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Multi-scale 5-string bass

#21
wvbass said:
I found the switch from 4 to 5 way more difficult than the switch to multiscale. It seems counterintuitive, but I barely notice the difference when playing - except the upper frets can mess with me a little sometimes if I watch what I’m doing instead of just playing. Switching back and forth from multiscale is a non-issue.
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This has been my experience as well after playing exclusively four strings for 20 years. Multi scale is a quick adjustment, it seemed like my fingers figured it out and I didn’t have to think too much. Four to five is still a work in progress. I got a Dingwall NG2, it’s great and the price is reasonable for a quality import. But the way to get comfortable is to play it exclusively for a while, and I haven’t done that.
 
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#22
I purchased a Spector Dimension 4 Multi Scale not too long ago. I was surprised to find that there actually was no learning curve for me with the fanned frets. While playing I found myself not even thinking about it and just continued playing comfortably.

However when it comes to the higher registers past the 15th fret it can be a little tricky especially playing chords. He'll have to get used to his fingers falling behind the fret markers instead of on or in front due to the change in angle of the frets. The good news is that after playing two to three songs on it he should already be pretty comfortable with it. It's really not all that drastic of a change going to multi scale.
Spector.jpg


BTW that Ibanez SRMS is a nice looking bass, The only thing that bothers me about Ibanez is that no matter what pickups they use, they always seem to mate them with that Ibanez Preamp which really never works for me. Now the ESP/LTD B1005MS is a really nice sounding bass as well.
 
#23
I tend to agree with the sort of "gift certificate" approach. Anyone trying to buy a bass for me is facing a nearly impossible task. I wouldn't even be able to elucidate the criteria they would need to choose one. Also, the "bells and whistles" so many of us cherish sound like they could be an annoyance, possibly even a deterrent for your son. A quick search didn't reveal any multiscale 5's with passive electronics. Other TBers may have more knowledge in that area. You're a pretty great dad, BTW!

The Bar Band Bassman
 
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#24
I have no experience with fanned frets, but I can tell you that, coming from a Fender 4 string, I never managed to adjust to my Ibanez 5 string, but took right to my MusicMan Stringray 5 HH - which has been my main bass ever since. Also, lots of appearance options from bursts to sparkle. Also, easy resale if he doesn't like it. What a lucky son!
 
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#25
Watched the video, and that kid should be making his own choice.

You’ll still get awesome dad points, even if it’s not a surprise under the tree.

Basses are going to come and go. He might want a guitar to expand his horizons. Maybe recording gear. Who knows, really, if you don’t ask.

But if it’s fanned frets, just cut to the chase and go with a Dingwall. Check the classifieds, be patient and you guys will find a deal. The Drocs, going for around $1500-1600 used are huge bang for the buck.

And there are plenty of string choices, check in with FretNation.com.

As for five strings, plenty of guys get along with four strings just fine. I never really liked the low B string, and ended up going E-C with the fives. Then I just went back to fours. An octave pedal will do it if I want lower notes. A detuner will get you drop D. You can run a four string bass B-D. Lots of options that don’t require a brain rewire.

He’s a lucky kid.
 
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#27
Bar Band Bassman said:
I tend to agree with the sort of "gift certificate" approach. Anyone trying to buy a bass for me is facing a nearly impossible task. I wouldn't even be able to elucidate the criteria they would need to choose one. Also, the "bells and whistles" so many of us cherish sound like they could be an annoyance, possibly even a deterrent for your son. A quick search didn't reveal any multiscale 5's with passive electronics. Other TBers may have more knowledge in that area. You're a pretty great dad, BTW!

The Bar Band Bassman
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Ibanez Btb 605 ms, BTB 805 have passive pickups than can work bypassing preamp with a simple switch. And can work without batteries
 
#30
Bar Band Bassman said:
I tend to agree with the sort of "gift certificate" approach. Anyone trying to buy a bass for me is facing a nearly impossible task. I wouldn't even be able to elucidate the criteria they would need to choose one. Also, the "bells and whistles" so many of us cherish sound like they could be an annoyance, possibly even a deterrent for your son. A quick search didn't reveal any multiscale 5's with passive electronics. Other TBers may have more knowledge in that area. You're a pretty great dad, BTW!

The Bar Band Bassman
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Actually, this seems like the most reasonable idea. Shill out the dough but let him pick the instrument?
 
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#31
scadh said:
Hello,

I'm getting my son a new 5-string bass for Christmas. He already has 2 Fenders including a really nice Precision American Elite, so thinking something with a more aggressive tone, maybe Ibanez or Schecter.

As I was looking at options, I noticed some chatter about how some players prefer a multi-scale for 5-string bass due to more consistent intonation. Others say the angled frets make for a more comfortable hand position at the top and bottom ends of the neck. All of this sounds good, in principle. Wondering how is stands in practice? My fear is that my son, who has played Fender 4-string basses exclusively for about 8 years, would find it difficult to adjust to the fret positions.

If I could find any local shops with a multi-scale in stock, I'd just take my son and let him play. Except that would 100% spoil his big Christmas gift! I would appreciate hearing anyone's experience with multi-scale. Does it come natural? Is it challenging to switch back and forth between standard and multi-scale during a show? Additionally, if anyone has any 5-string bass recommendations, standard OR multi-scale, would love to hear those, too. My son has the Fender classic-rock tone covered but would like something a bit different to spice it up, especially for harder rock/metal.

Video from a recent gig showing band style. This tune sits in the middle of the spectrum for "aggressiveness" they play, where Metallica would be near the top end and CCR near the bottom.
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Just buy him an EBMM...... Stingray 5, Bongo 5 or Sterling 5 and be done. He will love you for it!
 
#33
I vote to let him have a say before buying anything.

I have an Ibanez 6 string fanned fret headless that I got as a B stock for under a grand. It’s a solid instrument and plays great. It took me 15 minutes to adjust to the frets. And yeah, the transition to 5 was harder (the transition to 6 was hardly noticeable).

Not mentioned by Dingwall fans is that the scale lengths are more extreme than some other builders, so it might be harder to adjust, especially with no fanned fret or 5 string experience.

Kiesel makes great basses but they’re pricey and unless you know what options he likes, I wouldn’t buy anything without consulting him first.

So a used Ibanez EHB is probably the best and most cost effective solution. If he doesn’t like the bass it’s easy to sell and recoup the money.
 
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#34
comatosedragon said:
Like almost every person here seems to say, the adjustment (to multi-scale) is automatic and effortless.
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I'll be one voice to the contrary: I've only tried one multiscale (so far*) and it was difficult to find my way around. Even if I'm outlier, my experience would make me wary of dropping money on a multiscale for someone who might not be wanting one.

*(There are a lot of different multiscale layouts, so I won't be writing them all off just because of one bad experience.)
 
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#37
I got a 5 string multiscale a few weeks ago, it's both my first 5 and my first multiscale, and I found adusting to it not to be an issue at all. I was searching for the right one for quite some time, especially since I'm also more of a simple set & forget kind of guy; most of those multiscale basses have all this preamp stuff with knobs and switches going on! Not to mention all those colors and glossy wood burls and what not. That might to something to look out for, if your son is not much of a tweaker, keep the bass simple. I finally found a second hand Dingwall ABZ in natural finish, quite worn, and with passive electronics. Love it!
 
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#38
Dingwall d roc standard 5 vintage burst is passive, may be less than $2000, ~traditional look.
Ibanez sounds more reasonable, shorter B strings, smaller price tag.
I like the surprise present, rather than just give him the money. !!!

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#40
I'll add to the get the kid involved in the decision vote. There's nothing worse than receiving a gift and having to force a smile while dying a little inside. And then feeling obligated to use that gift anytime the giver is around, despite it not resonating with you at all.

However, if the two of you decide fanned fivers is the way you want to go, look for a used Dingwall. If it doesn't work out, you almost certainly be able to get your money back out of it. I have a Combustion 5 (middle bass in profile picture) that I was sure was going to replace all my other basses and become my number one. It did not, I play fivers anyway and the fanned frets posed no problem until I got pretty far up the neck where muscle memory and autopilot no longer worked. But I worked through that as well. Tonally, it wasn't as aggressive as I was looking for. I do still play it because it does sound good and looks really cool. My very first outing with it, I was pretty full of myself and was getting lots of compliments. This lady came up and was amazed, saying she had never seen a bass like that before. I launched into my fanned fret explanation. She stopped me midway through and said, no, that she'd never seen a bass with five strings! That was a little humbling.
 
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