Bigwan Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Hi guys, Just looking other people's input here. I'm looking into a budget/mid-priced 5 string at the minute. I'd ideally like something that sounds like a Musicman 5 but with wider string spacing (19mm if possible). I sold off my MM5 I had because I couldn't get along with the string spacing. Can anyone think of something that fits the bill? I was really excited when I heard that Ibanez were re-releasing the ATK range, until I heard that the spacing on the new 305 is 16.5mm! The mid-90's version is 19mm but they're as rare as rocking horse poo! The ones I can think of (without going custom) are MTD imports (kingston and heir), Lakland 5502 (out of my current pricerange), mid-90's ATKs... Looking to stay around/under the £400 mark. Anyone think of anything else? Cheers Ian Quote
Tait Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 (edited) Have you tried the OLP musicman copies? I don't know what difference there is in string spacing between them and musicmans (musicmen?) but mine's really comfortable and the string spacing is fine in my opinion. They now make active ones with two pups as well. [url="http://www.olpguitars.com/"]olp guitars[/url] EDIT: I just realised you said around the £400 mark, these are cheaper than that but still excellent basses. Edited August 30, 2007 by lwtait Quote
obbm Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 [quote name='lwtait' post='52690' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:25 AM']Have you tried the OLP musicman copies? I don't know what difference there is in string spacing between them and musicmans (musicmen?) but mine's really comfortable and the string spacing is fine in my opinion. They now make active ones with two pups as well. [url="http://www.olpguitars.com/"]olp guitars[/url][/quote] It's actually 1/4-inch narrower at the bridge than the genuine Musicman Stingray 5. Quote
Russ Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Lakland 55-02 with the Basslines pickups. Nails the MM tone, has 19mm string spacing at the bridge, and has a fair bit more versatility than a regular, single-pickup MM. Quote
Bigwan Posted August 30, 2007 Author Posted August 30, 2007 [quote name='Russ' post='52695' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:31 AM']Lakland 55-02 with the Basslines pickups. Nails the MM tone, has 19mm string spacing at the bridge, and has a fair bit more versatility than a regular, single-pickup MM.[/quote] My No.1 choice also but I would refer you to my comment above... [quote name='Bigwan' post='52686' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:16 AM']The ones I can think of (without going custom) are MTD imports (kingston and heir), Lakland 5502 (out of my current pricerange), mid-90's ATKs...[/quote] Well outside my £400 budget at the minute! Would you flog your ATK Russ? Quote
pete.young Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 [quote name='lwtait' post='52690' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:25 AM']Have you tried the OLP musicman copies? I don't know what difference there is in string spacing between them and musicmans (musicmen?) but mine's really comfortable and the string spacing is fine in my opinion.[/quote] Mine too, but then I have small hands!. The string spacing on my MM3 is 17mm at the bridge. Quote
Russ Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 [quote name='Bigwan' post='52716' date='Aug 30 2007, 12:07 PM']My No.1 choice also but I would refer you to my comment above... Well outside my £400 budget at the minute! Would you flog your ATK Russ?[/quote] Hmmm... maybe... after all, once I get my custom bass plans together, I'll need a deposit... Quote
Owen Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I picked up an MTD Kingston for £150 here (or wherever we were at the time). I might re wind the pick up (Wizard £35), dump an East MM-a-like pre in £95 and you are away. I absolutely LOVE the MTD, it is lighter than a light thing, cheap so that I don't have to look after it and the neck is JUST FABULOUS (if you like wide and thin). I cannot speak highly enough of it. [quote name='Bigwan' post='52686' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:16 AM']Hi guys, Just looking other people's input here. I'm looking into a budget/mid-priced 5 string at the minute. I'd ideally like something that sounds like a Musicman 5 but with wider string spacing (19mm if possible). I sold off my MM5 I had because I couldn't get along with the string spacing. Can anyone think of something that fits the bill? I was really excited when I heard that Ibanez were re-releasing the ATK range, until I heard that the spacing on the new 305 is 16.5mm! The mid-90's version is 19mm but they're as rare as rocking horse poo! The ones I can think of (without going custom) are MTD imports (kingston and heir), Lakland 5502 (out of my current pricerange), mid-90's ATKs... Looking to stay around/under the £400 mark. Anyone think of anything else? Cheers Ian[/quote] Quote
silverfoxnik Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 [quote name='owen' post='53048' date='Aug 30 2007, 11:02 PM']I picked up an MTD Kingston for £150 here (or wherever we were at the time). I might re wind the pick up (Wizard £35), dump an East MM-a-like pre in £95 and you are away. I absolutely LOVE the MTD, it is lighter than a light thing, cheap so that I don't have to look after it and the neck is JUST FABULOUS (if you like wide and thin). I cannot speak highly enough of it.[/quote] I had two MTD Kingston's - the single pick up model and the MM/H model and they were both great. Cost approx £200 each as I recall. Other than that, the Yamaha range of basses is pretty good too. Good luck with the search, Nik Quote
simon1964 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I think the Ibanez BTB 5 string has 19mm string spacing, and is within your budget. I've never played one, so can't say how close they would get to the MM tone, but they might be worth a try? Quote
Rich Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 [b]Status Groove 5[/b]. There's one on fleaBay at the moment, starting at 250 if memory serves. CK had one for a while, he could give you the gen. EDIT: bass name corrected due to earlier numptyism Quote
silverfoxnik Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 [quote name='Rich' post='53165' date='Aug 31 2007, 09:48 AM'][b]Status Shark 5[/b]. There's one on fleaBay at the moment, starting at 250 if memory serves. CK had one for a while, he could give you the gen.[/quote] I had a Shark 5 for a few years Rich..good call ! Very well made, great sound (bit like a MM bass) and brilliant low B string for a 34" scale 5er. Can't recall the string spacing but it was definitely wider than the Spector style, which is 16.5mm but maybe not 19mm. Wouldn't be surprised if it was 18mm...though can't swear on it. Nik Quote
Aussiephoenix Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I dont know the exact string spacing, but my MTD Kingston 5 has really wide stringspacing... it sounds like a musicman, but its not stock, it's had a replacement pickup and preamp from seymourduncan basslines... sounds awesome really . Quote
Rich Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 [quote name='Rich' post='53165' date='Aug 31 2007, 09:48 AM'][b]Status Shark 5[/b]. There's one on fleaBay at the moment, starting at 250 if memory serves. CK had one for a while, he could give you the gen.[/quote] D'oh! Sorry, my bad. I did of course mean [b]GROOVE[/b], not Shark. What a twerp. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120156209022&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002"]Yer tiz[/url]. Quote
parker_muse Posted September 1, 2007 Posted September 1, 2007 The Tony Levin sig's string spacing is tiny, i was appalled! Quote
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