Bass Comparison: Shopping for 5 String

[iDECAYalive]

Hey guys. I've been playing bass for 7 years now. My first bass was a Rockwood LX300B by Hohner. I still have it and it is now fretless (as of like a year ago I defretted it). I upgraded to an OLP MM-2. I sold this bass. With the money I saved up, I finally bought a long awaited beauty, Spector Legend 5 (I think I posted about it with pics). I had to sell this bass for school purposes. My friend sold me an ESP LTD EC404 for $200 only to find out that it was stolen and had to return it to the guy and lost my money (or I would have been taken to court) and the friend who sold me the bass. Right now, I have played in many bands, all kinds of styles, and have played many basses (I recently played a show in Hollywood, CA with a Fener American Standard P-Bass) but currently, to my name is only my old Rockwood and a 4 String "Harmony" bass that I found near a trash can.

I just recently started a new career and am shopping for a 5 string. The thing is, I am a little biased due to the fact that I owned a Spector Legend 5 (the Custom, not the Classic). I am looking at primarily 2 bass brands right now: ESP (specifically the LTD F-255) and a Ibanez (mainly the SG series or the BTBs) for the styles I am currently into. I am pretty open-minded except that I really do not like Warwicks (hate the necks) or Fenders (don't like the look). I have looked at all of these brands: Schecter, Spector, ESP, Carvin, Conklin, Ibanez, Yamaha) and have found something that looked interesting to me but I have not played all of them so I can not make a judgement.

Can you guys help me out? My price range is up to $1,500 US and I play in bands that do not really require the use of the high C string to need a 6 string bass (I tried out the ESP B-206SM and it was niiiice, same with the Ibanez SG 6 string, I forgot the model). I might be interested in a 6 string because I love to play piano pieces on bass. Oh and I'm near Los Angeles, CA if anyone knows of a good bass store (not sure of many and I dislike the service at GC or SamAsh)

Anything else you guys need or do you have enough to help me out?

[TheClap]

As far as quality goes, the new fender 24 V's are the way to go. Absolutely incredible tonal possibilities, possibly the best "B" string I've played on, and a totally new look.

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0261000

If you wanted to save a few bucks. With enough that you could get a few goodies.

Then there is Lakland, which is a company I just love.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lakland-Skyline-Deluxe-5502-5String-Bass?sku=517707
Right in your price range.

[iDECAYalive]

You know, I would really wanna stray away from Fender. Plus, I looked at the site for the 24 V and I wasn't too entrigued. If I'm going to spend the money, the bass better make me say "Ooo" when I look at it/read the specs, you know?

I am looking for something more along the lines of Passive Pickups with Active EQ, like the ESPs I have tried. I am not too picky when it comes to pickups though. As far as the Lakland goes, what does that sound like if you know? I'm not too familiar with Alnico-magnet Lakland pickups.

[nicatterberry]

For that money I would personally go with a Musicman Bongo. You definitely need to try out one of these.

[TheClap]

You know, I would really wanna stray away from Fender. Plus, I looked at the site for the 24 V and I wasn't too entrigued. If I'm going to spend the money, the bass better make me say "Ooo" when I look at it/read the specs, you know?

I am looking for something more along the lines of Passive Pickups with Active EQ, like the ESPs I have tried. I am not too picky when it comes to pickups though. As far as the Lakland goes, what does that sound like if you know? I'm not too familiar with Alnico-magnet Lakland pickups.

Me describing it is kinda useless, you'll have to hear/play one for yourself.

[British Kid]

MusicMan Stingray or Bongo

fix'd

[TheClap]

MusicMan Stingray or Bongo
MIA Fender Jazz 5-string

I think a Warwick Corvette or something might fit in your budget too.

Haha, you didn't read ****.

[bass&cookies]

I'll also suggest Musicman stingray 5 or bongo 5. Fabulous instruments, I've yet to play anything that compares to my stingray 5. And those bongos are tone monsters! I haven't yet found a tone i can't get out of one.

EDIT: Oh, and there will be a bongo 6 out soon if you feel like going the rout of a sixer. Definately worth a try!

[faelun]

warwick corvette standard bubinga=basssex

[TheClap]

I am pretty open-minded except that I really do not like Warwicks (hate the necks) or Fenders (don't like the look).



Read.

[iDECAYalive]

How is the Bongo in terms of growl? My "preffered" tone is that of Ryan Martinie's from Mudvayne but with a tad more treble. You think the bongo can do that? Know of any sound samples?

[o b s]

A bongo can do anything, with the correct EQ settings its tone can cut through literal solid steel. Fact.

[Naveed Afzal]

Sting5. once u go sting u are sold.

[bass&cookies]

Dream Theater's new cd systematic chaos was recorded mostly with a bongo 5, and he gets that growly metal tone pretty well. I don't know what Ryan's bass tone sounds like, so I don't really know. But I do know that my SR5 can get grrrowly. My suggestion is try them out. A tip for the bongo, start with the eq flat, a little goes a long ways!

What amp do you use?

Sting5. once u go sting u are sold.

Amen.

[iDECAYalive]

For practice and small gigs, I use an Ampeg B100R. For bigger gigs, I have an Ampeg 4x10 half stack with a B2-R. Nothing too fancy, just the basics.

[iDECAYalive]

You know what, the bongo is on the more expensive side of my price range (I am a college student you know!). How about we change it to under $1000? Optimally, I'd like to get one between $500 - $800 US but that can changed if I become fixated on something.

Does anyone have any experience on the basses I named? Also remember that I do not like Warwick necks (the necks are just too fat for me). I prefer the thinner necks like the Spector Legends and Ibanez SGs.

[bass&cookies]

If you don't mind going used, you can get an sr5 or bongo for 800-1000. But I do have some positive experience with those ibanez basses you mentioned. The sr480 and sr500 series are very decent basses in that pricerange. The sr480 series is discontinued now, but once i had an sr485 that i picked up used for 380. In my opinion, it was slightly above the new sr505. But all in all, solid basses with good tone. Although I still say that musicman basses rule. :)

[iDECAYalive]

You know what? You guys sold me the idea of a Bongo. That bass sounds amazing (from the video clips on the net) and I can't wait to try one for myself. Right now, I play in a death metal band and in a latin jazz band so I need a versatile bass. You guys know of any artists that play the Bongo?

besides myung and Stan Sargeant I mean.

[bass&cookies]

Ones that I can think of off the top of my head are Tony Levin and Dave Larue, and I keep seeing bongos popping up all over the place. Since they have only been in production since about 2003, they're still catching on.

[VinnySixKnuckles]

i own an Ibanez sr505 with bartolinis and 3 band eq. excellent bass, and the only thing above the sr500 series (i think we can all agree that the SR is the flagship ibanez bass) is the sr900 (besides Prestige) and the only difference is the neck thru construction. VERY good factory setup, plays like a dream. tone may not be for everyone, i would describe my tone as mellow and airy.

i definately see the merits of the sr400 series over any others. the sr405QM (note the QM part) has slightly punchier ibanez pickups (not Barts) and has a 2 band eq and a cool 'style' knob that can blend between slap or finger style. personally i wouldn't be put off by its low price, i honestly won't need another bass for a long time. heck even the sr900 series is only about $900. I even have a Spector NS 2000-5 and the sr505 is still my baby.

there's also the srx series, which has about all models parallel to the SRs. the main differences are pickups (humbuckers) and controls. there's one in each range, but try out an srx705 if you want serious punch and playability for the money.

now i know i'm being an ibanez fanboy punk, but i just think it's the best for the price range.

[blizzard]

I would definitely get the Lakland 5501. It has the same electronics as the Ibanez SR505 but a far better feeling neck, superior construction/fit and finish. It really is an amazing piece of kit for the price.

[Soulfly666]

If you want growl, then I'd go BTB because they're midrange monsters, but it can be overpowering at times. If you want versatility I'd go Lakland 55-02 or MusicMan Stingray/Bongo 5 HH. If you're worried about money, I'd go used, but maybe make sure the bass isn't stolen this time. :p

http://www.basscentral.com/lakeland_usa/basscombo/D5502_CSB_M_OPT_tn.jpg

http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/musicman/SR5_HH_PBM_MH_WPPG2_tn.jpg

http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/musicman/BONGO5_STEALTH_HH_OPT_tn.jpg

[TheClap]

Lakland.

[Soulfly666]

As far as the Lakland goes, what does that sound like if you know? I'm not too familiar with Alnico-magnet Lakland pickups.

http://www.lakland.com/multimedia/ac_5502.htm

[Naveed Afzal]

Laklands are hard to find.

People always praise them, but ive found lots of those praisers have never touched one.

I love laklands, still hope to own one.

The skylines are great, im expecting the Americans to be out of this world.

Musicmans... are worth the price NEW... but if u can find used... go that route...

[Soulfly666]

Laklands are hard to find.


It depends on where you live, but they're not scarce where I live, and judging from where the threadstarter lives, he shouldn't have a problem finding one.

[iDECAYalive]

I actually think I'm gonna get the 5 String Bongo. I went to a private company today and tried one out and it just felt so good and sounded so great. It was very versatile. Although that Lakland 55 02 sounds so sweet... I didn't know so many artists use Lakland.

So basically, my options are the Bongo 5 String or the Lakland 55-02. I thought about it and would rather not spend the money on an ibanez when I could get something of higher quality. I'm not one to want to own many basses but I would love to own that one bass, you know what I mean?

Can anyone tell me how the 55-02 compares to say the necks of Spectors, Musicman (men?), Warwicks or Ibanez's? The best feeling neck so far has been the Bongo and for me, the feel is much more important that the look.

Thank you all for your input BTW.

[Soulfly666]

I actually think I'm gonna get the 5 String Bongo. I went to a private company today and tried one out and it just felt so good and sounded so great. It was very versatile. Although that Lakland 55 02 sounds so sweet... I didn't know so many artists use Lakland.

So basically, my options are the Bongo 5 String or the Lakland 55-02. I thought about it and would rather not spend the money on an ibanez when I could get something of higher quality. I'm not one to want to own many basses but I would love to own that one bass, you know what I mean?

Can anyone tell me how the 55-02 compares to say the necks of Spectors, Musicman (men?), Warwicks or Ibanez's? The best feeling neck so far has been the Bongo and for me, the feel is much more important that the look.

Thank you all for your input BTW.

Bongo or 55-02, you can't go wrong either way. It'd be sort of hard to compare the necks/fretboards with just words. As cliché as this sounds, the best thing to do is to just go out and try them out. I can tell you that the 55-02 fretboards are a bit wider than the Bongo because string spacing is a bit wider, and that the Lakland has 35" scale while the Bongo has a 34". Also, the necks aren't quite chunky as Warwick necks, but they're not as thin at Ibanez/Spector necks. Like I said before, it doesn't really matter which one you get. It's a win win situation, and you'll be quite happy with either one.