I have small hands and my first 5 and 6 were soundgears. The neck is super friendly.
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Sell me on a 5 string.
- Thread starter Alowishus Mudd
- Start date
I have to agree with the trbx505. I bought one used, very cheap, as a backup to my Carvin. While I’ve always believed that Yamaha instruments punch above their weigh, I was very impressed with it. For the past 18 months the Carvin has lived at our rehearsal space and I practice at home on the Yamaha.
Used
MusicMan Stingray5
Spector Euro
Dingwall Combustion or NG-2
MTD Kingston Super 5
New
Yamaha 735A
Schector Stilleto Stage 5
MusicMan Stingray5
Spector Euro
Dingwall Combustion or NG-2
MTD Kingston Super 5
New
Yamaha 735A
Schector Stilleto Stage 5
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- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
I have 15 basses that I have bought used. No headachesI'm not against buying used gear. I just prefer my headaches come with a warranty.
You can't go wrong with Warwick or Ibanez.
One of the G&L models with the MFD Humbuckers - either the L-2500 or the M-2500. The L-2500 is (IMO) the more versatile of the two, and can provide a reasonable emulation of many popular basses if you are willing to take the time to dial it in correctly. You can get reasonable facsimiles of a P, J, MM and other well-known sounds. The L-2500 will cut through even the most brutal of mixes. The control set on the L-2500 is somewhat unconventional, as the bass and treble controls are "cut only" and you really need to learn the switches to take full advantage of the capabilities of the instrument. One of the switches will put the bass in passive mode, a great solution if your battery happens to check out, and you don't have a replacement. Simply throw the switch and keep playing. If you go with a L-2500, I would suggest that you order one from the factory and request that it be built with the "K option". This option replaces the series/parallel 2-way switch with a 3-way series/parallel/single coil switch. The single-coil option takes one of the most versatile basses available and gives it a nearly ridiculous range of possibilities.
If you prefer a bass with a more "traditional" control set, the M-2500 features the familiar Volume-Blend-Bass-Middle-Treble controls with no switches. The pickups on the M-2500 are essentially the L-2500 PU under-wound by 11%. The M-2500 is often described as more "polite" sounding than the L-2500, but you can still get a very aggressive sound if you wish. It will not offer you quite the same level of angry "snarl" that you can get with a L-2500, but still has enough "oomph" to cut through the mix.
On either model, you get the G&L build quality, which is (IMO) among the best in the price range.
If you prefer a bass with a more "traditional" control set, the M-2500 features the familiar Volume-Blend-Bass-Middle-Treble controls with no switches. The pickups on the M-2500 are essentially the L-2500 PU under-wound by 11%. The M-2500 is often described as more "polite" sounding than the L-2500, but you can still get a very aggressive sound if you wish. It will not offer you quite the same level of angry "snarl" that you can get with a L-2500, but still has enough "oomph" to cut through the mix.
On either model, you get the G&L build quality, which is (IMO) among the best in the price range.
Agreed. I just checked my master list lol and I bought 29 of my instruments used. I can only think of one of them having had an issue and it was rather easily rectified.. and with even better results than expected.I have 15 basses that I have bought used. No headaches
In that price range you have no end of choices. I have 3 and enjoy playing each of them. Fender American Jazz 5 string that I put Lindy Fralin pick ups in and absolutely love. Super easy action and tone for days. I also have a Fender American 5 string Precision that is a work horse and has great tone. Lastly I have a Gibson 5 string Thunderbird. Her previous owner put Thunderbucker pick ups in and she is my only active bass. Much different than the Fenders, but great fun and an anything from a purr to a growl to a roar from those pick ups. I have had great luck with all 3of my five strings. I wish you the best of luck on your quest.
For that money I would consider:
- Lakland
- Stingray
- Dingwall NG2
- Yamaha BBP35
All of them have solid B strings IME.
- Lakland
- Stingray
- Dingwall NG2
- Yamaha BBP35
All of them have solid B strings IME.
The Ibanez SoundGear string spacing is very comfortable for me. I believe it's in the same neighborhood as all my Warwicks. I think the Ibanez BTB series has much wider spacing, just a heads up.
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The only Spector 5’s available with 19mm string spacing are the USA models. I have a Forte 5 with 19mm string spacing, but I bought mine used for about $1k more than the original poster is looking to spend. They are COMPLETELY worth it though, best playing and sounding 5 string I’ve ever owned..
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Great suggestions and advice from everyone. Thank you all! I was mostly fishing for what was most popular within my price range to use as a starting point. Guess I will have to hit some stores instead of being lazy and using Sweetwater for this one. The Kiesel option sounds fun, though.
Warwick 5ers have 16.5 mm (that is 0.65 inches) string spacing, which is on the narrower side of 5er spacings. I think the Soundgears are about the same. I'd suggest something like a Warwick, if you're into gritty, growling tone!
You would be correct. The BTB basses are closer to a broad-neck warwick.. or many ken smiths. The soundgears are some of the thinnest necks and tightest spacing around, which is great for smaller hands. Dont get me wrong lol... i love me some 19mm spacing on a jazz or P, but once you add 2 more strings... its just too much
Mudd, here's one that fits the bill from a name that has a big-time presence in big rock and metal, ESP:
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Ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, 6-bolt neck, sealed keys, Babicz bridge, Quarter Pounders with Seymour's BlackOut electronics, for a grand, direct from ESP in SoCal. Case extra (always . . . . ), but free shipping.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em . . . . . ESP's are WAY under-rated.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, 6-bolt neck, sealed keys, Babicz bridge, Quarter Pounders with Seymour's BlackOut electronics, for a grand, direct from ESP in SoCal. Case extra (always . . . . ), but free shipping.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em . . . . . ESP's are WAY under-rated.
