Only one 5-string Bass?

[seansbrew]

A used Zon.

 

[gkbass13]

stretch those fingers a little and get a lakland

if not i agree with the pedulla raptures and sadowsky choices that have been mentioned....not a fan of bongo's though.

 

[bongomania]

Fender ADPV. Great feel, super versatile range of tones, nice solid B. Sure, they're discontinued, but they show up now and then.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Fender ADPV. Great feel, super versatile range of tones, nice solid B. Sure, they're discontinued, but they show up now and then.

+1

Exact same thing is true for the Fender RB5, which I also recommend.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Used Ken Smith BSR5J-MW of course!

 

[high mileage]

The reach to first position on my 5-string, 34" Bongo feels like it's farther than my 5-string, 35" Lakland...

 

[Bassism]

I'd recommend a Conklin GT-5.
Real nice bass, if you upgrade the electrics, and still in your range

 

[59jazz]

I'll second Fuzz's vote for the RBV....excellent choice for jazz, gospel, blues and funk. This bass flat out plows a deep groove every other Sunday in a 500-600 seat chapel.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

Line6 Variax 705. It can do anything, and they're 34" scales.

Oh, and only $500 new.

Dave

 

[rockstarbassist]

Got a Flea 5'er for sale as we speak.

Great all around instrument and 34" scale to boot!

 

[swpyne]

Lakland 55-94 or a Modulus Q5 (used of course)

 

[porteous]

Pedulla Rapture J2. Very comfortable...

I got mine 2 years ago for $1500...

 

[radmin]

I snaged a used warwick corvette pro 5 for 800 off ebay. (if you like jazz pickups)

Any ash or maple Warwick is a great bass. Others are too heavy for me.

I played an ash double bucker last week at GC.
VERY versitile and light. Better looking than the bongo too
The three way switches can do it all.

 

[Trevorus]

G&L 2500... Or a Reverend 5L (but they are 35" but VERY comfy).

 

[The Penguin]

Used or new - Smith, Tobias, older Peavey (of course you'd have to keep most of your money), Headless Status, Steinberger, Sukop, Alembic, Modulus, Zon.

 

[smeet]

I don't know much about the Thunderbolt, but at $700 this looks like a good deal...

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[Christov]

I would search for a used Pedulla MVP-5 or a Pentabuzz (fretless). Fit, finish, balance, playability, tone, construction.... ALL top notch. I have owned many types of basses over the years and the MVP/Buzz series is as versatile and wonderful playing as you will find. If you want a fretless, the Pentabuzz IS my only choice. The basses feature a 34" scale, neckthrough construction, active Bartolini electronics and pickups. The neck is thin and fast, and with the Buzz series the ebony 24 position fingerboard is "diamondkote" finished which is 80% as hard as glass, so roundwound strings can be used without damage for the ultimate growl!!!

 

[needmoney]

Well seeings as a lot of the suggestions in this thread have been quite biased and seemingly useless, here's some good all round suggestions (new and/or used) which you pretty much can't go wrong with for the stuff you wanna play, you're gonna have to decide how you want to sound though..

Fender Jazz 5 (Deluxe, Standard, the new 24 Fret model looks cool!)
Fender Roscoe Beck 5 (covers a whole heap of stuff)
G&L L-2500 (also covers a whole heap of stuff)
Stingray 5 (H, HS, HH, whatever!)
Yamaha TRB-5II (34" scale and wider spacing than the new ones)
Peavey Cirrus 5 (very popular)
Warwick 5 (Corvette, Thumb, Streamer I/II/LX)


Good luck!

 

[puff father]

One more useless, biased suggestion...

There's usually one or two used Sadowsky Metros for sale around here. If you're lucky maybe a used F Bass in that price range. Either one would be very nice.

I only suggest it cause that is what I would look for for the same type of music.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't know much about the Thunderbolt, but at $700 this looks like a good deal...

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That is an EXCELLENT deal!!!