Which 5-string would you buy?

[Bass Viking]

Speaking from personal experience, for a great 5 string with a solid low B I'd recommend Sadowsky, Ken Smith, and of course Dingwall.

 

[Rocketpriest]

As far as I'm concerned, the only 5 strings I'd trust sight unseen are Dingwalls. Every single Dingwall 5'er I've ever laid hands on has had a perfect, tight, defined B string. If you're looking for a step up from a Jazz 5, but would like a sound in the same vein (although much more modern and hi-fi), the Super J 5 would be the ticket. It also helps that they're gorgeous.

It is kind of weird that they're not listed on the website, but they exist, are in production, and if you order one expect a wait of a few months, if what I've heard is true. Worth the wait, in any case.

 

[BluesyCat]

Thanks everyone. Excellent input.

 

[sleeping buddha]

ROSCOE.

 

[bwv1013]

I absolutely love my MM Stingray 5. I have it strung with Elixer's and the B string tension is good.

+1. action was a bit high in the store but that was easy enough to lower and now it plays amazing.

 

[Jamsesh]

I would recommend any musicman bass. They are all amazing, they are 34" scale and have a solid B. Try them all out and decide which one fits you best.

 

[steve21]

The 5's I've tried from Lakland, Sadowsky, & Musicman have been excellent. My favs are 55-02/94's, Moderns, and Sterling 5's respectively.

The 4 string Valenti I played was great, and I wouldn't think a 5 would be anything less than excellent as well.

 

[skb5string]

Tobias (older Gibson or Pre-Gib if you can find one!) Pedulla, MTD!!, Sadowsky, F Bass, Yamaha, Roscoe, Ken Smith, Peavey Cirrus....it really depends on what you are looking for in terms of sound and its playablility...string spacing etc.. and how much $$$$ you want to spend.

 

[Fire-Starter]

Keep the Fender 5ver and play the heck out of it. Not to knock others but if you like the Fender sound and all, and it does the job, your decision is at hand.

You have a custom at that, so you are good to go. Keep the two plus grand and put it in savings or invest it until what you have just will not cut for you any longer. Just saying...

 

[seanm]

Well I just *did* buy a Lakland, so I would have to say Lakland

To be honest, I am not sure I am sold on the 5 string, which is too bad since the Lakland is a great bass. Great fret work straight out of the box, great looks, great balance, weighs about the same as my Fenders. And I found the Lakland a *lot* easier to play than the G&L I have.

 

[Ryan L.]

Roscoe. One of THE best low B's around (until you get into the multi-scale basses like Dingwall).

Also, others that I own/have owned that have had great low B's were :

Warwick
Modulus (my experiences were the EXACT opposite of yours)
Valenti
Mike Lull
Fender American Standards ('08 models)

 

[dave_bass5]

I never thought i would say this but after loving my 55-01 for so long i now much prefer my new Fender 2008 USA standard P5. Its a 34" neck and feels more comfortable. To my hands it feels closer to a 4 sting P than my 55-01 does.

 

[allexcosta]

If price is no problem, Celinder...

 

[Tony G]

How about a Nordstrand Nordy vJ5? I'm very, very happy with mine.

Link Removed

 

[pasta4lnch]

The string was just that. It wasn't solid but yet it just was too "floppy". It is too hard to describe. My Fender has a much better 5 and sounds better too in comparison.

funny - I consider the b on my mia j5 kinda floppy. other than that I absolutely love it!! i wanted to try a lakeland jo5 . . . had a brief thought in making a warmoth j5 w/ a passive mm pup, but havent acted on it yet

 

[Eggman]

Somebody has to say it - no one has - so I will. Bongo 5 either an HS or HH - with a piezo bridge. Amazing flexibility.

I have played most of the ones listed here and while all are good - I find the Bongo gives me the tone I crave.

 

[BluesyCat]

all excellent input. startin' to get confused! LOL!

 

[Munjibunga]

Lakland JO5 with J-Retro. End of confusion.

 

[lindseyp]

Lakland 55-02.
Try one of the MTD Kingston series or any of the Peavey Cirrus basses, too.

 

[jaco_bass]

bongo, spector, or stingray