I've had a lot and my main player these days is a stingray 5H. I'd give it a shot, if it's too expensive check out the sterling by musicman Ray 35. I had the ray34cafl and was shocked at how good of a value it was but sold it because it was fretless
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I can't contribute from a broad perspective, except to say...
I've been really happy with my G&L USA 2500 and Ibanez SRs.
Even though I'm a long-time Fender-kinda-guy, I've been sorely disappointed with Fender five-string basses. YMMV.
I've been really happy with my G&L USA 2500 and Ibanez SRs.
Even though I'm a long-time Fender-kinda-guy, I've been sorely disappointed with Fender five-string basses. YMMV.
Get a 5 that plays easily for you and has a B like a piano. (I hear the difference between 34 and 35) I had a problem finding a scale I liked, Ibanez and close spacing was/is unplayable and wide spacing that I've experienced on Jazzes and Ibanez BTB were uncomfortable and daunting, then I found Lakeland 5502, it was perfect, like a jazz 4 with less taper, or like a slender Rick neck--but with 5 strings, subsequently, one of the G&L necks and the standard Tribune neck is the same too, someone here knows the measurements I'm sure. I have a Korean Raven West thing that has that scale too and I played a top of the line Tobias that was Very Easy to play. It's still a 4 but with C# and D, and Eb yeah
Classifieds here on TB are best bet - I'd guess they show up 10-12 times a year. Ebay. Maybe Craigslist in Oklahoma City?
Looking over the rest of this thread, there is a lot of love for the Lakland Skylines. I've heard the DJ 5 in other's hands, and they sounded good in old-school settings. I've played the 55-94, and Lakland was really smart in moving the bridge towards the bottom of the axe so the difference in scale length is less obvious to your arms, but the fingers still have to deal. If you have big hands and fingers, the difference may be minimal for you - and 35" inch basses often have great B-strings, which is not always a given with 34" -inch - for example, first-generation Fender 5's are surprisingly non-happening. But I (and others) do not dig the Lakland electronics. And I have no Skyline experience, but can attest that the USA Laklands are extremely well made and highly playable.
If you dig the 35" thing and want to spend less money, try to find an MTD Grendel, which is a Michael Tobias design, built to his spec in Czechoslovakia. They pop up sometimes here and on ebay, in the $600 range. I have one I keep out of state, for occasional jams and gigs out there, strung with DR flats, and it does a great job in casual acoustic jams, jazzish stuff and in a "Gonzo Cowboy Americana" band with which I sometimes play. I use 34" at home, but really like the sound and feel of this axe (I think they also did the Lakland geometry) and given the kinds of music I'm playing when in Colorado, I don't have to be as athletic and can think more in terms of moving my entire arm to maintain a close hand position, rather than stretching fingers. It is active, with a two-band eq that works fine. There also was a passive counterpart called the Beast.
Finally, why 5-string? I do keep some fours, but almost always play five. The low notes are an obvious boon, but for me the real deal is the ability to choose fatter timbres by playing higher frets on the lower strings, and to hop onto the B string so as to maintain hand position and timbral constancy in certain chordal and root-based patterns. I don't have great technique, but got hip to Todd Johnson's "floating thumb" approach, which has helped tremendously with muting issues. And the next time you have to play a shuffle in E, relish playing the low E on the B-string's fifth fret, mute with your left hand at will, and watch your bandmates smile.
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I have loved DJ5s since they first came out and now I took the plunge.
i like the feel of an asymmetrical neck ... ! feels a bit more like i'm still playing a 4 stringer ..
my neck are Warmoths ... deluxe j 5 ... i have both sizes , but prefer the smaller width nut .. !
the asymmetrical back of the neck is a bit thinner on the treble side , thicker on the bass ... feels good for my older arthritic hands .. ! after many decades of piano , gtr, bass ...
my neck are Warmoths ... deluxe j 5 ... i have both sizes , but prefer the smaller width nut .. !
the asymmetrical back of the neck is a bit thinner on the treble side , thicker on the bass ... feels good for my older arthritic hands .. ! after many decades of piano , gtr, bass ...
As a converted 4-string player to a 5, you have a lot of options with that budget! As many of the responses have stated, there are a lot of good suggestions!
My suggestion: Go with something classic & timeless. Something that if you ever want to sell in the future you can get a good re-sale price for. Also, with your budget, you can get a killer instrument & make some really cool modifications with pickups & preamps if you sell your stingray.
1. Fender American Standard V or a used Deluxe V- Either keep it stock, or add some Lindy Fralin, Aguilar, or Seymour Duncan Qtr. Pounder pickups
2. EB MM Sterling 5 HH or Stingray 5 HH or HS. Once again, a couple of killer basses you could add a couple of Duncan Humbuckers or just keep it stock.
3. Lakland Skyline Series 55-02 is a really cool versatile bass
4. You MIGHT (and I stress 'might') be able to find a good used Sadowsky Metro 5 in the $1500 price range if someone is willing to give a really good deal. Probably looking more in the $1700-$2000 range, but that would be a killer investment.
5. LowEnd 5. Also tough to find, but I've seen a few on here in the $1500-$1700 price range.
madbass6
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Yeah I'm sure the guy doing the quite impressive solo had nothing to do with it rite.. lol
Hey There's people all over you tube giving reviews on all kinds of Basses! (youtube.com)
since you're limited with music stores etc.
check out some reviews there mite helpl! in fact if I'm not mistaken (not sure) I think this site (talkbass) has a Bass review forum as well it mite be worth checking that out tool! Just keep in mind just cuz some guy sounds amazing on any instrument it doesn't mean you or me will !
Gd luck!!
You might want to check out the Godin Shifter Classic 5, right in your price range, would be quite different than your Cort. Excellent build, top quality components, hand crafted in Canada. Would be much closer to your J sound than the 'Ray too. I have the 4 string version, after over a year I still could not be happier with it.
I don't know you and certainly don't mean to 'dis you, but the only Fender fives I've gotten my hands on were pretty horrible, specifically the Fender Jazz V Deluxe I bought from, and sent back to MF.
...Maybe I'm just jinxed.
...except financially. A Sire V7 5 string is just as good, IMO, at about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. I've played both and I find them to be very comparable instruments. In fact, my experience is that the Sire plays better, but yymv.
Dingwalls have been my answer, but it isn't easy to find one under $1500, and high demand (relative to the supply) means you have to commit and be ready to act when one becomes available.
Check out the Dingwall Owners thread and see if there are any Dingwall owners local to you.
Dingwall Owners Club Part 4
A Dingwall might be perfect for you, or the feel might not agree with you -- but I think 5 minutes with the bass in your hands would definitively answer that question.
Check out the Dingwall Owners thread and see if there are any Dingwall owners local to you.
Dingwall Owners Club Part 4
A Dingwall might be perfect for you, or the feel might not agree with you -- but I think 5 minutes with the bass in your hands would definitively answer that question.
The spacing is 17.5mm. I have and play 17, 17.5, 18, and 19mm spacing with no problem, but I guess some people can't do it. I doubt that it's noticeably tighter than your Cort, judging by the pictures I've seen of the Cort A5. As to the ergonomics, once you play a 3hr gig, you'll appreciate how it hangs. It's very much in keeping with Fender ergonomics, but with much better balance.
However, just cause I like it doesn't mean you have to!
Spend some money on transportation to the biggest music/bass store you can get to and try a ton before you buy. It will save you loads of time and money better spent elsewhere down the line.
Lakland DJ5. You can go with an Audere or J Retro Preamp. I myself really like the transparency of Audere along with the price and simplicity to install.
Personally the DJ5 is probably the best 5 string I've played regardless of cost.
Personally the DJ5 is probably the best 5 string I've played regardless of cost.
Most important questions to me are do you like a 34" vs 35" scale (I am 34" all the way, anyone saying a 35" b is superior is biased), and do you like wider, narrow, or fender 5 type spacing. Knowing the answer on those two is pretty huge, or at least knowing you definitely don't care.
And the fender AM Jazz Dlx V, I've had some that were pretty good. The post 2010 are great. The comparison to a Sire is stretching a little to me. Although I thought the Sire was a good mid tier bass.
And the fender AM Jazz Dlx V, I've had some that were pretty good. The post 2010 are great. The comparison to a Sire is stretching a little to me. Although I thought the Sire was a good mid tier bass.
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For Sale - 2015 G&L L-1005 L1005 Wunkay Five Only 10 or so made!
no affiliation, but I do own one and haven't played another bass since I got it....of the 40+ that I own.... I have a Roscoe Beck V, and it never spoke to me the way these do.....
no affiliation, but I do own one and haven't played another bass since I got it....of the 40+ that I own.... I have a Roscoe Beck V, and it never spoke to me the way these do.....
