The best 34" 5-string bass?

[KingRazor]

I've played BTBs and I know they get a lot of love here but I just don't like that 35" scale.

I guess it has been a while since I've tried one (and a while since I've seen one anywhere...) but even if I like how it plays, I can't stand how it looks!

I've recently tried several Ibanez SR505s and most of them had decent B strings. Not great, not amazing, but perfectly acceptable. I've been eyeing an SR 705, but the model I want is discontinued, so hopefully I'll be able to find one when I have the money to buy it.

 

[chadhargis]

I own a BTB Prestige 5er and a G&L L-2500.

The BTB is 35" scale and the G&L is 34". Hands down, the better B string is the G&L. It's a great bass all around. So good, in fact, that I'm thinking of buying another one so I can have one with flats and one with rounds. I've not played anything short of a US Lakland 5er than came close to my G&L in feel and tone. The G&L neck is like BUTTAH!

 

[bucephylus]

I've played BTBs and I know they get a lot of love here but I just don't like that 35" scale.

I guess it has been a while since I've tried one (and a while since I've seen one anywhere...) but even if I like how it plays, I can't stand how it looks!

I've recently tried several Ibanez SR505s and most of them had decent B strings. Not great, not amazing, but perfectly acceptable. I've been eyeing an SR 705, but the model I want is discontinued, so hopefully I'll be able to find one when I have the money to buy it.

Have you still not found a decent 5 yet??

If you are still looking, couple POV's for you to consider.

First, there is a lot more to a good 5 string than just the B. It is actually somewhat challenging to capture the feel of a good 34" 4 string in a 5 string format. The 35" scale addresses some issues, but takes the instrument into a different zone.

The key to a work-able B, IMO, is the break angle on the B at the nut. I find that every decent B has a fairly prominent break angle to hold the witness point well at the nut. How and why that affects stopped notes is a whole separate discussion, but that has been my experience. The Ray 5 accomplishes that by using a deep carve for the headstock and some very well designed machines that taper so the string is forced down toward the headstock face. Other makers get the same job done by putting a string tree of some kind behind the nut.

If you buy used and are willing to poke around, you can find some screaming deals. The Sadowsky RV's can sometimes be had at your price point. Pedullas as mentioned. The Gibson Tobiases can be very good. Zon Sonus. Fender Marcus Miller V. etc etc.

If you are stuck on new, then the Ray 5 is hands down the best tool at that price point, and a pretty good investment for new. Just pay attention to the weight.

There are a lot of useable B's out there now. You should not be getting stuck on that point anymore for a $1500 instrument. GL

 

[KingRazor]

Unless I can find something better, I'm probably just going to get an SR505. The only EBMM 5er I've ever tried is the one at my local GC that's been there for probably 2 years. Setup sucks, so I can't tell whether it plays good or not. None of the other stores around here have any EBMM 5-strings. Or Sterling by MM Rays either. Carvins are even rarer.

There is a shop in my state that carries Dingwall basses, but they're over 100 miles away, and Dingwall is out of my price range anyway. Bass Northwest would be another great place to look for some nice 5-strings but they're even farther away.