ReeV0

Thanks for the input. I'd actually love a Lakland 55-02, but every one I've seen has been over 9lbs  A Fender Jazz is another nice option but they're typically over £1000

6 minutes ago, 40hz said:

KZ5 by a mile. I had the standard model with factory preamp and MTD P/Us.

 

If the quality of the B-string is your primary concern, the MTD is in another league to pretty much anything else - let alone your other choices. I found the standard Pre-amp nicely voiced - a lot of that biting MTD sound was present. I think people began this trend of swapping them out because it's the done thing to do with them, rather than just using their ears. The standard pickups I had (double coils though) were practically silent.

 

Good luck in your hunt!

Thanks for your input. I am actually leaning towards the MTD, but I used to play an Ibanez SR1205 with Nordstrand Big Singles, and when solo'ing one pickup, it was so noisy! Not sure how the Aguilars compare

Hi all,

Looking to buy my first 5-string. I've played them in the past but never owned one. My requirements are under 9lbs, 19mm string spacing and under £1000.

I've sort of narrowed it down to three contenders, so just looking for any opinions...

1) Cort GB Modern 5 - new, £1000
2) MTD KZ5 (fitted with Aguilar Big Singles) - used, £700
3) Yamaha TRBX505 - new, £450

Really struggling to decide on one as they all seem to tick the boxes.

The only one I have tried (and will be able to try) is the Yamaha, and it seemed... ok. Only tested it quietly in a shop so didn't get a great sense for the sound, but it seemed like nothing special, a bit bland. Was comfy to play though, even though it is 18mm rather than 19mm.

I like the look of the MTD and have heard great things about the asymmetric necks, but it has the factory preamp which apparently is subpar, and also not a big fan of single coil pups due to the amount of noise.

The Cort also has single coil pups (Nordys rather than Aggies) and the bass hasn't been out for very long. But all the reviews say it's fantastic (although slightly aware that all the reviews on Youtube seem to be sponsored by Cort). Just not a big fan of the two color schemes but it's not a dealbreaker.


Any advice from current owners would be amazing 🥰

Every Warwick I found was too heavy

Ended up overpaying for a used MTD KZ5

On 16/01/2023 at 08:59, ReeV0 said:

Does anyone know if any of the budget brands like Harley Benton or Vintage have any 19mm 5-strings?

Tried a Vintage today, weighed over 5kg! So that's off the table. I imagine the cheap Harley Benton's are most likely all over 4kg

Does anyone know if any of the budget brands like Harley Benton or Vintage have any 19mm 5-strings?

Let me know if you ever sell the 5-string 😁

There is no right sized one Doesn't exist for 16mm headstock. Think I'll just buy a 5-string and be done with it. If anyone is selling an Ibanez ATK815, let me know!!

Unfortunately the supplier didn't do anything wrong, I just thought that the Licenced Hipshot 1/2" tuner would naturally be the same as the USA Hipshot 1/2" tuner... not imagining there would be 1mm difference. I really don't want to enlarge the hole in the headstock of my ATK, it's a lovely bass.

Problem is the hole in the headstock is too small. Unfortunately Hipshot have never ever replied to any emails I've ever sent them.

1 hour ago, Jakester said:

Can you not use the new X-tender with the old bushing?

 Unfortunately not because the whole tuner is bigger

Yeah, how I have a very expensive paperweight imported from the US 🙃

Thanks, I couldn't see it on their website so have emailed them. I just wondered if it was possibly a common part that I could get anywhere (not necessarily by Hipshot)

It's a 1/2", but SumOne is right ,which I just found out myself! How infuriating of Hipshot...

So if it's anything like the Skyline, I need to buy an adapter

https://hipshot.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021168871-Which-Xtender-fits-a-Lakland-Skyline-Bass-

"Most Lakland Skyline Basses use our Licensed 1/2" Ultralite tuning machine, which fits a 5/8" (16mm) peghead hole. Our 1/2" Ultralite Xtender is designed to fit an 11/16" (17.5mm) headstock hole. However, we offer a special 5/8" adapter nut that allows it to work seamlessly with the Skyline."

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/adapter-nuts-and-bushings?variant=12797827285091

Postage from Hipshot is $65, for a $4 part. Does anyone know of any substitute I could use?

Does anyone know what's going on here? I was 99.9% sure that I had purchased correctly, but when it arrived, it didn't fit...

The shop is certain they sent me the right one and have told me to contact Hipshot, but they never reply to emails. I don't want to drill the headstock and it is very expensive for me to ship it back as they're in the US

I ordered:

Hipshot 20665B HE6 - 1/2"

https://www.pitbullaudio.com/hipshot-20665b-he6-1-2-ultralite-bass-xtender-y-key-bass-side-black.html

The bass currently has these installed:

Hipshot Licensed Ultralite Bass Tuning Machine 20655KB - 1/2"

https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning/products/hb6-1-2-ultralite-licensed-bass-tuning-machine?variant=43376778632

Does anyone know why the Xtender is too big?

12 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

There's a G&L CLF Research 750 Series L-1000 on the Sales Corner which is 8.8 lbs. Let me fetch the link.....

 

Here we are. And I misremembered the weight — not 8.8 lbs, but 8 lbs 8 oz

 

Does look lovely, but I've made a promise to myself to never pay more than £800 for a bass...

Are any of the 5-string basses mentioned with 19mm spacing under 4kg/9lbs?

Any thoughts on the Yamaha TRBX series?

Sold me a pedaltrain nano, top notch service 👍

Is it possible to use this with headphones?

I've been looking at harley benton basses but annoyingly they don't list the string spacing or weight...

47 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Fender Precision 5s are quite wide, pretty sure it’s 19mm 

I've never got on with the P-bass pickup, too used to the Ibanez soapbar

37 minutes ago, MichaelDean said:

Do you need the highest string of a fiver strung in drop C? I'm currently doing the same and I haven't found I've ventured that high with what we're playing. If I didn't love my Dingwall so much, I'd be cracking out one of my fours with strings to match. 

I'd like to leave it in standard but have the added B-string. We have a lot of tunes in standard tuning, some in drop-D and now some in drop-C. I don't really want to bring 2 basses to gigs so would rather just get a 5-string

I'd like to keep the budget under £1000 (would ideally be looking used) and also the weight is another important factor. Would need it to be under 4kg

Hi all,

I currently play an Ibanez ATK810 and love it. It has 19mm string spacing. Before that I played an Ibanez SR500 and loved it, that also had 19mm string spacing.

My band has started playing a lot of stuff in drop D, drop C, drop C# etc, so figured it was time to get a 5-string. I bought an Ibanez SR1205 but cannot get on with the 16.5mm string spacing. It's too tight.

It seems most of the Ibanez 5-string basses are 16.5mm with the exception of the ATK series which are very hard to find (I would love an ATK815). Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

I just picked up the Mosfet version from the Gear4Music sale, pretty impressed so far. Comparing it against a GK Legacy 800 and TC RH750.

One question - does anyone else experience slight distortion when using the onboard compressor? I can hear some slight distortion right at the start of a note...