Recommend me a 5 string that falls within my rules!

[SwagAttack]

+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.

Got a SR5000 Prestige for a little over a grand. So maybe the SR 4000 or 4500 can be used for about a grand. Just keep your eyes open since they are relatively new basses, so not too many used ones out yet.

 

[cjmodulus]

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

True, I wasn't thinking about the weight issue. I can say that the bolt on models are a good bit lighter than the neck through ones. Their neck profiles vary from Model to model as well, but yes, they're usually on the medium/thick side.
But yeah, on this one it's looking like ibanez is the way to go.

 

[georgestrings]

True, I wasn't thinking about the weight issue. I can say that the bolt on models are a good bit lighter than the neck through ones. Their neck profiles vary from Model to model as well, but yes, they're usually on the medium/thick side.
But yeah, on this one it's looking like ibanez is the way to go.

Spector makes a nice 5er, no doubt about it - I played a pair of Q5s for several years, and they sounded great and were very reliable... In the end, I found that 34" scales are more comfortable for me, so my days of playing Spector 5ers came to an end...


- georgestrings

 

[Munjibunga]

A Sadowsky NYC would fill the bill better than pretty much anything. Too bad on the budget.

 

[G On Bass]

Carvin B50. Unless you go nuts with fancy woods and 5 piece necks, you can get it built to your spec for less than $1,000 brand new. Both mine are less than 8.5 pounds and have no neck dive. No bass I have ever owned (including a few listed in the thread) has played any better or had a better B string, even those at more than twice the price and at 35".

A used SB5000 could also be a great choice, but they can run into the 9 pound range, so ask for the weight.

 

[recycled rocker]

I love my sr505 only problem I have is the finish leaves a little to be desired IMHO

 

[madbassplaya]

Carvin B50. Unless you go nuts with fancy woods and 5 piece necks, you can get it built to your spec for less than $1,000 brand new. Both mine are less than 8.5 pounds and have no neck dive. No bass I have ever owned (including a few listed in the thread) has played any better or had a better B string, even those at more than twice the price and at 35".

Solid suggestion.

 

[peledog]

All the Ibanez basses I've tried have been very light. Granted, I didn't have a scale with me - but in terms of neck thickness, weight, scale and budget - this seems like it might be the way to go. My Rebop is under 8lbs - and the 5 was about 8.5, but it has a 35" scale. To me neck dive was not an issue - I solved it with my strap and the position I play - it's more up against the body then lower down - so I never had any issues.

I've tried a Dingwall Combustion 5 - amazing bass - not sure about the weight, but I think it was listed at 8.5lbs

I lucked out with my MIJ Fender Jazz 4 string, it's under 8lbs - but I digress, since you're looking for a 5er.

Good luck!!

 

[Nicknobody]

My Ibanez SR505 satisfies all your criteria.

I have the same bass it it kicks all kinds of butt for the price. thenicknobody - YouTube (my playing my SR505) you can play anything on it and the weight is quite nice. Just make sure if you go Ibanez that you go with the bartoloni pickups. They are quite amazing. I know people that build custom pickups and they give a thumbs up to bartoloni pickups.

 

[BioDriver]

Another vote for the Ibanez SR.