[quote name='alanbass1' post='801843' date='Apr 10 2010, 03:04 PM']I have had a number of quests for a five string and recently concluded it was not a case of 'need' but more one of 'want'. I prefer playing 4 string but have a 5'er as well and it's one of those things that every so often I take out to a gig for a change.[/quote]
I've had 4, 5 string basses go through the MTB household. As with you I think it was a case of want not need. The only other reason I had was to get familiar with a 5 because on occassion that's all that might be on offer at an open mic night.
Now exclusively on 4s (and can't say I miss the 'B') but might consider a fretless 5 in the future......
To the OP tho, I've had an L2500, a DJ5, a Sandberg Basic 5 and a Ray5, to me from a sound and playability point of view the Ray5 was my definite favourite. It took the offer of a Status Streamline to tempt it from my hands.