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Suggestions for an active 5-string Jazz bass?

J

Just Wrong

Mar 30, 2023
1,449
2,317
#1
I'm looking for suggestions for an active five-string Jazz bass. My budget is about US$5,500 (the CAD is so low right now :rollno:). I'd like to buy new.

The usual suspects are Fender, Sadowsky and Mike Lull.
  • I really don't like the look of the Fender Ultra II, and I found the preamp in the original Ultra to be meh when I tried it when they first came out.
  • The Mike Lull is a bit above my price range, but I could manage it. The 20mm string spacing is what scares me. I currently play 16.5mm and would like to keep it to ≤ 18mm.
  • I haven't followed Sadowsky since they've partnered with (or were they sold to?) Warwick. I guess the MetroLine is the line within my budget? How's the quality on those? The 19mm string spacing is better than 20mm, but still a bit large.
In terms of passive five-string Jazzes, there's Olinto's and Fender's American Pro II. That said, I think I would like an active bass. I used to play passive Jazzes, and I found I got lost in the mix too easily. I also like to have a preamp at my fingertips with my current bass.

Edit: I'd like to keep the scale length at 34"

What else is out there?

Thanks!
 
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#2
Have you considered finding a passive one you like and adding a preamp? I went this route for my 5 string Jazz. Added an East J-Tone preamp to a G&L JB5. No modifications required other than swapping the preamp in (battery fits under the preamp in the control cavity; does not need a dedicated battery compartment).

The other reason I mention the G&L JB5 is that it has 17mm string spacing. With G&L you can buy standard builds (Fullerton Deluxe), option order, or custom shop. $5,500 should get you any of the 3.
 
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#6
I would take a look at Roscoe Basses. I own a 5 er and I am amazed at the quality. The neck is awesome. Made in the USA and I think within your budget. Good Luck!

Roscoe Guitars Bass Guitars

Founded and led by Keith Roscoe, Roscoe Guitars builds a range of models and series of high end, high quality electric bass guitars in 4, 5, 6, and 7 string configurations. The series of basses are the Roscoe Guitars Standard series, the Roscoe Guitars Standard-plus series, the Roscoe Guitars...
www.roscoeguitars.com www.roscoeguitars.com
 
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#7
Quite the budget. My automatic response is to get the best grade Sire you can afford, but you can afford 4-5 of their best! So yeeah, with that much to burn, I might be looking at something higher-end...
 
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#9
I’d still consider trying an Ultra II if you haven’t yet already played one. The new preamp is excellent and sounds very good. There is seemingly no volume jump when going between passive or active, the mid switch is set at very useable frequencies, and the universal tone control was something I never knew I needed. To me, it’s even better than the East Retro preamp which I was running in an older Fender Jazz that I traded in for my Ultra II (I did take the pre out of that bass before trading it in lol).
 
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#11
Yeah. If you want to drop 5 G’s on one bass, hard to not point at F bass, Fodera, etc. However, you should really, REALLY, consider Maruszczyk basses. If you dig a flat neck thickness, fantastic ergonomics and incredible build quality.
All that being said, were I to dedicate that much money to a single bass purchase, I would likely have a Michael Tobias built to my spec. That’s really the short answer.
 
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#12
Aren't there any good "builders" in Canada that you can work with? Have something built to your spec's. Don't buy used. If you spend that much you shouldn't have to mod anything. Plus, a return is definitely a gurantee you end up with what you want. Good luck.
 
#13
Just Wrong said:
I'm looking for suggestions for an active five-string Jazz bass. My budget is about US$5,500 (the CAD is so low right now :rollno:). I'd like to buy new.

The usual suspects are Fender, Sadowsky and Mike Lull.
  • I really don't like the look of the Fender Ultra II, and I found the preamp in the original Ultra to be meh when I tried it when they first came out.
  • The Mike Lull is a bit above my price range, but I could manage it. The 20mm string spacing is what scares me. I currently play 16.5mm and would like to keep it to ≤ 18mm.
  • I haven't followed Sadowsky since they've partnered with (or were they sold to?) Warwick. I guess the MetroLine is the line within my budget? How's the quality on those? The 19mm string spacing is better than 20mm, but still a bit large.
In terms of passive five-string Jazzes, there's Olinto's and Fender's American Pro II. That said, I think I would like an active bass. I used to play passive Jazzes, and I found I got lost in the mix too easily. I also like to have a preamp at my fingertips with my current bass.

Edit: I'd like to keep the scale length at 34"

What else is out there?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I play Mike Lull’s. Their standard 5-string spacing is 18mm, not 20. And they offer 34” and 35” scale. They will 100% build you a 5-string active jazz bass with 34” scale and 18mm string spacing. That’s one of their more common builds.
 
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#14
Jmac603 said:
I’d go FBass being in Canada with a budget like yours.
Click to expand...
As much as I'd like to, their pricing scheme gets out of hand real quick. It's an extra US$800 just to change the string spacing.

jmattbassplaya said:
I’d still consider trying an Ultra II if you haven’t yet already played one. The new preamp is excellent and sounds very good. There is seemingly no volume jump when going between passive or active, the mid switch is set at very useable frequencies, and the universal tone control was something I never knew I needed. To me, it’s even better than the East Retro preamp which I was running in an older Fender Jazz that I traded in for my Ultra II (I did take the pre out of that bass before trading it in lol).
Click to expand...

Kerem Koseoglu said:
I second the recommendation on Ultra II. The former Ultra Jazz dissatisfied me to the point where I sold it, but Ultra II has great improvements. Check my (subjective) comparison + sound demo here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nb...ra-ii-jazz-v-avalanche.1666471/#post-28889769
Click to expand...

I found a couple of four strings locally. I'll give them a try, but I really don't like the look of the aluminum pick guard and chrome knobs. The Avalanche model is a bit better, though.

Killens84 said:
I play Mike Lull’s. Their standard 5-string spacing is 18mm, not 20. And they offer 34” and 35” scale. They will 100% build you a 5-string active jazz bass with 34” scale and 18mm string spacing. That’s one of their more common builds.
Click to expand...

They do offer 34-inch scale, but the default spacing on their website is 20mm, and you can't seem to change it from 20mm directly on the order form. I'll try contacting them. Thanks!
 
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#15
I know you said Jazz Bass and I'm a huge Jazz Bass fanboy, but I would recommend you at least audition an EBMM Stingray 5 HH. I don't care for 5 stringers that much but I bought and still have a cheapie SBMM Stingray 5 HH. It is a pretty good 5 string and will has the narrow spacing you want. I would think the USA built instruments are tons better than the cheapie I have and may suit your needs well. I definitely like the HH EBMM basses over H models. IMO they have much more tonal versatility.
 
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#16
IMO and experience, the cheaper does not equate to the more expensive...if the builder has anything about them. Which they really should if their prices are over 5k.

So, I'd look at metro line Sadowsky..although I've not personally been knocked over by them on a recent shopping quest. They wont be 5k.
You probably will not get too close to that price with NYC..but you never know.
Lull would defintely be on my list to check out.
as would Xotic. They are good but not uber special...but then you are getting a price break which you might be happy to reconcile.
Last, but not least, go find an Alleva Coppolo.
Again, 5.5k ..you might get lucky.
 
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#17
Just Wrong said:
They do offer 34-inch scale, but the default spacing on their website is 20mm, and you can't seem to change it from 20mm directly on the order form. I'll try contacting them. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I’m almost positive that’s just a mistake with the order form. Or it’s also possible that they may simply be listing the widest possible spacing of that Hipshot A-style bridge. The string spacing is adjustable on those. I’ve owned over a dozen Lull basses, including a number of 5-strings, and all my 5’s have been 18mm spacing. I currently have a Lull 5-string active jazz that’s 35” scale with 18mm string spacing (with the saddle spacings each in the center). Call Spencer Lull at their shop, and he can clarify anything you need. He’s an extremely pleasant and helpful person to talk with.
 
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#19
I’d recommend Valenti Basses. Nino Valenti started out working in Sadowsky’s shop, but at this point has been building basses under his own name for 20 years, or close.

I own #54, which I bought new in 2007 or 2008. Here it is in a soundboard capture:



Valenti is a build to order shop; you get substantially more build flexibility on color, electronics, and woods than you do with many of the other boutiques and certainly more than Fender. Everything is made in USA and everyone who plays them seems to like them.

Not sure about price point but I suspect it would come in a bit below your range.
 
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#20
Take a look at the USA Spector Coda 5. They have been discontinued by Korg but there are quite a few NOS examples out there, and they're typically under your budget. They're fantastic instruments hand built in Woodstock.
 
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