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Where sell’s 5 strings?

#21
vindibona1 said:
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?
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I wouldn't be surprised if there were more basses on the wall in one of the bigger shops in LA or New York than there are in every guitar shop in the South Island of New Zealand combined. The most I've seen in any one shop here is around 12-15 basses, with 8-10 of them being entry level.
 
#22
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
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Andertons are the most obvious candidate, and easy to get to. Maybe give them a call ahead of your visit.
 
#23
If its choice you’re after the Bass Gallery is possibly your best bet in the UK. They’re in Camden in London so it would be a bit of a day trip but I just checked and they had about 40 fivers in stock. A mixture of new and secondhand and a big variety of makes.
 
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#24
Yonni said:
If its choice your after the Bass Gallery is possibly your best bet in the UK. They’re in Camden in London so it would be a bit of a day trip but I just checked and they had about 40 fivers in stock. A mixture of new and secondhand and a big variety of makes.
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yes, Bass Gallery is great.

there is also Guitarguitar’s Camden branch about 10 mins walk from there, if the OP makes a day out of it!
 
#28
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
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Welcome to TalkBass!!!!

You'll get better advice from those closer to you. Just swinging by to say welcome.
 
#29
Smooth_bass88 said:
I'd just go straight to the Bass Centre The Bass Centre - London - England

I've been here before. It's... pretty cool
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The only 2 basses I bought without playing first came from Bass Gallery (Lakland) and Bass Centre (Profile P bass). Gallery were really helpful on the phone and often post the weights (if that is a concern). Bass Centre have very consistent QC on their builds and extremely good value for money - my Profile P bass is up there with USA Fender quality for a third the price. Both shops have worked with pros over the years - Pino, Guy Pratt, Entwhistle, Norman Watt-Roy, etc.
 
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#30
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. 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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Thanks for your reply.

I have around 15 years of experience playing a modified fretless fender jazz in an Indy type band.
The new project is more prog/math/post metal orientated, a bit experimental.
I’m using my old and cheap Ibanez which I’ve swapped out the nut and put heavy gage strings on and tuned it to bead, it’s ok, but I’m missing that g string.
My budget is £1k.
All my guitars have been 2nd hand so far, and I’ve had many, there’s nothing wrong with used, I just fancied getting myself a shiny new one for a change.
 
#31
Yonni said:
The only 2 basses I bought without playing first came from Bass Gallery (Lakland) and Bass Centre (Profile P bass). Gallery were really helpful on the phone and often post the weights (if that is a concern). Bass Centre have very consistent QC on their builds and extremely good value for money - my Profile P bass is up there with USA Fender quality for a third the price. Both shops have worked with pros over the years - Pino, Guy Pratt, Entwhistle, Norman Watt-Roy, etc.
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I've come across the bass centres website before. Do they just sell their own products?
How come they’re not better known?
 
#35
Glynplaysbass said:
I've come across the bass centres website before. Do they just sell their own products?
How come they’re not better known?
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I don’t know why they aren’t better known. I do know that they moved a while back. I get the impression that the Artist Series basses is a fairly new thing. Maybe their old premises were more traditional music shop? Whatever it was they had a loyal customer base among working pros. Their strings are pretty good too!
 

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