• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My First Cliché Poll: Which Budget 5-Banger?

Which bass would YOU want most? (State why in the thread.)

  • Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V

    Votes: 36 11.6%

  • G&L Tribute L-2500

    Votes: 223 71.9%

  • Schecter Stargazer 5-string

    Votes: 18 5.8%

  • Schecter Stiletto 5-string

    Votes: 33 10.6%
  • Total voters
    310
C

cassius987

Inactive
Apr 20, 2007
2,140
40
Denver, CO
www.myspace.com
#1
I am in the market for a fiver after a decent tax return that has not (yet) been completely siphoned away from me by bills, things my wife wants, etc. I am pretty aware of the upper end fivers and really have my eye on the EBMM Big Al as a five string (the SSS version), but it's just not in my budget to spend that much right now (as great as those basses are).

I've narrowed it down to four choices I am highly interested in. In alphabetical order: the L-2500 Tribute (G&L), the Stargazer 5-String (Schecter), the Stiletto Studio-5 (Schecter), and the Thunderbird Pro V (Epiphone). I have not had a chance to play any of them except for the Stilletto Studio-5 which is a very solid bass and is why I'm willing to consider the other Schecter too. I have been very impressed with Schecter QC in the past. The Thunderbird and Stargazer, which borrows some inspiration from Rickenbacker, are my favorites aesthetically but I wonder if the L-2500 isn't the leader of the pack at the end of the day. Then again the YouTube research I have done on the L-2500 have not impressed me sound wise, but I may just be finding crummy stuff. I know a lot of people swear by the L-2500.

Please vote and also state the reason for your vote and any facts or details you know of that could influence my decision in an objective way... thanks for your help.
 
#2
The Thunderbird is my bass of choice. I like the way it gets down and growls and the thin, fast neck. ABout the only thing it doesn't sound really good on is really old (50's) country and western, and that may be me and not the bass.
 
#5
I would say G&L, it is the only one I have played from that list (actually I tried a Tribute L2K and a USA L2500), but it really impressed me.

I don't think I have found any audio clips on the internet that does justice to the sound of the L2000/L2500. I wasn't impressed at all with it while looking on YouTube stuff, but when I plugged it on the store it was a completely different story. Its tone is not everyone's cup of tea even with all the possibilities you have and some complain about the string spacing on it and/or neck shape, so you should try to find one to test and judge yourself...

I know I'll be getting one as soon as it arrives on the store...
 
#11
One2Millions said:
if your going for a 5 string you should get a Fender Jazz Active Deluxe. You can find them for pretty cheap. I love it and have been playing it for a long time now.
Click to expand...

I know other fivers exist, but the ones I listed are ones I'm interested in. I'm not interested in any Jazz Bass--I don't like Jazzes much. Precision would be okay though.

billm67 said:
The other basses on your list aren't even in the same league as the G&L.
Click to expand...

Sooo... care to elaborate? I've played an L-2000 and it was decent but I didn't catch the G&L hype at all. I've played Schecters that blew me away as far as QC. And I've read very nice things about the new Thunderbirds. So how is the G&L that much better?
 
#19
The reason I voted for the trib is that it is at least a useable bass. The T-bird, in my experience, is not. The Schecter basses I don't know about - but I do know that they are yet another company that used to have a good name many years ago that just is used to sell overseas gear now, so I don't even bother.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back