Which 5 would you get?

[Joebone]

I own a Fender Jazz and a MM StingRay. The Jazz is tuned Eb and is used in my cover group, and the Ray is tuned standard and is used in my tribute group.

The 5 would be used in my cover group and for any other time I need a low B. I personally am more of a passive guy, but I've been watching a lot of Marta Altesa's YouTube videos, and I love the tone of her Ray. That said, I also love the tone of my Jazz.

For what it's worth, most Fender 5-lovers seem to prefer the P over the J.

If you already dig MM, and can roll with the narrow string spacing on the MM 5-strings, then consider going there, then lose the 4-string MMSR. Two axes, covering a whole lot of territory. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen those two instruments in someone's bag or on-stage setup. Also echoing Post #20, to check the vitality of that MM G-string. For reasons I don't comprehend, some of them flat-out suck.

 

[electracoyote]

Fender fivers don't work for me. Maybe I need to play more. But I've had better luck with MusicMan with less effort.

Then again, I'm spoiled by Peavey Cirrus fivers, so what the hell do I know?

 

[bumble yeti]

Fender fivers don't work for me. Maybe I need to play more. But I've had better luck with MusicMan with less effort.

+1
But I'm a little guy.
Tho the G string being close the edge of the fingerboard did initially take some getting used to and a techinque adjustment.

 

[Pep]

I've had Fender, Schecter, Tobias, Warwick. Sold them all and had Carvin build me a PB5 with just the P-Bass pickup and active electronics. Love it!!!!

 

[jimgrinnell]

I would get the Fender and then drop a Sadowsky plate preamp into it.

Have you ever done this? I have an 89 Jazz (MIJ) that I'd love a lot better if it had the tone of my Sadowsky 5. Thanks!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Have you ever done this? I have an 89 Jazz (MIJ) that I'd love a lot better if it had the tone of my Sadowsky 5. Thanks!

No, I haven't, but Sadowsky now produces a three knob plate preamp so you don't have to drill a side hole for the jack. I'd do an experiment with your Sadowsky 5 - put it into passive mode and play it. Go back to active mode. If it has the "Sadowsky" tone in passive mode, then a preamp isn't going to give you the Sadowsky tone.

 

[jimgrinnell]

No, I haven't, but Sadowsky now produces a three knob plate preamp so you don't have to drill a side hole for the jack. I'd do an experiment with your Sadowsky 5 - put it into passive mode and play it. Go back to active mode. If it has the "Sadowsky" tone in passive mode, then a preamp isn't going to give you the Sadowsky tone.

I've already tried that. It just isn't the same in passive mode. I only get the tones I like when it's active. I didn't know Roger is now selling a 3 knob preamp. Thanks for the information!

 

[Gizmot]

I learned decades ago that I need more tonal versatility than any Fender provides.
Last year when I decided I wanted a 5er, I got a G &L L2500. I don't think its an ultimate best bass, but Its an honest product that delivers a lot of value. If I decide that i'm completely enamored with 5s, i'll get serious and get a Dingwall or another Warwick. The Sadowskys usually sound good and i'll check them out too,

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I've already tried that. It just isn't the same in passive mode. I only get the tones I like when it's active. I didn't know Roger is now selling a 3 knob preamp. Thanks for the information!

I think they started selling those in December, maybe late November.

 

[songwriter21]

I keep seeing them advertised in our local Kijiji and they do look interesting....and reasonable pricing

Mine

 

[monkeyfinger]

Two very different animals. Since you need both from one instrument, IMO you are more likely to get a Jazz-like tone out of a MM than you are a MM tone from a Jazz. I would look at Musicman with dual humbuckers. It's most likely to cover enough Jazz territory to suite you. Also, you should check out the Sterling. (Not Sterling by MM, but the MM Sterling 5 HH.) It's has more upper-end bite than the Stingray.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Discuss. Thanks!

* EBMM Bongo 5 in stealth pearl (pearl white with ebony fretboard & black hardware)
* Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East model (pure white or gloss black)
* Peavey TL5 second generation in black
* Alembic Essence 5 w/Series II electronics
* Warwick Streamer II (fretless)
* Wal Mk3 five-string
* Spector NS-5
* Peavey B-Quad 5 (fretless)

MM

 

[andruca]

No Fender low B I've played has ever come remotely close to those in Stingray 5ers (of which I own 2, BTW). Jazz necks are comfortable, but then again, a SR5 neck is the most comfortable neck you'll find on a 5er. Narrow string spacing could be a pro or a con for you (in my case it's a big pro, even despite my enormous hands). Now you might like the sound of the Jazz as it's more "delicate" or "detailed". In a mix setting it gets eaten up way easier than a Musicman, which naturally takes its place with way more authority. Finally, EBMM's construction and QC level is FAR superior, and it shows in the consistency of their playability and sound, you're not taking any chances really if you were to buy a Musicman bass sight unseen. With Fender OTOH, well, errrrr... :-(

If I were to get a SR5 now I'd get the HS version, can get close to P or J and can do 2 of the 3 sounds of a 3 coil MM pickup (parallel and single coil).

 

[Tom Baker]

I 2nd the Peavey TL-5 vote.

 

[makaspar]

Lakland Skyline - 55-60 (Jazz), 55-02 (J/MM), or 55-01 (soapbars)... 35" scale, and great necks - as lI my as they aren't too heavy. In that order for me.

The Fender and Music Man are great basses, I just prefer the Lakland necks. 35" is not as big as it sounds, but it plays better to me - tight and punchy.

 

[Korladis]

Fender Professional Jazz V
EBMM StingRay 5h

Discuss. Thanks!

Which one would I get? Neither. I don't like 5s.

Which one should you get? I don't know. I'm not you. Have you played both? Which do you like more? Which could you see yourself using more? Which neck feels better to you? Get that one.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I went with the Ray absent further info (ie Player string with preferences, music style of the days will be used for, etc.)

Rays are a much better value for the money IMO. The craftsmanship and build quality in each is exquisite and they are an absolute work horse of a five string. I find that you can get a few very useful tones out of them just with the coil tapping switch. On top of it, the 17 1/2 mm string spacing seems to be universally playable. I tend to prefer wider spacing but I have absolutely no problem feeling at home on the SR5 neck.

Highly recommended.

 

[BassJuju]

I have an Elite V that is by far my favorite. Great tonal possibilities and the fit and finish is really nice. I also find the neck to be smooth and fast. I really like the compound radius neck. I played an EB before ordering another bass recently and I just didn't like the neck as well. The shape felt too round for my tastes and the finish was rough. The fretboard also was less than impressive. I am certain that someone here will choose the EB for the very reasons I didn't. All things considered, I'd buy the Jazz again and in fact almost bought a second recently.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Thanks guys. As always, it looks like I'll need to make a trip to the local music shop to do some testing