Advice on a Fiver

[Tripehound]

Hi there

I wonder if anyone could give me some suggestions on 5 string basses. I had one a while back (an Italia Imola) but found getting used to it more of a challenge than expected and soon returned to familiar 4-string territory. Thing is, I'm playing for a second band (classic rock stuff) and it really looks like that big bottom end is needed so I've started to look again.

I don't want to spend more that £400 and am happy to look at 'pre-loved'. Any suggestions as to make/model? I'm using a Fender Bassman TV15 for amplification...

ESP? Schecter? Spector?

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Schecter diamond series. I used to have one
Not very expensive. Shame they're not as common here as in the usa

[KingBollock]

If you struggle with a five string, perhaps a four string strung with the bottom four strings from a five set?

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/257010-four-string-with-bead/page__fromsearch__1

[MikanHannille]

The VM range of Squire is quite good.

[HowieBass]

A few BCers on here have the Squier Vintage Modified P5 and rate it pretty highly. Might be worth trying a few out?

[White Cloud]

Play loads....buy your favourite.

[skej21]

Ibanez SR505/605 should be available for less than £400 second hand and worth every penny!

[Jellyfish]

G&L L-2500 Tribute is an obvious choice if you prefer a lot of wood under your hands. If you're looking for something more streamlined, as skej said, Ibanez all the way.

[icastle]

Another thumbs up for the Ibanez SR505 here.

They are ridiculously good for the money.

[geoffbyrne]

Yamaha BB425

G.

[LloydyG10]

Hey there

I have a Squier VM Pbass V for sale if your interested

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/257182-ftfs-squier-vintage-mod-pbass-v/

Cheers!!

[Derek1071]

I'd go for a Lakland 5501. Was my first five string - really playable, well made, and you can pick up a used one for around the 400 mark.

[lojo]

My yamaha BBN is an amazing bass for the money

[sifi2112]

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/252040-fsft-yamaha-bbn5-heavily-modded-price-drop-l150/page__fromsearch__1

great value ... if you get on with it you could always upgrade later

[Conan]

Rather than decide on a certain model, it may be easier to start form the point of view of a budget. Search the for sale threads here and look at everything that falls within your budget range.

It is a buyer's market at the moment (and has been for some time) so there are definitely bargains to be had!

[RhysP]

Do you really need a five string if you're playing Classic Rock stuff? I'd bet that most, if not all, of the songs you'll be playing were done with a four string.
A lot of stuff (Lizzy, Van Halen & loads of others) were all originaly recorded tuned down a semitone so why not just do that?

Edited March 6, 2015 by RhysP

[Horizontalste]

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1425596746' post='2709052']
Yamaha BB425

G.
[/quote]

What G said! £250 New from GAK at the minute.

[Geek99]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1425592561' post='2709000']
A few BCers on here have the Squier Vintage Modified P5 and rate it pretty highly. Might be worth trying a few out?
[/quote]
One up for sale right now

[JTUK]

Plays loads and get the one with the best B string as quite a lot of them are woeful,
As always, the B string defines a 5 string.

[Marvin]

The best fivers are to be found in banks, they've always got the crispy new ones.

You can thank me later for my advice.

[dave_bass5]

The new Sire Marcus Miller 5 string jazz basses are getting very, very good reps at the moment.

Only available over here from Thomanns but for £309 inc deliver, with an 18volt preamp, string through body, various finishes you cant really go wrong (unless you dont want any of the above )

I got one the other week and its definitely on a par with much higher priced basses, although so are the latest Squier CV's etc. The EQ is very, very powerful, and it has a sweepable mid control, although you can run it passively as well.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?filter=true&gk=giebj5&manufacturer[]=Marcus%20Miller

Another personal recommendation is the Yamaha TRBX 305. Again, its active and the necks are very nice. Still under £400

Edited March 6, 2015 by dave_bass5

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1425634399' post='2709185']
Plays loads and get the one with the best B string as quite a lot of them are woeful,
As always, the B string defines a 5 string.
[/quote]

^^^ This.

I've had plenty of five-strings and the variation in the way the low B feels, plays and sounds can be quite astonishing.

Personally I detest a flobbadob low B (YMMV of course) and I steered towards basses with a 35" scale quite a while ago for that reason.

Obviously your preferred string choice will come into this too.

White Cloud said it early in this thread ... do the shops, play loads of 5-string basses, THEN decide which one you like.

[Number6]

I have a Yamaha TRBX305.....very good quality under £300 active circuitry with powerful pups. Really worth the money imo.

Loads of different tones and sounds too.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Number6

[Japhet]

TRBX 305 or, if you can find one for the money a Lakland 55-01 is a cracker.

[spectoremg]

If you're only wandering down the B end occasionally get one of these, they're great and a lot lighter/cheaper than a new bass. I also have a BEAD 4-string cos I didn't play/practice on a 5-string enough and therefore couldn't get used to them.