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Ultimate 5 string Rock Bass?

#23
"Higher end" and rock don't seem to go together for me. Rock is supposed to be popular music for the masses, not the delicate music of snobs. Having said that, a Stingray 5, Sadowsky Metro 5 and Roscoe Beck 5 are what occur to me. I would be happy to play any of them and they won't break the bank. Of course if you must have high end, Leland Skylar seems to rock quite well with his Dingwall. A Z-1 or Z-2 would certainly rock with the best and are definitely more upscale than I can afford.
Edit: Or how about that Celinder 5 at Bass Emporium that Ken Jung posted about. A 70's Jazz on steroids and guaranteed to break the bank.
 
#24
How about a Fender MIA P-bass Deluxe . . . I believe that's the one with the P-pickup and the massive humbucker at the bridge . . . correct me if I'm wrong. But seriously, that thing looks like it could churn out some major rock tone.

If not that, I'd say Spector. Personally I think they work much better for straightforward rock than for heavy metal, as, in my experience, they don't cut through two de-tuned, distorted guitars and a double-bass pedal. But that's just me.

Actually, now that I think of it, a Pedulla Rapture-5 might be just what you're looking for. The J2-5 is great, as is the single humbucker Rapture. Amazing basses, great B-string.
 
#25
I've been pretty much predominately playing rock and hard rock all my life. I found a sweet deal on a bass that surprised the hell out of me. Check out my bass collection and the past owned basses. It's crazy that I think I found one of THE best rock basses. "Spector". I have very botique taste, like many people here, and I've been actually really liking my Spector Rebop Deluxe 5. They get my vote for "Hard Rock" and "Metal" sound. But I actually use my f-bass in my newest band too, which is a Hard Rock/Alternative/R&B Band and I think it works so well. Anyway, I like having more than one sound, so it's good you have the F-Basses. If you want something different than your current families of sound, I think a Spector, Zon, or Warwick would do it. I would say even the Euro Spectors are awesome and capable of providing what you are looking for...and I have to support my bay area boys at Zon.

I can't say enough good things about lakland as well. Although they are different than your current basses, they are all based off the same family of "fender" or "musicman" sounds. I love Lakland and they are great for Rock too, but they are different. Although the F-Bass looks very unique, I think it's sound is more in the Fender Family as well, just superior in every way :hiding:

Another option is to look at Valenti. Nino seems to play pretty hard rock
 
#27
bassballs27 said:
Anybody played one of those Zon 5/2's?

I found that the Sonus Special was a little weak in the rock department.
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Me too, and I've owned both. The 5/2 is a bad ass bass, much more rock grunt than special, which sounds more refined. The only reason I don't play a 5/2 is that I don't like the amount of relief that Zon uses in their necks, but if you liked the way the special played, the 5/2 will be the same. The neck pickup tone on those 5/2s is SICK. That would be a really great choice.

My original reccomendations were going the be the L-2500 and SR5HH, you sure you don't want a music man? My SR5HH has become my go-to 5 string.

Sadowskys do rock as well.
 
#28
If you go Lakland, you may want to try their new proprietary electronics, or go with the Basslines option. The standard Barts are, IMO, a little tame for heavy music. Sure are great basses regardless though.

I know you have a G&L and want something different, but for heavy stuff an L-1505 would be tough to beat. The pickup is further from the bridge than an L-2000/2500's, so it sounds quite different, with just tons of growl and punch. They're among the most aggressive out there. I have the four string L-1500 (well, it's off to G&L for a new neck at the moment), and the tone is spectacular for hard rock. Makes me want to play "South of Heaven." Too bad these beasts are so hard to find in shops.
 
#31
bassballs27 said:
Well.....I hope someone doesn't shoot me when I say.....Sadowsky is what Jason Newstead (formerly of Metallica) used to play.......

If it can work for him, chances are it will work for me.......

But, they are expensive......and a little rare.....but not as rare as a Wal!
Click to expand...


Jason is the one who got me turned onto Sadowsky's ! ;) :bassist:
 
#33
Poon said:
I've been pretty much predominately playing rock and hard rock all my life. I found a sweet deal on a bass that surprised the hell out of me. Check out my bass collection and the past owned basses. It's crazy that I think I found one of THE best rock basses. "Spector". I have very botique taste, like many people here, and I've been actually really liking my Spector Rebop Deluxe 5. They get my vote for "Hard Rock" and "Metal" sound. But I actually use my f-bass in my newest band too, which is a Hard Rock/Alternative/R&B Band and I think it works so well. Anyway, I like having more than one sound, so it's good you have the F-Basses. If you want something different than your current families of sound, I think a Spector, Zon, or Warwick would do it. I would say even the Euro Spectors are awesome and capable of providing what you are looking for...and I have to support my bay area boys at Zon.

I can't say enough good things about lakland as well. Although they are different than your current basses, they are all based off the same family of "fender" or "musicman" sounds. I love Lakland and they are great for Rock too, but they are different. Although the F-Bass looks very unique, I think it's sound is more in the Fender Family as well, just superior in every way :hiding:

Another option is to look at Valenti. Nino seems to play pretty hard rock
Click to expand...

I agree with what you've mentioned.....I'm thinking Spector could be a good route.

And I think it's great to have a variety of basses with complementary sound........I feel it expands your interest in bass.

IMHO, everyone should own a Jazz Bass, P-Bass, and a Musicman. However, everyone has different musical tastes and styles so they rearrange to suit their needs.

G&L L-2000 = Jazz, P, and Musicman all in one......now why the heck do I own 3 F-Basses? One has to go......
 
#34
Nedmundo said:
If you go Lakland, you may want to try their new proprietary electronics, or go with the Basslines option. The standard Barts are, IMO, a little tame for heavy music. Sure are great basses regardless though.
Click to expand...

Yep, this is what worries me about a lot of basses.

Barts are great SOUNDING pickups......but you really have to boost them for rock. (I can really only speak for the Bartolini single coil jazz pick-ups)
 
#36
Am I the only one who feels this guy might be better served looking for a well voiced "rock" amplifier? Something like a tube SVT head or a Mesa 400+? It just seems more likely to get you the results you're looking for. And you could continue to use the basses you have been.
 
#37
SFjonstarr said:
Am I the only one who feels this guy might be better served looking for a well voiced "rock" amplifier? Something like a tube SVT head or a Mesa 400+? It just seems more likely to get you the results you're looking for. And you could continue to use the basses you have been.
Click to expand...

No sir.....

I have more than adequate amplification to 'sculpt' the voice of any bass.....
But, I would prefer if the bass (on it's own) could stick out in the mix with EQ just set flat.

The G&L pulls it off quite well.......but I don't really want to go for an L-2500 as it would be too similar (if not the same) as my L-2000.....and it might end up staying in its case.
 
#40
Ive always played rock/metal and the best basses for me so far is a zon sonus sp and modulus Q5. The zon seems to work better on rock/older metal and the modulus works better for the more current stuff. Ive had a sr5 and to me the notes seem to die off too soon, the Fbass was too plain, warwick sounded good but I didnt like the feel, spector didnt have enough output, Ibanez srx worked very well, warrior same as the Fbass, fender same as the sr5, pedulla same as Fbass, older tobias sounds killer but I dont like to take it out to smokey bars.
Anyway, just some thoughts and... imo.
 

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