Recommend me a 5'er - best bang for the buck

Ibanez SR805...



... active option only, on this model. Right in your price range, though... plays more like a six string electric, IMO.

 

As far as J's go I"m totally happy with my Fender V although I had to change the pickups to get there. For Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, I would probably lean more toward some Ibanez model in the appropriate price range. Hard to go wrong there. I would do it for the fatter soapbar kind of tone over the clarity of a J. However for me personally, my #1 choice is G&L L2500. really does it all and does it for me. I got mine (used USA L2500) right in your price range.

 

One of my basses is a Sq Dimension V.... It came with the Fender high mass bridge.... I like the hell out of it...
Cheap in price but killer quality... MF Stupid Deal for a couple hundred... Sq Dims are discontinued but can be found cheap...

Cool body style, comfortable to play, and punchy as hell...

 

Tmb605 $600 new. Sounds, looks, and plays amazing.

 

I would agree that the Ibanez Tmb605 is one possible option. Another 5 string bass that I think is a "best buy" is the Yamaha TRBX605FM. They are listed at $650 but can be had for less. Sound is personal so let's put that aside for a moment. For the money you aren't going to find a better built, more comfortable bass. In terms of quality of build, on a scale of 1-10 this is an 11. Putting sound back into the equation, to really experience this bass's potential you have to change out the stock D'Addario strings. The stock strings are not representative of how this bass could or should sound like. The few video reviews I heard were "weak". With stock strings, sadly it sounds like the videos. Pay no attention to them. It is a totally different animal with "hotter" strings (I've got DR Pure Blues on now and sounds marvelous). It can run in active or passive mode so there are a lot of tone opportunities once you figure this thing out.

 

Someone else mentioned the Squier Dimension V active bass... Here's a deal for ya if you want to go cheap... Squier Deluxe Dimension V Bass 2015 Black | Adam Thompson

Also, if you can find an Ibanez SR5 (not 505) for a decent price in good shape you should check it out. MUCH better quality of body wood than the 505 and sounds killer. Our local GC had one two weeks ago for $650 (NOS) but it's gone now.

 

I would go to a store and try a bunch out and find out which ones you find comfortable and which ones don’t and go from there.

There are only a select few 5’ers that feel comfortable in my hands, but there’s no point in listing them because your results will likely vary.

 

I'll second the Ibby TMB series, and nominate anything by Sire - both have lots of bang for the buck. Check out the Sire M2 and V3 if the budget is tight.

 

That's the same model I have... Killer bass.... More than holds its own...

 

Ibanez ATK 305.

She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid. - Han Solo

 

MTD CRB 5. Great B string, easy to play (comfy neck) and a nice P sound with a simple control layout.

 

I guess you may find this on classified for about 700. Cant praise it enough.
Ibanez srsc805. Neckthru, 18 mm at the bridge, light, passive/active...

 

The active one is more than your budget, but the passive is right around your top end.
Active: Yamaha - BB700 Series 5-String Bass Guitar - Dark Coffee Sunburst

Passive: Yamaha - BB435 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Tobacco Brown Sunburst

 

Bought this 2nd-hand Maruszczyk Jake 5string for €700,-; it has a wonderful low B although it's "only" 34inch scale.

 

Yamaha gets another vote, Check out BB series.
Sire is fine machine.
Consider Michael Kelly, too

 

I dont care much for that humongous bridge, but that is a really nice looking bass!

BnB

 

I just got a BB735A for 600 euros in almost new condition. It's a great bass for its value. Well built, really versatile, sounds great in active or passive mode, and plays like butter. I absolutely recomend it as an amazing workhorse.