Need advice on 5 string basses to check out

[DaveB]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1153165' date='Mar 7 2011, 11:02 PM']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.[/quote]

Yeah it's what I intend to do but I find it too much walking into a shop and having about 30 different brands to pick from lol. I found it easier when buying a guitar as i have so many guitarist friends with all different models, I could count the bassists i'm friends with on one hand though.
I just feel very guilty going into a music shop and sitting there playing knowing full well I won't be buying that day, just hope they are nice people there lol

[BigRedX]

30 different brands - really? Here in Nottingham you'll be lucky t get 30 different basses in a single shop and then only a handful will be 5-strings.

I think even somewhere like the Bass Gallery would struggle to present you with 30 different 5-string basses to play.

That's why going to the London Bass Guitar Show this weekend would be a good idea for you.

Edited March 7, 2011 by BigRedX

[chris_b]

[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]
I don't know that I agree with "the best ever made", but if you want to switch to a 5 string make sure you start with a good one. The first 5 string I bought was an SR5, and I'm glad because its 34" scale and narrower string spacing eased me in gently.

I've bought better 5 string basses since but it's not worth spending a lot until you know that a 5 string is the thing for you.

[niceguyhomer]

Yep I agree with Chris about being sure about 5ers before blowing a wad - you often see in the for sale forum posts that say "...I'm not comfortable on 5 strings so it has to go" type threads.

[DaveB]

Just been on the phone to mark at bass direct, really nice chap so it looks like i'm going on a road trip up there in the next few weeks.

[niceguyhomer]

I went there a couple of weeks ago, wouldn't go anywhere else now.

[JTUK]

With your budget you could go mad ..but it is a leap of faith if you don't know how you will get on with 5's..IIUC..??

What I have seen recently as regards typical build quality within your budget would include;

Overwater Jazz....nice work and doesn't hold it value second hand so well...which means you can get a lot of bass for the money that way. If you buy at this bottomed-out price, I think you could sell on without penalty. You need to see and play the bass in question though as the luthier might tweak a few things for the customer. Quality bass with a variety of options of HW.

Sei Jazz. Total quality again..probably, IMV, a step on from Overwater and you'll be looking at £1400 SH ..if you can find one. You really have to play this bass for the same reasons as the Overwater, ie, custom tweaks.

Sadowsky. Good build and styling and a classic variety of Fender models. Quality but more stock between models as these have a wider production mode, the Metro coming from Japan and the NYC being NY based. The difference between the two is ..visually.. the finishing woods. More constistancy in model type, ie neck width/profile etc. Anything from £1000 upwards but NYC retain premiums. A SH Metro 5..maybe..?? £12-1400..??

MM... pretty much a sure thing.. good value for money workhorse.

Lakland. various models from 5500 series to the DJ/JO etc Jazz bass variants. One of these jazzes with a decent pre and SH for
£7-800? ...result..!!

Rare Breeds... along with the Sei's..are AC and Celinders. Special market and you should really know this bass is for you as they are highly priced at the top end of your budget..and above.

Just my 2p..

[DaveB]

Thanks for the inputs there guys, more food for thought

Quick point on the amount of people mentioning about 5's now. I've played a 5 string for almost 2 years now, which ok i played 4 strings for 12 years but I fell alot more comfortable on a 5 than a 4. I'm not someone that buys a bass for the investment so resale value is not a real concern as I intend to buy the bass as a keeper, which means it has to be right. Gonna go to the gallery as well at some point to see what they have. It's actually so limiting the amount of stores out there that specialise in bass gear, shows how small the market must be.

[NickH]

Sorry to be another person just shouting about my favourite bass, but have you looked at a Status?
Tons of options available, and Rob and Dawn are lovely people who'll welcome you to the workshop with a cuppa and let you try all kinds of graphite-necked loveliness

[Biarnel]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1152941' date='Mar 7 2011, 09:35 PM']Also check out the Biarnel Prassi [/quote]

Thank you stingraypete!
Well, when it comes to lightness and richness of sound I think Prassi and Iter series will satisfy you

[ThomBassmonkey]

With that kind of budget I'd look around, find something that's as close to perfect as possible, then go to a custom builder and have them make one but with the tweaks that would make it just right.

[charic]

For me it would have to be (in order):

Dingwall Super J - Played one and loved everything about it at the gallery. Possibly the best bass I've played
Shuker 5
ACG 5
MM Bongo 5 - Havn't actually tried one but it's definately well up the list
Stingray 5
Warwick 5 (maybe an upmarket $$ or even a custom)

[gapiro]

(cough i'm going to be a bit of a wierdo here)
but the nicest 5'er I played (in a shop mind you) was a High End Ibanez.... SR4005e Prestige (or the 5005, given how much money ou have, but the difference is marginal)
( [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page11.php?area_id=3&data_id=79&color=CL01&year=2011&cat_id=2&series_id=469"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page11...p;series_id=469[/url] )

edit : looks like they have stopped making the 4005e, or at least, it is no longer on the UK site.

[clauster]

The nicest fiver to my ears is the Fender Rosco Beck - Silverfoxnik on here has two I think. Awesome tone.

[RhysP]

[quote name='DaveB' post='1152972' date='Mar 7 2011, 08:47 PM']Anyone played a Zon here?[/quote]
Yes, I have two. I play Legacy models rather than the Sonus as I don't like jazz bass profile necks.

They are the best basses I've ever played or owned. I really only play four string but I'm sure the 5vers are just as good.

I've got a Musicman Stingray 5 but I've never been happy with it - it feels like a toy compared to the Zons.

[aldude]

[quote name='gapiro' post='1162919' date='Mar 15 2011, 11:38 AM'](cough i'm going to be a bit of a wierdo here)
but the nicest 5'er I played (in a shop mind you) was a High End Ibanez.... SR4005e Prestige (or the 5005, given how much money ou have, but the difference is marginal)
( [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page11.php?area_id=3&data_id=79&color=CL01&year=2011&cat_id=2&series_id=469"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page11...p;series_id=469[/url] )

edit : looks like they have stopped making the 4005e, or at least, it is no longer on the UK site.[/quote]

Massive, massive resounding +1 for the Ibanez Prestige 4005E. Looks like it's not made any more, but seems to be still available at around £1200? If you can find one I think it is absolutely essential to checck out.

The build quality is the best I have ever seen on a bass - I also have recently acquired a Spector Euro 5 which is supposedly around £1900 new and I must say the Ibanez quality seems a lot better. It also has a very "shallow" neck (not much distance from front to back) which helps me a lot as I have small hands. Sorry Spector fans, the Spector is nice, but if I had to give one up then the Ibanez would be staying!

I think the only difference between the 4005 and 5005 is the fancy top on the 5005 which is not my cup of tea anyway. It seems to cost about £5-600 more just for a bit of wood that probably makes little difference - so I wouldn't go for that.

EDIT: here's a pic of me playing mine - with suitably bad bass face! Also, the bottom B string is a DR neon (green)...

Edited March 15, 2011 by aldude

[wal4string]

[quote name='thodrik' post='1153139' date='Mar 7 2011, 11:40 PM']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![/quote]

With that kinda money to spend I would buy a cheap flight to the States and buy, Sam Ash or Mansions in New York. Guitar Centres are everywhere. The state tax you pay is reclaimable and even with import tax you would pay a lot less than Uk prices. I bought a bass in Florida and it work out I saved £700.00 on Uk prices.

[chrismuzz]

Peavey Cirrus! They're not very commonly seen, feel great to play, sound great.. and they look pretty too

[chris_b]

So (4 months later) what did you get?