WinterMute Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 [quote name='stoker' timestamp='1356975113' post='1915943'] What about an OLP? [/quote] If you can find one, the Tony Levin sig model is very, very good and cheap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musophilr Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) RBX 375. Job done Edited January 1, 2013 by musophilr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 What about a passive Yamaha BBN5? I had one of these as my first 5 string, and used it for over 10 years. Great bass, well built and a really good entry bass for the novice 5 string player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Anything with the word 'YAMAHA' on the headstock. Unbeatable VFM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='Rich' timestamp='1357134986' post='1917880'] Anything with the word 'YAMAHA' on the headstock. Unbeatable VFM. [/quote] Truth - I've had three (still got one) and not a duffer amongst any of 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I would advise not to get a cheap 5 string as a 5 is a very different instrument to a 4 string. So would advise to push your budget up to a good second hand 5 on here. From what has been suggested above, I was very suprised at the playability of the OLP 5's but also like ATK's a lot of working bass for the bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='WinterMute' timestamp='1357051018' post='1916762'] If you can find one, the Tony Levin sig model is very, very good and cheap too. [/quote] I agree, the only thing that let's them down a little is the floppy pick guard but that's easily fixed after that its a bass more akin to more expensive versions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoker Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='WinterMute' timestamp='1357051018' post='1916762'] If you can find one, the Tony Levin sig model is very, very good and cheap too. [/quote] Theres one for sale in my local music shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Don't have one myself but I played one once and they are extremely good for the price and the low B actually has some weight behind it (which can be a problem with cheap 5 strings). http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_squier_vint_mod_jazz_v_nt.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1357056977' post='1916879'] What about a passive Yamaha BBN5? I had one of these as my first 5 string, and used it for over 10 years. Great bass, well built and a really good entry bass for the novice 5 string player. [/quote] God damn I love the look and the sound of those BB's... It's a shame Yammy basses just don't "feel" right to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.I. Joe Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V. Got mine for £290 and I honestly think it is as good a bass as my Highway One USA Precision. Crazy stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks guys..... Know anything about Traben basses, they look cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popoctave Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 [quote name='Sean' timestamp='1356983774' post='1916143'] Ibanez or Yamaha - buy used and you can't go wrong; if its not for you you'll get your money back easily. [/quote] +1 for a second hand Yammie TRB5 great necks and great value for money imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 [quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1357153369' post='1918312'] I would advise not to get a cheap 5 string as a 5 is a very different instrument to a 4 string. So would advise to push your budget up to a good second hand 5 on here. [/quote] This completely. IME the reason most people don't like 5-string basses is because they try a cheap one and didn't get on with it. The low B requires much better construction for the neck and neck joint than a standard 4-string bass. Some manufacturers try to get around this by making the scale length 35" but most of the time this is cheap and quick fix that rarely works. It's perfectly possible to build a good 5-string bass with a 33" scale length - it just costs more. The only decent 35" scale 5-string basses I've played were expensive instruments anyway and the extra inch wasn't a fix for a poor sounding and feeling B string. I'd try and up your budget by a couple of hundred pounds and look for something second hand. And don't buy without playing it first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 another vote for Yamaha. There is someone here trying to sell his BB605 for many months now, I think it was £170 or 200 with a Hiscox case. Beautiful bass with a very interesting preamp. I've had one of them (still in my avatar), one of the best basses I used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.I. Joe Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1357310257' post='1920748'] I'd try and up your budget by a couple of hundred pounds and look for something second hand. And [b]don't buy without playing it first.[/b] [/quote] +1 This. Whatever budget you settle on, just make sure you play it first. Like me for instance with the Squier - I saw it on the shelf and thought "hmm, an affordable 5-string, might be okay..." then tried it and loved it! I knew these were supposedly good basses but I would never have bought it had I not tried it in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Savage Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I've got a Vintage EST96 Stingray-alike 5-string which is excellent, can't fault it. I also had a Dean Edge which was very good; and Yamaha can't be faulted for build quality, although I can't stand the look of them personally. Also for secondhand, have a look around for a SGC Nanyo-built Bass Collection, the MIJ ones are almost uniformly tremendous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Is it best to look for a 5 string with 35 rather than 34? Read that a 5 string needs a bit extra unless the 34 has been strengthened etc or you might get a flabby B string? It seems this is about length and not the way you use it :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 IME on a cheap 5-string the only difference the extra inch makes is to move the frets further apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spingere Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 The new Epiphone Toby 5 string looks good, although to be fair I haven't played one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 The difference between a 34" scale and a 35" scale is about 1.4mm at the first fret (from the nut) and gets less as you go up. Shouldn't make a huge difference to playability although some clearly think it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 [quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1358765566' post='1944493'] The difference between a 34" scale and a 35" scale is about 1.4mm at the first fret (from the nut) and gets less as you go up. Shouldn't make a huge difference to playability although some clearly think it does. [/quote] Maybe, but IME it makes zero difference to the sound and feel of the low B while adversely affecting the G and in some cases the D as well. I still haven't come across a 5-string where there is any substitute for making a good neck and neck/body joint in order to get the B string sounding and feeling good, and that can be done perfectly well with a 33-34" scale instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1358765963' post='1944500'] Maybe, but IME it makes zero difference to the sound and feel of the low B while adversely affecting the G and in some cases the D as well. I still haven't come across a 5-string where there is any substitute for making a good neck and neck/body joint in order to get the B string sounding and feeling good, and that can be done perfectly well with a 33-34" scale instrument. [/quote] Yeh - it seems to be a bit of a black art! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Didn't get a really cheap one in the end and glad I didn't. I was looking for a Peavey at the show but didn't find one , tried a Musicman of sorts with neck dive ...Got a G & L L2500 at the Bass Show with 36% off at £492. Been enjoying it and took it to my lesson with Mr Ace today who gave it the thumbs up A good buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushers Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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