horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 OK so bitta craic. You have £1500ish quid to spend on a new 5er. Options: Thumb Bongo Stingray Dingwall Which one and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 You haven't said what you actually want, they're all very different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBH Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Stingray. As a recent convert to Stingray fives, I feel they fit in pretty much every musical style, and are very comfortable to play. I've owned over 50 different basses many of them 5 string and have to say the Stingray just works. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 20 minutes ago, Machines said: You haven't said what you actually want, they're all very different. I've no idea what i want. It changes daily. Would love to hear your fave tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Do Lakland Skylines make the cut? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 Yeah for sure. Any reason in particular? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Lakland are some of the best put together basses about and the Skylines represent pretty good value. Depending on the model they also offer a lot of P/up versatility. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 Cool. I could have added my L2500 to list also. These are fantastic versatile basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 I'd choose the Lakland personally. If I were to go for one of the others it would be a Ray without a scratchplate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 Ooh interesting choice. No scratchplate for easier finger rest? Or just cus they're ugly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 As machines states, they're all different. I've never played a Bongo, but have owned the others you mention. From your original list, I'd go with the Ray, but then you dropped an L2500 into the mix. I'd go with that for maximum flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Sandberg California II TT5. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 I would have a custom one made. You can get a custom MARUSZCZYK or MESNINGER 5 string for that price. Personally I would go for a 30" scale Cazpar made to my prefered specs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 1 hour ago, snorkie635 said: As machines states, they're all different. I've never played a Bongo, but have owned the others you mention. From your original list, I'd go with the Ray, but then you dropped an L2500 into the mix. I'd go with that for maximum flexibility. Beginning to think l2500 is a bit of a Stingray killer alright. It does everything so well. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 My one to rule them all is currently circa £8k so not sure I can play along but for £1.5k a used Warwick Streamer stage 1 or Fender elite jazz would be nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 I'm not up to date with the current new prices so I don't even know that what you've listed fit to the budget new but.... I'd buy a Spector Euro 5LX or a Spector Euro Classic 5 ( I own both, great instruments) As for your list, my take: Thumb - Love them, have two Tumb NT6's but they would not be my first choice as the one 5er to rule 'em all due to ergonomics and sound Bongo - never owned but on B5 is on my wish list Stingray - I own a SR5, fabolous bass, the best Stingray I've tried / owned but the Spector has the same modern kinda sound and more.... Of course you can't beat a SR sound if you want just exactly that. Great neck, too. Dingwall - owned an AB5, really loved the neck but the sound was nondescript..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 I'd have the Dingwall on purely aesthetic grounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabbabass Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Tough one! The latest bass I bought was a Fender Elite 5 which is very nice and versatile. However, I have a CLF ‘Big Chonks’ exactly the same as Lobster’s (in his review), which is fabulous and plays wonderfully. As others have said here, the G&L is special. For reference, I also have an American Fender Jazz Plus 5 (the Kubicki one), light, rare and harder to find. A NT Thumb 5 - plays great, slightly heavy headstock, very distinctive sound, but comfy, small body; probably over budget. A Sei Flambouyant 5, which is great in every way, but way over the budget. A second-hand Elite or possibly and Ultra if you can find one would be a great choice. If you’re new to fives, play a few as they really do differ and rarely play in the same way as their four string equivalents. Hope this helps. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Out of that list I think only the bongo or some versions of dingwall would appeal, but I don't think you can get either for £1500 new, so seems like a fail! Would like a bongo, but very expensive, same as a canadian dingwall, wouldn't want a combusion. If it had to be new and it had to be up to £1500, I guess it would be an ibanez. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Bongo 5HH. Very versatile. Doesn't have quite the options of an L2500, but plenty of tones on offer. Generally light and resonant. The Neodymium pickups and 4 Band, 18v preamp give plenty of headroom and clout if needed. I've had a Ray 5. That was a different kettle of fish; fretless with Alnico pickup. It felt too wide in the body a lot of the time. Coil switching is well- executed in the original SR5 I found the Thumb's ergonomics "challenging". I didn't mind the long reach for the first fret, but the balance wasn't great. And it was quite heavy. I've not tried a Dingwall so can't comment other than that string choice is potentially limited. And make sure you get a bag or a case, as it'll not fit in any you may already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 Thanks lads. Interesting on the l2500. Similar layout to a HH bongo. The dingwall seems incredible and with 3 way pickup combos is very versatile. Theres a bongo for sale locally, €1800. Not bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 31 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: Out of that list I think only the bongo or some versions of dingwall would appeal, but I don't think you can get either for £1500 new, so seems like a fail! Would like a bongo, but very expensive, same as a canadian dingwall, wouldn't want a combusion. If it had to be new and it had to be up to £1500, I guess it would be an ibanez. I have a beautiful ibanez. Probably shouldn't sell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 (edited) A Lakland 5594 or a Lakland 5502. Why.? its got a neck thats the best in the bass business and it is super versatile.Best 5 string bass on the planet.. No doubt I do love an SR5 as the punch the neck are hard to beat. Tight string spacing though. A Lakland 5502 is the best bass ive ever played. fabulous instrument. Nothing on your list comes close. Edited April 21, 2023 by bubinga5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 22 minutes ago, bubinga5 said: A Lakland 5594 or a Lakland 5502. Why.? its got a neck thats the best in the bass business and it is super versatile.Best 5 string bass on the planet.. No doubt I do love an SR5 as the punch the neck are hard to beat. Tight string spacing though. I've had a couple of SR5s - they sound great but I just can't get on with the string spacing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Adapt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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