I can't feel the scale length difference between a 34" and 35" neck if the bass body accomodates the longer scale.
Dan
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The most versatile 5 string bass
- Thread starter Jakub
- Start date
Dan
Thanks for your reasoning, Jakub. 
Musicman sounds like a good plan, then. 
Another great choice (IMO) is Martin Keith:
http://www.martinkeithguitars.com
I have two 5 string basses he made, fretted and fretless Elfin model. Both have an amazing B string and their tone with his special passive electronics (active also available) and Citron pickups are superb, very meaty with deep bottom end. The B string sounds just like the rest of the strings, very clear sounding; the tone can be burpy, smooth and deep, bright, pretty much anything one would want/need, and this is with the passive electronics.
Musicman sounds like a good plan, then. Another great choice (IMO) is Martin Keith:
http://www.martinkeithguitars.com
I have two 5 string basses he made, fretted and fretless Elfin model. Both have an amazing B string and their tone with his special passive electronics (active also available) and Citron pickups are superb, very meaty with deep bottom end. The B string sounds just like the rest of the strings, very clear sounding; the tone can be burpy, smooth and deep, bright, pretty much anything one would want/need, and this is with the passive electronics.
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I'm sure there are tons of "versatile" basses out there, but of the ones I've played... Two of my MTD 535s are what I would think of as quite versatile (though I don't think the same can be said of all 535s - it really depends on the particular bass/wood combo). I played a couple of MTD Saratogas that I would think would also be "versatile". My ash/rosewood Sadowsky Jazz is pretty versatile as well. I like what I've heard of Laklands, though I've never gigged one.
I would choose rosewood over maple if buying without trying first. Otherwise, just go with what sounds good to you. I've played Sandbergs and know a couple of people who own them. Really nice basses!Thanks guys for all replies ! I choose (a 95%) that my next bass will be a Musicman Big Al 5 SSS (I like the sound of Lakland 55-94 or Mike Lull too, but I can't find used in my budget range).
I love the tone of it. It sounds like tru bass(a lot of bass and middle, and not too much crazy treble that is on StingRay) but I can't decide which wood on fretboard i should choose: the rosewood or maple. I'm afraid that rosewood make this bass dull and add too much midrange and cut some clearness and brightness of this bass, so maby maple adds some brightness to this tone ?
Edit: I heard some good opinions about Sandberg basses but I've never play on them. Maby I should consider some of this basses ?
What are your opinions, friends ?
OP, if you like your Stingray have you tried a 5-string Stingray? Those can cover the bases you described in your original post.
Alternately get a Sadowsky Metro new or used well within your budget. Even a NYC will go used within your budget at times however the Metro are just as good. Fender Marcus Miller? I've heard people national and local cover all the styles you've described with those.
Keep it simple.
Alternately get a Sadowsky Metro new or used well within your budget. Even a NYC will go used within your budget at times however the Metro are just as good. Fender Marcus Miller? I've heard people national and local cover all the styles you've described with those.
Keep it simple.
I like my Stingray but IMO have a little bit wide string spacing (big neck ?) and have a lot of treble and of course it doesn't have 2nd neck pickup which could help to achieve more bassy-midrange sound and 5th string of course . Sometimes I've got problems with set it in mix (IMO because of lack of low-mids). I would like to catch Sadowsky NYC but it's not an easy thing
MM Fender ? You know... I don't want a bass that famous bass player signed his name on it It must be MY bass not Marcus or whatever... 
I've not seen anyone talk about the MusicMan Reflex basses. I have never tried one. It seems versatility is the name of the game (or game changer) with the Reflex.
I have been considering one and would love to hear some thoughts on it here.
I have been considering one and would love to hear some thoughts on it here.
I had one. Definitely a cool bass. I really only cared for a few of the variations though. I rarely changed it from the few I dialed in. Didn't really care for the way it balanced either.
The most versatile 5 string bass?
It's the one played by the most versatile bassist.
I really do think, one can make most instruments work in most musical contexts.
It's the one played by the most versatile bassist.
I really do think, one can make most instruments work in most musical contexts.
Music Man Sterling 5 HH or Stingray 5 HH. 5 different coil combinations. Nothing else come close.
Wow ! So many replies ! Thanks guys
But you have quite a bit of cash and you also have some seriously good European luthiers and small volume makers all around you, including several in Poland - Mayones for one, although they may be just above your price range you might get lucky.
Just over the border in Germany you have many bass makers, each of whom produce some fine instruments, but if it's versatility you are looking for I would recommend a Clover Avenger 5. There was a rave review in the UK's 'Bass Guitar' magazine that highlighted the huge tonal variety this bass could produce. I tried one and it was a tone monster, however, the UK distributor seemed strangely unwilling to order me the bass I wanted from Clover and only interested in selling me the one they had in stock...and I didn't want that one so I passed. They go for approximately £1600 in the UK, so should be bang on your budget.
Then again, for that sort of money you could also try ACG Guitars in the UK. I have ACG filter pre-amps in two of my basses and they are supremely versatile, I can nail any tone using them - although they can be a little tricky to dial in until you get used to the unique way they operate. Again, their Custom range of basses should be in your price range and you would get a unique instrument made exactly to your specification
This question gets me ??? every time.
When I'm out playing, I don't think anyone, including myself is getting worked up over my tone. So I just play my Jazz or my Ray5 and play the hell out of the tunes.
In a recording situation, it may be different.
I think bass players over think their live tone, to the point that it's ridiculous. I don't think anyone leaves your gig thinking "he didn't sound like Jamerson on that one track!"
When I'm out playing, I don't think anyone, including myself is getting worked up over my tone. So I just play my Jazz or my Ray5 and play the hell out of the tunes.
In a recording situation, it may be different.
I think bass players over think their live tone, to the point that it's ridiculous. I don't think anyone leaves your gig thinking "he didn't sound like Jamerson on that one track!"
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