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Sub $400 5 string bass?

tubatodd

tubatodd

Oct 31, 2004
2,456
4,424
Birmingham, AL
#1
The GAS bug has bitten.....again. I just got a bonus at work and have an excuse. I'm pondering selling one of my Sterling by Musicman basses to make room (and some money) towards another relatively inexpensive bass. I have 3 basses in mind and I'd like some feedback from the Talkbass community.

Squier Matt Freeman P Bass (black) - $379
Ibanez SR305 (root beer) - $399
Ibanez SR256 (white) - $399

I've read some great things about the Matt Freeman bass, although I haven't seen one in person. I've not been much of a P bass fan, but during a few of my jazz gigs I've thought "I wonder how a p bass would sound on this tune." The SR305 I've actually played for a few minutes at a local shop. It seemed made well and I am a huge fan of the slim neck. The SR256 is on my list....probably for all the wrong reasons. I owned an SR506 (old model) years ago, but I found it awkward but great sounding. I just like the look and range a 6 string would provide.

What would be another solid <$400 5 string bass?

Sooooo yeah. What say you...Talkbass Freak Jury! :)
 
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#6
tubatodd said:
So suppose I want a sub $400 5 string bass. What are some suggestions outside of what I mentioned?
Click to expand...

Since you are already considering one Squier, might I suggest looking at the VM Jazz V? I bought one a few months ago, and quite frankly I love it.

Sound wise, It can hold its own against the MIM Fenders I played while on my search for a fiver, and the stock pickups game me exactly the sound I was looking for, so that saved a lot of scratch vs buying a different inexpensive bass and having to do an immediate pup change.
 
#7
Are they doing a Freeman 5 string now?

I'd say find a used MIM Jazz V if you want a sweet 5er. Slimmer neck than Squiers, I've seen them at the $200-300 range frequently.
The Ibanez ATK is a pretty sweet bass and can easily be had used for under $400. Slim spacing, beefy tone.

Used is going to get you a lot more bass for your money, that's for sure.
 
#9
SX five string is sub $200. I don't have a five string, but I have two six strings - one fretted and one fretless. The fretted played fine out of the box, with new strings, but no setup required. The fretless needed a setup. Definitely worth the money.
 
#10
lfmn16 said:
SX five string is sub $200. I don't have a five string, but I have two six strings - one fretted and one fretless. The fretted played fine out of the box, with new strings, but no setup required. The fretless needed a setup. Definitely worth the money.
Click to expand...

Heavy sigh. I did not need to know there was an SX six string. My partner is gonna kill me.
 
#11
I used to have an Ibby BTB455. It was a beautiful bass, with active Bartolini electronics, but the neck was too thin and narrow for me. As rojo said, the best value is in the used market. I think I sold mine for a little under $400...

IbbyBTB1.jpg
 
#13
I've played the SR305 (in the Root Beer finish, too), and it was certainly a nice instrument. But as rojo412 noted above, your dollar will go much further with a pre-owned instrument. A Fender MIM Jazz V is a terrific choice. I recently picked up a used Yamaha BB415, which -- despite the fact that I own several 5-string basses that are far more expensive --might very well be my favorite fiver at the moment, even though it cost me less than $300 to acquire.
 
#14
My son got a Ibby 305 about 5 years ago. Plays great and sounds as good as my P bass with the right tweeking. (I was amazed at that.) It is a two pick up bass so it's pretty versatile in the sounds you can get out of it. It's still his main player and yes , the neck is pretty narrow so if that's what you like , it fits the bill nicely. It is a pre amp bass so if the battery craps out , it goes silent. I think he's only had to replace the battery in it twice since he's had it though.
I've played a Jazz 5 and another pretty high end fiver (don't remember the brand) and I thought his played as good as either one and actually sounded better than the high end one I played.
 
#18
You can get a new ATK205 for around 300. I think Ibanez dropped the price on the 200 series recently.

I have the 205 and I'm really happy with it. I feel like the neck is a bit thicker and wider than a lot of other Ibanez basses. It's still probably thinner than some are used to, but i grew up playing shredder basses so I'm used to it.
 
#19
tubatodd said:
The GAS bug has bitten.....again. I just got a bonus at work and have an excuse. I'm pondering selling one of my Sterling by Musicman basses to make room (and some money) towards another relatively inexpensive bass. I have 3 basses in mind and I'd like some feedback from the Talkbass community.

Squier Matt Freeman P Bass (black) - $379
Ibanez SR305 (root beer) - $399
Ibanez SR256 (white) - $399

I've read some great things about the Matt Freeman bass, although I haven't seen one in person. I've not been much of a P bass fan, but during a few of my jazz gigs I've thought "I wonder how a p bass would sound on this tune." The SR305 I've actually played for a few minutes at a local shop. It seemed made well and I am a huge fan of the slim neck. The SR256 is on my list....probably for all the wrong reasons. I owned an SR506 (old model) years ago, but I found it awkward but great sounding. I just like the look and range a 6 string would provide.

What would be another solid <$400 5 string bass?

Sooooo yeah. What say you...Talkbass Freak Jury! :)
Click to expand...

This..Yamaha TRBX-305
Yammie.jpg
 

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