Just play some basses. Particularly a Sadowsky Jazz, and see if you can be bothered with the rest.
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Recommendations for a Modern 5 String Bass
- Thread starter PrestoZoom
- Start date
I have never seen one of these in stock in any stores near me since they came out a couple of years ago.
I play 5 exclusive and it all depends on how much of a brand fan you are. I own 6 5ers and I recently picked up a Sire Z7-5 ($700 from Sweetwater) that is truly outstanding. The Z3-5 is (imho) even a better bass for the money.
I did change out the tuners with hipshot ultra lights that has made this bass my most comfortable to play.
I did change out the tuners with hipshot ultra lights that has made this bass my most comfortable to play.
Just wanted to share an update since I visited a local store today which had a surprising amount of basses/brands I've heard in this thread. I was able to play quite a few.
I'm going to try out a Bongo this weekend. Right now, I'm leaning toward one of the multiscale BTB 5 strings as they strike a good balance of features and price for me but we'll see what happens. I'm not in a huge rush so I may watch the used market and see if I can find a higher-end bass for a good price.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and input.
- I played a Dingwall D-Roc 4 string. It was nice but my test confirmed that it was not for me.
- I played a few BTBs - a five string and a six string. Both were totally fine and I didn't have issues with the neck or body shape (sitting and standing).
- I played an older MTD Kingston. It felt very good. Tone was not what I want but that was due to the pickup configuration (which was different from current models).
- I played an EHB headless model. It was good. No major issues with the tone or feel but I worry a little about the headstock configuration (or lack thereof). Probably just me being overly cautious.
- I played a Spector Euro 5. Felt really nice but also way above my budget.
I'm going to try out a Bongo this weekend. Right now, I'm leaning toward one of the multiscale BTB 5 strings as they strike a good balance of features and price for me but we'll see what happens. I'm not in a huge rush so I may watch the used market and see if I can find a higher-end bass for a good price.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and input.
That's my sweet spot!
Both the EB MM StingRay 5H that I previously owned & my current Cort B5 Element have 18mm!
You could drop a 3 band a/p preamp into just about anything these days, so don’t let the stock configuration trip you up. Some great options mentioned, particularly if you’re willing the buy used (Yamaha TRB, for example). But you really ought to get your hands on a few of them because choosing a 5 string can be a bit more challenging due to nut widths, string spacing, weight, ergonomics, etc. Plenty of options within a $2k budget.
If you demo a BTB be sure to spend some time with it as there are so many different tones you can get out of it. For me the mid's switch opens so many tonal doors that I'm still exploring what I can do with the my BTB1825. As I get to know it better it competes for my #1 with my Sandberg. It would be nice if anything you're considering you can purchase with a 30-45 day return. When I got my 675 I wanted to return it right away, but kept it for longer. After 30 days I no longer wanted to return it even though I had alreadry received my TRBX605, which I thought was going to replace the BTB.
Even with my limited time playing it in a store (and with a store amp, limited setup, etc.), it was clear that the BTB's can offer a lot of sounds and almost all of them were good tones.
Having played a bunch of basses over the last few days, I think I'm going to end up with 2 new ones and sell/trade 4 of my current set. I'm planning to sell/trade my TRBX605, Spector Legend, Squier Jazz, and SBMM Ray 35. I will replace these with 1 or 2 of the following:
- MTD K5
- MTD Super 5
- Ibanez BTB of some type (possibly multiscale)
- Reverend Triad 5
I'll eventually replace my G&L L-2500 tribute also but that will become a CLF or US made L-2500. I love that style of bass too much to drop from my rotation but my tribute is super heavy so I want to upgrade it at some point.
The MTD basses I've played have really been amazing. I'm glad I posted this thread because they weren't on my radar before and now they are at the top of the list.
I don't like buying new basses unless its something rare that there is no other choice...I prefer buying used.
The talkbass classifieds are pretty well chocked full with basses on your list, and especially used Spectors.
You dollar goes farther buying used.
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It sound like a good plan. I don't know the spefic MTD or Revernd models but I'm aware of the brands. Doesn't Heinrich Linder play MTD?
The TRBX is a great instrument for the price, but it seemed to lack a bit of versatility. It has a different kind of sound. My Sandberg/Ken Taylor had similar specs but is way more versatile sounding, starting off with Music Man style dual pickups.
I took the time to look up all the basses you listed. Obviously you have to decide for yourself. But here are my thoughts...
I like the MTD Super 5 over the K5, but they wouldn't be on my shopping list. Instead of the Reverend Triad I would probably go for the Reverend Mercalis (which I almost bought, just before I bought my Sandberg) Speaking of Sandberg... I think that might be another brand on your short list. On a lazy Saturday afternoon my wife and I spontaneously visited Chicago Music Exchange. She spotted this Sandberg on the rack and said "what about this one", going on its exotic looks alone. The sales guy who I knew previously said I shoulld take it into the practice room and try it. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. What I can't understand is that, with the exception of the electronics, it has almost identical physical specs as my TRBX605 had. WHY WAS IT SO MUCH EASIER TO PLAY??? Great and different sound than my other basses. I couldn't put it down. Gasped at the price tag. Haggled a little and took it home and never looked back. [See avatar]. Sandberg is kinow for their quality basses. I paid up because of the exotic wood, but the basic of what they call the "Basic" model is over $1000 less than what I paid. Lots of pros, especially in Europe swear by Sandberg.
I think it takes time to really get to know an instrument. I don't know that I had fully explored my BTB675 and utilized it properly. But I have had the BTB1825, since May 1st of last year and I am just now getting to know it, and I don't think I yet understand all the sound variations that I can dial in. All I know is that everyone I play with loves its sound and I get comments on how "beefy" the sound is. But it's not in-your-face and overbearing at the same time. And, in spite of the scale length being 35" and the fingerboard a bit wider than my other basses it is super comfortable. At first I had a problem with the sharp ridge on the top bout (that the 675 didn't have), but I don't even feel it any more.
I actually already own a Reverend Mercalli 5. It's one of my main basses and it's amazing.
The reason I was considering the Triad 5 is because I love the Mercalli so much and the quality of the basses are exceptional for their pricepoint. I was thinking that the Triad might give me some tonal variety but I fear it will have too much overlap with the Mercalli.
I love the ergonomics of the TRBX (and Yamaha necks/fretboards in general) but the tone is just - meh. I've sometimes thought that I'm looking for something like a TRBX body routed to contain G&L MFD pickups but with 35" scale.
The MTD Super 5 is interesting but I may end up with a EBMM Stingray at some point and it feels like they both cover the same ground.
I've never seen or played a Sandberg in person. I will try to track one down.
I'm not in a hurry to buy something since my needs are met for now and I'm just starting on the journey to replace some of the "wanted to try" or "good" basses in my collection with higher quality, keep-it-for-life basses.
The TRBX is ripe for some Nordstrand or Delano or similar P2 sized pickups.
I would be hard pressed to decide which Nordstrand pickups to use, though - probably the DC5 (series optimized) or the Big Splits, but there are SO many options.
Lots of good onboard preamp options - I like John East Uni-Pre and Nordstrand.
Replacing the stock bridge and tuners with Hipshots would improve the sound as well.
I don't think the pickups on the TRBX are P2 sized. They are close but, when I measure them, them seem to be a few mm different.
I'll have to re-check. If I can swap the electronics without routing, that might be an option.
In terms of my Sandberg, think of the TRBX605 that had babiies with the EBMM Stingray 5
. Weight, measurements almost identical to the TRBX, but the pickups and electronics lend themselsves to the MM sound with 2 pickups. I swear, I had no intention of buying a bass that day and was just killing time when I found it. It is amazing and unique. But if I had 20 seconds to choose a bass and run out the door, it would definitely be a toss-up between the BTB1825 and the Sandberg. My Fender Jazz 5 and P5, though great basses on their own are unremarkable compared to the Sandberg and BTB.
I know people have done it, but there is a small gap (IIRC).
