5er

[AlexDelores]

Evening all,

Not sure if this has already been discussed but I've been neglecting all things musical as of late (approx 2 years).

The good news is, After my break my musical side is fully re-fuelled and inspired...
The bad news is I have returned with major GAS for a 5 string.

I have been browsing the market and looking at basses and really like the look of the SUB V as I've always wanted a MM, However..

Today i came across the Squier Dimension Deluxe V and really like the look. I've read some stuff on here that leads me to believe Squire are no longer the Argos Stocked brand I thought they were and that some of their newer stuff is half decent.

I've never seen the Dimension before and wondered if anybody has any experience with them?

Also any other suggestions for a decent 5 string around the £300-£500 sort of range would be welcome.

I'm getting married in November so it'll be a few months before i get one but i have to allow myself enough time to change my mind at least 15 times

Cheers

[Naetharu]

I have one of the newer Squire 'Vintage Modified' basses and it's a real cracker for the money. There is very little difference between the Squire basses and some of the cheaper MIM/MIA if you ask me. Perhaps the biggest difference I have noticed is that many of the Squire range are a little heavier perhaps due to less picky choosing of the woods. I'd certainly be more than happy to use a Squire as a serious gigging bass these days.

As to other options out there, here are a few to consider:

* The Ibanez SR range are very well made basses and the pricing is amazing on them. The necks are too skinny for my taste but lots of folks love them: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr305ipt.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ez_sr305ipt.htm[/url]

* Close to the top end of your budget is this Ibanez BTB from Classic and Cool - wonderful basses by all accounts and quite a bit more meaty than the SR range: [url="http://classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses/ibanezbtb5string.htm"]http://classicandcoo...zbtb5string.htm[/url]

* Yammaha do the TRBX 5-string that is well within your budget and folks around here seem to have nothing but praise for them: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_trbx_305_car.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...rbx_305_car.htm[/url]

* It's worth mentioning the Harley Benton range by Thomman too. They are very affortable ( >£100!) and I'd honestly say they are competative with Squire basses. If you manage to get one on the 'Deco Only' offers they are even cheaper. Depending on the model you can sometimes find them for as little as ~£30 plust P&P. The one weakness with these is that the Pick-Ups / Electronics are a bit tame but then at that price you could afford some pretty tastey new ones and still have change compared to the price of a new Squire: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_mb_5_sb_deluxe_series_b_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ies_b_stock.htm[/url]

[u]*[/u] Finally, at the other end of the spectrum there are the Maruszczyk basses. I play one myself and utterly love it as do quite a few other folks around here (check out threads by McNash and WaterOfTyne for some nice details on them as well as the 'official club' thread). They're a little more than your budget but Adrian does offer a few at discounted rates now and then if they've been used for trade-show demos etc. so it is well worth checking them out: [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/elwood/5-string/386-elwood-5p-red-burst090091"]http://www.public-pe...red-burst090091[/url]

Edit: added links to example basses

Edited September 26, 2015 by Naetharu

[Bigwan]

Sire Marcus Miller V7. Best money I've spent in a long long time. Hadn't heard much bad about them before, and now I have one I know why. A great bass at ANY money, but a total steal at the price. Like mine more and more every time I pick it up.

[AlexDelores]

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1443301056' post='2873753']
I have one of the newer Squire 'Vintage Modified' basses and it's a real cracker for the money. There is very little difference between the Squire basses and some of the cheaper MIM/MIA if you ask me. Perhaps the biggest difference I have noticed is that many of the Squire range are a little heavier perhaps due to less picky choosing of the woods. I'd certainly be more than happy to use a Squire as a serious gigging bass these days.

As to other options out there, here are a few to consider:

* The Ibanez SR range are very well made basses and the pricing is amazing on them. The necks are too skinny for my taste but lots of folks love them: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_sr305ipt.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ez_sr305ipt.htm[/url]

* Close to the top end of your budget is this Ibanez BTB from Classic and Cool - wonderful basses by all accounts and quite a bit more meaty than the SR range: [url="http://classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/basses/ibanezbtb5string.htm"]http://classicandcoo...zbtb5string.htm[/url]

* Yammaha do the TRBX 5-string that is well within your budget and folks around here seem to have nothing but praise for them: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_trbx_305_car.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...rbx_305_car.htm[/url]

* It's worth mentioning the Harley Benton range by Thomman too. They are very affortable ( >£100!) and I'd honestly say they are competative with Squire basses. If you manage to get one on the 'Deco Only' offers they are even cheaper. Depending on the model you can sometimes find them for as little as ~£30 plust P&P. The one weakness with these is that the Pick-Ups / Electronics are a bit tame but then at that price you could afford some pretty tastey new ones and still have change compared to the price of a new Squire: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_mb_5_sb_deluxe_series_b_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ies_b_stock.htm[/url]

[u]*[/u] Finally, at the other end of the spectrum there are the Maruszczyk basses. I play one myself and utterly love it as do quite a few other folks around here (check out threads by McNash and WaterOfTyne for some nice details on them as well as the 'official club' thread). They're a little more than your budget but Adrian does offer a few at discounted rates not and then if they've been used for trade-show demos etc. so it is well worth checking them out: [url="http://www.public-peace.de/index.php/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/elwood/5-string/386-elwood-5p-red-burst090091"]http://www.public-pe...red-burst090091[/url]

Edit: added links to example basses
[/quote]

Thanks ill have a look at some of them you've mentioned.

I have a Harley Benton MM copy 4 string, It plays nice enough. However, I had the opposite problem with the pickups that they were so hot i could not play the thing live without getting some major feedback (Ive always wanted to fit some new ones but never got around to it), But i may have a look just for something cheap to play at home until i can get round to getting something else.

My main bass i've used for years is an MIM jazz bass so id imagine id probably find the Squier's to be fine. The VMJ stuff looks really nice.

Thanks

[AlexDelores]

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1443301499' post='2873763']
Sire Marcus Miller V7. Best money I've spent in a long long time. Hadn't heard much bad about them before, and now I have one I know why. A great bass at ANY money, but a total steal at the price. Like mine more and more every time I pick it up.
[/quote]
Just had a brief look and they look great at first glance... Although i thought Miller was endorsed by Fender?... I really need to catch up haha 😂

[Horizontalste]

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb425-standard-bb-red-metallic/48075

A steal at that price.

[Pinball]

Good advice above that about covers it. I'd just add that LTD ESP 205's and Cort Crubows also seem live good value for money.

[DarkHeart]

Ive just bought a Jackson JS3V and for the first time in many moons im happy with the neck, falls in your price range as well.

[DarkHeart]

Ive just bought a Jackson JS3V and for the first time in many moons im happy with the neck, falls in your price range as well.

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1443307100' post='2873818']
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb425-standard-bb-red-metallic/48075

A steal at that price.
[/quote]

These are GREAT basses, played one for years.

[AlexDelores]

Cheers all, im really liking the look of the Sire v7, read a lot of good stuff on here too

Like i said itll be a couple of months i think so i think ill take a trip down to PMT in Brum to try and have a go on some of the others mention 😁

[Grahambythesea]

I got my Spector Spectorcore new for under £500 but you have to hunt for one. Brilliant quality but the Spector Performer 5 is readily available sub £400 one eBay. Spectors knock spots off Fenders and there cheaper subsidiaries - and I own both!

[AlexDelores]

[quote name='Grahambythesea' timestamp='1443549125' post='2875751']
I got my Spector Spectorcore new for under £500 but you have to hunt for one. Brilliant quality but the Spector Performer 5 is readily available sub £400 one eBay. Spectors knock spots off Fenders and there cheaper subsidiaries - and I own both!
[/quote]

I do quite like the Spector stuff, i saw Don Broco a couple of months back and his looked great, however i think ive read they have quite long necks? Any truth?

[chris_b]

Don't over think this. You might find you'll play a 5er for 10 mins and hate it.

I'd probably get the Squier but the Sire will be a good instrument and will probably be easier to sell if you don't get on with 5 strings.

[AlexDelores]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1443604640' post='2876066']
Don't over think this. You might find you'll play a 5er for 10 mins and hate it.

I'd probably get the Squier but the Sire will be a good instrument and will probably be easier to sell if you don't get on with 5 strings.
[/quote]

yeah this is very true, my thinking was just to get some alternative ideas incase there was anything id missed,

i tend to find whatever basses 4 or 5 i like i always come back to looking at jazzes anyway so id imagine ill end up getting the squier or sire in the end , but like i said i need plenty of time to change my mind over and over again 😂

[mattbass6]

I had a Squier Deluxe Dimension V. It was / is a really beautiful bass. The wood and finish were excellent. The sound was really punchy and even though it had the one pickup, the EQ options were fantastic. It felt great to play and had a really comfortable neck. Even the hardware was pretty good and especially the bridge which, was an actual Fender (Badass replacement) bridge. The only thing I will say is, I had to have the bridge realigned as it came at a weird angle so the "G" wouldn't stay on the board. I also had the neck shimmied because the bridge saddles were so low, there was no movement for the action. Once those were rectified, it was a killer bass for the money. Punched well above it's weight. I wasn't too keen on the varnished neck either but, that is easily rectified (varnished necks are not my thing - the US Dimensions have an oiled neck which is much nicer and more comfortable). I hope that helps? Go try one, you won't regret it.

PS I only sold the Dimension because I'm waiting for a specific bass to come up for sale somewhere so I'm accumulating funds. My Vigier is my go to bass, anyway. I will get a US version one day as I do like them, a lot.

[tauzero]

Peavey Grind BXP