Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 After a LONG break from playing I have rediscovered the joy of bass and, having settled on my 4 string offerings (Stringray 2EQ and an RMI Boomslang) I want to test the waters on my first 5er. Looking to spend in the 250-350 range, more than happy to go the 2nd hand route. Musically I am rock based but covering from Chilli Peppers to Sepultura so something versatile, don't really care about looks, it's all about the sound and probably more so the playability. Currently on my watchlist are: Ibanez SR505 Bass Collection SB315 Spector Q5 or Performer Warwick Rockbass MTD Kingston Artist Obviously I can't try them all and I have tried youtubing but that is far too dependent on the the recording quality/method and is just taking me in circles. My gut is saying MTD but I'm a research fiend and classic overthinker so figured a quick post here might help, I know no one will have played them all but if I can trim the list down based on user experience that would definatly help. If you have any others that fit the bill please suggest or, if you think I'll have a better first experience for a little more +100ish (G&L M2500, higer end Spector or other) Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 You can't get wrong with MTD. Yamaha's are good too with that budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) 36 minutes ago, MikanHannille said: Yamaha's are good too with that budget. +1 for Yamaha. You should be able to pick a vgc S/H BB425 within your budget (pic of my old one below). It has a versatile P/J set up and its PUPs carry real punch. Purely passive. I personally preferred it to the Warwick Rockbass I had, which had underpowered pots and I found the bass to be generally a bit meh. Ibbys SR Premiums are just fantastic: immensely playable neck and the single Nordstrand PUPs deliver a wonderful meaty growl, but likely to be a little bit above your budget - however, I'd recommend stretching to one of those rather than the Standard if you can (purely down to the Nord PUPs). Has both passive and a very flexible active EQ on board. Edited August 12, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Booga13 said: If you have any others that fit the bill please suggest I'd suggest you also take a look at Sire, Lakland Skylines and Fender Squire basses. If you can't get to a shop can you see what other bass players are using in bands playing locally. Ask them about their choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Cort - probably made some of those already listed, and make great basses under their own name. Secondhand you should easily find some good examples in that price range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Having had lengthy personal experience of Ibanez, Yamaha and MTD I can safely say that you cannot go wrong with any of them. Fantastic instruments at every price point. I would strongly recommend playing as many basses as you can - finding that first 5 string can be tough. I spent almost a year trying different basses out before settling on one. The neck profile and string spacing at both the bridge and the nut are all things to consider, however numbers only tell half the story. There is no substitute for physically getting the instrument in your hands. My main advice though would be to save a little longer and add about £200 to your existing budget. Once you get above the £500 mark you start coming across some really excellent basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) Seek out a Lakland 55-01. Or a Sire V7. V7 will be inside budget used, Lakland just outside it. Thank me later... Edited August 12, 2018 by Bigwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 Wow, thanks for the quick responses, liking the Yamaha a lot. I hadn't entertained Cort as a brand, don't think they existed when I last shopped and I think I was assuming they were a low quality budget brand (not sure why), will give them a look. The Sire V7/P7 are ones I had looked at the top end of my budget, not sure why they weren't on the list. Unfortunately, despite knowing lots of local bands NONE of them play a 5, might have to spend a day in Andertons seeing what works best for me and go from there, I'm in no huge rush. Might have to sell some bits and pieces and expand the price range in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 1 minute ago, Booga13 said: might have to spend a day in Andertons seeing what works best for me and go from there, I'm in no huge rush. Where are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 I'm just outside Kingston-upon-Thames Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Booga13 said: I'm just outside Kingston-upon-Thames Another Yamaha fan here, I like my 5ers wide so an RBX765A for well under your budget suits me just fine. Edited August 12, 2018 by BreadBin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 5 minutes ago, Booga13 said: I'm just outside Kingston-upon-Thames If you have a free day some time, pay @thebassgallery in Camden a visit. Plenty of tasty 5 stringers in stock and you’ll be able to get a good feel for various brands. If you’re prepared to travel a bit further afield, I can also highly recommend Bass Direct - have a look at their current selection of used basses: http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Second_hand_Ex_demo_Bass_Guitars.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Cort, Yamaha TRB/TRBX, MTD Kingston or Ibby SR if you you want the active modern vibe (looks and sound). Sire (versatile preamp) or Yamaha BB for more traditional looks. My tuppence worth. Tobie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) The Low B string is, in some ways, not like the others. Expect to notice a difference in how flobbadob the Low B is depending on string choice and on scale length. Personally (and YMMV of course) I won't bother with any 5-string bass unless it has a 35" scale length. Edited August 18, 2018 by Happy Jack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I had a Spector Q5 and it was decidedly average, average pickups, generic shaped neck, only nice part about it was the black cherry colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 Hmm, looks like I could spend weeks at the Bass Gallery😂 I was thinking of making the journey to Bass Direct anyway, I've got a couple of OLD items that Andertons wouldn't take in PX (preamp too old and they couldn't find a guide price for the bass!) so was thinking of using their sell on commission option. So the scale length makes a huge difference to the B string? Tks DH, decidedly average won't give me a good first experience, Q5 off the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I agree with Happy Jack about checking out the B to make sure it’s not floppy. However I have both 34 & 35 which are both fine. Spector are great and 5’s are generally 35”. Look for a Legend rather than Performer, should be within budget. You get the curved body which is Spector’s speciality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Are any of the fan frets within your budget? Ive played one ff and it does make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 Never tried a fan fretted, I may have to explore them, I think they just seemed too much of a leap, 5 strings AND fanned frets! Will see if I can find one to try. I think I could probably squeeze the budget to a Legend so Performer off the list, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 15 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said: I agree with Happy Jack about checking out the B to make sure it’s not floppy. However I have both 34 & 35 which are both fine. Spector are great and 5’s are generally 35”. Look for a Legend rather than Performer, should be within budget. You get the curved body which is Spector’s speciality. Totally agree with this - B strings can be terrible on badly-made basses, but that doesn't mean that Bs on all scale lengths other than super long (over 34'') are bad, in fact far from it - I've heard 32'' fivers that sound stellar. IMO of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Trust me, fan fret is quite natural, i would give one a go before you decide thats if you can find one of course. I would still have mine but singlecut doesn`t really look very metal, I should have got the Ibanez srff805 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 If you want to be different and you can find one: Squier Vintage Modified P bass. Awesome. Or buy an AV like Scott Devine plays which is pretty much identical for 10x more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I wouldn’t get too caught up in the folklore regarding scale lengths and quality of the low B. There are many luthiers out there making 5s and 6es at shorter scale lengths (30”/32”/33”) which sound and feel fantastic. Admittedly these tend to be quite high end instruments but it is proof that there are more factors than simply scale to worry about. The kind of strings on the bass makes a HUGE difference, for a start. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 It's worth being fussy about the tension on the B string. On my GMR it's as tight as the others. On my Jazz+V - otherwise a top spec bass - it's so floppy it's unplayable. On my Warwick Thumb 6 it's useable, but nowhere near the GMR. Changing string gauge might help - and I'm thinking of re-stringing the J+V EADGC to see if that helps. But for your first 5 you really want something that plays well straight away without messing around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booga13 Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 3 minutes ago, josie said: But for your first 5 you really want something that plays well straight away without messing around. That's my real worry, that I'll buy something that suffers from flobby B and it'll put me off 5s for good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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