Which Mid-level active 5 string for gigging?

[millsbass5]

I have been playing bass for over 30 years and clubs since I was 17(The ole parent to the club with me deal).In all my years of playing,ive never faced a dilema like this.Here goes.IM from a small coal mining town in W.V.,the economy here is downright sad.So therefor there is no music stores within at least 4 hours around here that carry good quality basses.With my work schedule and other commitments at the ripe old age of 43 a weekend roadtrip to the city is just out of the question.All of my bass arsenal is either high dollar boutique or vintage.Something you dont want to take to a redneck bar.The bars around here are "spirited"to say the least.Im talking fights breaking out at least 5 to 6 times a night(no joking).I have nightmares of my Alembic or vintage jazzes being used for a weapon by some drunken patron(Ive seen it happen,not with my gear fortunately).So, Im in the market for a nice playing,active electronic,preferably 35" scale.I would prefer somewhat decent electronics,because I will eventually put new "guts"in it.(Slang for pickups and preamp).After reading many reviews and web surfing Ive narrowed it down to these choices1)Yamaha TRB1005 (2)Peavey Cirrus [bolt-on or BXP] (3)G&L 2500 Tribute (4),(5),(6),etc..etc..you guys help me out with your suggestions!Or,anybody with a bass in the price range of these for sale would be cool.Cmon guys ,Ive been out of the bass buying game for over 12 years!!Ineed help.Please,no Ibanez,I want a bass with a neck you can "feel",not a pencil neck.Ive run the full game on Carvin too.Time for something different.thanks for your help. steve mills

 

[gillento]

The G&L Tribs are amazing. Just make sure you get an ash body.
But the L2500 is 34".

What about a Lakland 5502?

 

[Geezerman]

Ibanez atk 305, seriously awesome bass.

 

[lindseyp]

Any of the Ibanez SRX05 basses--SR405, SR505, SR605. They're all tough, the SR405 is bolt-on, I think the other two are neck-thru. Responsive preamps in each model. My SR405 costed around $450 new, sold it for $250 cash. The buyer raved about the next time I saw him. He loves it.

 

[justincest]

I use a Fender Deluxe Active five banger and it's perfect.

 

[bassie12]

Peavey GV - Cirrus electronics, graphite neck to take the "spirited" environs, & cheep! I have two, tho I rarely gig in bars anymore, so the vintage P's & my Parker Fly 5 string are usually safe enough.....

 

[Geezerman]

Any of the Ibanez SRX05 basses--SR405, SR505, SR605. They're all tough, the SR405 is bolt-on, I think the other two are neck-thru. Responsive preamps in each model. My SR405 costed around $450 new, sold it for $250 cash. The buyer raved about the next time I saw him. He loves it.

Those have really thin necks opposed to the ibanez ATK which has a wider neck (which the thread starter is looking for)

 

[DerekG]

i had the same concerns a year ago - my main basses were approaching vintage status. i bought a Lakland 55-01 and couldn't be happier. plays and sounds fantastic and in a band situation, no could tell this bass from my really nice ones except me.

 

[EricF]

35" scale, active, mid-priced...sounds like a Lakland 55-01 or -02 to me.

 

[Thingus995]

Maybe a used 'ray? I dunno if that falls in the price point your lookin for tho...

 

[Thingus995]

And I'm actually starting to question if that is active (sorry to hijack) but if its not, what is the difference between an active bass and a bass with a preamp and passive pickups?

 

[remigioremigio]

i certainly would check out the 55-02 from lakland.

 

[oldrookie]

Well, as mentioned, the G&L Trib is 34", but in a pinch you could use it as a weapon to defend yourself and then finish the next set. Pretty solid piece of work!

 

[dnoel86]

Any of the Ibanez SRX05 basses--SR405, SR505, SR605. They're all tough, the SR405 is bolt-on, I think the other two are neck-thru.

All bolt-on, but sustain was never a problem with my SR 506. Soundgears are very nice basses for the money.

 

[BetterBottomEnd]

35" scale, active, mid-priced...sounds like a Lakland 55-01 or -02 to me.

Me too.

 

[bl2112]

Get a SR305. Only 350. It's light weight and has amazing action, feel and the ultimate slap and tone shaping ablities

 

[kjpollo]

I'm surprised at myself for making this suggestion, but have you considered Schecter?
I was never a Schecter fan but I recently stumbled on a great deal and picked up a Riot 5., It has the 35" scale, EMG 2 band pre and for some unexplained reason-EMG-HZ pickups-these are the passive EMG's but they are paired up with the EMG pre and they sound good.
I noticed I needed to kick up the volume on my amp a little when compared to my other active basses but I love this bass. So much so that I'm in the process of trading away my 15 YO Carvin 5 which will leave the Schecter as the only 5 in my arsenal.

 

[wvbass]

Millsbass5 - I'm in WV and not too terribly far from you. I can sympathize with the lack of music stores & variety in music stores. But, despite your difficulties in finding the time, I suggest you schedule the time for a road trip to the Charleston area. There are a few places you should look: Pied Piper (Corridor G in Charleston), Cheap Beats (D Street in South Charleston) and Mercy Music (Teays Valley Road in Scott Depot).

But if you can't here's what you'll find in active, 35" five strings: Spector, LTD, Schecter. The low-end Spectors are nice basses, and the LTD's look a little metal but are good players (I've been contemplating a B-406 for a while). Some of the LTD's are 34" though. The Schecters I've played have all been surprisingly nice. They had a "sledgehammer" model at one point that was surprisingly nice.

All these basses have some fairly attractive, bassball bat-like qualities as well Were I you, I'd give the Spector a good hard look. The Legend Classic 5 is definitely not pencil-necked.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Spector-Legend-Classic-5String-Bass?sku=517436

Do you guys have some kind of train festival in Logan? Seems like I've played music on the streets of Logan - I just can't remember the event.

I'm a Lakland guy, but I'm not sure I'd go with a 55-01 or 55-02 in your situation. Would be tragic to lose one of those to a bar fight.

 

[BDL1991]

Cort have some fairly decent active basses, the T Series looks good, and so does the artisan

 

[cassanova]

Some options that you didn't list: All are 35" scale and IMO/IME all have necks that can be felt.

Lakland 55-01
Ibanez BTB
Spector Legend

Of the choices you listed, I like the Cirrus best, It has a nice hi-fi tone and user friendly necks, though the string spacing is very narrow.