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Poll: 5-string that mixes well with dub and trip-hop

Which bass for dub tones in a synth filled psychedelic jam band.

  • Total voters
    15
yummychopsuey

yummychopsuey

Aug 28, 2008
6
0
US
#1
(I know I know, another pick my bass for me thread!)

I'm searching for another bass that plays well with dub and trip-hop style synth-heavy tracks. I've only ever owned my Fender American Deluxe Jazz IV, which by the way is such a wonderful bass to play. Anyways, I need a fiver that fits

Music similar to Shpongle/Bluetech with lots of dubby jams, and two to three upbeat DnB (playing along with backing tracks, a drummer, synth-keys player, and a guitarist.)

I wonder, can all of these basses potentially produce the right tone, depending on the technique, amp, pedals, and strings?
 
#6
I've used these 5-strings for various dubby, tubby, and trippy things:

Valenti 35" scale 5-string with Sadowsky electronics
Lakland 35" scale 5-string Skyline 55-60 passive Joe Osborn
Lakland 35" scale 5-string Skyline 55-01D bone-stock
MTD 35" scale 5-string Kingston MIM passive one pickup model

For me the Fender 5-string low B feels too floppy.
You've also got to have a rig with the goods.

Just heard Maoli in Dallas a few weeks ago. Amazing!!! Bassist played an StingRay 5H.
Music Man StingRay 5 H - Natural | Sweetwater.com
 
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#7
The problem is most guitar shops only stock up on the big sellers and cheaper models from Fender and Ibanez basses around here (NC). Anyone get lucky spending more than $1500+ without ever playing the instrument?

I went to the local Guitar Center (lacking bass selection) and played the top shelf basses they carry. Used Stingray 5 felt especially good! I also jammed on a new American Deluxe Jazz V and it looked way more professionally made and sounded better than my current Mexican Jazz.

Funny enough the bassist in this video is using some version of a Stingray:
 
#8
In my opinion, while there are any number of instruments that could fit the bill for you, of the short list you've presented here, I would favor the Musicmen (Bongo 5 and Stingray 5). More important to me than a 35-inch scale would be the presence of high-quality active electronics (both pickups and preamp), the combination of materials that would give your instrument the particular timbre you favor, and of course a suitable set of strings. The rig and the proper technique, as ever, are a given.

For these genres of music, you need a powerful signal, as well as highly-flexible active EQ, with which to slot yourself into and/or under what could be a busy mix. The Bongo and the Ray will get you there. (My preference would be the Bongo, but YMMV.)

MM
 
#9
Mystic Michael said:
In my opinion, while there are any number of instruments that could fit the bill for you, of the short list you've presented here, I would favor the Musicmen (Bongo 5 and Stingray 5). More important to me than a 35-inch scale would be the presence of high-quality active electronics (both pickups and preamp), the combination of materials that would give your instrument the particular timbre you favor, and of course a suitable set of strings. The rig and the proper technique, as ever, are a given.

For these genres of music, you need a powerful signal, as well as highly-flexible active EQ, with which to slot yourself into and/or under what could be a busy mix. The Bongo and the Ray will get you there. (My preference would be the Bongo, but YMMV.)

MM
Click to expand...
Probably this, but I wouldn't rule out the BTB for the same reasons listed above. Plus, they're a bit cheaper than the Musicman offerings.
 

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