Ok, so I have a four string Fender Jazz. It's a great instrument and does everything I need for a four stringer. Now that I'm in the market for a five, I'm looking for some variety to get a whole new set of tonal possibilities. Based on what I'm looking for, I'm looking at-
1- Five Strings. I want the loooooooooooow.
2- Some pickup combination that's not JJ (could be P, HH, H, PJ, JH, etc). Excessive humming is a dealbreaker, and I tend to keep both J pickups on my Jazz at the same volume.
3- Leaning toward active over passive. Could change it aftermarket. No biggie.
4- I play classic metal and hard rock and I want the instrument to have an attitude to it without looking gimmicky. I'm thinking "classy, but with an edge". That could be a P bass for all I care. P basses are edgy as hell.
My budget is somewhere in the 400s BEFORE any aftermarket upgrades. My long time GF (whom I live with) will give me the worst stink-eye if I don't carefully budget this. I've also been pretty thorough in my research and definitely play before I buy. I've thoroughly researched recent Fender, Epiphone, LTD, Jackson, Dean and Ibanez releases.
Just to give as much info as possible-
1- I've been considering the new Thunderbird Pro V at 599, but a) I don't know if I want to be Epiphone's test subject, b) the necks on the IVs tend to feel like gripping a baseball bat (I learned on a Jazz), and c) the neck dive and poor fret access are relatively concerning.
2- If Jackson Kelly or Epiphone Explorer basses were readily available in five strings, that would easily fit my visual, string, and pickup requirements.
3- I'm turned off by Dean's V headstocks and extended Ibanez horns. Not knocking them... they're just not me.
Any thoughts? Thanks for the help.
Side story-
Like (I assume) most of you, I try and try to rationalize my GAS. Last week, I thought, "Hey, I'm going to send my MIM Jazz bass off to get a new bridge and some actives". Then, I thought, "Ooh, I don't want to lose my bass for up to a week." A couple days later, I came to the realization, "Well, I have been wanting a fiver. I'll look at cheap ones to hold me over." The other day it turned into, "Why waste money? I'll just get a five string I actually want." Ugh. I have the money, desire and willpower to pick the right one, though, so I'm in a good position. BTW, I'm still most definitely getting the Jazz upgrades.
1- Five Strings. I want the loooooooooooow.
2- Some pickup combination that's not JJ (could be P, HH, H, PJ, JH, etc). Excessive humming is a dealbreaker, and I tend to keep both J pickups on my Jazz at the same volume.
3- Leaning toward active over passive. Could change it aftermarket. No biggie.
4- I play classic metal and hard rock and I want the instrument to have an attitude to it without looking gimmicky. I'm thinking "classy, but with an edge". That could be a P bass for all I care. P basses are edgy as hell.
My budget is somewhere in the 400s BEFORE any aftermarket upgrades. My long time GF (whom I live with) will give me the worst stink-eye if I don't carefully budget this. I've also been pretty thorough in my research and definitely play before I buy. I've thoroughly researched recent Fender, Epiphone, LTD, Jackson, Dean and Ibanez releases.
Just to give as much info as possible-
1- I've been considering the new Thunderbird Pro V at 599, but a) I don't know if I want to be Epiphone's test subject, b) the necks on the IVs tend to feel like gripping a baseball bat (I learned on a Jazz), and c) the neck dive and poor fret access are relatively concerning.
2- If Jackson Kelly or Epiphone Explorer basses were readily available in five strings, that would easily fit my visual, string, and pickup requirements.
3- I'm turned off by Dean's V headstocks and extended Ibanez horns. Not knocking them... they're just not me.
Any thoughts? Thanks for the help.
Side story-
Like (I assume) most of you, I try and try to rationalize my GAS. Last week, I thought, "Hey, I'm going to send my MIM Jazz bass off to get a new bridge and some actives". Then, I thought, "Ooh, I don't want to lose my bass for up to a week." A couple days later, I came to the realization, "Well, I have been wanting a fiver. I'll look at cheap ones to hold me over." The other day it turned into, "Why waste money? I'll just get a five string I actually want." Ugh. I have the money, desire and willpower to pick the right one, though, so I'm in a good position. BTW, I'm still most definitely getting the Jazz upgrades.
