I went bass shopping today but am determined to shop, compare and to take my time!
Jeez-o-Pete, it seemed like just about every other bass I tried needed some serious work. My hunt is on for THEE 5 string because my Fender 5 string Jazz is just to bulky for me. The body feels too big, the neck radius is too rounded and the necks to wide for me. I'm no shrimp either...5'11" with good sized hands and fingers, but this bass and I aren't a good match. (Like my ex-wife and me!).
Tried an Ibanez 755 model that I thought had some potential. Sounded good...real good as a matter of fact but the action was a bit high for my liking. Asked the salesperson to lower the saddles a bit of which he did and it had a horrid spot on the D and A strings at frets 14, 15 and 16. A good fret level may be all it needs, but I was leary. Found a used 755 at the same store and the fret buzz on that one was REALLY bad on the G, D and A strings from the 1st thru the 4th frets, but the rest of the neck was trouble free. I passed on that one.
I also tried a German Warwick Corvette that was rather pricey for me (never tried a Warwick before) and I rather enjoyed it. While the fretboard width was smaller than my Fender 5 string Jazz, the neck had that deep, D shape to it as I've heard they have. I believe the term used is "baseball bat", but a pretty comfortable one!! I believe it was also a 35" scale (correct me if I'm wrong). Felt a tad akward at first but I seemed to settle into it after a few minutes. Nice sound, but the G string seemed a bit weak to me compared to the other strings. I've read this can sometimes be a problem with 35" scale basses. But I really wouldn't mind checking out some of thier less expensive models if I can find some. But this bass in particular was one that didn't seem to have any immediate setup issues, so high marks to Warwick for that.
I've really been wanting to try some Musicman Stingrays but haven't been able to find any. Low and behold this store had three of them!! (Oh, joy!!). Good GOD, but all three of them were the worst in terms of needing a setup. The strings on all three were practically laying on the frets, so it was "buzz, rattle, buzz, clank, rattle" everywhere. Had the salesperson tweak one of them a bit but it still needed more. Despite the less than perfect setup I could tell that the Stingray 5 necks were very, very comfortable to play.
Also tried a Schector Stiletto 5 string Model. 35" scale but this one seemed so long it felt like my arm was out in the parking lot! Maybe good for some but not for me.
Of what I've found so far (despite setup concerns) is that in terms of sheer playing comfort it's a toss up between Ibanez and Musicman. Neither felt bulky, the smaller necks with the flatter radius were very comfortable and off the bat, if each had a pro setup done I think I'd have a very hard time deciding which of the two I'd walk away with.
So next weekend the hunt continues!
). Those are great basses and should more than provide the tone you're looking for. As an added bonus, the B-string on my Corvettes were *fantastic*.
Just kidding.
