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

[Eilif]

Me too, but I am also very tempted by the Yamaha TRBX505 or even the 305 which is just over $300.

When all said, it is only for me to get a feel for 18mm spacing on a 5er.

If it's just for feel and you are going to go custom, then just grab the Yamaha. Maybe even a used version would be available. Yamaha's don't get all the great press, but they're almost always very solidly built instruments that play like something more expensive.

 

[GreyBeard]

This is a very good suggestion
If prices are higher in Spain/EU (as I suspect they are), there is also the TMB105 version that has the physical same dimensions with a P/J pickup configuration and mahogany body for less than half the price.
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I've been really impressed with all the Talman/TMB series ibanez basses.

I was just reading the specs on this bass. I only see 3 control knobs. I'm confused as to how it can have Volume, Balance, Bass, and Treble with only 3 knobs? Has anyone played one of these? It looks and reads like a really cool bass.

 

[bholder]

If it's just for feel and you are going to go custom, then just grab the Yamaha. Maybe even a used version would be available. Yamaha's don't get all the great press, but they're almost always very solidly built instruments that play like something more expensive.

I make no secret I'm a Sire fanboi, but yeah, if it's just to see if OP likes the feel of 18mm width, go with the cheap Yammy, they're very well respected here too.

 

[Eilif]

I was just reading the specs on this bass. I only see 3 control knobs. I'm confused as to how it can have Volume, Balance, Bass, and Treble with only 3 knobs? Has anyone played one of these? It looks and reads like a really cool bass.

It's hard to see but both knobs are stacks. I'm normally quite skeptical of eq circuts on low-priced basses, but the circut on the TMB's seemed very useful and natural.

I've only played one 105, but I've probably played a dozen of the 4 string 100/300 models and a couple of the 5 string 605 models.
-The TMB605 is very nice, but the ash body felt a bit heavy. No heavier than a comparable Fender though and the Nordy setup rocks.
-The TMB300 is nice (quite a looker with the block inlays), but I prefer a basic P/J setup as it's so much easier to mod.
-The TMB105 was nice but I found the nut spacing a bit tight (I like a wider neck) pretty solid B string for a 34" bass.
-The TMB100 is my absolute favorite bass $200 (new retail) bass today. I can't figure out how they put out such a nice little bass at such a low price. I don't need any cheap basses right now but if I were starting out with 2 bills in my pocket I hope I'd be smart enough to buy one instead of some of the alternatives. It's a prime candidate for an EMG Geezer pickup set.