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Opinions on the Peavey TL-5...Whatcha got?

Nightsblood

Nightsblood

Jul 15, 2005
622
47
57
Fredericksburg, Virginia
www.facebook.com
#1
I dont know how far this thread will go but, heres a shot...................

I need a new bass. I already have a live setup so, this would be just to play around with. Throw some flats on and groove away. I was pretty much sold on a Lakland 55-01. Ive never played one but, it gets good reviews by everyone and its got a good wide string spacing which I like so Im set right???

Well, while looking around the internet at other basses, I stumbled across the Peavey TL-5. Ive seen them before and I dig em, not to mention I like the Cirrus. But, like the Lakkie, Ive never played one but the word is...they are a killer bass and the best kept secret in bassdom. So, lets get some opinions on the TL-5.

PLEASE.
 
#3
I've played one. It is a killer bass.
But - I love it in part because it has narrow (16.5 or 17 mm) string spacing.
If you like wide, you may not like it.
 
#6
They cost $400 used but have the quality of a $2,000 bass, much like a Cirrus.

The electronics are a little different, and I didn't like the very upper fret access (lower horn got in the way), but they are pretty nice basses.
 
#10
Nightsblood said:
Whats the B like? I watched a Youtube video last night and the B looked super floppy. Is that the case?
Click to expand...

I'm going by my past TL-6 (but it should be about the same, since they're both 34") ... the "B" is pretty good. Not very tight, but not Mr. Flippity Floppity either ... somewhere smack dab in the middle. It has a good sounding "B" ... not too muddy ... which is the most important part. I'd suggest throwing on some Sadowsky's on it, as they've got just about the best "B" in the business ... IMO.

IMO ... for the $$ you can't go wrong with the TL series! Very comfortable, balanced, and sound like a bass that costs twice as much.
 
#11
Played one for 8 years. Excellent bass. Very underated. Can be noisy in the upper end, but the noise never came out in the mix (other instruments and colors cover it up most of the time). Wish I still had my electric blue TL-5:cool:
 
#12
Great, great basses. I sold mine about a year ago to another TBer and for sure should have kept it. Great playability, very solid build and wonderful tone. Mine had the VFL pickups like the Cirrus basses and a good preamp with lots of different tones to dial in. Megga low end if you need it and a very punchy sound. Cut through with my rock band very easily.

basses08005.jpg
 
#13
Well I love both of my TL-5's but actually play six stringers now so had to go to the TL-6. Yeah there are 3 of them in the pic. The Modulus and the green Peavey are the ones that go to the gigs, and honestly I could flip a coin as to which one I will play. Seriously undervalued instruments. For those having noise issues I had the same thing with one of my sixes and repaired it by rolling up tin foil and placing it on the underside of the cavity plate and screwing it down. It was as if the ground circuit was open where the ground strap on the body meets the cavity plate. Oh yeah the green TL-6 that gives the Modulus a run for its money? $395.00 off evilbay last year.
 
#15
I've owned two different TL5's and they were both great basses...just didn't like playing 5's as much as 4 strings. I would highly recommend one. Worst case scenario is that you sell it for what you pay for it usually...I didn't lose a dime on either I owned.
 
#16
I love mine. Great sounding and playing, even with a bad set up. Mine has an electronic problem that I haven't fixed yet, but all it needs is a new jack. I would say go for it. It has a great B string, not as good as a Dingwall, but just as good as any of the best 34" Bs out there.

lowsound
 
#17
I've been playing my P Bass a lot as of late - but:

The TL-Five gets the call tomorrow (Sunday 7/19/09) because of several tunes in Eb. The B string really facilitates those lower notes well.

It'll most likely get the call when I play a blues gig next Saturday as well. The nature of the blues gig is, I won't know what tunes will be played until they're called. I've worked with this guiatr player a couple times before and he likes to capo and play in flat or sharp keys. Again, the five string makes this much easier for me.

I bought my TL-Five new and it's been in heavy rotation ever since. In fact, for about 6 years it was my only bass.
I have no intention of getting rid of it. It's still a great bass.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#18
TL5 said:
I've been playing my P Bass a lot as of late - but:

The TL-Five gets the call tomorrow (Sunday 7/19/09) because of several tunes in Eb. The B string really facilitates those lower notes well.

It'll most likely get the call when I play a blues gig next Saturday as well. The nature of the blues gig is, I won't know what tunes will be played until they're called. I've worked with this guiatr player a couple times before and he likes to capo and play in flat or sharp keys. Again, the five string makes this much easier for me.

I bought my TL-Five new and it's been in heavy rotation ever since. In fact, for about 6 years it was my only bass.
I have no intention of getting rid of it. It's still a great bass.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Great looking bass TL...did you ever get to compare the super ferrites to the VFLs?
 
#20
For the first time I used my TL5 on a gig last night. Everyone I talked to in the crowd said that the tone was amazing. I would say it was too, but there was a blown monitor right in front of me, so everything below a C1 sounded like a hive of bees to me. In practice it sounds great though, so I will trust the crowd on this one. It was most disappointing too, because of the stage set up, I had to use my cab as a monitor for the horns and I was stuck with the buzzy monitor... oh well!

I would definitely recommend a TL5 though! I would also recommend the Dyna 5 too. I got mine for $165 and while it took some elbow grease and minor repairs to bring it up to spec, it will come VERY close to the TL and it has a lot thinner neck. The TL 5 does have a more clear tone though...

Ox.
 

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