Advice on 5 string (400-600 budget, growl)

[trickythump]

Hi all

 

I'm looking for recommendations for a first 5 string, with a budget of around 400-600. What would folks here recommend looking at / trying to find in store to try?

 

I currently play a 4 string Sire V7, which is great fun to play, and adeptly covers a lot of tones, but I've been inspired to give 5 strings a go. Thanks in particular to listening to too much Ezra Collective recently, which is a great example of the sound I'm after. TJ Koleoso who has been getting a fantastic sound out of a Warwick Corvette $$ 5 string - seemingly having switched from the regular (JJ style) Corvette a couple of years ago, albeit he clearly has far greater skill in one finger than I have in two hands! I'd love to get in that ballpark tonally. Playing mostly fingerstyle, rock/pop/jazz, and limited need for scooped/slap-friendly sounds as the V7 already covers that need. I'd also like to get something a bit more ergonomic to another Jazz Bass - the Sire is great and isn't going anywhere, but I'm looking for something different.

 

A couple of basses on the radar:

- WW Rockbass Corvette $$ has been going up and up in price, and sitting at £799 is not only out of budget but feels a bit too much on a Chinese-made instrument, particularly as it doesn't have the same materials (and reportedly quality seems to vary a bit depending on the year)

- Yamaha TRBX505/605 (the latter currently £549 at GuitarGuitar) - Yamaha build quality, reviews suggest generally a solid option, personal goodwill to the brand (I have a Pacifica guitar that remains a joy to plays after 20 years, and my first attempts playing bass were borrowing a friend's Yamaha), but not sure tonally it will get me close enough?

- Cort B5 Element £449 - nice looking, bit cheaper, pickups appear to be a standard fit so might be more readily swapped if needed, hard to tell but pickups could be closer to the bridge than the Yamaha (and thus even less Warwick-y sounding?)

- Sub Ray5 HH £500(ish) - distinctive Stingray sound not the same as Warwick, but pickup position might actually get close than the other options? Downside is bigger shape, headstock, etc - so not ticking the 'more ergonomic' box I was hoping to.

 

Quite happy to buy secondhand (in good condition) rather than new. Although even with the most optimistic thinking and creative accounting, I acknowledge that isn't going to bring me close to affording a German Warwick. Looking for a couple of ideas or any experiences with 5 string basses that might give a bit of direction to explore further. I'd prefer to try in person, but there's not always a great selection of 5 strings in store, so need a bit of focus of what to specifically seek out before embarking on any journeys to stores!

 

Any comments on those / other suggestions for what to seek out (or anything to steer clear of or avoid?)

 

Cheers!

 

 

[BassApprentice]

Look out for MTD Kingstons. Huge range of tunes and really great build quality.

 

Share all the features of the real MTD but just not made of the fancy woods in the US.

[kwmlondon]

From my experience it’d be good to first know what feels right in your hand and works best with your picking technique. Do you want a 24 fret neck? The range can be useful but makes slapping odd. Do you want modern tones, vintage sounds - Yamaha have a fascinating BB/TRB split range. I’d definitely add tye BB435 to your shortlist. Do you want particularly long scale? I’m playing a lovely Yamaha that I think has 34” and it’s got a very nice deep B string. Do you have a preference for single click or split coil or humbucker? I’m not familiar with the Warwick you mentioned but from what I know and hear they can get sounds from single coils that are not typical. 
 

if it was me at that price range though and from what you say I’d be looking at a Sire if buying new. Used I’d just look in marketplace here and be very open minded because you can have a good conversation with the seller and they often have really good understanding of what may work for you. Good luck!

[HeadlessBassist]

I'm going to give my usual recommendation for VFM five stringers - Cort Artisan Space Bass 5. You can get a really nice used one for around £500. There's nothing better for the money.

 

FishFaceFour has a Cort Artisan B5 in a lovely red stain for sale on these hallowed pages, which uses the same Bartolini Pickups and MarkBass preamp for about £400.

 

Good luck with your search!

[tauzero]

There's a variety of Ibanezes to be found at that sort of price, and a few Corts. Sub Ray5 HH on your list is also good, nice neck. Could you elaborate on "ergonomics" as judging by what you've said about the Ray5 you actually mean compact. If that's what you're after, have a look for an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection eg https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1865927017481227/ - small body and headstock, nice players.

[joel406]

Count on going through a couple till you get it right. My first 5 was a disaster. But it showed me enough to go and find what wasn't. 

 

You're going to need to figure out what balances for you. What string spacing you need. And most of all... What B string works best for "you". 

 

Switching from 4 to 5 can cause confusion if you're not use to it. I've played nothing but 5 for the last 15 years. 4's feel funny. 

 

You have a need for a 5 you're looking at the woodshed. The end result is more than worth it. 

 

But your first 5 you should try before you buy. Especially if you are new to it.

[itu]

Remember that strings make a difference. If you don't get the sound you want in the first phase, prepare to spend some money on different sets.

[Burns-bass]

I’ve got a basically new TRBX305 for sale at £299 here.

 

I found the Yamaha’s pickups and electronics were flexible enough to provide me with a broad range of sounds. As an active bass of course you get a massive output!

 

More than welcome to come and give it a try:

[Elfrasho]

If I had 500 I'd probably look to get a 2nd hand nanyo bass collection 5 string. Great neck and the come in various models so I'd just wait till I found the right pup variation I wanted.

 

Saying that I've just recently got a cort 5 string.. single cut. A but iut your price range but I would 100% recommend it if you can push the budget up. I would also suspect the cort ones in your range are also fantastic!

[Geek99]

Crazy idea, why not get the v7 5 string ? 
you know the tones and you won’t need to change anything about your setup 

 

[trickythump]

Wow - thanks so much all for the replies and ideas. New to bass chat, and taken aback by the knowledge and support folks here have offered.

 

Just a quick response for the moment to say thanks and reading through with interest - there are some great suggestions and lots to think about and explore already!

 

Do keep them coming if any more thoughts of course 😉

[gjones]

The G&L L2500 Tribute is one of the most versatile 5 string bass out there. They're difficult to find in the UK these day though as nobody stocks them.

 

Second hand ones do occasionally pop up from time to time.

 

 

[kwmlondon]

I think the best advice anyone could really give is take yourself off to a nice store and try a load out. Even if you're not close, make a day of it - here in London you can go to GuitarGuitar where the staff are really lovely and they have pretty good range, just bear in mind it may be busy on a Saturday, and The Bass Gallery is just down the road. They will be more than happy to let you spend time trying out a variety of different 5ers. The Bass Gallery is a cave of terrible temptation though... You could go on to Denmark Street and check out what they have across the dwindling number of stores, but still quite a few. I'm not too familiar with other cities but that's what I'd suggest.

[Fishfacefour]

Excuse the blatant promotion, I have a nice cort b5 artisan in the for sale section. It was my first 5 string and was a good intro.

Ergonomically it's brilliant. It fits my body well and balances perfectly. Much less awkward than a jazz me.

I've tried to sell it a few times and make the mistake of playing it before sending it off. 

I'm only selling it as I'm totally skint at the moment and it doesn't really suit my retro band.

Let me know if you want more info.

[Geek99]

3 hours ago, trickythump said:

Wow - thanks so much all for the replies and ideas. New to bass chat, and taken aback by the knowledge and support folks here have offered.

 

Just a quick response for the moment to say thanks and reading through with interest - there are some great suggestions and lots to think about and explore already!

 

Do keep them coming if any more thoughts of course 😉

This is basschat 

“helpful” and “informative” are standard fitments. 
Alongside “carmudgeonly” and “cantankerous” but hey, nobody is perfect 

[miles'tone]

Way below your budget and very nice basses (I have the fretless version). Ergonomic with a lovely neck profile:

 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/harley_benton_b_550_black_progressive_series.htm

[Grassie]

***cough***
 

I have a Rockbass Streamer LX5 in the for sale section….

 

***cough***
 

😁

[pete.young]

 

[Grahambythesea]

Look out for one of the budget Spectors, Korean made and really good. The Tone Pump lets you dial in growl aplenty.

[kwmlondon]

4 hours ago, Grassie said:

***cough***
 

I have a Rockbass Streamer LX5 in the for sale section….

 

***cough***
 

😁

*mic drop*

[kwmlondon]

2 hours ago, pete.young said:

 

These look so damn classy. 

[Terry M.]

You'll need to try a new or used Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 5 based on your post and see if it's your thing. If it is then the fact that it's Chinese made will be irrelevant. 

[joel406]

On 08/04/2025 at 05:13, gjones said:

The G&L L2500 Tribute is one of the most versatile 5 string bass out there. They're difficult to find in the UK these day though as nobody stocks them.

 

Second hand ones do occasionally pop up from time to time.

 

 

This is the way.

 

I loved a G&L L-2500 so much I had to try the M-2500. Loved it so much more I got 2 more. So the current stable sits at 15? I gotta take a new inventory. You could find a tribute close to budget. But you may have to pad it up a bit. But G&L should be on your short list.

[Raslee]

Probably out your budget but I have a Sandberg Classic Booster Custom I’ll be selling for £800 soon, only 8lbs weight too. Only selling as I’ve gone over to Sandberg SL’s ultralight, it’ll be a bass for life as it’s stunning! The one on the right.

[Terry M.]

5 minutes ago, Raslee said:

Probably out your budget but I have a Sandberg Classic Booster Custom I’ll be selling for £800 soon, only 8lbs weight too. Only selling as I’ve gone over to Sandberg SL’s ultralight, it’ll be a bass for life as it’s stunning! The one on the right.

Is the green artwork on it removable? Lovely bass.