Which five string for me?

wow - I have a '04-ish P w/ lindy's and I cant imagine anything I couldnt over w/ it (except lower notes )

for that $$ I'd check out the new rock basses from warwick. I played one a while back and was blown away. I believe the price tag was under 1k. something amazing about wick necks. . .

i've seen people rave about g and l tributes too. played a used one and it wasnt bad. smaller than I thought, oddly, but didnt get to spend much time w/ it

 

rock bass. check them out.

 

I think I'd like to stay away from fenders. It needs to be active with good tonal options. It needs to be light weight because I don't like heavy basses for 4 hour gigs.

Why not get an ibanez if they want the tone of an ibby there's nothing wrong with that?

 

Love my Rock Bass and it's way lighter (or at least my back hurts less after playing it) than my Stingray 5.

 

Ibanez basses are pretty consistent within their product lines. If you liked the SR1200, you'd probably like the SR1205 (or whatever the 5 string version is).

 

If you have the local resources go try out a Lakland 55-01. It's one of the best basses I've ever owned and it's very versatile for different types of styles. They start around $800 and you can probably pick one up used for $600. I own some high end 4 strings and I went shopping around with about $1,500 for a good 5 string and after playing about 20 or so different basses I picked the 55-01. The only issue I have with it is that the pickups seem very touchy being the Bartolini MK1 series I'm always changing the preamp between songs but some people like that sort of thing.

 

Sounds like an Ibanez 5-er is right up your alley, the only this to consider is the narrow string spacing. They are very light and comfortable, have nice slim necks, some have great looking natural woods if you're into that, and almost all of them are active. But their string spacing at the bridge is about the tightest that you can find, so you really need to try before you buy. If you do nothing but fingerstyle it's probably not an issue but many people have a hard time trying to slap with them. IMO, I really wish I could play one, because I love everything else about them, but the string spacing is a deal breaker for me. You may not care though, once you've tried it.

I'm curious about you're friend's that you played, what vintage is it? I thought the 1200 was an older model but I could be mistaken. If it is, the electronics on the newer ones are quite a bit different.

 

rock bass is by warwick. and they're pretty damn light. you can also get them active, and they have good tonal options.

 

Ibanez SR505

One of very few basses I regret selling. Gonna get me another someday.

 

really? All of the warwick basses I've tried is either boat anchor or neck dive machine.. Thats just my experience with wicks..

I have to say go with Ibanez they are really good for the price you are paying..

 

I just recently bought an MTD Kingston Heir five string for $900 and I LOVE it. The assymetrical neck is so great and the tonal variety is awesome.

 

RockBass if you want new.

G&L L2500 USA if you want used.

 

Rockbass...the new 2010 model, look for an Corvette $$ or a Streamer $$ model. very easy to play with lots of space for tone. I also own a Ibanez BTB, and my Corvette $$ Rockbass beats it in all areas, including weight. (maybe not looks)

 

+1 for Ibanez BTB (i.e. 405QM), but it's a 35" scale as opposed to P-Bass which is 34". Try to check one out in a shop and make sure you're comfortable with it.

 

I've read this a lot too . . . and all of the wicks I've ever played seem really light. maybe it was by chance (or I have a high threshold for heavy?)

 

MTD KZ5. Totally worth it. Amazingly versatile, balance well, light, and are absolutely sexy.

If I buy another 6-string after selling my Schecter, it's an MTD.