Tripehound Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Schecter diamond series. I used to have one Not very expensive. Shame they're not as common here as in the usa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 The VM range of Squire is quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 A few BCers on here have the Squier Vintage Modified P5 and rate it pretty highly. Might be worth trying a few out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Play loads....buy your favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Ibanez SR505/605 should be available for less than £400 second hand and worth every penny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Another thumbs up for the Ibanez SR505 here. They are ridiculously good for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Yamaha BB425 G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LloydyG10 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek1071 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 My yamaha BBN is an amazing bass for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1425596746' post='2709052'] Yamaha BB425 G. [/quote] What G said! £250 New from GAK at the minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 [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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 TRBX 305 or, if you can find one for the money a Lakland 55-01 is a cracker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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