Spec Bass Search - 35" 5 String

[Jazzjames]

Generally I find the suggestion of a Lakland skyline a good one, as there isn’t much better at that price. I have a Korean 55-01 with Nordstrand Big Singles and a Glockenklang active/passive preamp. The front pickup definitely has more meat than the 5502’s jazz style pickup, which is why I went for the 01 over the 02. Standard bass (5501) has pretty average pickups and electronics so bear that in mind. Mine was already upgraded when I bought it. Lovely necks and all round good quality basses for that price range.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Yamaha BBP35. It’s in budget and has all the specs you’re looking for, right? I’d take the Lakland or a Yamaha hands down over an ESP or Scheckter.

 

[Riff Ranger]

HMMMM
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That would do it, and I bet it’s nice. I don’t recall seeing Michael Anthony with a five ever
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but I wouldn’t let that stop me in your shoes.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Yamaha BBP35. It’s in budget and has all the specs you’re looking for, right?

34”, or that would have been my recommendation.

This is the BB735A, but other than the preamp (which the higher end model doesn’t have
¯\_(ツ)_/¯), the materials and construction are virtually identical.

 

[Nuage420]

Generally I find the suggestion of a Lakland skyline a good one, as there isn’t much better at that price. I have a Korean 55-01 with Nordstrand Big Singles and a Glockenklang active/passive preamp. The front pickup definitely has more meat than the 5502’s jazz style pickup, which is why I went for the 01 over the 02. Standard bass (5501) has pretty average pickups and electronics so bear that in mind. Mine was already upgraded when I bought it. Lovely necks and all round good quality basses for that price range.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Yamaha BBP35. It’s in budget and has all the specs you’re looking for, right? I’d take the Lakland or a Yamaha hands down over an ESP or Scheckter.

Don't sleep on the ESP LTD line. Hands down one of the nicest basses I've had was an AP5 PJ. The only reason it's gone was the 34" scale. And when you look at what LTD, Edward's, amd ESP custom shops have been doing for many decades now it actually blows my mind that they're hardly given any thought stateside.

 

[Killing Floor]

5 string P/J. Passive/active with functional tone on passive, versatile preamp, blend/pan, 3EQ. Real ebony fretboard. I picked a simple maple neck but there are tons of options. 1 pc. swamp ash body, grain matching ash laminate on headstock. Stainless frets. Neck and button inlays, that's how I roll. Unfilled grain with ultra thin single coat, very natural feel. Nicely contoured belly cut. Not a weird shaped headstock. Arrived properly shielded and grounded and fully intonated with very low action. I keep looking for an excuse to adjust it. Not trying to use the boring cliche but I haven't had to fix it. This was around $1,800 if I recall, last year.

 

[Riff Ranger]

ESP LTD AP-5. At around 1k, you can drop any electronics and pickups you want into it and you’ll still come in under budget.

One of many great options … with a 34” scale length

 

[rashrader]

One of many great options … with a 34” scale length

Haha!! I forgot about that point. Just run a heavier gauge?

 

[sotua]

ESP LTD AP-5. At around 1k, you can drop any electronics and pickups you want into it and you’ll still come in under budget.

That's 34" scale.

 

[rashrader]

That's 34" scale.

Yup. Already pointed out.

 

[Jazzjames]

34”, or that would have been my recommendation.
View attachment 4623022
This is the BB735A, but other than the preamp (which the higher end model doesn’t have
¯\_(ツ)_/¯), the materials and construction are virtually identical.

oops, assumed it was 35”. Still worth a look in my opinion. I don’t buy into the fact that 34” means a flabby B string.

 

[Jazzjames]

Don't sleep on the ESP LTD line. Hands down one of the nicest basses I've had was an AP5 PJ. The only reason it's gone was the 34" scale. And when you look at what LTD, Edward's, amd ESP custom shops have been doing for many decades now it actually blows my mind that they're hardly given any thought stateside.

What's the problem with 34" scale? Do you mean that's why you didn't recommend it to the OP because he specified 35", or you moved yours on because it was 34"?

I've had many students' ESP/LTD basses in my hands over the years and whilst they're not terrible instruments by any means, they're nothing to write home about, especially in comparison to other basses in that price range. Optically they're also not my taste at all, the Fender-style instruments and especially the modern/heavy style basses. They look pretty cheap and chinese-special but that's just my (some random dude's) opinion.

 

[Eilif]

A custom Lowdown "Hybrid" will come in right around $2k.
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Plus, he'll carve the neck to whatever your preferences are, which is one of the best things about a truly custom instrument. I'm really happy with my Lowdown Basses.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

A reality check with Kiesel: I inquired about new build time recently and I was told there's about a 26 week wait. I'm happy for them that business is so good, but I suspect it could challenge some folks' patience.

Lmaooooo I’m on the Wal bass wait list, 26 weeks is NOTHING xD

 

[Bringindafunk]

Ibanez BTB or Lakland 55-01 run in passive mode with a set of Big Splits or a Lakland DJ-5 with a Split-J 5 (or two). It'll sound awesome. I love my DJ-5. It has a slightly smaller body than a traditional Jazz so the weight of mine is under 9lbs.

 

[Nuage420]

What's the problem with 34" scale? Do you mean that's why you didn't recommend it to the OP because he specified 35", or you moved yours on because it was 34"?

Both. I loved it but let it go to fund another bass. I'll likely buy another at some point. And didn't recommend it because OP said no to bother..

 

[Nuage420]

Optically they're also not my taste at all, the Fender-style instruments and especially the modern/heavy style basses. They look pretty cheap and chinese-special but that's just my (some random dude's) opinion.

Only two things felt average or weren't my taste, the pickguard was just cheap single softer than most plastic, and the tuners were fine but not my flavor. I swapped out the tuners for clovers and and if I kept it was going to get a nicer one made and with a split so I could access the cavity easier.

 

[Riff Ranger]

oops, assumed it was 35”. Still worth a look in my opinion. I don’t buy into the fact that 34” means a flabby B string.

I had one 35” and didn’t notice much of a difference myself, but others do, whether it’s the string tension or sound or feel or whatever. My keepers at the moment are all 34” or 32”. I’m just trying to stick with what the OP had in mind, but willingness to consider 34” certainly opens up a lot of options.

 

[NKBassman]

What's the problem with 34" scale? Do you mean that's why you didn't recommend it to the OP because he specified 35", or you moved yours on because it was 34"?

I know I'm butting in on a side convo here, but for me, after playing several 35" scale 5 strings over the last few years I'd never go back to a 34" B string now. I like having the extra length for the low B, mainly for the less flabby feel of the string and tighter more controlled sound. This is less important for me on the rest of the strings though, and I actually think the higher strings suffer a bit for the longer scale. Which is one of the reasons why I swapped my Lakland Skyline for a Dingwall Super P5. It's multi scale, 35" on the B string to 32" on the G string, and every string sounds and feels nicely balanced. Definitely doesn't fit the $2k price limit in the OP though.

 

[Jazzjames]

I know I'm butting in on a side convo here, but for me, after playing several 35" scale 5 strings over the last few years I'd never go back to a 34" B string now. I like having the extra length for the low B, mainly for the less flabby feel of the string and tighter more controlled sound. This is less important for me on the rest of the strings though, and I actually think the higher strings suffer a bit for the longer scale. Which is one of the reasons why I swapped my Lakland Skyline for a Dingwall Super P5. It's multi scale, 35" on the B string to 32" on the G string, and every string sounds and feels nicely balanced. Definitely doesn't fit the $2k price limit in the OP though.

This topic is obviously well discussed here on TB but I honestly think it's more to do with the bass's construction than the scale length. The scale length will have an influence, but I've played 34" basses with really tight and quick B strings, and 35s with terrible ones. My two basses which have B strings are both 35" and both have DR fat beams, and they couldn't be more different. The MTD's B is very quick and focussed almost like a piano. The B on my Lakland is nowhere near as quick, whilst not flabby, it just doesn't speak with the immediacy of the MTD. I actually like this on the Lakland as it sounds a bit more vintage.

Here's Tim Lefebvre's new 30"(!) 5. Yeah it sounds like a short scale, but that B sounds pretty usable to me.

 

[red_bassist]

Could you rout for different pickups if you find something that meets your specs in all other regards?