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Just found these pics of a Tonika. Crazy! [url="http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/tonika_bass.html"]http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/tonika_bass.html[/url] This website is a bit of a goldmine...

Have just been reading up on these mass-produced communist era Russian basses... [url="http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/ural_bass.html"]http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/ural_bass.html[/url] Does anyone own one? They're still common in Russia, apparently, but have any made it across Europe? The kitch value alone would tempt me to get one...

[quote]Complete opposite to the Warwick feel.[/quote] I agree in part. Certainly the neck is very different, but I personally find that the feel of the wenge/bubinga neck woods give something of a Warwick vibe. Also the small rounded body is a little thumb-like... [quote]How is the quality control for Ibanez? Can you get really good ones or bad ones for the same model?[/quote] Ibby have always seemed pretty damn solid to me, and every time I pick one up in a shop the factory setup is quite nice too..

It's because you're a bunch of old hippie grandads. **runs away**

Copyright that headstock if you can (you'd most likely might have to adjust it slighty to make it look less like a Fender). It looks brilliant left as a hole and would also look great with an insert of contrasting wood.

For a new bass, see if you can get an deal (or stretch the budget) to an Ibanez SR505. A brilliant bass for the money and feels like a light Warwick. They have very decent electronics, too. The string spacing is narrower, but they are easy to play. ([url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-sr-505/11055"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-sr-505/11055[/url]) For a second-hand (and well under budget) option, as an alternative to getting a Rockbass Streamer Standard, you might want to keep an eye out for an old Warwick Streamer STD. They were German made and had standard Warwick necks on cheaper bodies. They only made them for about two years (1999-2000). The passive electronics are very basic, but easy to upgrade. ([url="http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/streamer_std.html"]http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/streamer_std.html[/url] - this web page is old, by the way, these are definitely no longer being made).

When I picked up the Thumb basses they predictably obliterated the Streamer STD. However, I'd always liked the STDs mellow take on the Warwick sound so I slapped a set of Thomastik flats and some Seymour Duncan electronics onto it - now it's a retro/dub-bass monster. Still gets played!

Wow, loads of "cheap 5 string" questions at the moment! If you want to buy new then my rec, as ever, is the Ibanez SR505BM. Nice woods, useful pre-amp and very playable.

[quote name='lateralus462' post='345812' date='Dec 4 2008, 07:03 PM']I think I'll have to try both before I make my mind up.[/quote] It's the best way - they're both decent basses, so you shouldn't go far wrong.

This question has cropped up alot lately. If you want to buy new then my answer, as ever, would be the Ibanez SR505BM. However, if you're happy to go second-hand then I would also join the others in recommending the Lakland that is being sold here for a very decent price. ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31960"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31960[/url])

SR506BM. Looks and playability.

[quote name='Fraktal' post='345355' date='Dec 4 2008, 01:22 PM']Yup![/quote] A line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade springs to mind:- "You have chosen...........................wisely!"

You don't want old junk cluttering up your attic. I'll take it off your hands for £50 then you'll be able to save some space around the house. What d'you reckon?

Just get a Warwick. Everybody likes Warwicks, especially the necks.

[quote name='M4L666' post='339364' date='Nov 28 2008, 10:44 AM']What do you guys think of it? It seems like the cheapest decent 5-string you can get. Any advice on buying cheap/second hand, issues with the bass, anything? I will try one out as soon as there is one in a shop somewhere, and tell you about that.[/quote] Soundgears are good value, though if it was me I would hold out till I had enough for an SR505BM, which is a cracking bass for the money.

[quote name='karlbbb' post='332573' date='Nov 19 2008, 07:38 PM']Hey all, thank you for all the suggestions. I've decided to go with a Spector Legend 5 in Dark Cherry. Again, thanks for all the input, now I just have to sell my damn iMac so I can afford to buy it![/quote] Great choice on the Spector, but do bear in mind that you could get a second hand ReBop for the money you have.

"I could get a Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5 for £400 too." Seriously, it's a buyers second-hand market at the moment - you can get a proper Warwick 5 string for less than £500! Don't go spending £400 on a Rockbass. Keep an eye out for Streamer LXs and Streamer Pro Ms. Also the cheaper Warwick Streamer Stds (pre-Rockbass, made in 2000) can be had for around £200. Spectors can also be had at great prices. MythSte already posted this:- [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=30719"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=30719[/url] (The price is seems fair to me). There's also a Lakland Skyline 55-01 going for £400 here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31960"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31960[/url] In short, you're spoilt for choice with £400 in your pocket in the current climate.

I'd always pick a Sadowsky/Lakland over a Fender if I had money to burn. Fender's low to mid price stuff is great value, but their high end stuff doesn't feel much different to me. The nicest Fenders I've played recently have been Squier VMJs!

You can buy official Warwick pre-amps from their site (www.warwick.de). As these are official parts they shouldn't affect value and you'll have no need to do any new routing as they do various combinations of stacked knobs.