Tax Refund Fiver

[ebonalley]

I'm a beginner/novice bassist looking to buy a 5'er for rock/metal. I'm intersted in a slim neck and keeping it under $500. I am also interested in buying new at this time. Please vote and help me out. My favorites priced low to high are below

Option 1: Ibby SR305M ($350)
Pros- LOVE the color, price, weight
Cons- ? pups, bridge accepts limited string sizes

Option 2: Peavey Millennium 5 AC BXP ($370)
Pros- Active pups, solid rep
Cons- Not crazy about the looks, tuners

Option 3: Warwick Rockbass $$ ($445)
Pros- Quality, name recognition
Cons- Heavy weight, stock B from Ebay

Option 4: Ibby SRA305 ($450)
Pros- Low weight, Active pups, possible more accomodating bridge than SR305 (string size)
Cons- Price, limited color options

 

[phmike]

Get the $350 Ibby and use the rest for strings, acc, etc.
Plus - you say you love the "color, price, weight"

 

[ebonalley]

Get the $350 Ibby and use the rest for strings, acc, etc.
Plus - you say you love the "color, price, weight"

Thanks for the feedback phmike. My heart is with the 305 but wasn't sure about the cons

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'd call the 2010 Rockbass B-Stock a better value...the MEC pickups are going to be nicer than the stocks from any of the others you listed. The 300 and 400 series pickups just didn't hold up too well compared to the Bartolinis in the 500 and up series from Ibanez. Just my .02 cents, but you want to get as much beef as you can to pick up all the magic that B string is just waiting to unleash on your amp =)

 

[Stumbo]

Can your rig handle a B string at high volume? Have you tested it already?

 

[ebonalley]

Can your rig handle a B string at high volume? Have you tested it already?

I haven't. I have an MB212 I believe it should be arlight.

 

[yellofury]

throw you a red herring and say SBMM Ray35

 

[livinglow]

Those Warwick's have a MEAN growl!

 

[bosozoku]

As a fellow Patriots fan, I would recommend looking into the Spector Legend 5 for a few bucks more.
Invalid Link Removed
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If not, go with the Warwick.

 

[RBX4]

Ray35

 

[ebonalley]

As a fellow Patriots fan, I would recommend looking into the Spector Legend 5 for a few bucks more.
Invalid Link Removed
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If not, go with the Warwick.

Thanks Bosozoku, I missed that one as I have been looking at 34". It appars to have a nice slim neck though. P.S. When the Pats went down it felt like my dog died.

 

[Andy_D]

Ibanez BTB... I picked up a mint BTB555 with a case off EBay for $255. Incredible bass for the money. 35" scale and a huge neck but after getting used to it I really like it Solid, and well built, Bartolini's, and with the mid sweep control you can get a wide range of tones without having to tweak your amp. I have 6 basses and this best I've yet owned.

Otherwise go with the Warwick!

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[Dr.JBass]

I haven't. I have an MB212 I believe it should be arlight.

I have a GK MB 212 as well, and it handles the B string on my MIA Fender Jazz with no problems, even at loud volumes, and even with contour turned on which increases the bass and highs, and scoops the mids.

 

[Gomeztool]

You can probably land a nice, used SB5000 for just a little more money.

 

[etechstan]

I got a RockBass Streamer and intend to get a RockBass Corvette by summer. They are great basses.

 

[lowendfriend]

Make sure it's a current Rockbass and not the old cheap Rockbass.

 

[ric stave]

When you say 'slim neck', do you mean side-to-side (closer spacing) or front-to-back (thinner from fretboard to back of neck)?

 

[Jazzbassman23]

throw you a red herring and say SBMM Ray35

He did say he wants to keep it under $500.

 

[ebonalley]

When you say 'slim neck', do you mean side-to-side (closer spacing) or front-to-back (thinner from fretboard to back of neck)?

I kind of have "frying pan" hands so I was looking for narrow width at the nut, but I guess it all contributes to playing ease.

 

[ebonalley]

Alright well it looks like the $$ is the clear favorite thus far so I'm going to play devil's advocate a bit.

Don't you think it looks a little bit like a kitchen cutting board with pups?

Imagine that I'm rockin' a gig and I think some groupies are checking me out, but really all they are thinking about is cutting some onions on my bass.