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Which 5 string for $1000?
- Thread starter Johnny Morales
- Start date
LedBelli Bass
Fine, Handmade Custom Bass Guitars
Of the 3 choices, the Lakland by a mile . . . especially at that price.
My last Jazz Bass was a "Fender Special Release" MIM. I bought it cuz I wanted a hard-core gigging bass. I even installed some SD Antiquity II's in it to beef up the tone.
However, I'm a builder and I still could not get the neck on that MIM to setup correctly to save my life! I tweaked and filed till I was tired of messing with it.
Off to Ebay it went after only a month . . .
So, go for the Lakland. I had one and the setup was spot on right off the shelf.
My last Jazz Bass was a "Fender Special Release" MIM. I bought it cuz I wanted a hard-core gigging bass. I even installed some SD Antiquity II's in it to beef up the tone.
However, I'm a builder and I still could not get the neck on that MIM to setup correctly to save my life! I tweaked and filed till I was tired of messing with it.
Off to Ebay it went after only a month . . .
So, go for the Lakland. I had one and the setup was spot on right off the shelf.
Absolutely the best B string and playability -> Lakland. Find a used Daryl Jones 5 or 55-02 (I prefer the newer ones with the Lakland LH3 over the Bartolinis.... less muffled, better for funk and rock). Plus, you get the chance to be a part of one of the most obsessed groups of people on Earth (the Lakland Owners Group)!!!!
Cheers and best of luck.
Cheers and best of luck.
I think Lakland 55-02s are great, but you mentioned a 55-01 for $700, not a 55-02. Although you can get lucky sometimes, a used 55-02 will likely be in the $850-$1,000 range, not $700. Although 55-01s are nice basses, many people opt to upgrade their electronics which will add another $100-$300 depending on what you do.
I have opted for a traditional Fender tone rather than a nice approximation, so my American Standard Jazz V fits the bill perfectly for me in a way my 55-02 could not.
I have opted for a traditional Fender tone rather than a nice approximation, so my American Standard Jazz V fits the bill perfectly for me in a way my 55-02 could not.
I will second the used Peavey American made Cirrus. I think there is one for sale in the bass sale section. A 35" Millenium would be nice too.
I am a G&L L2500 and Stringray 5 fan, but the fender jazz in my opinion would be your best choice, it is an industry standard, it is the most common bass out there, and unlike my American G&L L2500 (which i do love)a million one companies make 3rd party parts for them, there is no way you can go wrong, and they fit any genre of music, and the 2008 versions are great, if it was me i would go the route that is full proof, I have an american fender Jazz v deluxe, it works great, and the b string was fine and was not that floppy, and when I put Dr. low rider strings on it, the b string got really tight and sounded great.
What about a Spector Legend or Schecter Stiletto? I've played the Schecter and it sounded pretty good - never played the spector though.
I'm gonna have to voter other. I have an MIM deluxe active 5-string J that's been my main bass for about six years now. I love the thing. I only paid $650 new for mine. The only thing I did to it was to swap out the stock bridge for a Leo Quan. Other than that it's totally stock and it sounds awesome through my VT Bass and GK 2x10 combo. Big tone that cuts through just fine. I really like the Pau Ferro fretboard. It's harder than rosewood, not quite as hard a maple. It would be worth your time to check one out. IMO the MIM's dont' get enough credit and get bashed way too much. Here's the product link: Invalid Link Removed
I know this isn't the correct thread, but I am thinking of getting rid of my Carvin Bunny 5 string. It has been updated with an Aguilar OP-3 bass preamp. Still not really happy with it. It feels fantastic but I am not crazy about it. PM if you want it, I'll give you a good deal on it. I also have a Lakland 55-01 fretless and I had to replace the Korean Barts with American ones. . I'd go with a MIM J Bass and gut it.
I am amazed at the quality of my Blade bass. That it cost less than a grand was amazing.
Go to www.bladeguitars.com
Distribution in the US is spotty at best (I had a local store contact the distributor in Canada). The parts are made in the far east and assembled in Switzerland. Finish, sound are exemplary. Most playable neck I have ever had.
Mine is a 4, but they have two 5 string models, one of which should be close to the $1MM mark. Worth going out of the way for.
Go to www.bladeguitars.com
Distribution in the US is spotty at best (I had a local store contact the distributor in Canada). The parts are made in the far east and assembled in Switzerland. Finish, sound are exemplary. Most playable neck I have ever had.
Mine is a 4, but they have two 5 string models, one of which should be close to the $1MM mark. Worth going out of the way for.
DJ5. I got one new after comparing it to the Fender 08 MIA 5. I thought the Lakland sounded better, fit me better and was made better. The differences in sound were small and could just be my preferences though. The Fender sounds great too and are easy to play. Very inconsistent in sound and set up from one to the next though. Who's fault is that GC's or Fenders?.
here is a picture of one just like my DJ5, ash body maple board and here is mine.
here is a picture of one just like my DJ5, ash body maple board and here is mine.
Attachments
I played one just like it at Bass Central last week, it totally hung with a sweet passive Lull that I played right after it. used it would be a killer deal!
