Strife34 Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I'm looking at advancing from 4 string to 5 string and wondering what was a good bass to get around £300 - £450 Quote
markorbit Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 [quote name='Strife34' post='1143589' date='Feb 27 2011, 05:39 PM']I'm looking at advancing from 4 string to 5 string and wondering what was a good bass to get around £300 - £450[/quote] I was really impressed by a used Cort A5 when I tried it. Nearly bought it. It's at Electro Music Doncaster. They have fairly close string spacing but I found it good for fingerstyle. Quote
megallica Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I'd try a few Yamaha 5 string basses if I were you - generous string spacing but the necks aren't too wide for someone looking to make the transition from 4 stringers. Plus if you look to trade them in further down the road, they hold their value quite well in the second hand market. Quote
Algae Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Ibanez Soundgear 5 strings have a lovely slim neck very easy to play. Make sure you get one of the "made in Japan" ones as they are much better quality than the Korean / Indonesian ones. You could get a good second hand bargain on Ebay for around £200-£300 (cost new £500-600) Quote
rmshaw37 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 the spector legends are awesome - and around that money second hand! in fact i have the 5 string custom in blue that will be coming up for sale soon - pm me if interested! Quote
Defo Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='Algae' post='1144220' date='Feb 28 2011, 10:20 AM']Ibanez Soundgear 5 strings have a lovely slim neck very easy to play. Make sure you get one of the "made in Japan" ones as they are much better quality than the Korean / Indonesian ones. You could get a good second hand bargain on Ebay for around £200-£300 (cost new £500-600)[/quote] SR505 is fantastic value, I love mine and saw that it one 5 string of the year in a US bass mag recently Quote
lovetheblues Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 [quote name='Defo' post='1146378' date='Mar 1 2011, 03:36 PM']SR505 is fantastic value, I love mine and saw that it one 5 string of the year in a US bass mag recently[/quote] +1 Love mine too! Quote
MartyBRebelMC Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 [quote name='rmshaw37' post='1144667' date='Feb 28 2011, 05:16 PM']the spector legends are awesome - and around that money second hand! in fact i have the 5 string custom in blue that will be coming up for sale soon - pm me if interested![/quote] Totally agree, I used to have one and it was superb! If you prefer a tighter string spacing these are a great choice. Martin Quote
BottomEndian Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 [quote name='Strife34' post='1143589' date='Feb 27 2011, 05:39 PM']I'm looking at advancing from 4 string to 5 string and wondering what was a good bass to get around £300 - £450[/quote] What 4-string are you playing now? It can be a good starting point to take a look at the 5-string version of whatever you're playing currently (if there [i]is[/i] a 5-string version). And IMHO it doesn't help to think of it as "advancing". 5 isn't [i]better[/i] than 4, nor is it [i]harder[/i]. It's just slightly different. Emphasis on [b]slightly[/b]. Don't throw psychological roadblocks up in front of yourself (however subconscious they might be). Quote
Mlucas Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 Yamaha seem to have good quality fivers, as do Ibanez, but some Ibanez's are a little too heavy for my liking, your best bet it to get to your local music place and ask them for some tryouts etc.. Quote
chrismuzz Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 Not the most popular choice but i highly recommend Peavey! They feel amazing to play, and you can get some brilliant tones out of them if you're patient enough Quote
Count Bassy Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='Defo' post='1146378' date='Mar 1 2011, 08:36 PM']SR505 is fantastic value, I love mine and saw that it one 5 string of the year in a US bass mag recently[/quote] And me! Made in Indonesia, but can't fault the quality. They are quite trebly so I tend to end up with the treble backed off, but I will be trying it out with ground wounds when I get 'round' to it. Quote
Hot Tub Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 +1 for Cort, although I am biased! If you're going to consider 2nd hand I reckon you'll be spoiled for choice at that price range. As has been said here and elsewhere, if possible try as many as you can before parting with cash. Quote
Conan Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I really like my Cort Curbow 5 - and it only cost £322 from Thomann last year! A bit limited in tones due to the single pick-up, but it is a Bartolini and the active tone controls allow for plenty of shaping. The body shape may not be to everyone's taste, but it balances very well, is light, and plays well. Quote
CHRISDABASS Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 I'd go for a used Lakland 5501 At the top end of your budget but well worth it ShaunB has a lovely one for sale in the for sale section Quote
TRBboy Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 Might be worth keeping an eye out for a used Yamaha TRB1005 - you might just about find one for the right price. Personally, I think nothing comes close at that sort of price. You need to try 34" and 35" scale lengths to see what suits you best. I can never get on with 34" scale on a 5 string because the low B is just too sloppy. If you decide you want to go 35", on your budget it will narrow the search considerably. Could also consider Ibanez BTB or Peavey Cirrus (both 35") Quote
Brave Sir Robin Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 (edited) Yamaha BB415. Really liked it. Good B, good sound, cheap. Ibanez SR505. Classic in the range. Tasted a 505 but found a second hand Ibanez K5, same ergonomics. String spacing is tight. Excellent bass. Haven't tried much else. Quest ended with the K5. Edited March 4, 2011 by Brave Sir Robin Quote
Shonks Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 i highly recommend the Fender Mex fiver! Dont know why they dont seem that popular, well not as much as the 4 strings, but when I compared it to my USA Fender five it was more than comparable. Classic jazz bass sound and no compromise on the string spacing. Great hardware and an all round brilliant bass which can be picked up for about £300 to £350. They're about £700 new so that's a great bargain, and I reckon when punters realise this in a few years time they're are going to be worth a lot more! don't forget - you heard it here first!! good luck! Quote
AttitudeCastle Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 [quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='1149508' date='Mar 4 2011, 02:46 PM']Yamaha BB415. Really liked it. Good B, good sound, cheap. Ibanez SR505. Classic in the range. Tasted a 505 but found a second hand Ibanez K5, same ergonomics. String spacing is tight. Excellent bass. Haven't tried much else. Quest ended with the K5.[/quote] Actually, being picky about it the K5 has a smaller body Haha! I say Ibanez or Yamaha! Can't go wrong with either really! Quote
dannybuoy Posted March 4, 2011 Posted March 4, 2011 Nothing floppy about the B on the Yamaha BB415 (except for with the stock strings)! Quote
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