Suggestion Required

Welcome to TB!

I wouldn't rule out USA G&L or Lakland for that kind of dough. I'd go G&L L2500 myself.

Good luck!

 

I've played and owned alot of 5ers - I have an EBMM Sterling 5 HS that I really like, and is in the price range - I'd recommend taking a look at one of those...


- georgestrings

 

I wouldn't buy any of the ones you listed, but that's due to individual taste, not that there's anything wrong with them. I like the G&L 2500 suggestion myself. There's a couple of used G&L 5 string basses in the classifieds now.

 

Depends what you want in a bass. What styles of music do you play? Whose tones do you like? Do you like thin necks or thick necks? etc.

We need more info to recommend a bass for your needs/wants.

 

I know I'm in the minority, but I've never cared too much for Music Man. Don't think I've played the Ibanez, but my local GC has a 5 string American Deluxe Jazz with a maple neck that is to die for listed at 1800. If I wasn't a broke college kid I would have bought it on the spot. Also, as other people have said, check out G&L

 

Not a brand, but some design characteristics to consider:

1) Headstock 2 (B&E) + 3 (ADG) so the B string tuner is far enough up on the headstock to prevent binding the string over the nut or around the tuning post.
2) Lightweight tuners, like Hipshot, Schaller mini or Gotoh mini, to prevent neck dive.
3) Neck at least 3-piece laminate for strength and to prevent dead spots.
4) Longer upper horn than on typical 4-string basses so the bass will balance.
5) "Neck" pickup in the same relative or proportional position as the D-G segment of a P-bass pickup so that there is the proper balance of fundamental and overtones for the B string to speak properly.
6) Clean pickups and if active is desired, clean preamp, because J-growl does not necessarily mean presence and P-thump does not necessarily mean good fundamental on a 5-string.

Top line basses like Dingwall have these characteristics.

Some lower end basses, like my Ibby SRA305 (2011model - paid less than $300 on year-end closeout and it is now my main gig bass) have them as well. You don't necessarily have to spend any set amount to get a good bass. Try them all, from the cheapies to the boutiques, to see what fits you.

 

i'd definitely look into G&L

 

why don't you look into a spector 5 or warwick 5 since you like those tones? both are well within your price range, specially so if you look for used. check the classifieds section on this forum maybe too.

I wouldn't go to fender or ibanez if you're into warwick sound.

arguably you could go g&l2500 and get in the ballpark of the same tone though, although probably you won't be happy with the visual styling.

some spectors and warwicks share similar body designs... one was a knock off of the other, although I forget which came first. I have a funny feeling it's spector that actually invented the big round long top horn look, then warwick copied it, but I'm running on low coffee early in the morning so might have it completely wrong.

 

In that price range you could be looking at used basses that sold for upwards of $4k new... if that interests you. If I were looking at the basses you mentioned I'd be looking at heavily depreciated used examples and spend the remaining funds on something else or save it.

 

New Lakland 55-02 (Skyline Model) or used Lakland 55-94 (USA Model).

they use the exact same electronics and are extremely versatile basses.

here is a demo:



the quality and feel is excellent on either....

 

Get a used Sadowsky metro 5 for that money

 

Did you see the post today about the new Carvins?

For that kind of money, you could have sexeh woods and options.

 

Used Modulus Q5

 

A Modulus Q5 would work well in your climate. Since the carbon fiber doesn't get effected by humidity, it would be a bass you can play indoors or out on the same day without any limitations as to the neck. Not to say any of the other basses mentioned are really good choices, but with your budget, choose the best..