My last bass

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Hi bass community, I have learned so much during these past 24 hours and have a lot of information to digest. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, advice and best wishes, a lot of humor too. This is what makes this community so special as well as the TalkBass administrators. I have home work to do, so it will take me a while to make a decision. When that time comes I will share with all of you. Just for clarification, budget is not infinite $7k is a stretch and would need to persuade my wife, but can be close. Thank you and the best to all.

I would suggest not spending a ton of money if you are not sure of what you want. I had a bass teacher and people used to ask him why he didn't have a custom bass and he would say "Why? The production ones I have do everything I need and want.".

Unless you just want something unique that nobody else has or have specific requirements that cannot be met in a production model instrument, you do not have to go full-on custom. The hard part is knowing what you like and what you don't like if you haven't tried a slew of basses.

I personally think the feel and ergonomics (including balance) are just as important as the sound and those are things that you cannot get off of a YouTube video or sound clip.

 

[bdplaid]

Great idea, not retired yet, but it’s a few years away, thank you

With an unlimited budget, the damage you could do at Warmoth!

 

[totalnoob]

Try Ibanez ... they have a lot of 5 string models from entry level to high end.

I suspect this post/suggestion will fly under the radar, but there's truth in it. I think a dark horse in this race may very well be the Ibanez SR 505. The best feature is a slim and light body (even though it's ash), which many find very ergonomical. It has a stalbe 5-piece neck, decent hardware and a very capable preamp system. I know it's not particularly expensive, but sometimes the $$$ is not everything.
The bass is overall quite light and comes in some, IMHO, rather sexy colours (I like that black aurora burst).

 

[Breeze3]

Really unlimited budget? I'd probably pick up the black Sadowsky Super J NYC that is in stock, or at least was a few days ago.

Without question what he said

 

[Bonecat]

Check out a Muckelroy Bass. (Home - Muckelroy Basses) Brady is a monster player, very kind, and a helluva luthier. He will make exactly what you want in a bass, and most Mucks are light-weight.

Heavy +1 on this recommendation. My Muckelroy Pro Player 4 string comes in at 7.3 lbs. My Pro Player 5 that Brady is building now will come in under 8 lbs. A great guy, impeccable craftsmanship.

 

[AB Nate]

If you didn't buy a bass already, I would recommend a trip to John Fox Bass if you can get there. (He is near Boston.)
He usually has a whole bunch of high end 5-strings there, many more than what are shown on his website.

Here’s an example of one. I hear these things are deadly.

https://www.johnfoxbass.com/product-page/adamovic-halo-5-buckeye-burl

I’m a Dingwall fanatic myself, which he also has including some very special ones.

He is a gentleman and easy to work with, I have bought several basses from him.
Best of luck to you!

 

[ken ken]

I am looking into all suggestions, will definitely look into this one. Thank you for your advise

 

[AB Nate]

I am looking into all suggestions, will definitely look into this one. Thank you for your advise

No problem and good luck!

I’m curious to see what you end up with.