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Need advice on 5 string basses to check out


DaveB
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Hey folks probably asking the impossible here but want some recommendations and advice.
I'm now on the save for that ultimate bass as i've always had budget basses (£500ish mark). I could save for ever so i've set a limit of £2-2.5k on this.
Has to be a 5 string but i'd just like a few pointers of basses worth checking out in this price range, I don't mind going 2nd hand. So far i've looked at:

Warwick Infinity - always loved these and seen some good 2nd hand ones around this price. Recently purchased a fretless Warwick standard corvette from here and the tone is unreal, so why not go for the top of the range :)

Sadowsky metroline basses - Can't find much on them but any sound bites sound incredible, what's the point to buying a USA one?

Zon Sonus - again can't find out a whole lot on them apart from and sound bites which tend to sound amazing.

So that's about all i've come up with so far. I can see these being a real pain to track down to play. So anyone got any other recommendation? Is doesn't have to max the budget out, but i'd like to be able to get the best bass for the money.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Dave

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I've never played one, but apparently it feels pretty natural. The fan fretting means that each string has the optimum scale length and the intonation is better.

See if anyone on here has one and can give you an opinion?


Pedulla always look nice, GB basses are supposed to be pretty good, and there's also Ken Smith, Alleva Coppolo, Mayones, Roscoe, Nordstrand, Skjold, Wood & Tronics, etc, etc.

I'd love to tell you what they're all like, but I'm too poor to even breathe on them. :)


If I were you, I'd visit a couple of the 'specialist' bass shops and try as many out as you can.

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Start with the music.

What sort of music do you play, or want to play?

What sort of band are you in, or want to be in?

What sort of gigs do you do, or want to do?

Just having people chuck brand names at you isn't really going to get you very far, IMHO.

Lakland make some great 5-string basses and the 35" scale produces an epic B-string sound, but if you play in a Beatles tribute band that's not really very helpful. :)

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[quote name='bubinga5' post='1152923' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:25 PM']i am bias, but an StingRay 5 is poss the best 5 ever made, depending on what you like...2nd hand, under a grand too[/quote]
True but if your splashing out I would second a GB Spitfire 5, I know Im biased as I know EBS Freak but anyone who has tried or owned one will know how well made they are and you dont have to go down the coffee table route either, Massive variety of tones, best B I have heard including a Dingwall (Sorry GW :) ) Its not my cup of tea thats why I have a spanking Ray5 instead but fits the OP's suggestion perfectly IMO

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OOo OOO Nearly forgot, The Exotic Jazz bass at Bassdirect is awesome! Such a great bass I cant tell you but I know a lot of people that tried it at bassdayuk were very impressed but didnt fancy paying that much for a name they hadnt heard of, Well we have now so buy it it fecking brilliant :)

Also check out the Biarnel Prassi :) oh and the Mayones Jabba 5 classic and the Clover 5's ......Ah Gas attack!

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if you have 2-2.5k to spend on a string you have a MASSIVE range of options. Here is what I would look at if I was you based on what I have actually played (not in order of preference):

1. Nordstrand - I have played a few and they are awesome basses, stunning build quality and great sound, the Nordy pickups and preamp are superb.
2. Sadowsky - I have played the Metros and they are great but for the price of a new top spec Metro you could quite easily get a secondhand USA and that is what I would get. If it has Sadowsky on it, I want it from Roger Sadowskys workshop.
3. Elrick - I recently played one at Bass Direct and my jaw hit the floor. The build, the playability, the craftmanship (just a one man band apparently) just a stunning instrument in every way. They do a Jazz inspired model if you dont dig their designs.
4. Dingwall - Wicked basses, easy to get scared by the fanned frets but believe me it takes no time to get used to, its easier not to look and just play and you wont put a finger wrong. Great B string.
5. Overwater - I have had 2 now both Progress and Jazz. Fantastic basses and just unbelievable workmanship and playability. My Jazz played like butter and the best bit is they are in the UK if you have any questions.
6. GB - Again fantastic in every way, the ones I have played have been very modern sounding but extremely versatile. I loved the EQ but it is not for everyone.
7. Alleva Coppollo - Not my favourite out of all of these makes but still a very very nice bit of kit. If you want a classic Jazz with some modern tweaks and a old Fender feel, this is the daddy.

You will no doubt get loads of replies with varying opinions, the best advice as always is to try as many as you can. Mark at Bass Direct in Warwick is an absolute gent and will give you time and plenty of advice as will the chaps at The Bass Gallery.

Final thought for what it is worth, a lot of these basses drop their value dramatically if you decide to sell them or dont get on with them. I have seen Nordstrands for under 1k, NY Sadowsky's for under 2k, Overwater Jazz basses for £800, and so on. I would buy secondhand almost all of the time unless you really want to go custom, you get to play it first, dont risk having a bass you dont actually like and if you do get bored (most of us do) someone else has taken the hit on the value.

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[quote name='markorbit' post='1152944' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:35 PM']Dingwall or Roscoe come to mind. I've been doing a fair bit of research myself on a 5ver around that price point. The Dingwall in particular looks an interesting concept that makes logical sense.[/quote]

Yes I recently had the pleasure of a rather nice Roscoe In fact I think I may of hogged it, Sorry fellow bass geeks! (Thanks to the owner, You know who are :) )Im not sure if its in budget though?

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[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1152920' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:23 PM']Start with the music.

What sort of music do you play, or want to play?

What sort of band are you in, or want to be in?

What sort of gigs do you do, or want to do?

Just having people chuck brand names at you isn't really going to get you very far, IMHO.

Lakland make some great 5-string basses and the 35" scale produces an epic B-string sound, but if you play in a Beatles tribute band that's not really very helpful. :)[/quote]

Sorry yeah this would make sence for me to write what I play. I know what you mean about a load of brand names being thrown at me but any pointers in the right direction is nice :)

What sort of music do you play, or want to play? I play many different styles, so intruments needs to be diverse

What sort of band are you in, or want to be in? Currently in a heavy rock band which is getting heavier and heavier so on the verge of leaving now, possible new band on the books think Alter Bridge.

What sort of gigs do you do, or want to do? small to medium sized venues at the moment but fingers crossed bigger soon

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Cheer NJE that's pretty indepth. I honestly don't mind getting it second hand, so would you say the NY Sadowsky's are that much better than Metro's?

Anyone played a Zon here?

I feel very guilty going into a shop and playing at the moment as i don't have the money right now to buy

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Forgot to mention I do prefer bolt on neck to a neck through

quick edit rather than post again: Oh my god those Roscoes look stunning, I think i may be in love and have to check one out. Hope it's not like a seeing a stunning girl only to be dissapointed when she has a mouth like a sewer.
This looks just awesome:

[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/SKB3005_Cocobolo.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...5_Cocobolo.html[/url]

Edited by DaveB
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With that amount of money i would suggest to try a few basses and see what you take a fancy to. There are any number of top notch basses that can be named, but the build quality and craftsmanship and design aren't going to mean much if the bass doesn't feel right in your hands.

Bass Direct stocks a huge selection of great basses, you would probably find something great in there that works for you. For starters just go on the website and have a look at what takes your fancy.

It depends where you are based obviously, but it shouldn't be too hard getting hold of a Sadowsky Metro to play. They are stocked in Guitar Guitar and a few other places such as the Gallery and I have seen a few going on this site recently. They are great basses in my opinion, though in terms of fancy neck figuring they tend to be a bit lacking. The Sadowsky preamp and bridge are just brilliant though and the construction is top notch.

For a wildcard I would maybe suggest that you try a five string Vigier. But I'm biased.

Also Sandberg. G & L, Musicman, Lakland are basses that just work in all situations.

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Sounds like a trip to bass direct is on the cards, it's only an hour and half away. Not too keen ont he styling of those Vigiers.

Thanks for all the really useful info guys, it helps just to have a make recommended as there are so many out there it's hard to know where to start.

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[quote name='DaveB' post='1152998' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:58 PM']Sounds like a trip to bass direct is on the cards, it's only an hour and half away. Not too keen ont he styling of those Vigiers.

Thanks for all the really useful info guys, it helps just to have a make recommended as there are so many out there it's hard to know where to start.[/quote]

Yeah, the Vigiers are fairly out there in terms of styling, my one has a been a bit Marmite-like with others that have tried it over the years! I'm sure with a trip to Bass Direct you will find something awesome though. Good luck!

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Rather than wait for a massive list of everyone's favourite basses, get out to some music shops and just sit down and play.

Start with whatever is in your immediate locality and try everything with 5 strings. Don't look at the name on the headstock or the price tag. Just play. Put the ones that don't speak to you back on their stands and move on. Make a note of the ones you like.

Spend a couple of days going to the specialist bass shops:
[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/"]The Bass Gallery[/url]
[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Home.html"]Bass Direct[/url]
[url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/index.php"]Bass Merchant[/url]
[url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/"]Bass Gear[/url]

Most of these retailers will also have a stand at this weekends [url="http://www.londonbassguitarshow.com/"]London Bass Guitar Show[/url] so that might be a good place to start.

Also remember just because you have £2500 to spend doesn't mean that you have to.

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[quote name='BigRedX' post='1153166' date='Mar 7 2011, 11:04 PM']Also despite what others are saying 35" scale is not a requirement for a good 5-string. Good neck construction IMO is far more important than scale length.[/quote]

Big +1 here,

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+1 on a Bongo, MM 'Rays are great too, Sandbergs are nice but very heavy IME, Warwicks are nice too!!!

Next on my wish list is a classic Fender American Precision 5 - keepin' it real!

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