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Neck-through, 35" scale 5-string under $500?

TimBosby

TimBosby

Somewhere in middle America
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2004
11,931
10,246
47
Omaha, NE, USA
#1
What are the best options for a neck-through 35" scale 5-string under $500? (used or new.)

So far the Peavey Cirrus BXP and Ibanez "BTB" basses seem to fit the bill. I like the look of the BTBs better than the Cirruses. I am very curious about the Cort A5 Artisan series as well. Not sure of the scale length on those.

Suggestions? Playability is key since I'm not normally a 5-stringer.

Thanks! :D
 
#3
Both the BTB and the Cirrus BXP are great choices within your price range. You`ll find a difference in the neck profile (BXP is flatter) and the preamp/pickups sound better IMO.
 
#8
Spector Legend or Ibanez BTB, depending on ergonomics and which you feel "fits" you better. I'm pretty sure all the Cirrus BXP come with a Quilt veneer, as they're meant to ape the look of the American-made Cirrus.

Unless Peavey has done some massive Quality Control upgrading, I'd stay away from the Grind models. I remember horrid fret instillation, patchy sanding and finishing issues, misinstalled (crooked) hardware and generally poor basses even at their pricepoints.
 
#9
Traben Array Obsession

Trabenfront1.jpg


Trabenback2.jpg


BRIDGE: Traben tribal flame bigger bridge
SCALE: 35" five string
CONSTRUCTION: Neck through
PICKUPS: Rockfield®
ELECTRONICS: 9 volt active or passive
CONTROLS: Three-band eq with volume and blend
and active/passive switch
BODY: Royal paulonia
TOP: Flame maple
FRETBOARD: Wenge with abalone inlay
NUT: Synthetic

They get a lot of flack on this board...but this bass by far is the best bass i have ever played on and or owned. Recently while recording even the engineer liked its sound over the Fender P and the Ric 4001 that the studio owns....

to each his own but i thought i would widen your choices
 
#10
This ESP is only a little over $500

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-F5E-5String-Bass-Guitar?sku=516186

Invalid Link Removed

Now, if you were to ignore the whole "neck-through" aspect, you could get yourself a great bolt-on fiver and have some money left over. Neck-through is nice, but a little overrated as far as I'm concerned.

And if you're looking for great playability, and aren't used to 5's, Ibanez would be your best bet.
 
#12
In the end check out these brands (in order of what I would do)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traben
Ibanez
ESP
Spector
Peavey
Schector
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the end it's your choice but that list is pretty much in order according to price-to-quality.
A Traben is gonna be cheap an is an excellent bass and Ibanez is I'd say a bit better and bit more money.
Hope this helps.
Peace
:bassist:
 
#13
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. That particular Traben and ESP look way too "metal" for my tastes. I'll check out some of their other models though.

Anybody have experience with the Cort A5 Artisan? I am jonesin' for one but they're usually over $500. I am not sure if they are 34" or 35" but they look great and I've read good reviews.
 
#14
I have the btb576 6 string and it is a very nice bass. Neck through, mono-rail bridge, bart active pre, bart pups, etc. You can't go wrong with the btb575... 19mm string spacing!! I saw a couple at GC for $499 (clearance) the other day (3 days ago - they are still there.) The website still has them at $799. You should call 'em and see about shipping to you. I listed them in the hot deals thread... These basses (mine and I handled a 5'er at GC to check the price for an error) really feel like a work of art in your hands unlike any bass I have held lately (including schecters.) Too bad they got these after they ordered my 6er from them. A few days later I went in and BAM there it was for $499 I was like noway!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515130

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515130
 
#15
I believe Cort makes the Ocean series--this is something I really should know but am not 100% certain of. Whatever. Anyway, I have an Ocean 5 string neck-through-body that was a little over $600. Great looking instrument, lots of features and decent enough playability.

The sound? Hmm. It's my backup instrument. It sounded "good enough" in the store but I'll be damned if I can get a really thick, smooth, and warm tone out of the thing. I believe our singer's exact words at practice one time when I brought it were "Dude, what the f%#* happened to your sound?"

But if my Ibanez SDGR Premier ever takes a dump on me in the middle of a show, I think the Ocean will get me through, but I really, really, really hope it never comes to that.

Good luck!

P.S. If you're looking for a brighter sounding instrument then the 5 string Ocean may be right up your alley. So that's something to consider. Good luck again.
 
#17
6Steve6Harris6 said:
This ESP is only a little over $500

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-F5E-5String-Bass-Guitar?sku=516186

Invalid Link Removed

Now, if you were to ignore the whole "neck-through" aspect, you could get yourself a great bolt-on fiver and have some money left over. Neck-through is nice, but a little overrated as far as I'm concerned.

And if you're looking for great playability, and aren't used to 5's, Ibanez would be your best bet.
Click to expand...

I have one of these with a flame maple top, I love it. I tune a full step down on e-g and 2 full steps on the b. The hardware could be better, but for the price/body/sound who cares knobs that feel like a $200 ibanez. I have played jazz, rock, and mostly metal on it, pretty veristile
 
#18
Snakeman1066 said:
Traben Array Obsession

Trabenfront1.jpg


Trabenback2.jpg


BRIDGE: Traben tribal flame bigger bridge
SCALE: 35" five string
CONSTRUCTION: Neck through
PICKUPS: Rockfield®
ELECTRONICS: 9 volt active or passive
CONTROLS: Three-band eq with volume and blend
and active/passive switch
BODY: Royal paulonia
TOP: Flame maple
FRETBOARD: Wenge with abalone inlay
NUT: Synthetic

They get a lot of flack on this board...but this bass by far is the best bass i have ever played on and or owned. Recently while recording even the engineer liked its sound over the Fender P and the Ric 4001 that the studio owns....

to each his own but i thought i would widen your choices
Click to expand...

wow...that bass is awesome looking!
 

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