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Where sell’s 5 strings?

G

Glynplaysbass

Sep 7, 2022
8
4
#1
So I need to buy a 5 string for a new musical project.

it’s been years since I went instrument shopping, I was hoping to try a few out before I bought one.

annoyingly, the shops local to me I tried in Southampton and Portsmouth had hardly any in stock.

can anyone recommend where might have a selection of 5 string basses to try or another way of trying before I buy?

currently I’m having to base my decision on specs, you tube reviews and looks, not ideal!

thanks in advance
 
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#2
You're in the UK, I'm guessing? We have a good UK contingent here, someone will be along to help shortly. :)
 
#3
Glynplaysbass said:
So I need to buy a 5 string for a new musical project.

it’s been years since I went instrument shopping, I was hoping to try a few out before I bought one.

annoyingly, the shops local to me I tried in Southampton and Portsmouth had hardly any in stock.

can anyone recommend where might have a selection of 5 string basses to try or another way of trying before I buy?

currently I’m having to base my decision on specs, you tube reviews and looks, not ideal!

thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I see you’re a ‘newbie’. Welcome to Talkbass!:)

I’d try Google ‘music shops near me’ if you absolutely need to try before you buy.

Good Luck
 
#7
Glynplaysbass said:
So I need to buy a 5 string for a new musical project.
it’s been years since I went instrument shopping, I was hoping to try a few out before I bought one.

annoyingly, the shops local to me I tried in Southampton and Portsmouth had hardly any in stock.

can anyone recommend where might have a selection of 5 string basses to try or another way of trying before I buy?

currently I’m having to base my decision on specs, you tube reviews and looks, not ideal!

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

It appears that if you aren't close to anything you can go to and try, you need to find a source where you can order one and return/exchange it if you don't like it. The only one that comes to mind over there is Thomann. Also, Andertons puts out a lot of demo videos, but I know nothing of their sales policies.

What type of "project" are you preparing for? What type of budget have you set for yourself? Are there any used basses listed in your area? I'm a fan of used equipment as instruments are built to last decades if cared for. Being new to 5 strings (not stating how much bass experience you have) used is a good way to go because the initial depreciation has been absorbed by someone else allowing you to get most, all of your, or more money out of the instrument when you go to sell it.

What I can tell you is that in the "bang for your buck" category, the brands/lines of basses that have proven to be excellent instruments and good values are: Yamaha. Ibanez. Harley Benton (Thomann's house brand). Squier Classic Vibe and one more- Sire. At least one of these brands should be readily available for you to try from somewhere.

If you feel that you need to put your hands on a instrument or try different instruments you may need to plan a day trip where you can test instruments. Not knowing the geography of England at all, I wanted to see where Andertons was and found it in Guilford, which seems to triangulate between Southhampton and Portsmouth and seems to be a little more than an hour away from Southhampton. I did a quick search and Andertons appears to have many 5 string basses in stock.
 
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#9
vindibona1 said:
It appears that if you aren't close to anything you can go to and try, you need to find a source where you can order one and return/exchange it if you don't like it. The only one that comes to mind over there is Thomann.
Click to expand...

One of the best places to me would be Bass Direct. but they're in Warwickshire, which would mean a long trip, but they have nice stuff.
 
#11
Damn Shame. A generation or so ago, you could go to Shaftesbury Avenue & Denmark Street in London and be near at least a half-dozen shops. I shopped there in the early 1980's. Sorry. I know it's not helpful now, but I couldn't resist reminiscing. If you can afford a day trip return ticket to London from where you are, Google "best music stores in London," call whatever pops up, and ask them what they have in stock to try.
 
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#18
MultiScaleMale said:
Is the UK more 4 string favourable? Seemed that way when Bass Player went to a UK distributor for a year or so.
Click to expand...

I think it's been pretty well established that almost everyone here, even devout 5 string players play or own at least one 4 string. Retailers tend to stock what sells and if they don't have a lot of call for 5 strings, it doesn't make financial sense to heavily put money into a lot of 5 string basses. But I don't think that is necessarily limited to the UK. It appears that there aren't (relatively) a lot of guitar shops in the UK compared to elsewhere.

I'm fortunate to live in a "Guitar Mecca" having at least ten good guitar shops within 45 minutes drive, from my front door. How many good shops are in the entirety of the UK? Even so, with that, we have Sweetwater, Musicians Friend and a number of other online stores that can deliver product overnight with 30-45 day returns.
 
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#19
I live in a rural part of Scotland, just over an hour away from Edinburgh and Newcastle where Guitarguitar have shops, but know enough local musos to be able to borrow a 5 banger (Audi reference) in half an hour, if I needed one. Networking is key, that's why I'm on this USA site! lol
 
#20
I'm in the U.S. and it seems like a dream that 20 years ago in my tiny state one could find 10 shops in a 10 mile radius where at least a hundred basses we're available at any time for playing and choosing.I have since then bought a slew of basses on line and generally have been lucky.But that can't beat trying the one that captures your fancy at a B+M.
 

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