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Sub $600 5 string - 34" or less - 18mm spacing or more?

#22
Tobias Toby Pro 5. Korean, Neck thru. Invalid Link Removed I have had 2 of the 5's and 2 of the 4's. I Still play a maple Toby Pro 5 with stock pickups and preamp, flame maple wings very light weight. Best 5vr sub $600 I can say I've played longterm. Next best would be any Neck through Carvin as stated already, used. 3rd would be MIM Jazz V Fender. I've played and owned these top 3 over the years.
 
#23
manbass said:
Tobias Toby Pro 5. Korean, Neck thru. Invalid Link Removed I have had 2 of the 5's and 2 of the 4's. I Still play a maple Toby Pro 5 with stock pickups and preamp, flame maple wings very light weight. Best 5vr sub $600 I can say I've played longterm. Next best would be any Neck through Carvin as stated already, used. 3rd would be MIM Jazz V Fender. I've played and owned these top 3 over the years.
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I was under the impression that these are 16mm spacing?
 
#24
B strings are notorious for not being right. Especially with a shorter neck. Mike Lull makes some darn nice basses and his 5s are 35". if you look carefully at the different 5s he offers, the B string is always a thru-body. Youll see one little thru body ferrule on the back. That's the B. - lots of folks make a good 5 String 34" bass. Just watch out for the ones who don't. I've never had the pleasure, but have heard tell of the dreaded "floppy B String" on this forum. From what I've read, I would hate it if I ever bought a bass with that issue. Again, from what I have read, trying to get your hands on a sub 34" 5-er is just askin' for it.
 
#26
Jazz Ad said:
Not answering your question but a tip you may not have thought about.
a 34" scale with a capo on 2nd fret is a 30" bass. Well ok, 30.2 but it's good enough to experiment.
Tune one tone lower than your aim and install capo on 2nd fret and boom, you have a 30" 5 string.
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"We all agree that your idea is crazy, but is it crazy enough?" - Niels Bohr

I think so. :thumbsup:
 
#27
interp said:
I have a friend here in Garmisch, Germany with a nearly new Sire V7 for sale. Swamp ash body, maple neck and fingerboard, 34" scale, I believe the string spacing is 18 or 19 mm. 450 Euro with gigbag. If you're interested I will put you in touch with him.
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Thanks @interp, I will see what I come up with over the next couple of days and PM you if I do.
 
#28
JACink said:
I am looking for a budget 5 string bass, under $600 (new), which has a maximum scale of 34" and at least 18mm spacing.

I currently own 2x 5 string basses with 16.5mm spacing, which I find a little tight for some of the stuff I would like to play (although I don't hate it).

The reason is that I am planning on placing an order for a custom 30" bass and would like to spend some time on an 18mm (or more) 5 string before placing the order.

My current 5 strings are a cheap HB ABG and an ESP Ltd B205SM. I reallly like the Ltd, but would like that extra little bit of space between strings. I would also like to have 2x 5 strings available, one BEADG and one EADGC.

I know that used is going to be the recommendation from most, especially as I will probably end up selling it once I get the custom, but to be totally honest, used gear in this country is just not worth it. The usual price is around 80% of the new price, so I would rather lose $120 over the next year and having the option of returning the bass if I don't like it, than deal with the hassle of buying something used (which is usually over 4 hours drive away, so I would also be buying unseen).

So, could you please enlighten me as to options that fit the bill.
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I've tried an Ibanez TMB-105. It's a good bass in my opinion. I returned it because the neck profile is ....... normal. I prefer the old ATK305 and ATK 805 necks, nice and chunly.
 
#36
The old Squier Protone was 34" with I think 19mm.

Also a Squier Jazz was made with a phenolic fingerboard, 34" 19mmm. I don't remember the name but they were black with no pickguard. Usually around $200 used with good reviews. Someone here has to know the model name...
 
#37
I'd go Yamaha. Played a TRBX505 and 305 and they both really played and sounded great. The 505 was very versatile and I could see myself playing one. The 305 was great too but I liked the preamp on the 505 better. The new BB series look very interesting too but I haven't had hands on one yet.

I had a Sire but it was a boat anchor and didn't do anything for me (though I think I'm the only person on talkbass that feels that way).
 
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#38
JACink said:
Ibanez says 18mm: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I cant seem to find the TMB605 available in Europe, but the TMB600 4 string is 600€, so I guess the 605 would be over my budget.

Nice suggestion though, I keep thinking about picking up one of the shortie Talmans, shame they don't do a shorty 5 string.
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I have TMB605 that I absolutely love, and is $599 street in America. I traded a nice bass for it, so I paid very little cash for mine.



 
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