funkle

Berg CN112s x2 or Berg CN212 or Vanderkley 112MNTs x2 or Vanderkley 112EXT x2. Hope you have your wallet handy...

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1428410388' post='2740995'] IME the reason most people don't get on with a 5-string bass is that they simply don't get the right one for them, and therefore don't give it enough of a chance. A 5-string bass is not a 4-stringer with a wider neck, one extra machine head, bridge saddle and pickup pole piece. It needs a far higher standard of construction to get the best out of the low B string, and a tweaking of all the measurements to accommodate the extra string without feeling either clumsy or cramped. If you buy a cheap 5-stringer to "see how you get on with it" unless you are very lucky you are inevitably going to be disappointed. It's a bit like buying a cheap Chinese bass and wondering why it isn't as good as your CiJ or MiA Fender. IME you need to spend 25-50% more on a 5-string than you would on a 4-string to get one of the same standard. [/quote] +1 to all this. I tried out some cheap 5 stringers and they were just awful. Horrible sounding B string, necks probably not stiff enough. Took me ages to figure out what string spacing and nut width I wanted to feel comfy (17.5mm and as narrow as I can get). I'm of the camp where I think neck stiffness makes a bigger difference to B string sound than scale length, though of course scale length affects harmonic content. I found I didn't like the tone of 32" or 30" basses so have stuck with 34" (and 35" on the 5er cause that's all Modulus do, though I would prefer a 34"). Cheaper basses just didn't have good enough build, I thought, to sound any good. Quite apart from build quality, moving to 5 string opened up a can of worms around my technique as well that has needed some time to address. Getting a lot happier with it now though. Play what you like. Who cares how many strings it has, if it sounds good.

I may be unpopular here for what I am saying, but....whilst I do play 5 string, quite happily, a lot of what Bob Ross wrote seems correct, at least in the technical aspects. Doesn't stop me from enjoying playing it, but I do acknowledge the truth of many parts of what he says, including the need for good monitoring, careful technique, and the differences in timbre and spectral balance. I suspect a lot of what might be offensive in the studio will go unheard live, given the limits of common bass speakers.

Sorry chaps, haven't used the Fishman system, just the Graphtech Acoustiphonic preamp. Which didn't filter subsonics well enough to my taste. Otherwise thought it sounded fine.

My apologies, missed it was for a fretless. I'd use a Graphtech/Hipshot system, and make sure you have a high pass filter somewhere in your signal chain.

I have fitted many of the Graphtech piezo/Hipshot bridges, and I would say if it isn't a fretless I generally find the piezo unhelpful at best and sometimes downright speaker-threatening at worst. Don't bother on a fretted. I like the sound of a good piezo, but the subharmonic thumps you can generate can be very harmful to speakers. And they sound much 'politer' than magnetic pickups, as they are indeed full range. In general, if it isn't already installed, I wouldn't spend the money and effort. I'd look for a bass with it already installed. Sorry to be such a downer, but I have spent plenty of time and money here with some disappointment, even with the very nice Graphtech systems.

Yep. Still though, it means I get to try out a Stingray 5HS I've had my eye on...silver lining and all that...

Well....the Stingray arrived with damage. It's going back. On the plus side, SS frets made no difference to tone I could hear, and the EQ made it easy to get a variety of sounds. C'est la vie.

That is fantastic news Dr T. I very much like a warmer Stingray sound, and am delighted to hear the frets are no issue. I'm potentially looking to change up my Modulus Q5 for this Stingray 5H - mainly the comfort of the smaller scale, as well as slightly better ergonomics for me. The Modulus is probably suited to someone slightly taller than me. I love the 17.5mm string spacing of Modulus and MM, but the Stingray has a narrower nut, which I also like very much. I am extremely positive for tomorrow...thanks chaps for brightening my day.

Sounds like good fretwork to me. Piccies will be posted, once I actually get my hands on the beastie and of course decide if it is a keeper or not...

Thanks mate. I was a little worried. Reports on Talkbass seem to be mixed - some people convinced they are brighter and others who seem to notice no difference at all. Roger Sadowsky won't even install them on his basses and is fairly vocal about them....

Old thread, but I've just snagged a Stingray 5H PDN Neptune Blue with flamed maple fingerboard. I'm hoping that stainless steel frets don't turn it too clanky, but nonetheless looking forward to receiving it on Thursday. Pete