What bass for me...

Bucket

Ok I need a new bass, I do like my Vintage 4-string and might keep it around but I need a "proper" bass. I've been after a 5-string for ages, I'm certain that's what I want. But I have a specific set of requirements for such a thing.

- I'd rather not have something that looks too modern - stuff like Ibanez Soundgears are perfect for me tonally and feel-wise, but even the ones with fancy tops and so on just look bland and amorphous to me. I want something with a bit more character and a bit of a "classic" or vintage look, ideally a Jazz shape with a scratchplate (I'm a sucker for a Thunderbird too, but I'm aware that's probably a bad idea)

- I want active electronics, preferably with a full 3-band EQ. Want all the tone shaping options I can get.

- This would seem to lead me squarely to Fender, but there's a problem - every single 5-string Fender makes is too wide at the nut. The Soundgears I find comfortable all have 45mm nut widths, Fenders are 47.6mm which is noticeably wider and quite uncomfortable. I have big hands but I can still see it becoming a problem. It just doesn't feel very good.

- I don't want to break the bank either, just to make this even harder. Ideally I won't spend more than about £6-700.

What's out there? If anything? Should I just bite the bullet and get an Ibanez SR605 and live with the looks because everything else would be perfect? Or should I get a Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V and live with the neck being uncomfortably wide?

Hertz32

http://www.thomann.de/gb/gl_tribute_l_2500_tsb_mn.htm

 44.5mm nut width, just a suggestion  

 https://images6.static-thomann.de/pics/prod/282183.jpg

Bucket

Hmmm, not too keen. Not enough knobs and aesthetically it's all wrong.

Also had a look at the Fender Dimension bass, which turns out to have a 44.5mm nut as well. Sadly, for some reason I think it's ugly enough to make sin look quite attractive. Nothing actually wrong with it, it's just unappealing. And the weird-shaped pickups put me off.

This appeals:

http://im2.woodbrass.com/images/woodbrass/1S+RAY35+NT+MP.JPG

Although I tend to rest my thumb slightly further up from where the pickup is, so that'd be annoying. Wish it had another single-coil.

This Ibanez looks good, although it's a little too expensive and VERY annoyingly, Europe doesn't get the 5-string version. And I think the natural ash body, natural ash scratchplate and pale maple neck and fretboard make it look a little anaemic. Nice grain though.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/images/eb2015/back/ATK815_NTF_1P_01_CU_Body_Top.jpg

This Aria would be perfect, but sadly it costs more than the average space programme.

http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/ec/img/products/main/35/351898/351898_main_m_201405261829.jpg

guitarfishbay

I played a 4 string of these and it sounded good, 3 band EQ. @fretmeister has a 5 string in Jazz form, but I think all the neck profiles are fairly similar so maybe he could advise. Slightly above your budget depending on what the Euro is up to at any given moment, and not due until May so depends how fast you need it. http://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_basic_5_mn_blb.htm

guitarfishbay

Just noticed the rosewood one is in stock - http://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_basic_5_rw_blb.htm?sid=842e5cddc4e642a551b3329276744143

Bucket

If I was gonna go for a Sandberg it'd be a California TM (Jazz shape, MM humbucker and Jazz singlecoil).

I've played a couple and they're great, they cost a lot though.

Bucket

Oooh - I really like this.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/human_base_roxy_b5_opn.htm

guitarfishbay

This any use? http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ibanez_SR_705.html

stickyfiddle

The first step to the right answer is always "Jazz Bass". I want to say you'd get used to the neck but 48mm is huge and would piss me off too. 

MJT / Warmoth / guitarbuild?

frankus

Bucket said:

I need a "proper" bass. I've been after a 5-string for ages,

Well, make your mind up which one is it

fretmeister

48mm is massive. 

I'm happy up to 45mm, although if there is another 0.5mm then I can cope of the neck is thin enough, front to back.

Ibanez 5 strings have a very narrow 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge, Stingray 5 has 17.5mm, most others have 19mm on a 5 string.

I can't slap on an Ibby 5 string - too narrow. On my Ray5 I can just about manage, but it's far easier on my Sandberg & Marleaux.

For some reason used Stingray prices are quite low at the moment. I've seen some 4 strings struggle to get £700 so it might be worth looking for a proper USA Ray5.

But (as I've said many times) if you are after a Jazz type then you can't go wrong with a Sandberg - although be careful of the weight - they vary a lot as they have a fair amount of wood options. My TM5 was 10lb but I swapped the tuners to Hipshot Ultralites and knocked off half a pound to a very manageable 9.5lb. I've seen one or 2 get up to 11lb - so do ask for an accurate weight before you buy.

guitarfishbay

Musik Produktiv list weights for their Sandbergs and many other higher end basses.

The Bass Lounge (Manchester) list the weights of everything they have in stock, but they don't have many 5 strings in your budget IIRC.  Worth being aware of it anyway just in case something pops up - http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/

Most shops should answer any questions you have especially in that price range.

But I gave up on buying one particular bass recently because despite replying to my other questions, and me asking again specifically, they never weighed the bass for me.  There were other reasons why I didn't buy it - it was on commission so I couldn't return it, and it was an 8 hour round trip away if I wanted to try it first which I don't have the time for right now... I was only going to buy it if I knew pretty much everything about it before paying as I'd be stuck with re-selling it otherwise.

stickyfiddle

Crikey, Sandbergs are actually a fair bit cheaper than I thought. I'd save up the extra and look for a used one in the meantime.

guitarfishbay

They're cheap in Europe right now because the pound is strong against the Euro.  They're a couple of hundred quid extra from the UK.

The biggest limiting factors with the Sandbergs is availability.  I found a handful in the UK and Euro Zone with the exact spec I wanted.  I checked literally every single shop listed under their dealers page in a country using the Euro and the Pound.  I think I came up with 4, and a couple of 'almost' the right spec.

Lead time on a custom ordered one is apparently 5 months.

Drew_TNBD

I think the next bass I buy will be a 5 string. I quite fancy one.

There is a shop in Camden you should checkout Connor, called The Bass Gallery:

Decent enough shop. I've been there in the past.

5redlights

Have a look at the Court GB75 - http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_gb75_opn.htm

There's also a 4 string version, the GB74 (which I think looks prettier) - http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_gb74_opn.htm

It's got all the fender-esque references you'd want for a bass to look a little less modern, but it's packing alot of equipment. Only a 2 band EQ, but it's an extremely versatile bass and sounds great. You've probably got space to replace it with a 3 band EQ too. 

not quite full EQ shaping, but some active tone boost. Really nice playing basses - 

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/esp-ltd-phoenix-204-blk-black/58936

My other suggestion would be Schecter basses. 

They do a lot of fender style copies with active EQs. 

for example - http://www.schecterguitars.com/international/bass/model-t-session-detail

http://www.schecterguitars.com/international/bass/diamond-p-custom-5-active-detail

Then there's this, which is just down right beautiful - 

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Schecter-Diamond-J-Plus-Ivory/16JV?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=*PLA+Shop+-+All+Products&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=**All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=55147d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=116982151039&gclid=CjwKEAjw56moBRD8_4-AgoOqhV4SJADWWVCcBNWKICennY2HBS3VvLFntA5CbYIMsEhSrUiaUIgBXRoCm63w_wcB

They do lots of copies in P, J and tele styles, all up to around £700. Really nice playing basses. Also, I think all of the 5 strings have a 45mm nut width. 

I think Westside in Denmark street used to have a huge range of Schecter basses downstairs, but not sure of position now. 

You'll end up wanting a passive 4 string P bass though, it happens to everyone eventually...

Shark_Eyes

What about Warwick: http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?gf=misc_5_string_basses&bf=warwick&oa=pra

A fair few in your price range.

Bucket

5redlights said:

Then there's this, which is just down right beautiful - 

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Schecter-Diamond-J-Plus-Ivory/16JV?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=*PLA+Shop+-+All+Products&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=**All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=55147d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=116982151039&gclid=CjwKEAjw56moBRD8_4-AgoOqhV4SJADWWVCcBNWKICennY2HBS3VvLFntA5CbYIMsEhSrUiaUIgBXRoCm63w_wcB

EXTREMELY interesting.

As for the passive 4-string P-bass, perhaps, but for now I want a bass that can do everything I want all at once.

5redlights

Bucket said:

5redlights said:

Then there's this, which is just down right beautiful - 

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Schecter-Diamond-J-Plus-Ivory/16JV?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=*PLA+Shop+-+All+Products&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=**All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=55147d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=116982151039&gclid=CjwKEAjw56moBRD8_4-AgoOqhV4SJADWWVCcBNWKICennY2HBS3VvLFntA5CbYIMsEhSrUiaUIgBXRoCm63w_wcB

EXTREMELY interesting.

As for the passive 4-string P-bass, perhaps, but for now I want a bass that can do everything I want all at once.

Then definitely try out some of the Schecters. Very versatile basses. And if you get that one above, post lots of pics. 

guitarfishbay

Love that colour scheme on basses.  Looks great!

fretmeister

Tort scratchplates are vile.