store around here, but said store only carries Fender, Yamaha, and BC Rich. I'm not going to buy the Geddy Lee just yet (besides it being played enough to warrant a used price tag) because the price on the EDC705 is still about $200 less than what I can get the Geddy Lee for.


    I really would much rather have a five string -- much, much rather. I'll see about those Laklands...I'm assuming the site is www.lakland.com right?
     
  10. Jul 18, 2003 #10
    Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    -bump-


    Also, the Lakland Skyline catalog doesn't play nice when I want to download it, would any of you guys please list the features and woods?
     
  11. Jul 18, 2003 #11
    JFT

    JFT

    Jun 6, 2002
    Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    Hi Govithoy,

    If you're looking at Ibanez I suggest you try the higher-end BTB (515 and up) They have Bartolini pickup (and preamp for the better model). Mind you the neck are wide and they are 35" Scale but the shape of the neck makes them quite playable!

    Playability Peavey Cirrus are the real thing IMO. If only they were readily available used that's what I would get.
    I've been shopping for a $2000 Can bass recently and the Cirrus-5 for playability was FAR superior than anything else I played: StingRay-5, Lakland 55-02, Warwick Thumb and Corvette, G&L 2500 and even Modulus Vintage Jazz. But that's just me....
     
  12. Jul 18, 2003 #12
    Aaron Saunders

    Aaron Saunders

    Apr 27, 2002
    Ontario
    Price limit, my man, price limit. $1200. If I could afford a Peavey Cirrus, I'd pick one up in a second, but they're a little more expensive than $1200. A little. By a few hundred dollars.
     
  13. Jul 18, 2003 #13
    JFT

    JFT

    Jun 6, 2002
    Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    Sure but if you can score a used one...

    In any case have a look at the BTB they are nice! (And in your price range :D )
     
  14. Jul 19, 2003 #14
    pin_head_47

    pin_head_47

    Jan 5, 2001
    Sioux Falls, SD
    The highest end BTB that Ibanez makes is the BTB1005e, and just BARELY goes over your $1200 limit (at musicians friend). The BTB515e is a couple hundred bucks cheaper, just without the flame top (though it still keeps all bartolini electronics and pickups). If your into eBay, you can score any of the above, and i see Cirrus 5-strings go for under a grand all the time.

    Carvin makes some awesome basses for the money, so id recommend an LB75 with their humbucking bridge pickup for blues and slap. Everything they do is custom, so if you talk to them you could probably get one that was specifically set up for EADGC. And defintely in your price range (including case) as long as you dont do nutty with all the options they have.

    Peace.
     
  15. Jul 20, 2003 #15
    steve_man

    steve_man

    May 15, 2002
    fender's are nto known for their 5 strings.

    I agree with the carvin's though. Great buys but you can't try them out.

    That peavey cirrus is also another looker. And friend of mine can't take his eyes off of one. it is a serious bass. And you may even be able to find one off of ebay for the price you're looking at.

    Oh ya and guys he said 1200 CANADIAN!

    Been in that situation before trust me. you say you have this much but everyone thinks you mean american currency plus another 400 bucks because they think GAS will get the jump on your wallet.
     
  16. Jul 20, 2003 #16
    Gibblets Romano

    Gibblets Romano

    Jul 20, 2003
    Minneapolis, MN
    Sometimes you just have to hit the street. There are amazing buys out there. I picked up a used Stingray fretless for $500 US. I also found my current bass for a tremendous price. I got a brand new Warwick FNA Corvette 5 for $799 US. A little leg work can go a long way. If I were you I'd hit the music stores and look for a used higher end model. You can find some basses that are in great shape for a good price.
     
  17. Jul 20, 2003 #17
    cheezewiz

    cheezewiz Supporting Member

    Mar 27, 2002
    Ohio
    Another vote for a Lakland Skyline 55-01.
    Just under 7 bills US brand new.
     
  18. Jul 24, 2003 #18
    RicPlaya

    RicPlaya

    Apr 22, 2003
    The Mitten
    Spector! they have a 5 in your price range, I think $1200 Can should be around $800. U.S. I think. I have smaller hands and have a Spector Rebop 5, but that's more like $1000-1200 U.S. but anyway it's great because the string spacing and neck make it comfortable to play for smaller hands and the bass sounds awesome!
     
  19. Jul 24, 2003 #19
    BoiNtC

    BoiNtC

    Nov 25, 2002
    NYC, USA
    Actually one very nice Fender 5 string is the Roscoe Beck V
     
  20. Jul 24, 2003 #20
    5stringDNA

    5stringDNA

    Oct 10, 2002
    Englewood, CO
    Great suggestion- I have owned korean and and Euro spectors, and I love them all. The ReBop is an excellent bass in your price range. It is very versatile, plays nice, and has great tone. I have a Czech series Spector 5 and its tuned tenor (E-C), and it sound great- the highs are crisp and the lows are pounding. I do have the Aguilar OBP-1 in it however.

    The BTB is also an excellent bass to check out. Another very versatile bass that has a lot to offer. IMO- the best bass Ibanez has ever made, and the only one I would ever buy.

    The Peavey Cirrus is in teh sme ranks as these basses, and maybe a little nicer, especially with the neck-though design. Goign used, you can find one in your price range fairly easily. They are EXTREMELY versatile, and sound awesome!
     
Page 1 of 2