Funky Dunky Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) Hi, I have a NBD coming up soon - pics will be posted upon arrival, but I'm already looking to my NEXT acquisition!! I want to ditch my Squier VMPJ - decent wee bass, but: A. I don't love the ceramic pups B. I want a 5 Now, I've heard many an opinion about the lower end (!) of the 5-string market, particularly the quality/flappiness of that extra low string. I'm only looking to spend £350ish on a new or used 5, so my expectations aren't terribly high - just an entry level 5er, preferably a P or a J. What do y'all recommend, either new or used? Looking forward to your replies. Thanks :-) Edited January 20, 2015 by Funky Dunky Quote
discreet Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) We-ell... I sold a Spector Legend 5 to Mark at Classic&Cool, which is now up on his site... I can recommend it because obviously I've played it. The low B is excellent and there's a very useful 3-band circuit onboard, too. Nice amber maple top... what's not to like? I'll get the link, hang on... [url="http://classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses/spectorlegendclassic.htm"]http://classicandcoo...gendclassic.htm[/url] It's a nice thing, plays very well and sounds killer. It's got growl until next Tuesday (if that's what you want). I only moved it on so I could get my Euro4. It's a bargain, but even so I'm sure Mark would knock the price down a bit for a BassChatter. Edited January 20, 2015 by discreet Quote
alyctes Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I should not have sold my Yamaha BBN5. Basic, for sure, but it was comfortable and played nicely. The B string was decent for the price, IMO. Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 90s sgc nanyo bass collection USA S.U.B stingray (not sure if in budget?) OLP Tony Levin Stingray if one crops up, great bass other than the cheap bendy tort guard Ibanez of some sort, SR505 are a nice bass, im not sure on values/models? Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for all the suggestions so far chaps. I'm looking forward to hopping on youtube and checking out some vids later :-) That Spector is beautiful, and I'll bet it's a joy to play, unfortunately I'm just at the research stage at the moment and I reckon it'll be closer to summer before I'm buying. Only other thing is - and apologies for not mentioning this in my original post - my new bass (arriving any day now) is a Sterling Sub Ray4 so I'm looking for something tonally completely different from that. I would prefer something that could do a P-style tone, but I'm open to suggestions. Quote
pete.young Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421829945' post='2665359'] 90s sgc nanyo bass collection [/quote] This. There's a very nice example in the For Sale forum right now, for not a lot of money. Quote
HowieBass Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Yamaha BB425 going for silly money at GAK right now - a PJ that's well liked by many http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb425-standard-bb-vintage-white/48076?gclid=CPiK5-jgpMMCFQHMtAodPU4AmQ Quote
Horizontalste Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1421832073' post='2665386'] Yamaha BB425 going for silly money at GAK right now - a PJ that's well liked by many http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb425-standard-bb-vintage-white/48076?gclid=CPiK5-jgpMMCFQHMtAodPU4AmQ [/quote] Nearly bought one myself yesterday £249 is ridiculous. Quote
uncle psychosis Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Yamaha (my preference) or Ibanez. Quote
Conan Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1421853122' post='2665799'] Yamaha (my preference) or Ibanez. [/quote] Yes to both. But also add in Spector - they do a "budget" range which are only budget in terms of price, not feel or sound! See Discreet's post above... Quote
Conan Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1421832073' post='2665386'] Yamaha BB425 going for silly money at GAK right now - a PJ that's well liked by many [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb425-standard-bb-vintage-white/48076?gclid=CPiK5-jgpMMCFQHMtAodPU4AmQ"]http://www.gak.co.uk...CFQHMtAodPU4AmQ[/url] [/quote] Wow! What a price! Quote
Defo Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Can definitely recommend Spector Legend 5, esp. if you can find a Custom with the 3 band EMG circuit rather than the TP Jr. Quote
colleya Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I know it's not strictly a p or a j but check out the G&L tribute L2500. Mine is brilliant and you should be able to pick up a 2nd hand one for your budget. There was a bloke on the North West bass gear Facebook page asking £350 for his a couple of weeks ago. Seriously worth considering. Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 Colleya, those are fabulous basses for the RRP, to think I could possibly pick one up for £350ish is mental! I've played the 4 string version and it does a LOT of tones. I never even thought of it. I'm really leaning towards something with a P-pup, but I'm strugglong to find something that ticks all the boxes. The Yammy sounds great but I just can't fall in love or even like with the looks - it's just not 'me'. I've checked a few vids and to be honest (and some of you may think I'm mad) the leader at the moment is believe it or not the Squier VM5 Jazz Bass. I like the looks (Marcus-tastic) I like the tones and I love the price. There are doubtless better basses out there, but not at that price as far as I can find so far. Even the Cort GB range is a good bit dearer. However, keep 'em coming and I'll keep checking them out. Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 G and L is a good shout, also what money do used Lakland 55-01 fetch? Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 Ooooo a Lakland......I WISH! Would love one of those. G&L do a P-style body with a PJ configuration...can't remember the model name but it's very reasonably priced. I must go and see if they do it in a 5..... Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 (edited) The Lakland and the G&L both sound superb! Contenders, for sure! Edited January 21, 2015 by Funky Dunky Quote
colleya Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I A/B ed the G&L tribute with the American 4 string (was prepared to spend quite a bit more) and couldn't put a fag paper between them in terms of tone, certainly not a few hundred quids' worth IMHO. I think the tributes use the same electronics and the U.S. ones. Mine does very passable p and j impressions at the flick of a switch. The only thing is I'm not wild about the looks in the natural finish. The sunburst is better though. Andy Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1421875337' post='2666173'] The Lakland and the G&L both sound superb! Contenders, for sure! [/quote] I'd happily play either for the rest of my days Quote
chrismuzz Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I've never played a Peavey without a good B string. Yamaha are highly recommended also, and Cort! Quote
Painy Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Doesn't get any cheaper than this and mine is amazingly good for the money. The printed red tort guard is just plain vulgar but I've covered mine in white self adhesive vinyl and it looks much better! Before and after pics: Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1421877885' post='2666219'] Doesn't get any cheaper than this and mine is amazingly good for the money. The printed red tort guard is just plain vulgar but I've covered mine in white self adhesive vinyl and it looks much better! Before and after pics: [/quote] Sorry, what is it? Quote
Funky Dunky Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='colleya' timestamp='1421875788' post='2666179'] Mine does very passable p and j impressions at the flick of a switch. [/quote] Really? It does a Precision sound?? I did not know this! Quote
Painy Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1421878350' post='2666232'] Sorry, what is it? [/quote] It's a Harley Benton (Thomann's own brand) . Under a hundred pounds and I've played worse bases at 5 times the price. The pickups have a fairly low output but at £100 original outlay you'd have plenty of your budget left to throw in some decent pups and then some. Quote
.jpg.518c69c2d9e1581799f3c11301dc2da5.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.