Which 5 string J bass would you choose?

[Killing Floor]

Which one feels best in your hands? They’re both fine basses.

 

[jamesblue]

I think when you choose a new/different bass it's very important to know what String Spacing / nut width you like. Really important on a 5-string, nobodys playing technique are ergonomics is exactly the same; so if you can go to a music store and try some 5-strings and see what spacing you like; then narrow down what basses have that spacing and go from there.

Some general Neck nut spects - Ibanez 1.77" (has narrowerer string spacing), Music Man 1.75", then Fender 1.87".

A good spacing IMO is the 1.75 neck nut spacing, most people say it's just right.

For example I can not paly a Fender 5 worth anything due to the larger string spacing, I believe all Fender 5s necks have the same spacing.

On Sweetwater site you can select what size and it will sort for you. Gotta know what spacing you like or you'll end up not playing it much.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I have short fat fingers, but the Fender bridge spacing and nut width are perfect for me. The G&L bridge spacing wouldn’t be so bad if they increased nut width from 1.77” to 1.875”.
I do love G&L’s, so this would NA very hard decision to make for me. I’d have to really play each one multiple times.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Both new. Fender American Pro II V or G&l jb-5. Both new. Smaller discount on the G&L.

Both. After 5 years or so, I might be able to make up my mind which one to keep…

Seriously, I wouldn’t have a clue. The true value of an instrument isn’t the price you pay, it’s what you can get out of it. Will it allow you to express yourself to your fullest potential, or is it a detriment?

From me, each instrument needs to be judged on an individual basis. Not every PB is a great instrument. Nor is any other massed product instruments for that matter.

Best advice if at all possible is to play as many different basses as you can and make that judgement yourself. Keep in mind, it’s your ears and fingers that are going to be living with it, not mine.

 

[TonyP-]

G&L all the way

 

[jamesblue]

Seems like you should choose from the Fender basses as you like their neck and spacing. How bout a Precision V.

 

[zubrycky]

None. I'm not a 5-stringer.

 

[DWBass]

Not a fan of Fender but agree with the string spacing comparison so I'd go Fender.

 

[TonyP-]

Just for the record G&L is coming out with the JB-5 750 early summer with a 19mm spacing.

I just played a couple of the first prototypes the other day and they were great.

 

[fishdude101101]

I think when you choose a new/different bass it's very important to know what String Spacing / nut width you like. Really important on a 5-string, nobodys playing technique are ergonomics is exactly the same; so if you can go to a music store and try some 5-strings and see what spacing you like; then narrow down what basses have that spacing and go from there.

Some general Neck nut spects - Ibanez 1.77" (has narrowerer string spacing), Music Man 1.75", then Fender 1.87".

A good spacing IMO is the 1.75 neck nut spacing, most people say it's just right.

For example I can not paly a Fender 5 worth anything due to the larger string spacing, I believe all Fender 5s necks have the same spacing.

On Sweetwater site you can select what size and it will sort for you. Gotta know what spacing you like or you'll end up not playing it much.

I have short fat fingers, but the Fender bridge spacing and nut width are perfect for me. The G&L bridge spacing wouldn’t be so bad if they increased nut width from 1.77” to 1.875”.
I do love G&L’s, so this would NA very hard decision to make for me. I’d have to really play each one multiple times.

Both. After 5 years or so, I might be able to make up my mind which one to keep…

Seriously, I wouldn’t have a clue. The true value of an instrument isn’t the price you pay, it’s what you can get out of it. Will it allow you to express yourself to your fullest potential, or is it a detriment?

From me, each instrument needs to be judged on an individual basis. Not every PB is a great instrument. Nor is any other massed product instruments for that matter.

Best advice if at all possible is to play as many different basses as you can and make that judgement yourself. Keep in mind, it’s your ears and fingers that are going to be living with it, not mine.

Seems like you should choose from the Fender basses as you like their neck and spacing. How bout a Precision V.

Just for the record G&L is coming out with the JB-5 750 early summer with a 19mm spacing.

I just played a couple of the first prototypes the other day and they were great.

The spacing is the biggest thing for me. The only 5 string I own now is a Squier VM 5 since I haven't played 5 strings that much over the past couple of years. I'm sure if I played it every day I'd be really comfortable on it but sometimes the wider spacing on it means I have put more thought into playing certain things. Similar spacing on a 4 string doesn't bother me. I have really short fingers is the reason why, I think.

Will G&l still keep the narrower spacing or will it only be the 750 going forward I wonder?

On the Precision V suggestion.....I'm just not a pbass guy. Can't get a sound I like out of them no matter how hard I try. I think they sound great with others play them, but just not my thing.

 

[Nedmundo]

I've had both, a 2008 Fender Jazz V and a JB-5 from around 2017, and I'd go with G&L. I prefer the narrower spacing at the bridge, and it had better playability, probably thanks to the factory Plek-leveling. I think the G&L's neck was more solid too, but to be fair neither one was great at holding a setup, and the G&L's neck needed a shim for low action. I didn't like their 9.5" radius fretboards because I strongly prefer at least a 12" radius, especially on fives (like my G&L M-2500). But that's a preference issue, not quality. They both sounded fantastic, so no issues there. Also, I prefer the G&L saddle-lock bridge, which is great for palm-muting with a pick.

If I wanted a passive J5, I'd order the G&L with a quartersawn neck, 12" radius, and probably an empress body for light weight. (My JB-5 was empress, and only 8 lbs.) I think the extra rigidity from a quartersawn neck is beneficial, particularly on fives, and with a 12" radius that neck would be fantastic for me. I found the rear profile and rounded fretboard edges extremely comfortable; the radius was the issue.

I do think Fender's new Player Plus Jazz V is worth considering. They have 12" radius fretboards, and the active/passive operation is cool. I briefly tried one and liked it, but through the amp in the shop I didn't get the best sense of the pickups. I want to try one with a maple fretboard, which I would prefer. They tend to be fairly heavy though.

 

[TonyP-]

[QUOTE="fishdude101101, post: 26095694, member: 373463]

Will G&l still keep the narrower spacing or will it only be the 750 going forward I wonder?

[/QUOTE]
They will offer both

 

[Joebone]

I’d go Fender only because the 17.5mm string spacing on the GNL is to narrow for my comfort zone.

Yup. Let ergonomics be your guide.

 

[JW56789]

G+L. All day.