• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The never played more than 4 thread has me thinking.

L

LT131

Jan 25, 2015
1,466
2,121
Deep South
#1
I haven't laid hands on a 5 in 20 years. That's right. And, my current band has dropped a hint, mainly the git player who I think would like for me to get one so he could borrow it, that it would really be nice for some of our stuff. So i looked around. I find that specs on the lower end stuff seem to be kind of sketchy.

My biggest dislikes about five strings has always been string spacing and never really getting a good b string sound. Now I have a rig that will handle fat strings but the preference for wider nuts and spacing hasn't changed.

Here's my questions. What is out there that has wider spacing, cheap(3-400 or less) used, and since my local craigslist a veritable wasteland, easy to find say on the GC used lists? I prefer passive but it seems most 5'ers are active. Is this necessary to make the B sound good?

I see tons of Ibanezezs, some Yamahas, ESP's and a few Squiers. What fits the bill?
 
#3
I recently picked up a Yamaha BB425x, and it's the first 5er that has felt comfortable to me. It has a nicely tensioned B-string, and I believe the spacing is 18mm. I paid $599 new, so used ones will probably be around $400-$450, I'd imagine. Quality bass, imo. I love mine.
image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueAliceOasis, Joybass and mrb327
#6
LT131 said:
I haven't laid hands on a 5 in 20 years. That's right. And, my current band has dropped a hint, mainly the git player who I think would like for me to get one so he could borrow it, that it would really be nice for some of our stuff. So i looked around. I find that specs on the lower end stuff seem to be kind of sketchy.

My biggest dislikes about five strings has always been string spacing and never really getting a good b string sound. Now I have a rig that will handle fat strings but the preference for wider nuts and spacing hasn't changed.

Here's my questions. What is out there that has wider spacing, cheap(3-400 or less) used, and since my local craigslist a veritable wasteland, easy to find say on the GC used lists? I prefer passive but it seems most 5'ers are active. Is this necessary to make the B sound good?

I see tons of Ibanezezs, some Yamahas, ESP's and a few Squiers. What fits the bill?
Click to expand...

If you can find a Godin Freeway 5, the string spacing is just a little narrower than a 4 at the bridge, the neck is super comfortable, passive PJ, and really well made. I just sold mine because I don't ever play 5 string, but they easily be found in your price range.
 
#7
THIS Fender fanboy would simply recommend Fenders BUT, you just have to try whatever is available to you. Some guys rock the nickle & dime basses while many make the $weet $tuff sing too. The good news is that you have many affordable choices to find a player to get you creating.

When you can play it easily and make musical discoveries is when you'll have found a good place to start.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 47th Street
#9
Try a Yamaha TRBX --- they sound great (especially the lesser expensive 305) and have a wide-variety of tonal options.....The string-spacing is kinda in the middle: Not wide like my Carvin ( My BB75 has a full 3" breadth from B to G across the bridge pickup) but not Ibanez narrow either
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spent and Helix
#11
Any of those options (Ibanez, Yamaha, etc.) are excellent value for you.

Another option for you, if your goal is to have the Low B... If you have an extra 4-string bass. String it BEAD (instead of the traditional EADG). For the most part, it's a minimal change, simply requiring the heavier guage strings and a minor intonation adjustment.
 
#17
Tbone76 said:
I recently picked up a Yamaha BB425x, and it's the first 5er that has felt comfortable to me. It has a nicely tensioned B-string, and I believe the spacing is 18mm. I paid $599 new, so used ones will probably be around $400-$450, I'd imagine. Quality bass, imo. I love mine.
View attachment 795608
Click to expand...

How is the neck on that? I prefer chunky, not flat or shallow C. Don't like to feel a thin fret board jabbing my fingers when I reach for the B string.
 
#18
ThePresident777 said:
How is the neck on that? I prefer chunky, not flat or shallow C. Don't like to feel a thin fret board jabbing my fingers when I reach for the B string.
Click to expand...
It's definitely not overly thin. It feels thicker front-to-back than my American Special P Bass, but it's not uncomfortable. I'd say it feels more like an American Standard Modern-C Shape than the Slim-C shape of the American Special. It also widens nicely as it gets closer to the body joint. The finish on the neck almost feels like an oil finish, rather than a satin poly. It feels fairly close to a Musicman neck finish, imo.
 
#19
Agree with most. The Ibanez BTB, Squier P5, MTD imports. Thats where I'd start The Squier P5 has a neck that you'd probably like too.

You're lucky, there are several great basses within your price range.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back