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5 String Bass recommendations

  • 09-03-2011 03:39PM
    #1
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭


    I'm looking to buy a new 5 string bass and looking for recommendations on which ones I should look at. At the moment i'm looking at getting an Ibanez EDB555, and my playing style is Rock/Post Hardcore etc... I also play with fingers so looking for a nice neck that doesn't have huge spacings. Any suggestions welcome, have a decent budget so throw up any recommendations no matter the cost :D Thanks


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Comments

  • #2
    Doc_Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 677 ✭✭✭Doc_Savage


    my father has used an ibanez bass for years and prefers it to his american jazz and precision basses.... if you are looking at an ibanez then get one of their active models.... you can make them sing and dance with ease! I have little experience with 5 strings so i can only comment on build quality! he's had the ibanez for about 18 years and apart from some buckle rash the thing has held up perfectly even as it is often stored in a freezing trailer!


  • #3
    Rigsby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭Rigsby


    http://www.zzounds.com/item--GNLTL2500

    This would be my recommendation. It is reputed to be one of the most versatile sounding basses. The one in the link is a "Tribute" which are made in Indonesia under license from G&L. The electronics and PUPS are the same as the USA models, which you could opt for if you have the extra cash. For that extra cash, the main extras you would get is the finish, better tuning keys, and maybe a choice of colours. Definitely one to check out. The only shop in Dublin AFAIK to stock G&L basses is Guitar Centre in Exchequer St.


  • #4
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Being looking at Ibanez a lot actually because i know how good there necks are and their build quality is excellent. I have another 4-string bass which is Ibanez which I will be looking to buy after I get a top quality 5-string. I can't find anything in the line of reviews about that Ibanez EDB555 so I'm still keeping my options open.

    Another 5-string bass from Ibanez that I'm looking at is here at http://www.musicstore.com/en_EN/IEP/Ibanez-SR-605-NTF-Natural-Flat/art-BAS0004262-000. Its the sr series and looks to be top quality.

    Being honest tho, I know very little about G&L. How good is their gear? Would they have a good reputation? From reviews they seem solid and they seem to have very good variations in their sound. I have a feeling that their necks wouldn't be up to the same standard as Ibanez tho but I'm not really sure how true that is :D:D I reckon I'd go american if I bought one anyway.


  • #5
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,741 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    G&L are a company formed by Leo Fender (creator of Fender) and George Fullerton (he helped design the first solid body electric for Fender).

    a lot of their guitars are seen as a lot better than your average Fender.


  • #6
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Oh i never knew that, thanks for letting me know. Do they have a good low sound, because this is what i'd be primarily worried about them. I know fender are usually a jazz type bass and excellent for grooving, and although this is a bit part of my playing, I would still like to get something that can have a clear low b that has great low tone yet as easy to play as my current 4 string.

    I find it hard to think that the founder of fender would have this tone in his basses but maybe i'm wrong :confused:


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  • #7
    jarain
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 218 ✭✭jarain


    The G&L build quality is among the best I have seen. Fantastic guitars, the necks on the Tributes are kind of chunky P-Bass style necks and the Americans have an option of a slimmer jazz style neck and the P-Bass style.

    Have played both but own a tribute, couldn't see any major differences between the American and the Tribute. Better wood and a choice of finishes but nothing that I justify paying the price difference.

    The L2500 or a MusicMan Stingray 5 have been the best 5 strings I have played, followed by a Peavey Cirrus BXP.


  • #8
    jarain
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 218 ✭✭jarain


    flameboy87 wrote: »
    Oh i never knew that, thanks for letting me know. Do they have a good low sound, because this is what i'd be primarily worried about them. I know fender are usually a jazz type bass and excellent for grooving, and although this is a bit part of my playing, I would still like to get something that can have a clear low b that has great low tone yet as easy to play as my current 4 string.

    I find it hard to think that the founder of fender would have this tone in his basses but maybe i'm wrong :confused:

    Serious growl from the G&L - Active EQ, 2 Humbuckers, its made for a deep, growly aggressive tone.

    Try one out man, best way to see if you like them but I would definitely recommend them.


  • #9
    Rigsby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭Rigsby


    flameboy87 wrote: »
    Being honest tho, I know very little about G&L. How good is their gear? Would they have a good reputation? From reviews they seem solid and they seem to have very good variations in their sound. I have a feeling that their necks wouldn't be up to the same standard as Ibanez tho but I'm not really sure how true that is :D:D I reckon I'd go american if I bought one anyway.

    Do some research on G&L's and you will find that all the comments made here are true.


  • #10
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Cheers lads, have also been looking at the peavey cirrus and grind. I just need to get to somewhere that stocks these but being honest, thats not easy in Ireland, bit of a joke when it comes to testing serious gear. Alot of what I buy is usually from internet searches and reviews but I have to say i've been very lucky so far. Hope thats not a jinx right there :P

    Know of anywhere i can test out some top notch 5 strings??


  • #11
    jarain
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 218 ✭✭jarain


    Xmusic have a lovely Peavey Cirrus 5, one of the American made ones and also have a good few Ibanez basses.

    Guitar Centre in Dublin or Im in Music in Carlow have G&L's both tributes though I think.

    Other than that I'm not sure theres a lack of places with good 5 strings to play though some of the other lads here might have some more recommendations.


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  • #12
    ham_n_mustard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 641 ✭✭✭ham_n_mustard


    try a sandberg if you can get your hands on one. i had a 5 string california JM (jazz bass with a MM pickup at the bridge). looks were nothing radical in fairness but the sound from the MM pickup was aggressive enough. also it it was active/passive switchable so if you needed a retro j-bass sound for certain songs, then that was possible too. build quality was excellent as well. i stupidly swapped mine for a warwick a while back but would jump at the chance of getting another one


  • #13
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    I've got an Ibanez K5 and, while I don't play it a lot, I find it a great bass. I had a Squier Precision before it and there is no comparison. The K5 is lighter, has a much nicer feel, much wider variety in tone and the string spacing is close enough that the neck is pretty much as wide as the Precision's neck so getting used to the low B was not too difficult.

    If you're anywhere near Galway you're welcome to come and have a play on it. Don't just take my word for how good the guitar is :).


  • #14
    auti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭auti


    I've been looking into buying a five string bass for over a year now and the very best I played in that time was a Dingwall. I doubt any stores in Ireland stock them, anything beyond Fender, Gibson and Musicman just doesn't seem to exist in this country, but I seriously recommend you try to check one out.

    You will not hear a better sounding 'B' on any other instrument and the frets might look a bit intimidating but really they are a breeze to play and feel very natural. Highly recommended from a very methodical guy who has played pretty much every brand of five string I could find.

    http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Dingwall_Stock.html


  • #15
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    auti wrote: »
    anything beyond Fender, Gibson and Musicman just doesn't seem to exist in this country
    Sadly this is very accurate.
    auti wrote:
    You will not hear a better sounding 'B' on any other instrument
    I hate reading sweeping statements like this. I have no doubt that playing a Dingwall through a crap amp will yield a worse sounding low B than playing the aforementioned Peavey or G&L basses through a good amp.

    combustion_index.jpg
    auti wrote:
    the frets might look a bit intimidating but really they are a breeze to play and feel very natural
    It's been years since I played a bass with fanned frets but at the time I hated it. I found I got a lot more buzzing as I missed the sweet spot. Now, that might say more about my standard of playing but I'd wager it takes a good bit of getting used to.


  • #16
    auti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭auti


    Why the hell would you play a five string through a crap amp? Why would you ever use a crap amp? Comparisons should always be made on an equal footing so sizing up a Peavey a G&L and a Dingwall unplugged you will notice the vast difference between the Dingwall and the other two. 37" scale for the B string!!! That's a feature the other two obviously don't match and when it comes down to it, you need a longer scale for that B string. 35" at least in my experience. You really should hear this thing, that's all I'm saying. I don't think it can be beaten sonically. I have played a G&L five string and it's not a patch on the Dingwall.

    I'm still confused about the crap amp statement


  • #17
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    What's difficult to understand? You wrote:
    auti wrote:
    You will not hear a better sounding 'B' on any other instrument

    and I'm pointing out that the amp that you're playing through contributes to the sound. A crap amp will yield a worse sound than a good amp.

    Let's make it even simpler. You should have just written something like:
    This is the best 5 string bass I've ever heard or played.

    Both are statements of opinion but only one is being represented as fact.
    auti wrote: »
    You really should hear this thing, that's all I'm saying. I don't think it can be beaten sonically.
    This is much better :).
    I also should point out I've never heard a Dingwall so you could well be absolutely right.


  • #18
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    I do like the idea of the dingwall bass but do the higher strings not lose their impact in relation to the low b? I'l be honest I cannot ever imagine buying a bass like the dingwall without first trying it out and its highly unlikely that they are here somewhere in Ireland.

    The K5 sure does look a great bass. And thanks for the offer to jam with it too malice, i spend alot of time in Galway because my band are bassed up in the city. Just a meeting point for a guitarist (roscommon) and myself (clare) and with our drummer being from Galway its the most obvious choice :P

    Neways, I think Ibanez are streets ahead of everyone else in terms of what you get for your money. There necks (in my opinion) are the best in the world and any bass that I have spotted and that caught my attention was an Ibanez. Ther hardware seems quite good and reviews are always in the 9/10 area which is quite good. There necks are also quite slim in width for a 5 string so thats another reason why I like them, some of my playing can be pretty quick and I dont want to be creating extra work for myself with a wide neck. It might only damping the enjoyment i get from playing a 5 string bass.

    Sandbergs are also something I have been looking at but again they are a brand I dont know enough about and I have never had the chance to play one. Just a pity there are a lack of top quality music stores on the west of Ireland......or just Ireland in general!!!


  • #19
    Ravelleman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    I'm going to open up a huge can of worms here and say that, while not a bass player myself, £1200 for a Chinese made bass without a hardcase sounds *mightily* expensive to me. I haven't played a Dingwall so do take this with a pinch of salt. I just base this on my own guitar buying experience and the general trend across the guitar and bass playing world.

    On another note, I can certainly attest to the quality of USA made G&L guitars. I have a USA Legacy and, while I've liked the Tributes I've tried, I think the USA models really are worth the difference. If you shop around, excellent deals can be had on new and used USA G&Ls, which really makes the Tribute series less appealing, to me at least.

    But regardless of quality concerns, I understand that there are many other factors, which will also ultimately influence your decision on what to get.

    A lot of my experience with G&L won't apply to you, given that I play guitar, but I just wanted to let you know that the quality of their American products is exceptionally high. If you do go for a G&L and are convinced that the B string will be thunderous enough for you, you may well end up extremely satisfied.


  • #20
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Ya the word here on this thread is that G&L are well worth at least a test run so I'm definitely gonna do that. I personally think i would rather go for the American myself if i decided G&L were the way to go. Being honest, i think whoever designs their basses needs to be given their P45 tho, their appearance leaves alot to be desired but maybe thats just me. Suppose thats the price to pay if they sound good enough tho :P


  • #21
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    flameboy87 wrote: »
    I do like the idea of the dingwall bass but do the higher strings not lose their impact in relation to the low b? I'l be honest I cannot ever imagine buying a bass like the dingwall without first trying it out and its highly unlikely that they are here somewhere in Ireland.
    Well it's no harm keeping stuff like that in mind if you're planning any holidays. I found myself in Boston two summers ago and I knew I'd end up in a guitar shop at some point so I went in early one morning to make sure I had the place to myself. Now that I think about it, I don't recall them having any fanned-fret instruments on display. Certainly not any basses because I think I played nearly every bass in the shop :)
    flameboy87 wrote:
    The K5 sure does look a great bass. And thanks for the offer to jam with it too malice, i spend alot of time in Galway because my band are bassed up in the city. Just a meeting point for a guitarist (roscommon) and myself (clare) and with our drummer being from Galway its the most obvious choice :P
    No worries, feel free to drop me a PM next time you're in the city and we'll get something organised.
    flameboy87 wrote:
    Neways, I think Ibanez are streets ahead of everyone else in terms of what you get for your money. There necks (in my opinion) are the best in the world and any bass that I have spotted and that caught my attention was an Ibanez. Ther hardware seems quite good and reviews are always in the 9/10 area which is quite good. There necks are also quite slim in width for a 5 string so thats another reason why I like them, some of my playing can be pretty quick and I dont want to be creating extra work for myself with a wide neck. It might only damping the enjoyment i get from playing a 5 string bass.
    I have an SR706 as well and it really has to be seen (and played) to be believed. Its neck is ridiculously smooth and very thin. I wouldn't arbitrarily restrict yourself on brands though until you've established what works for you and more importantly what doesn't.
    flameboy87 wrote:
    Sandbergs are also something I have been looking at but again they are a brand I dont know enough about and I have never had the chance to play one.
    I played one when I was in Boston and unless I'm remembering it wrong it felt and played very similar to a Musicman Bongo.


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  • #22
    Ravelleman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    I disagree. In theory most parts are customisable in the factory on G&L guitars and basses - you just have to find a decent dealer that can give you a good price on the options you want or find something suitable in their current inventory. It's nothing like Carvin but there is a lot of potential to get past the more mundane finishes.

    A lot of the G&L stuff that ends up in Europe tends to be fairly uninspiring to be honest. Blueburst comes up a lot for some reason. Look at their colour chart - there's a lot to choose from there. My favourite is Spanish Copper.

    If buying a G&L first throw Irish prices out the window. One Dublin shop is charging €2100, if I remember correctly, for a USA ASAT Classic that could be had for less than half that if you buy from the States.

    Then throw UK and continental prices out the window. On ebay Richtone Music are asking for €1860 for an ASAT Classic Custom, which could be had for around half that again, if you shop around.

    Again, this is all related to their guitars. Basses are a little more difficult to come by but a few emails to different dealers could be fruitful.

    People make a big deal about buying from the States but if you buy wisely it works out cheaper, especially on G&Ls.


  • #23
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    Ravelleman wrote: »
    I disagree.
    :confused: What are you disagreeing with?


  • #24
    reniwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 352 ✭✭reniwren


    auti wrote: »

    You will not hear a better sounding 'B' on any other instrument


    Depends a lot on string quality and gauge a nice set of S.I.T strings for example, .130 is plenty for a B on any 34" to sound good should have a good tension too.


    I also cant believe noone has asked what type of budget the O.P has in the first place are we talking encore, squire etc or WAL , ambelics and the like


  • #25
    Ravelleman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    Malice wrote: »
    :confused: What are you disagreeing with?

    The post above yours, hence all the stuff about G&L finishes.

    Evidently, you replied while I was writing my own response.


  • #26
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Thanks malice, thats sound of you to offer that, i'll give you a message when i reckon i'm headin up again to meet with the lads. I don't intend on leaving myself to just Ibanez, thats actually the reason why i posted here. I wanted some alternative options. Everythin that caught my attention was Ibanez and didnt want to limit my search to just one brand.

    Also i know ireland is usually way more expensive for gear, i usually shop around, then go to dealers in ireland and see if the shops can match or come close, if not i buy online but i usually try buy local, not always possible tho.

    I'll have a better look at G&L gear in the next few days and see what i can see from it. Sandberg are also something i'm looking more into. Decisions decisions :P

    Oh and I didn't give a spend amount because even if it sout of my price range I would still like to know more about the top quality basses that are out there in 5 string. I want to really expand my knowledge of the less popular models that are quite exceptional but dont have the recognition that say... Fender have. I'm not looking for Fenders or Jazzy basses, want something that can rumble and give 'umpf' to a song to power it through. The bass i play atm is wel able for jazzy blues stuff and want something a lil different to suit what my band is playing.

    Thanks again to everyone posting....keep em a coming!!


  • #27
    reniwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 352 ✭✭reniwren


    Seeing as money is no object :Dhttp://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120651


  • #28
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Haha thanks for the brilliant suggestion but although i'm sure the woods are excellent and the bass probably is quite good but it must be IMO the ugliest looking bass I have ever seen. haha not what i'd be in to. I saw a great looking bass a long time ago here at http://www.kamilgreben.sk/nastroj_lochness5.htm. I know very little about the luthier and less about his build quality. I think I'd rather buy a wholesale bass rather than custom so i know more about what I want when I do eventually get a custom.


  • #29
    reniwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 352 ✭✭reniwren


    Well when it comes to custom shop I always recommend talking to Alan of http://www.acguitars.co.uk I have 3 and just waiting on the 4th


  • #30
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,077 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    flameboy87 wrote: »
    Oh and I didn't give a spend amount because even if it sout of my price range I would still like to know more about the top quality basses that are out there in 5 string.
    I'm not sure how accurate price is in relation to quality. I think the most expensive 5 string I played was a Pedulla. The one they had in the shop in Boston was $3,500. I didn't really like the body shape and the sound didn't exactly thrill me but that was after I'd been blown away by the SR706.


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  • #31
    flameboy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭flameboy87


    Ya i completely agree, i've played some expensive basses and being honest it seems that alot of bass makers are living off a name. The necks on some expensive basses leave alot to be desired and being honest, i think the bodies on most expensive basses can be over the top and this can take from the bass itself, with sound being the most important element.

    Any other ideas let me know anyway guys. Thanks for all your suggestions and help so far.


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