Need a bass suggestion for all around gigging

[BassPun]

What's up friends. I graduated with a degree in music on saxophone, jazz/pop/rock/funk/rnb/contemporary focused. Currently learning bass to open up more opportunities for teaching/gigging, etc, and just because I like it. Definitely is my primary instrument in an alternate universe.

Been working my way through the hal leonard methods books, transcribing some bass lines from wedding reception playlists, and practicing scales. I think I'm doing fairly decently, and I'm trying to line up an in person lesson soon so somebody can help me out with the parts of the technique that my prior music knowledge can't.

The problem is that I'm currently playing on a rogue 5 string that I got from a family member years ago. The ad on guitar center warns me that the chromium on this instrument could give me cancer. I would definitely like to get a decent bass to replace this now that I'm a few months into learning and I really enjoy it.

I'm looking for a 5 string. Recreating exact lines from songs is important to me, and I've noticed a lot of common wedding tunes either use drop tuning or use a low B string. I guess I'm interested in the idea of a multiscale as well, just so that low B string has good tension, but I'm not entirely sold on the idea. Versatility of sound would be nice, so I could play bebop one night, and then play Living On A Prayer the next, and sound fine. (My eventual goal will be to get a double bass when I feel comfortable enough to gig on electric)

I know the P-Bass and J-Bass are really good picks, but I don't know if the 34" scale will make the B string floppy. My Rogue is also 34" and I'd like the B string to be tighter. Ibanez seems to make a lot of 5 strings and multiscales, but it looks like they market heavily to metal guys. People have also suggested Dingwalls and Kiesels to me.

I'm totally open to any suggestions or correction of my own misconceptions.

 

[mikeswals]

A StingRay 5 has always been a real workhorse for me. One of the best B's in the biz.

 

[Snert]

The ad on guitar center warns me that the chromium on this instrument could give me cancer.

Don't chew on the bridge, it's not so good for your teeth anyway.

 

[hrodbert696]

My jack-of-all-trades bass is a Yamaha BB435. I call her "tuxedo" - black and white, looks and sounds right anywhere you take it. What's your budget? If you want something more upscale, go with the BBP35.

 

[4andnomore]

Nothing against 5-strings but I'm not sure they are the most versatile choices. Like all things there have their inherent challenges e.g. neck width, muting, floppy b string etc. Makes me wonder how many wedding tunes actually require that low B? Hopefully some 5-players will chime in. Personally, when I here "versatile" first thing that comes to mind is a good ol' 4-banger p-bass, the "claw hammer" of basses.

 

[Runnerman]

MM Bongo 5HH
You want versatile? ...that's versatile.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

"Ibanez seems to make a lot of 5 strings and multiscales, but it looks like they market heavily to metal guys"
Don't let this put you off trying Ibanez bass guitars.
They are very versatile instruments, comfortable, light weight, slim necks (often described as Fast Necks) and I've used them covering everything from ACDC to Zappa, from Adele to Zutons.

 

[jeffb28451]

I’ve got a few nice pieces, but my “ oh, what the heck, let’s get that one while we’re here” Marcus Miller m7 tics a lot of boxes for a decent workhorse that won’t bring tears if it gets a little roadworn. Used prices are a steal for the quality it provides.

 

[chris_b]

You want flexibility? A 5 string will give you the most flexibility. You will be able to use the same bass in many bands, genres and gigs, so pick a good one. I'd go for a Jazz of some description. It has a very wide range of tones.

We can tell you what we think, but you need to play some basses.

PS
The 34" scale on it's own won't make a B string "floppy".

 

[arbiterusa]

Makes me wonder how many wedding tunes actually require that low B?

Most modern music does. Fivers tend to be a bit hard on my hands so I run a BEAD tuned bass frequently. I use the low B more often than a G.

OP, Ibanez should definitely be something you at least try. They make great basses.

 

[Snert]

Makes me wonder how many wedding tunes actually require that low B? Hopefully some 5-players will chime in.

I used to be in a band that did a number of weddings a year, plus a lot of parties doing covers etc and had male and female singers and needed to be able to play in a number of keys song to song, original and not. A 4 would have been a PITA.

 

[G On Bass]

Long time 5-string only player here. It's a matter of finding one that fits you. 99% of the 34" basses I have owned/played have solid B's. I picked up a 4 string recently and, even though it was a great sounding and playing bass, I sold it off in short order, as I have found it to be very difficult to give up the versatility of my 5's for a 4. YMMV

That being said, an active PJ5 has covered every genre and every gig I have needed since I put them in play years ago. I keep one with rounds and 1 with flats. I've not found much territory if any that can't be covered. Many people make them. You might alos look at a Lakland 55-01 or 55-02. They make great basses.

 

[hrodbert696]

Nothing against 5-strings but I'm not sure they are the most versatile choices. Like all things there have their inherent challenges e.g. neck width, muting, floppy b string etc. Makes me wonder how many wedding tunes actually require that low B? Hopefully some 5-players will chime in. Personally, when I here "versatile" first thing that comes to mind is a good ol' 4-banger p-bass, the "claw hammer" of basses.

Disagree. I have a couple Ps and love them, and they are great in a lot of different settings. But I wouldn't call it because of their versatility - rather, it's that the P is bass' lowest common denominator. It's something basic that works in most situations, but that's not the same as being useful in any situation. There's plenty of music, especially in modern pop and country, that uses at least a low D if not lower. There's also a lot that's a half-step down, especially in hard rock. In my cover band gigs, my guitarist had to keep switching guitars, or else taking time to retune them according to the song. If I was playing a 4 I would have had to do the same, but with the 5 I could play straight through the set without needing to switch.

BTW, I've never found any of those "inherent challenges" to be a challenge. Neck width doesn't really matter as much as string spacing to me - in fact, on my 4-string Ps, I put J necks on, which I find much more playable. Muting was never much of a problem, maybe because I play floating thumb. And avoiding a floppy B string is a matter of choosing good strings and getting a good setup.

 

[Nashrakh]

I'd argue there's nothing inherently wrong with the bass you already have, if you like the general tone. When it comes to versatility or a tighter-feeling B string, experimentation with strings may be in order -- definitely try out some of the stiffer feeling hex core strings, maybe. (Note that you CAN mix sets, so if it's just the B string bothering you, try singles)

If you do want to try a new bass, I will also suggest a Yamaha, albeit a TRB. I play one myself, although it is a 6 string with 35" scale. It's my swiss army knife since I'm in a similar situation. Need to play every genre under the sun in the same set.

 

[BassPun]

I appreciate everyone replying. Good to see everybody's opinions. Gonna keep saving and trying out basses when I can while working on my technique with this poopy Rogue. Don't wanna splurge until I feel like I have the technical faculty for the nicer bass to even matter.

But so far, based on more research and your responses, I'm really interested in trying out the Ibanez SR/BTB lines, their multiscale variants, the Dingwall Combustion/NG3, and a 5 String J-Bass.

 

[dabbler]

I realize that I'm kinda late to this thread, and I realize that the OP might not be able to find one to test out, but IMO a Sire M5 5 string should fulfill his desires. I love my M7.

B string is not floppy and the neck width is not extreme. Plus the pre, with it's sweepable mid frequency and passive tone control, is about as flexible as they come.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

What's up friends. I graduated with a degree in music on saxophone, jazz/pop/rock/funk/rnb/contemporary focused. Currently learning bass to open up more opportunities for teaching/gigging, etc, and just because I like it. Definitely is my primary instrument in an alternate universe.

Been working my way through the hal leonard methods books, transcribing some bass lines from wedding reception playlists, and practicing scales. I think I'm doing fairly decently, and I'm trying to line up an in person lesson soon so somebody can help me out with the parts of the technique that my prior music knowledge can't.

The problem is that I'm currently playing on a rogue 5 string that I got from a family member years ago. The ad on guitar center warns me that the chromium on this instrument could give me cancer. I would definitely like to get a decent bass to replace this now that I'm a few months into learning and I really enjoy it.

First off, welcome to TalkBass (TB). You will find a lot of knowledgeable people here that will give you spot-on advice.

If you're referring to a warning Guitar Center (indeed, many retailers) are "forced" to put on their products. They do it because it "covers their bases" in regards to potential lawsuits.

I'm looking for a 5 string. Recreating exact lines from songs is important to me, and I've noticed a lot of common wedding tunes either use drop tuning or use a low B string. I guess I'm interested in the idea of a multiscale as well, just so that low B string has good tension, but I'm not entirely sold on the idea. Versatility of sound would be nice, so I could play bebop one night, and then play Living On A Prayer the next, and sound fine. (My eventual goal will be to get a double bass when I feel comfortable enough to gig on electric)

I know the P-Bass and J-Bass are really good picks, but I don't know if the 34" scale will make the B string floppy. My Rogue is also 34" and I'd like the B string to be tighter. Ibanez seems to make a lot of 5 strings and multiscales, but it looks like they market heavily to metal guys. People have also suggested Dingwalls and Kiesels to me.

I'm totally open to any suggestions or correction of my own misconceptions.

There are strings which have heavier or lighter tension than stock strings. Tensions vary just from scale and brand choices.

I wouldn't say Ibanez basses are "metal instruments". That may be how Ibanez markets their five strings (I never noticed that), but I can tell you they fit very well into many different genres of music.

 

[Lowendchamp]

2 things:
1: Prop 65 labels just about everything as a carcinogen
2: Most people I know that play metal or punk like Rogues so following that logic, maybe you would like an Ibanez.

 

[P. Aaron]

The 'workhorse bass' for you is going to be the one you instinctively enjoy playing. Doesn't matter the make or model. The tone and feel will be your guide.