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[Recommendation] 5 String (34"), 24 fret, 18mm SS, Lightweight, under 5K

#41
phillipkregg said:
Hey guys,

So I think I've gotten to the point where I know what I like in a bass, so I wanted to get some input from everyone.

  • Basically I want something light weight - but with good balance (doesn't everyone?). I define "light" as below 9 lbs.
  • Needs to be 5 strings and 34" scale length (33" would also be nice)
  • 24 Frets is ideal... but I'm willing to entertain basses that have at least 21
  • I don't like 19mm string spacing - too wide for me. I'd prefer 18mm but would consider less. I really like Music Man string spacing as well, but their 5 string necks are too narrow for me and I often make the G-string slip off the edge of the fingerboard when playing.
  • 5 Grand is my arbitrary cutoff... I'm not exactly what you'd call a "high-roller", but I know quality doesn't come cheap so I'm willing to save up for the perfect fit.
I love the Sadowsky M-24 5 strings, but their string spacing is 19mm from what I have researched.

Roscoe also makes a hell of a great bass, but their scale length is 35" for fives. I've also checked out Elrick, and love their Ex-Pat 5, but alas, it's also 35" scale.

My preference is for the instrument to have a "classic" vibe to it - nothing too crazy modern (although I also have a MM Bongo that I love so I'm willing to entertain ideas :) )

This should narrow it down for all you masters of bassdom... now any suggestions???
Click to expand...


I think I know a guy that could build you 2 for that price... :O)
 
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#42
Hey. For your budget, you could probably get a custom bass built with any and all of the specs you mentioned.
I have been playing a Mike Lull P5 which is just barely over 8 lbs and sounds awesome. It's got nice vintage looks and the passive sound is perfect for me.
If you like the Sadowsky basses, contact them and see what they can do for you.
Best,
Paul

phillipkregg said:
Hey guys,

So I think I've gotten to the point where I know what I like in a bass, so I wanted to get some input from everyone.

  • Basically I want something light weight - but with good balance (doesn't everyone?). I define "light" as below 9 lbs.
  • Needs to be 5 strings and 34" scale length (33" would also be nice)
  • 24 Frets is ideal... but I'm willing to entertain basses that have at least 21
  • I don't like 19mm string spacing - too wide for me. I'd prefer 18mm but would consider less. I really like Music Man string spacing as well, but their 5 string necks are too narrow for me and I often make the G-string slip off the edge of the fingerboard when playing.
  • 5 Grand is my arbitrary cutoff... I'm not exactly what you'd call a "high-roller", but I know quality doesn't come cheap so I'm willing to save up for the perfect fit.
I love the Sadowsky M-24 5 strings, but their string spacing is 19mm from what I have researched.

Roscoe also makes a hell of a great bass, but their scale length is 35" for fives. I've also checked out Elrick, and love their Ex-Pat 5, but alas, it's also 35" scale.

My preference is for the instrument to have a "classic" vibe to it - nothing too crazy modern (although I also have a MM Bongo that I love so I'm willing to entertain ideas :) )

This should narrow it down for all you masters of bassdom... now any suggestions???
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
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#44
phillipkregg said:
Hey guys,

So I think I've gotten to the point where I know what I like in a bass, so I wanted to get some input from everyone.

  • Basically I want something light weight - but with good balance (doesn't everyone?). I define "light" as below 9 lbs.
  • Needs to be 5 strings and 34" scale length (33" would also be nice)
  • 24 Frets is ideal... but I'm willing to entertain basses that have at least 21
  • I don't like 19mm string spacing - too wide for me. I'd prefer 18mm but would consider less. I really like Music Man string spacing as well, but their 5 string necks are too narrow for me and I often make the G-string slip off the edge of the fingerboard when playing.
  • 5 Grand is my arbitrary cutoff... I'm not exactly what you'd call a "high-roller", but I know quality doesn't come cheap so I'm willing to save up for the perfect fit.
I love the Sadowsky M-24 5 strings, but their string spacing is 19mm from what I have researched.

Roscoe also makes a hell of a great bass, but their scale length is 35" for fives. I've also checked out Elrick, and love their Ex-Pat 5, but alas, it's also 35" scale.

My preference is for the instrument to have a "classic" vibe to it - nothing too crazy modern (although I also have a MM Bongo that I love so I'm willing to entertain ideas :) )

This should narrow it down for all you masters of bassdom... now any suggestions???
Click to expand...
Cool on the bongo. I think that and the yamaha edb composite body basse were just real performers and music man pickups are my favorite tone. Wood guys are goung to "bark" at me here, but i support the 24 frets idea because you have two necks to play basically but the best neck ive ever played in 47 years is a Moses graphite neck. No wandering around from humidity, doesnt have dead/loud frets and they have the feel of a well worn bowling ball on the back which becomes broken in to your hand and skin as most necks do now. As far as body wood ive used aluminum plate, stock ash, plywood, etc and i ll be dipped if i can find anything that great about expensive fancy woods. In fact i have a 6 string guitar i built with a chopped wheat straw and resin body that sounds great. Its a form of fire retardent composite used in flush wood door manufacture. For wood fretboards, stewart mcdonald has ebony boards that are fully 5/16" thick at the center and 24 frets on he cheap. Your budget o 5*000$ makes me want tp take on that challenge. Good luck. Have the builder carve it to specifically fit your body and balance lapped without a strap and youll be in heaven.
 
#45
Sadowsky does offer the 18mm bridge on the 5 string; and if you get a 1 3/4 nut, it's going to be really close to your specs. BUT, the neck dimensions are otherwise the same as they make for the 19mm instruments; in other words wider than necessary at the heel. I don't know that either Lull or Valenti offer narrower neck calibrations to match the 18mm bridge. Perhaps, they do; but, if so, I'm a bit surprised Sadowsky doesn't have that.

18mm is a nice dimension on a 5. The problem is that J bass style builders went right to the 19mm calibration; and reality is that new calibrations are very expensive, and most of these makers are just getting by in a pretty niche market. Bless them.
 
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#46
I concur regarding Ken Smith basses-expensive though!!! Another amazing bass is my Sire V7 Marcus Miller 5 Ash with maple fret board. For the money, you will be very hard pressed to get a better bass!!! It looks, plays and sounds amazing. This is coming from a guy who vowed to never get a jazz type bass or a signature bass-OOOOOPS! The low B is sick and the sustain is crazy for a bolt-on bass!

Another luthier to seriously consider is Carl S. Check out these clips.







You should be able to find what you're looking for for less than $5K.
 
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#47
In terms of off the shelf bang for buck, this Ibanez is punching way above its weight. so much so that when the original limited edition run finished, they re-released it and upped the price by £100. Try it and see if it suits you.

For the money your talking though, you could get a Zon, or a Bunny Brunnel or a Stienberg, all of them sound and play amazing and when I am a gizillionairre I shall purchase them all

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#48
Hi there - I like the narrower string spacing as well and had the same problem finding the right bass. So what I did is buy a couple of Hipshot "B" style 5-string bridges and have put them on any bass I have owned. It goes on the Sadowskys without any drilling. In fact when I had them make my NYC I sent them the bridge and they put it on and credited me for the cost of their bridge! Real Mensches! They had never done that before and were JUST talking to Hipshot that week about bridge options.

These bridges can be ordered with 3 different spacings, I believe around 17, 18 and 19mm. I got the 17mm and it works great for me on every 5-string I have ever had. No problem with pickup spacing - from Roger himself!



phillipkregg said:
Hey guys,

So I think I've gotten to the point where I know what I like in a bass, so I wanted to get some input from everyone.

  • Basically I want something light weight - but with good balance (doesn't everyone?). I define "light" as below 9 lbs.
  • Needs to be 5 strings and 34" scale length (33" would also be nice)
  • 24 Frets is ideal... but I'm willing to entertain basses that have at least 21
  • I don't like 19mm string spacing - too wide for me. I'd prefer 18mm but would consider less. I really like Music Man string spacing as well, but their 5 string necks are too narrow for me and I often make the G-string slip off the edge of the fingerboard when playing.
  • 5 Grand is my arbitrary cutoff... I'm not exactly what you'd call a "high-roller", but I know quality doesn't come cheap so I'm willing to save up for the perfect fit.
I love the Sadowsky M-24 5 strings, but their string spacing is 19mm from what I have researched.

Roscoe also makes a hell of a great bass, but their scale length is 35" for fives. I've also checked out Elrick, and love their Ex-Pat 5, but alas, it's also 35" scale.

My preference is for the instrument to have a "classic" vibe to it - nothing too crazy modern (although I also have a MM Bongo that I love so I'm willing to entertain ideas :) )

This should narrow it down for all you masters of bassdom... now any suggestions???
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: phillipkregg
#54
You can check out one builder right where you live. Warwick has a showroom in Nashville and usually has at least one of every model in stock. They are for trying out only - if you want it you must order it. But you can try out all of their models. Print out a price list (the USA one) and take it with you as none have a price on them. They usually will knock off some so if the price says $5K you may be able to order it for $4 or so. Or, do as I do - try the models there that you are interested in, then go home and search on the internet to see if anyone has them in stock, and what their best prices are. A certain Bass store in Central Orlando can usually order them quicker and a lower price. Good luck! Oh, call before you go as they are moving out to the Nashville airport. I haven't been to the new location yet so can't give directions. And FWIW most Warwick string spacing is up to you - their bridges move left - right, up - down, and forward - backwards.
 
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#55
Blankandson said:
You can check out one builder right where you live. Warwick has a showroom in Nashville and usually has at least one of every model in stock. They are for trying out only - if you want it you must order it. But you can try out all of their models. Print out a price list (the USA one) and take it with you as none have a price on them. They usually will knock off some so if the price says $5K you may be able to order it for $4 or so. Or, do as I do - try the models there that you are interested in, then go home and search on the internet to see if anyone has them in stock, and what their best prices are. A certain Bass store in Central Orlando can usually order them quicker and a lower price. Good luck! Oh, call before you go as they are moving out to the Nashville airport. I haven't been to the new location yet so can't give directions. And FWIW most Warwick string spacing is up to you - their bridges move left - right, up - down, and forward - backwards.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that! I had no idea there was a warwick showroom around here
 
#56
phillipkregg said:
Hey guys,

So I think I've gotten to the point where I know what I like in a bass, so I wanted to get some input from everyone.
This should narrow it down for all you masters of bassdom... now any suggestions???
Click to expand...

Check out Carvin (now Kiesel) Basses. I love my Bromberg B-24. All models are fully customized. You pick everything from woods and hardware, to electronics, and they'll only set you back about $1,500 or so. You won't find better for twice the price.

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