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What's the best Medium Scale (32") 5-string you've played?

jeffmaccora

jeffmaccora

Jan 27, 2003
379
455
Los Angeles, California
www.instagram.com
#1
What's your favorite medium scale 5-string?

A little background - I'm pretty picky with basses and am in search of a medium scale 5er... My favorite medium scale 4's are a Squier MIJ P 32", Aria Pro II 32" - I love them both and they regularly get chosen in the studio over their 34" counterparts by artists and producers alike. I'd love to have a 32" 5-string counterpart, but my search so far hasn't gone great.

Basses I've tried
Under $3K - I've tried a non-USA Lynn Keller and a Marusczcyk 5 - rating -> meh. The Ibanez Mezzo 5 was better than either the MTD or Marusczcyk, however the B-String wasn't phenomenal. IMHO - the 32" 5-String does better with a rosewood or similar darker wood board - none of these basses had that. I just ordered a used Spector Bantam 5 from GC at a good price - should receive tomorrow to try out.

Over $3k - I'm interested in building a Form Factor medium scale... I tried their short scale 5 and the B-string was AMAZING. The neck felt incredible as well. The Wilkins Marlin was also very good. I haven't tried Serek, Bacci, or Seldon.

Best,

JM

BTW - Here's my Medium Scale Precision bass in action -


 
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#2
Not any kind of production model, but this one still reigns as my all-time favorite medium scale 5-string (tuned EADGC)
 

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#3
jeffmaccora said:
What's your favorite medium scale 5-string?

A little background - I'm pretty picky with basses and am in search of a medium scale 5er... My favorite medium scale 4's are a Squier MIJ P 32", Aria Pro II 32" - I love them both and they regularly get chosen in the studio over their 34" counterparts by artists and producers alike. I'd love to have a 32" 5-string counterpart, but my search so far hasn't gone great.

Basses I've tried
Under $3K - I've tried a non-USA Lynn Keller and a Marusczcyk 5 - rating -> meh. The Ibanez Mezzo 5 was better than either the MTD or Marusczcyk, however the B-String wasn't phenomenal. IMHO - the 32" 5-String does better with a rosewood or similar darker wood board - none of these basses had that. I just ordered a used Spector Bantam 5 from GC at a good price - should receive tomorrow to try out.

Over $3k - I'm interested in building a Form Factor medium scale... I tried their short scale 5 and the B-string was AMAZING. The neck felt incredible as well. The Wilkins Marlin was also very good. I haven't tried Serek, Bacci, or Seldon.

Best,

JM

BTW - Here's my Medium Scale Precision bass in action -


Click to expand...

These two.
Dean Performer Quilt Maple 32" Scale ABG
s-l1600 d.jpg

Jay Turser one of a kind Quilt Maple 32" Scale ABG
azh1afdakjruzjk1kwl1_wdp.jpg

Never mind that they are the only two short scale 5 string basses I have ever played/owned.:smug:
 
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#10
jeffmaccora said:
What did you like about it? I've been eyeing the company!
Click to expand...
Well I love everything about S. Martyn. I became friends with Samuel the luthier, and he is really open minded! The best thing is the sound, you can’t hear the difference from a long scale and their short scale. Also the weight, balance and playability. They are just amazing and incredibly versatile
 
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#11
Pablo Primo said:
Well I love everything about S. Martyn. I became friends with Samuel the luthier, and he is really open minded! The best thing is the sound, you can’t hear the difference from a long scale and their short scale. Also the weight, balance and playability. They are just amazing and incredibly versatile
Click to expand...
I would love to try one out, I wonder do y'all know anyone in LA with one?
 
#17
Came here because I was curious about direct comparison of MTD Kingston LK and Ibanez mezzo. Both overseas PJ with active eq. Curious if the only reason the MTD is more expensive is the “pedigree.”
Can you say more about the tonal personalities of the two? Or details like fretwork? LK is 16.5mm spacing while I believe mezzo is 18. Is that correct?
Thanks
 
#19
Mark Karwan said:
Came here because I was curious about direct comparison of MTD Kingston LK and Ibanez mezzo. Both overseas PJ with active eq. Curious if the only reason the MTD is more expensive is the “pedigree.”
Can you say more about the tonal personalities of the two? Or details like fretwork? LK is 16.5mm spacing while I believe mezzo is 18. Is that correct?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Yeah, the MTD has 16.5mm spacing (which I usually enjoy, loved my bb5000), but I did not connect with the Lynn Keller. The LK asymmetrical neck is chunky in a very strange way - and I usually like playing MTDs!!! The Ibanez Mezzo 5 was just a much more enjoyable player. Between the two - I would buy the Ibanez hands down.
 

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