Recommend me a 5 string that falls within my rules!

[Evil Undead]

So my rules are:

Less than 8.5lbs
No neck dive
Reasonably slim neck

 

[cjmodulus]

I'd say an ibanez fits the bill pretty well.
Or you could always come back to the Spector camp
I wouldn't call the neck on my legend slim, but it's certainly not a baseball bat either.

 

[mongo2]

My Ibanez SR505 satisfies all your criteria.

 

[aqsw]

Dingwall ABZ5

 

[guy n. cognito]

On what budget?

 

[Megas3300]

Ibanez SRxx5 really, just pick one you like, they are reasonably light, and come in all price ranges and wood choices!

 

[Evil Undead]

Preferably under $1000. I don't mind used but prefer new if possible, because it's good to have a warranty.

 

[georgestrings]

I'd say an ibanez fits the bill pretty well.
Or you could always come back to the Spector camp
I wouldn't call the neck on my legend slim, but it's certainly not a baseball bat either.

No offense, but Spector strikes out on 2 of 3, based on his criteria - their necks definitely aren't slim, and their 5ers will weigh well over 8.5lbs...

I'd say an Ibanez is in the OP's future...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

Preferably under $1000. I don't mind used but prefer new if possible, because it's good to have a warranty.

I actually prefer to buy a bass that's a few years old - that way, if the neck is good when you get it, it's probably going to stay that way...


- georgestrings

 

[awilkie84]

For sub-$1k, you're looking at an Ibanez SR. My only beef is that teh 34" scale on the bolt-ons feels a bit floppy on the low side. Thankfully, you could go with an SR7x or SR9x and get a neck-thru. They seem to feel tighter.

 

[Evil Undead]

I actually prefer to buy a bass that's a few years old - that way, if the neck is good when you get it, it's probably going to stay that way...


- georgestrings

That's interesting, thanks for that.

How do I tell if the neck is good on an older bass?

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

My used CB 5'er doesn't quite weigh 8lbs. You'll have a hard time finding one though.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

PS if your B string is too floppy, try changing to Ernie Ball strings. They seem to have a higher tension than many others.

 

[J Posega]

Dingwall Combustion in that price range, up it a couple hundred more and get a Dingwall ABZ. Mine is 7 lb 14 oz with no dive.

 

[kjpollo]

Ibanez or MAYBE Yamaha are probably the best options.

I know Ibanez necks are on the thinner side- thats the main reason I dont own one- their necks are just too thin for my tastes.

Yamaha is usually has models at all the same price points as Ibanez and they make some really good stuff. I'm just not as familiar with their necks because I havent found much of their new stuff in stores near me.

I have to agree that Spectors probably wont make the grade because of weight.

Good luck and make sure you tell us what you got!!

 

[Evil Undead]

I will

I'm keen on a Spector Rebop - my friend has a 5 string one and his weighs 8lbs, but I'm not sure about the balance. Gotta love that body shape though!

Weight and balance are very important to me, as is a good neck.

 

[kjpollo]

PS if your B string is too floppy, try changing to Ernie Ball strings. They seem to have a higher tension than many others.

Thanks for that tip- I need to try that for my 34" 5er.

 

[georgestrings]

That's interesting, thanks for that.

How do I tell if the neck is good on an older bass?

Well, *I* do a quick and rough setup, and if I can't get a good medium low action that way, without too much buzz, I won't buy it... I can also sight down a neck, and see some things - others can be revealed by playing it fow awhile... You would be looking for thinks like a twist, ski jump, etc... after setting a proper amount of neck relief...

This is an area where experience matters, TBH...


- georgestrings

 

[scottfeldstein]

My Ibanez SR505 satisfies all your criteria.

+1

And you can get a brand new one for around $500-$600. I just bought one a month ago and I love it. If you want to spend even more money, you can look at the next higher SR x05 models, but I'm not convinced you get that much more for your money until you get to their Grooveline and really high end models. A used one of those might be had under a grand, not sure.

 

[Evil Undead]

+1

And you can get a brand new one for around $500-$600. I just bought one a month ago and I love it. If you want to spend even more money, you can look at the next higher SR x05 models, but I'm not convinced you get that much more for your money until you get to their Grooveline and really high end models. A used one of those might be had under a grand, not sure.

I used to have a 505 with a maple board, and really loved it. I'm so sorry I let it go now.