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Thinking of getting a 5-string

peledog

peledog

Jul 9, 2010
4,625
986
San Diego, CA
#1
I've never really played one. Always thought it wasn't for me, but the band I'm in requires one (we play droptuned anyway)

So...

What's a new or used 5er that wouldn't break me money-wise, but is competent enough to play casino shows (I love the IEMs at the casinos :bassist: )

Anyway, should I get a 35" scale? I'm leaning towards a Spector Legend Custom 5er or a used ReBop 5er, but I've also been looking at Ibanez, Fender and Sterling by MM. My budget would be around $700.

I'd like to try out the Yamaha TRB 5er, but they seem to be hard to find (used). I'm open to suggestions and makes/brands (keep in mind the budget). Lakland Skyline, MTD Kingston. Schecter??

Help! :hmm:
 
#3
I've been playing 5 string for over 10 yrs and my first 5 string was an Ibanez BTB405QM, served as my workhorse bass from 2001 to early 2007. It was 35" and sounded pretty decent as far as 5 strings go. Today I play a 08' MIA Fender Jazz V and just love the sound I get out of it.

BTW, the reason I switched to 5 string was for the same reasons you've stated, the bands I was playing in were all tuning down and I couldn't keep up with all the key changes - it just made it easier, much easier to keep up with a 5 string.;)
 
#4
My new approach to 5 strings regarding scale: fuggit.

A sucky bass is going to have a sucky B string. A great bass is going to have a great B string. If you can play either scale comfortably just worry about getting a good bass and you'll be fine.

Spectors are a good bet across the board. If you stretch your budget by $150 or so, you could easily find a Euro 5LX on the used market, but if not a Legend Custom or ReBop is a solid choice. Someone is also selling a few Warmoth Deluxe 5s in the TB Classifieds for around that price and if they come close to the quality of any of the Fender AmDlx Jazzes they're most definitely worth a look.
 
#5
Ibanez, Squier, Schecter, Carvin, Yamaha all have decent 5-strings that won't be too pricey. There's almost no transition time from a 4-string to a 5-string. It's just one extra lower string (5 extra notes). The string spacing may be slightly less but you get used to it really quick.

If/when you do get one, drop by the 5-string club. Show your pic, get a number. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388228&page=40
 
#6
My brother browbeat me into borrowing his '88 SR5 (Sweet!). Took me about a month to get used to it, but once I did my 4's went back in the cases. Naturally, it had to go home (drat!) and I don't have the bank for that kind of vintage gear, but I did find a very nice MusicMan SUB5 ($600) right here on TB. It's kind of heavy, and I'm only 5'9" (with freakishly large hands) but you forget about the weight when your hear that...sound. No other bass sounds like that. Not for everyone, but that's the point. 34" works for me, first position is comfy as is. Take the plunge, don't look back & let us know how it goes. There's a lot of power in that extra string. Good luck with your search!
 
#8
Thanks everyone.

I don't suppose there are short scale 5ers out there? :smug:

@Kwesi - that's the main thing (other than string spacing) that I'm worried about - the B string and whether it will punch through or sound like an elephant farted. :ninja:

So far I have recommendations of G&L, Fender, Spector and someone PMed me about a Warrior. I'm going to visit the Carvin showroom in San Diego later this week - I will try about the SB5000 - but, since I will be a 5er newbie - I'm wondering if that might be overkill.

Should I go for a Squier or low end Ibanez? Or should I dive right in, get a decent 5er and use up my budget, plus a little more if necessary and if I can afford it on a used 5er.

Are the MTD Artist series any good? I'm a little apprehensive about 5ers that have all 5 tuning heads on one side of the headstock. Should I be? How does it affect the sound, and are there more dead spots or fretbuzz with that sort of string orientation?

I really like the Spector and MM layout for the tuning heads. I saw a NSCR5 for $800 with Aguilar OB-1 -which makes me wonder, - neck thru or bolt on for a 5er??

@Vinxbass - are you tuning heads all in a row on one side?

Thanks again everyone - this is going to be a bit of a journey and trial/error. Matching looks with sound and weight plus it being my first 5er - I'm excited but stressed as well. :hyper: :hmm:
 
#9
Try an ibanez sr405qm.

SR405QMCNB.gif
 
#11
If you feel that you're on the right track with this band, then spring for a quality 5'er that will last. You can easily find one that fits in your budget. I've heard some good things about the Italia Imola, but I'm not sure if that's the look you're going for.

Or, conversely, you can get a Squier or other lower-cost brand/model and spend the rest of your budget on new pickups, pots, preamps, or whatever else you feel you need to upgrade it.
 
#12
I would say that there's not such thing as overkill as long as you can afford it and you really really really like the instrument. The Carvin SB5000 is superb, and would last you the rest of your life. Or, you could prowl for a used Carvin 5 (my vote goes to the BB for 19mm spacing) and stay WELL under your 700 budget, leaving room for pickup upgrades in the near future. OH and also you could get the B50 for right around 750 new...

I've had a TRB 5 and currently a TRB 6, and they are very very good basses. But they are hard to find. And they're not exactly light. But you might look into the BB series 5 strings, I believe they also have 19mm spacing. Also very affordable and good quality.

Skylines are nice, perhaps a used 55-02 could be had in your price range. IMO the Bart equipped ones have a slight edge with regards to tone.

In all honesty I haven't been impressed with Fender 5 strings. I would steer clear personally.

I've had a MTD Kingston 5 and it was very well put together and had a great B string, but I wasn't super keen on the one-trick pony sound - worked well for rock, less so for other types of music (mind you this was the very early MM only passive version).

Do you want to keep the 19mm string spacing? That's a big deal for me, but if you are ok with going narrower then a used MM Stingray could be a nice option.
 
#13
peledog said:
I saw a NSCR5 for $800 with Aguilar OB-1
Click to expand...

Buy it now!!!! Those basses are some of the best that Spector has ever made. I'm still mad at myself for letting 2 or three get away when I could have bought them. That's easily one of the best sounding, highest quality basses you can get for that price.

And if it so happens that you can no longer buy it seriously consider how much you have to put into this bass. When I made the leap from 4 bangers to 6ers I went all chips in and got a used Warwick Thumb BO6 and while it wasn't the best bass in the world it was great quality and I no longer felt like I had an instrument that could hold me back. I say if playing a 5er is something you really want to do, regardless of the band, put some cash into it :). Also, buy used because if your tastes change or you don't like it you can flip it at minimal loss!

As far as actual suggestions I haven't seen a bad one yet. Specifically with the Ibanez basses (most of which I can't stand) I haven't played the SR405 but the SR505s are solid basses with great B strings for the money. Swap out the pickups and it'll be a killer for right around your budget range. I've also been looking into an SB5000 and I'm probably going to order one once a few things sell. Unfortunately, for the time being all my "fun money" is wrapped up in gear that needs to go.
 
#14
Kwesi said:
A sucky bass is going to have a sucky B string. A great bass is going to have a great B string. If you can play either scale comfortably just worry about getting a good bass and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

+1

Here's how life works: There are no simple rules that make things easy for you!

Everybody tries to give you these rules. 35" scales are "better". This or that brand is the "answer". etc.

Here's the real rule. Basses are made from trees. Trees are all individual and different. Hence the "best" 5 string bass with the "best" B string is the one you've personally played, tested and loved. I've got 35" scale basses with killer B strings, and my G&L Tribute (34") has one too. You find a bass. You play the B string. You compare the tone, feel, sustain etc. of the E at the 5th fret on B to the open E. You try every note looking for dead spots. You note the tone and "feel" of the bass in your hands. You look at the price. And then you decide. That's life.

There are no quick and dirty rules that "always" work.
 
#16
bassbenj said:
+1

Here's how life works: There are no simple rules that make things easy for you!

Everybody tries to give you these rules. 35" scales are "better". This or that brand is the "answer". etc.

Here's the real rule. Basses are made from trees. Trees are all individual and different. Hence the "best" 5 string bass with the "best" B string is the one you've personally played, tested and loved. I've got 35" scale basses with killer B strings, and my G&L Tribute (34") has one too. You find a bass. You play the B string. You compare the tone, feel, sustain etc. of the E at the 5th fret on B to the open E. You try every note looking for dead spots. You note the tone and "feel" of the bass in your hands. You look at the price. And then you decide. That's life.

There are no quick and dirty rules that "always" work.
Click to expand...

Agree!

I've played on cheap 5-ers, and I've played on pricey ones. 35" scale and 34". They all sound different, and there is usually no frame of reference other than your personal taste.

I currently have an Ibanez 5-ers that I love, but someone else might look at it and assume that it sounds like crap (until they hear it). It's 'only' a 305, but sounds better than some 5-ers that I've tried that cost two or three times more.

So, as advised above, go try some out. Look for the things that bassbenj pointed out. Get the one that you think sounds the best and feels the most comfortable. Basically, it's no different than buying any other type of bass.

I've been playing my 5-er solely for so long now that it feels weird to play a 4. In fact, I need to pick up some of my 4s before I forget how to play them! :p

-K
 
#17
For 5-strings, I have:

US G&L L-2500
Yamaha TRB 5
US Peavey Cirrus V
US Peavey G-V
Schecter Stiletto Elite 5

They're all nice. I could live with any of them (though the Schecter is my least favorite of the bunch). But, the last one I would sell is my Peavey G-V.

Nobody has mentioned Peavey in this thread, but you can't hardly find a bad U.S. made Peavey 5-string. And they're cheap! Though, so are all the others I listed. You can find U.S. G&L L-2500s used, in good shape in the $800 range.
 
#18
I've heard good things about the USA Peaveys. And if I had the cash, I might give the Nathan East Yamaha a whirl.

But, there's a deal pending for the Spector NSCR 5 - I just love the Spector necks. I'm hoping the string spacing will not be an issue for me.

On my trek back from Carvin, I'll probably stop buy Guitard Center and check out the G&Ls - maybe MTD or two and the Ibanez that was suggested in this thread.
 
#20
Dude... once you go 5, you'll never go back. Sounds like you're doing your homework on them, so your decision will not be a rushed one. I'm anxious to see what you get and how you feel about it after a few afternoons and a few beers with it. Post pics of the lucky bass you adopt!
 

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