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Suggestions for a mid-priced 5 string (be tuned to EADGC)

3NotesAbar

3NotesAbar

Jul 3, 2005
584
33
Singapore
#1
Here are some tentative pre-requisites:

- 34" scale (or shorter if can be found)
- 22 or more frets
- active preamp

I wouldn't wanna sound too picky usually, but I thought some of you might like a mild challenge :) For me, the list of 'requirements' are less important from the bottom, and yes, i know the scale length makes the list that much shorter, but advise me. Thanks for reading!

EDIT: Forget 'Mid-priced', $1500 and below would be my range.
 
#13
Freddels said:
EBMM Bongo 5 (24 frets); Stingray 5; in 2008 there will be a Sterling 5.
Click to expand...

+1,000. EBMM basses have sweet voicing for stringing higher, because for playing chords, the brightness and tight spacing really help. An SR5 would be my first choice, then a Bongo.


Having owned an SR5, I would have been tempted to get another and string it EADGC if I hadn't bought a 6 tuned BEADGC.
 
#14
Music Man sr5?

If you want a good cost-benefit bass try to find a Cort NA5, less than 500$, flamed maple body, neckthrough body, hipshot tunners, bartoline mk-1 circuit and pickups. The neck is thin and confortable.
 
#16
I tried a lot of Fenders, MM, etc...when I wanted to do this. I was looking for a budget version of that Steve Swallow sound, though I am a finger player. I ended up with two Carvin LB75P's. Strung E-C, both very Koa. I will post a pic of the one I have out now.

These both have a very mid-rangey sound, but I found that dialing some of the piezo pup on the newer one really made chords sing out. One of the clearest sounds I have heard. However, it fundamental note on low notes would decay pretty quickly. This was my main axe for a jazz trio doing standards gig.

Pic to come (its a beaut)
 
#17
tkozal said:
I tried a lot of Fenders, MM, etc...when I wanted to do this. I was looking for a budget version of that Steve Swallow sound, though I am a finger player. I ended up with two Carvin LB75P's. Strung E-C, both very Koa. I will post a pic of the one I have out now.

These both have a very mid-rangey sound, but I found that dialing some of the piezo pup on the newer one really made chords sing out. One of the clearest sounds I have heard. However, it fundamental note on low notes would decay pretty quickly. This was my main axe for a jazz trio doing standards gig.

Pic to come (its a beaut)
Click to expand...

interesting... I never suffered lack of sustain anywhere on my Carvin
 
#18
The Koa Carvin E-C beast: Very woody..women love it, for some reason.....
DSCN1917.jpg



DSCN1918.jpg



DSCN1915.jpg
 
#20
I would probably bag the big humbucker in the bridge, and go with one of the other skinny buckers or jazz like single coils they have if I had to do it again. I am a well known non-fan of those big pole pups.

The lack of fundamental sustain is due to the wood...its not a big deal unless you are going to hold a low or G for like 4 bars, which I never have occasion to do anyway....

but the sound, like melted chocolate baby...melted chocolate....the koa is what gives it that sound....
 

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