markytbass Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 (edited) I'm looking for a budget 5 string, not too fussed how it sounds as strings, P'ups etc can be replaced. I'm more interested in construction and quality. The only one I've played so far is a OLP MM3 and rated it quite highly for the money. Others I've seen on the net and Ebay are Peavy, Squier, ESP LTD, Ibanez. There are some others on Ebay for less than £100 but as people say "you get what you pay for" and it would probably go straight out of the box onto the fire (I've got a real fire for it to go on). Oh yea, not too fussed what it looks like either. So does anyone own one, any comments welcome. Thanks, Marky. Edited January 20, 2008 by markytbass Quote
paul h Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 No experience of the 5'ers...but SX basses from www.rondomusic.com have a few fans on this forum. Myself included. Very popular choice for people who are prepared to do some mods. My 4 string P was great right out of the box! Paul. Quote
markytbass Posted January 20, 2008 Author Posted January 20, 2008 I like the Jazz 5 and the douglas with the though neck. What are they like to order from, costs etc?. Quote
paul h Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11397[/url] Full story in that thread. I am pretty sure if you order on a weekend or a Monday, there is a good chance you will have it by the Friday. The bass I ordered was $110. Shipping and surcharge at the Rondo was $78. So the bass cost $188. I had to pay about £28 inport duty on it. All in all the thing cost me £130, plus another £20 for a tort scratchplate. There are some stories about the quality control being a problem and apparently it is possible to get a bad one. I don't think Rondo refund exported basses so I guess there is some small risk. However I'm totally chuffed with mine, and a good many others seem to be too. Ordering is simple, just a regular online form. And Kurt answered a couple of my emails quite promptly. I have nothing but good things to say about the whole thing. Try TB as well if you want some other opinions. You will find a few moans on there about SX which might be worth reading before you decide. Paul. Quote
Motocross_nick Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 can't go wrong with the SX basses, definently worth atleast double the money. but if you want a cheap Yamaha RBX 375 5er i have one for sale here on BC. 150 posted so definently within your price range. cheers, Nick Quote
King Tut Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 Marky -I've got a perfect condition MM3 you can have for £100 if you can pick it up from Milton Keynes - it's a natural elm one - looks and sounds great! Quote
Owen Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I picked up a Mazetti 5 string new from Ebay for £120. Neck through, 35" scale. Solid woods all round. I cannot say enough good things about them. I also picked up a Korean MTD here for £150. Nice wide spacing, lighter than a light thing 35" scale. Huge cavity, but passive vol and tone - ripe for the upgrade. I dropped an Audere pre into mine. Really nice bass but zero resale value - which is great if you are going 2nd hand (they were £500 new). Quote
spinynorman Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 There's a black active Vester on eBay that looks like it's going to go for about 50 quid. I've got one in white and its not bad at all if you don't mind a narrow neck. It's about the same width as a 4-string p-bass at the nut. Quote
Jamesemt Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='King Tut' post='123905' date='Jan 20 2008, 03:59 PM']Marky -I've got a perfect condition MM3 you can have for £100 if you can pick it up from Milton Keynes - it's a natural elm one - looks and sounds great![/quote] Is that a flame natural? If it is and OP doesn't want it, then I'll have it (want the flame top ) Quote
King Tut Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='124665' date='Jan 21 2008, 03:11 PM']Is that a flame natural? If it is and OP doesn't want it, then I'll have it (want the flame top )[/quote] Sorry dude - it's the solid elm version - the older type - not a flame top. Still a looker though! Quote
markytbass Posted January 21, 2008 Author Posted January 21, 2008 Thanks for the offers Nick,KT. I'm in the process of hinting to the missus that another bass might turn up. She thought that buying me a Stingray would cure my GAS forever. If I knew that I could get along with a 5 string I could sell/chop in the Stingray and get one. Playing one in a shop is one thing, (yea you can see what they sound like and the build quality etc) but playing one in a rehearsal or live can be another. Unfortunatly all the bass players I know use a 4 so I can't even borrow one. Thats why I'm going to get a budget 5 to start with. At the mo I tune to D as it's easier for the singer, but I want to be able to go lower and still have the highs of a 4 string. Quote
peted Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 If you can stretch your budget just a little bit, the Yamaha BB-415 is a great example of a bass. Looks great and has a wealth of sounds in its pickup configuration. This will always be my recommendation for either buying a bass on a budget, or as a first bass. [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/yamaha-bb-415/68980"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/yamaha-bb-415/68980[/url] Quote
simon1964 Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 The OLP really takes some beating for the money. the passive is excellent in its own right, but if you can afford the little bit extra for the active Tony Levin, its worth it - fantastic instrument for the price. Quote
markytbass Posted January 23, 2008 Author Posted January 23, 2008 Yea I had looked at them. I had a BB414 last year, well made and easy to get on with. It will probably go on the short list. Quote
MythSte Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 My yammie BB605 might be on the cards to go too, active NE-1 Pre and nathen east body shape. Fantastic bass for the money! £250 Otherwise id have to suggest the other yamaha, fantastic bass. Quote
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