I've always found 35in is the way to go for low Bs. My current 6 string is a 35in fretless and it has the best low B I've played.
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Which makers have 5 strings with 34" scale and 19mm spacing?
- Thread starter Sparkdog
- Start date
I've always found 35in is the way to go for low Bs. My current 6 string is a 35in fretless and it has the best low B I've played.
The later offerings of the Yamaha BB5000A series five-strings had 19 mm spacing and 34” scale. The early ones, I believe, had 17.5 or 18.0 spacing.
I had the same dilemma: I'd gotten rid of all my sixers, and suddenly everyone wanted a B string....
I did a lot of research, including on TB: I also wanted 34", 19 mm, and in my case, 21 frets--must have high E on the G string, which eliminates a bunch of options.
I also wanted passive....and a price somewhere around $1,000.
Opinions and reviews kept bringing me back to Reverend.. but of course, nobody local carries them, so I had to just go for it.
Here's my take: You can't beat a Reverend Mercalli 5--that is, unless you want an active bass.
Gotta say that I didn't want to go back to a 5 or 6 string...ALL the basses I'd owned had less than inspiring sounding B strings, regardless of string brand.
The Mercalli 5 string's B speaks with such authority that I'm actually PLAYING it!!
However: Just to be even-handed about this, I still play my G&L L2000 tribute (in passive mode) most of the time: It doesn't have as much inherent low frequency response as the Mercalli, but I really like its focused sound; I also like its slapping sound better.
Unfortunately, I don't own a G&L 5, so I can't speak to that.
In conclusion, let me say that, while I might prefer playing a 4, I'm very happy to play the Mercalli 5 on gigs where I need that B!
I did a lot of research, including on TB: I also wanted 34", 19 mm, and in my case, 21 frets--must have high E on the G string, which eliminates a bunch of options.
I also wanted passive....and a price somewhere around $1,000.
Opinions and reviews kept bringing me back to Reverend.. but of course, nobody local carries them, so I had to just go for it.
Here's my take: You can't beat a Reverend Mercalli 5--that is, unless you want an active bass.
Gotta say that I didn't want to go back to a 5 or 6 string...ALL the basses I'd owned had less than inspiring sounding B strings, regardless of string brand.
The Mercalli 5 string's B speaks with such authority that I'm actually PLAYING it!!
However: Just to be even-handed about this, I still play my G&L L2000 tribute (in passive mode) most of the time: It doesn't have as much inherent low frequency response as the Mercalli, but I really like its focused sound; I also like its slapping sound better.
Unfortunately, I don't own a G&L 5, so I can't speak to that.
In conclusion, let me say that, while I might prefer playing a 4, I'm very happy to play the Mercalli 5 on gigs where I need that B!
My Squier Deluxe Jazz V has just that and it looks like its successor the Contemporary Active does too:
I have a 7 year old Fender 24 V that’s 34” and has 18mm string spacing. I had installed Bartolini Pickups, a 3 band eq, added a passive tone, and moved the active/passive switch from the volume knob to a switch. Total money spent in upgrades and the bass is around $800. I think it weighs around 9lbs (I don’t stress over weight so I have no idea). Zero neck dive. Once I switch out the bridge and tuners it will probably be even lighter. The MTD Kingston Saratoga’s have 34” scales, 22 frets and 18mm string spacing. Use to own one and loved it (granted I had upgraded everything. Only orginal parts were the body and neck).
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Might want to check out a used Ibby SR485 34" 5 string. Not sure about string spacing though. $300 to $350 range used.
The Squier Contemporary Actives I've played were in no way light. Not sure about the Deluxes.
Totally empathize with the OP. When I played four string I had a couple of Music Man workhorses, a Cutlass and an EB Sabre... loved 'em. I switched to five and quickly realized that I hate narrow spacing, such as the 17.5mm on the MM fivers. I also don't care for 18mm spacing. I'm comfy on 19mm or 20mm (I owned a Warwick Streamer Stage I fiver for awhile). Note: I do NOT have large hands.
I can play 35" just fine, but prefer the timbre of 34" (that includes the B string).
Anyway, here are a few 19mm/34" fivers I own or am aware of:
Sadowsky
Nordstrand
Benavente
Martin Keith (mine's 34.5", but he'll do 34")
Zon - Sonus 519, possibly others
I *think* the Fender Precision 5 is 19mm
The discontinued Fender Roscoe Beck fiver was 19mm (as noted: heavy)
The Lull P5 I owned over a decade ago was 18mm/35", but as noted Lull will build 19mm/34".
I can play 35" just fine, but prefer the timbre of 34" (that includes the B string).
Anyway, here are a few 19mm/34" fivers I own or am aware of:
Sadowsky
Nordstrand
Benavente
Martin Keith (mine's 34.5", but he'll do 34")
Zon - Sonus 519, possibly others
I *think* the Fender Precision 5 is 19mm
The discontinued Fender Roscoe Beck fiver was 19mm (as noted: heavy)
The Lull P5 I owned over a decade ago was 18mm/35", but as noted Lull will build 19mm/34".
The Squier Deluxe V weighs 5 Kg plus neck dive due to the light basswood body with a thick broad neck (21.5 & 23.5 mm thick at fret 1 and 12, 51 mm broad at nut) and ridiculously large headstock.
It's not terrible standing but requires counterbalancing from the fretting forearm when sitting.
