Ultimate 5 string Jazz Bass?

[KillerB]

Considering to buy a new 5 string 34" in JJ setup with a lot of punch, definition and simple the best sound possible, but I know this is a matter of taste.

Sound and playability is for me more important than $. I'll try to find the best in the market without the possibility to compare in a A-B situation.

Questions:
- What will do best rosewood or maple fretboard and why?

- What about your opinion and experience with:

Sadowsky
Alleva Coppolo
Fodera
Lakland
Others

 

[Envincibal]

I'm not familiar with the basses you listed, but I would HIGHLY recommend a Pedulla JJ Rapture - incredible bass, and you should be able to pick up a used one for sub $1k.

 

[TonyP-]

I would add Nordy to that list.

 

[5StringBlues]

Used Fender Roscoe Beck 5 string if you want passive.

 

[DWBass]

Stock? Sadowsky!
Modified (pups/pre)? Lakland! (Can't stand the stock electronics)

Rosewood will probably give the warmest sound but I'm a fan of Maple!

I've played a Sadowsky and own a Lakland. I LOVE Laklands! While mine is a Skyline JO5 (modified), I will own a USA JO5 one day! It is my mission!

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Other!

I'd go with a Warmoth body, USAG neck and components to create MY tone.

 

[AgIdoc]

what no squier deluxe active V? ebonol fretboard?

 

[boyet]

My "taste" told me to get this:

Right in the pocket if you're on a budget.

 

[SpamBot]

Lakland -- Specifically Munjibunga's shell pink one...........

 

[swpyne]

I have been playing bass for 45 years and I have owned almost all of the great basses that are available out there.

I recently acquired this 2008 Sadowsky NYC 5 String and IMO it's the perfect 5 string. Great looks, tone and playability. Plus it's very lightweight due to it's chambered body. You should seriously consider one of these if your looking for the ultimate 5 string "jazz style" bass.

 

[BassAgent]

Celinder!

 

[TonyP-]

Considering to buy a new 5 string 34" in JJ setup with a lot of punch, definition and simple the best sound possible, but I know this is a matter of taste.

Sound and playability is for me more important than $. I'll try to find the best in the market without the possibility to compare in a A-B situation.

Questions:
- What will do best rosewood or maple fretboard and why?

- What about your opinion and experience with:

Sadowsky
Alleva Coppolo
Fodera
Lakland
Others

I'm assuming you been here before.
http://www.bassmatters.nl/

Great little shop and Paul is a super nice guy.

I think when you are getting into
Sadowsky, Lakland AC, Nordy ect...Its just a matter of taste.

I can say after trying all of them that Nordy fits the bill the most for me (if I'm playing a wood neck )

 

[SteveC]

I've had a bunch but always go back to my Yamaha BB605 with Bartolini electronics. Best bass I've had...and there have been many...and much more expensive.

If you are in that range of bass, they are all nice and it's a matter of details and personal taste.

 

[angryclown5]

My experience with my Lakland Skyline JO5 and DJ5 is that they are 35" scale...

 

[mccartneyman]

Lakland fives are 35" scale. I've just been listening to Roscoe Beck and I do like his sig model Fender, but it's discontinued. Haven't played the others.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

As a sucker for the Marcus Miller tone, I would have to say Sadowsky does it for me. You don't need a Sadowsky to get the MM tone (Marcus sure doesn't use one) but I think that hot, active tone is so easy to get with a Sadowsky that it wins the contest hands down for me.

 

[nato101010]

What about G&L?


I know their pickups aren't exactly Jazz, but they are sure punchy and clear. That 5th string on them are great too. The maple board was punch-yer then the rosewood for sure.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Best five-string Jazz (for my tastes) I've ever tried is a Sadowsky with the Sadowsky SC pickups, and I've tried quite a few. I love the preamp, and with single coils you can go passive and get the classic passive Jazz tone if you want. I really like the neck profile, too, but that's personal preference (as indeed all this is).

The only reason I sold mine was to get a four-string Will Lee, since I've now switched back to fours.

 

[Double Agent]

I love Fenders. While Lakland and Sadowskys are nice, they just don't sound like Fenders to me. They are built better in a lot of cases, use better components, and have more attention to detail, which is reflected in the price and the consistent, high quality of those instruments. But, there is something about a Fender Jazz that doesn't sound like any other bass, even the so-called clones. Now, I haven't played Alleva-Copollo basses yet, so that might change my opinion. But, for my money, Fender have that certain "it" that I know when I hear it, but it's hard to describe.

I will say that I think Sadowsky makes the best "modern" Jazz, but for a bass that can do old-school AND new-school I prefer Fenders.

 

[Philbiker]

I used to own a USA Fender Jazz V from 1997 that was as far as I'm concerned the perfect 5 string jazz bass. I'm not a jazz bass guy any more though so it got sold off.

As for the "ultimate" 5 string jazz bass, the Dingwall Super J springs to mind.