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What is your preferred 5 string configuration? (Pickup Config, Active/Passive, Scale length, Bolt on/Through neck, String Spacing, type and gauges)

#61
String spacing is the most important thing for me when it comes to 5-ers. 19mm at the bridge, please, and the wider the spacing is at the nut, the better.
My custom 5, the one in my avatar, has a very wide nut (2") and the string spacing matches that of a 4-string with a 1 3/4" nut width. That's my ideal. I can go a wee bit narrower but I prefer wide.

I like a 35" scale but it's not a deal breaker. My J5 (an Alleva-Copollo) is 34" and feels great. I also prefer active 5s but, again, not a requirement.

I'm not fussy about neck attachment or pickup configuration. Those are just flavors to me and I like all kinds of flavors.
 
#62
If you've gone to short scale, as I have, your options are much more limited. Ibanez makes a decent, reasonably-price one, the TB35 (I think), 30" scale. I had one for a bit; the B-string exceeded expectations. It was a bit of a neck-diver but manageable, and if you upgrade the tuners - perfect. Definitely a good value for the budget-conscious, and a good modding platform.

A few custom builders will accommodate short-scale, Rob Allen comes to mind. There is a shop in LA that manufactures "Woodcraft" SS 5's and has some in stock. They look cool, but all of them have 16.5 mm bridge spacing - way too narrow for me. Nordstrand is prototyping a 5-string "Cat" bass if you don't mind buttons. I do. I dont like switches, either :).

I found my "home bass" with the Serek Midwestern II-5, 30.5" scale. Smallish P-body, set-neck, all mahogany (at least mine are) with options for fretboard wood, 2+3 headstock angled back for good witness points. They have a very solid but not chunky neck, and mine are super-stable so far. 18 mm Hipshot bridge and Ultralite tuners. The most special part is the Serek single pickups, that run passive. Inspired by Rick singles, they have a unique voice and two in a Jazz configuration with a blend knob are now my favorites. There's a long list of other options and configurations available as well. I also have one with a Serek single in the P position and a dummy coil to keep it quiet. Both are 7-8 lbs and super comfortable to gig, perfectly balanced. I keep Labella RX nickel round on the P and Dunlop medium flats on the J. Finding short-scale 5-string sets is a bear, BTW.

Sereks are not inexpensive, and I'm not sure about their availability for new builds at present, but they show up used pretty regularly, and are well worth the price and the wait if new is desired.

Edit: Vintage Bluesman makes one as well, but if you thought the Sereks were expensive…
 
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#64
Not sure. I have a lot of variety. Usually 34-35" scale, 18-19" spacing. Pickups, I like 'em all.

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#66
TomB said:
If you've gone to short scale, as I have, your options are much more limited. Ibanez makes a decent, reasonably-price one, the TB35 (I think), 30" scale. I had one for a bit; the B-string exceeded expectations. It was a bit of a neck-diver but manageable, and if you upgrade the tuners - perfect. Definitely a good value for the budget-conscious, and a good modding platform.

A few custom builders will accommodate short-scale, Rob Allen comes to mind. There is a shop in LA that manufactures "Woodcraft" SS 5's and has some in stock. They look cool, but all of them have 16.5 mm bridge spacing - way too narrow for me. Nordstrand is prototyping a 5-string "Cat" bass if you don't mind buttons. I do. I dont like switches, either :).

I found my "home bass" with the Serek Midwestern II-5, 30.5" scale. Smallish P-body, set-neck, all mahogany (at least mine are) with options for fretboard wood, 2+3 headstock angled back for good witness points. They have a very solid but not chunky neck, and mine are super-stable so far. 18 mm Hipshot bridge and Ultralite tuners. The most special part is the Serek single pickups, that run passive. Inspired by Rick singles, they have a unique voice and two in a Jazz configuration with a blend knob are now my favorites. There's a long list of other options and configurations available as well. I also have one with a Serek single in the P position and a dummy coil to keep it quiet. Both are 7-8 lbs and super comfortable to gig, perfectly balanced. I keep Labella RX nickel round on the P and Dunlop medium flats on the J. Finding short-scale 5-string sets is a bear, BTW.

Sereks are not inexpensive, and I'm not sure about their availability for new builds at present, but they show up used pretty regularly, and are well worth the price and the wait if new is desired.

Edit: Vintage Bluesman makes one as well, but if you thought the Sereks were expensive…
Click to expand...
Follow-up: I've seen in another thread info that suggests the Woodcraft basses aren't actually "made" in LA but perhaps only assembled there, if that. I'm not sure if it matters to the end-product, not having even seen one, but I don't want to spread misinformation.
 

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