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Searching for a 5 string

S

sethplaysbass

Oct 27, 2009
10
0
Nashville, TN
www.myspace.com
#1
Hi! I am new to this forum, but I was just looking for some outside opinions on a 5 string bass. I think it is like destiny for me to get one. Every bass I have seen in the past week has been a 5 string, and I played my buddy's and just really can't believe I have gone so long without those sweet low notes!

I have been leaning toward a music man 5 string, or possibly a spector, or the warwick thumb bass. Im pretty sure I want to shy away from any Fenders...Ive just never been a fan. I love my 4 string american jazz, but I was looking for something different anyway. Price range is like...around $1000 ish. I just want to make sure I get a great one. Anyway, thanks for your opinions!

-Seth
 
#5
Hamer Cruise 5 2Tek. Just killer.

FullFront.jpg
 
#7
A low B does fit well in a band spectrum...

For your $1000 you can get some very cool basses .. it's great time to consider used botiques etc.

T.

sethplaysbass said:
Hi! I am new to this forum, but I was just looking for some outside opinions on a 5 string bass. I think it is like destiny for me to get one. Every bass I have seen in the past week has been a 5 string, and I played my buddy's and just really can't believe I have gone so long without those sweet low notes!

I have been leaning toward a music man 5 string, or possibly a spector, or the warwick thumb bass. Im pretty sure I want to shy away from any Fenders...Ive just never been a fan. I love my 4 string american jazz, but I was looking for something different anyway. Price range is like...around $1000 ish. I just want to make sure I get a great one. Anyway, thanks for your opinions!

-Seth
Click to expand...
 
#8
Don't shy away from Fender if they are the newer 08 and up. I have owned three previous Fender 5's, Early Jazz five, active P 5 and active Jazz 5 and was not impressed with the B string at all.

Have an 08 P5 and it is very nice.

Spector Rebop 5 is a great bargain used. If you don't like the passive pups you can upgrade with actives and a pre from EMG and still be under the $1000 range.
 
#9
Wow, thank you all so much! To answer some of your questions, I'm not totally against a Fender, but I just want something with a little different tone. Although good tone for me would be close to a deep Jazz bass sound. I put the custom noiseless jazz bass pick ups in my american jazz and absolutely love it. The tone I normally work with is through my ampeg svt-3 head, and i usually EQ it very warm and low, with not a lot of mids, just FAT as can be you know? Also, I think I would like to shy away from anything active. I just don't need it. So yeah I am leaning toward the music man. I really just need to get out and play a bunch of these to see what I like. Thanks again guys, any more suggestions are welcome!
 
#11
sethplaysbass said:
....So yeah I am leaning toward the music man....
Click to expand...

In your budget, you probably won't do any better than a Stingray5. They are fantastic, the neck on a SR5 is just amazing to play on. They have a nice, thick tone that can work in any style. I am leaning in that direction myself, even though they are usually on the heavy side for me. They are an industry standard for sure and I can't think of any situations where it wouldn't work.
 
#12
sethplaysbass said:
Also, I think I would like to shy away from anything active. I just don't need it. So yeah I am leaning toward the music man.
Click to expand...

:eyebrow::confused:

Musicman basses are active. If you're still thinking EBMM then SR5 is the way to go and you could get one used for your budget.

If you want passive and active, the Lakland 55-01 and 55-02 are in your price range (used). As is the G&L L-2500 (Tribute or USA, used).
 
#13
sethplaysbass said:
Also, I think I would like to shy away from anything active. I just don't need it. So yeah I am leaning toward the music man.
Click to expand...

:confused:

I think your enthusiasm for finding a sweet 5-er is great...and I definitely encourage you to try as many as possible. However since you seem a tad 'green' about this I just feel the need to point out that all current production MM basses are active...and active as hell might I add. The typically have a very aggressive, active, 'biting' tone - which might work great for you - however, if you want a passive bass, MM is not going to likely have what you are interested in.

However, don't rule them out! I would more likely say you should keep an open mind about getting either an active or a passive bass.

EDIT: didn't see the above post. whoops!
 
#16
Yeah, sorry guys, I know all the Music Man's are active, I just phrased my sentence improperly. Haha. I am not closed to active now, especially since I really like the music man and I wouldn't have a choice if I got one. I would really like to play a Spector Rebop, because I remember the only time I played a Spector, it felt a little strange. Just the scale of the neck was way longer than I was used to, and I was having to reach pretty far out, but it could have just been that one. They are beautiful basses, so I definitely will give that a shot, as well as the Music Man sting ray 5. I think those two will be my best options.
 
#17
You are correct that the Spector is a bit of a reach, especially compared to a Fender type bass. If you switch back and forth a lot you will notice the difference. If you play the Spector pretty much all the time its no big deal and you will come to appreciate the feel.
Best B string in the business and the ReBops are passive. ReBops are also light weight compared to the neck thru versions.
 
#19
G&L L-2500? You can play it passive or active and it'll still give you passive treble and bass without a battery (the tone controls are cut only in active mode,no boost).
Two humbuckers,and series/parallel switching give loads of variation.
In a band situation they really shine tonewise imo. Really big bottom end. Every band I played a G&L in asked me not to bring along other makes of bass.

I love the Stingray 5 too. its a classy bass for sure.

Komp
 

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