40hz

I'm off on a jaunt Saturday to try out GuitarGuitar's stock and Bass Direct. Looking around at websites, I'll be hopefully getting to try at the very least;

Ibanez SR Premium range

MTD KZ5

Spector Pulse 5

G&L Tribute L2500 (I know this is likely to be an absolute anchor, but the tone is wild)

Sadowsky MetroExpress

I've been scouring the 2nd hand market on here and eBay/Gumtree FB marketplace, daily, but there really isn't a lot that takes my fancy at the moment. Sods law I guess!

I know that this time in a fortnight, someone will list a beautiful Lakland under 6lbs, located in the same town as me and giving out free beer with every sale. 🤣

I'll keep you all posted. And thank you again for all suggestions and comments.

Got one of these (L2500 Tribute) on the hit list this weekend in my quest for a great sounding, lightweight 5er. I know the likelihood of it being sub 9lbs is minimal to nil, Got to be worth a try at least, though.

Looking around YouTube at videos, I happened upon a Rush Tribute band (that were amazing) in which the Bass Player was using a L2000. I couldn't believe how close to Geddy's Wal tone this thing got in his hands. They're remarkably flexible animals, tone wise. Colour me impressed!

Sold Marc my Classic Series P-Bass. Great Comms and was accomodating in terms of meet up for the obligatory services car park handover.

Mostly though, he is a thoroughly top chap, and a (needed) reminder of how good this community is. Deal with absolute confidence.

Enjoy the bass my friend!

My Modulus Flea is a cyborg tiger having its balls kicked in.

3 hours ago, NicoMcJ said:

Ok, I have done a 3 hour and 10 minute gig with it now. It was incredible. It was like I was wearing nothing at all.

 

It sounded awesome too.

 

All other basses are stupid.

 

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

For me, it's a similar thing to the Musicman Bongo - It's so mental and weird that I love it. That is a heck of a lot of bass for the money.

1 hour ago, Hamster said:

I quite like the look of the Spector NS Pulse 5 - they come in at around 8lb 8oz.  EMG pickups and a tone pump preamp

The Pulse is a lovely looking thing - EMGs are my favourite type of pickup and the tonepump on my old Spector Euro was excellent. It's on the list (I think Bass Direct might have one in).

9 hours ago, Misdee said:

My Yamaha BB2025  weighs about 9 1/4 pounds and is a fantastic bass. Well worth investigating if you can find a used one. The X version is significantly heavier because of the additional scratchplate, metal knobs, control plate ect. That's why I got the non-X version. Very similar nut width to an EBMM Stingray V but wider 18mm spacing at the bridge. And the strings don't keep coming of the edge of the fingerboard!

 

Also, the USA-made Lakland basses tend to be lighter than the Skyline counterparts. I have seen plenty of 55-94 that were under 9 pounds in weight. A used one could come up at a reasonable price.

 

Otherwise, considering you like graphite, have you thought about a Status Stealth 5 string? All- graphite , lightweight and very comfortable to play.

Status Stealth. Great call. I'd imagine rare and probably out of budget, though? 

If I had enough for this, my plans for a 5er would be catapulted right out the window! 

Enjoy! It's a thunderous bass. Already experiencing some solid regret!

57 minutes ago, Chris2112 said:

 

I always liked the Modulus Flea basses despite not being a huge RHCP fan. There is no doubt that Flea got his best tones from his Modulus basses (other than the early days when he was using a Spector). 

 

What made the Status necked Stringrays sound so different? I would have thought they'd at least be in the ballpark, with some difference due to the Modulus having different electronics in it. As much as I love Status basses I wouldn't choose a Stingray with a Status neck over a Modulus Flea. 

It really surprised me too, as on paper it would sound like they would be similar, but it really was quite different. The Status necked Ray was just the Ray sound but 'cleaner' (in no way a bad thing, Stingrays are my fave production basses). The Modulus has that weird, ultra-distinctive, peaky, mid-growl - sounding almost like a synth bass. I don't know what to put it down to, but they really were chalk and cheese. 

I also agree regarding his best tones. For me, the Modulus, followed by the J/J Spector NS2 from Uplift Mofo Party Plan. 

58 minutes ago, miles'tone said:

Yes I think you're right actually, sounds like a mix of both with the passive Jazz used the most. Could be all passive Jazz mixed differently track to track? Maybe the active jazz is just for live shows? 🤷‍♂️

I did like the album a bit more on hearing it again though. That's probably me hearing it for what it actually is rather than hearing it against what I wanted it to be if I'm honest. 

Yeah I think this is it - Flea likes using his 62 Jazz in the studio, but doesn't like using them live, due to the fact it doesn't cut as much.

-bla di, obla da

13 minutes ago, miles'tone said:

It sounds to me like he's using his active jazz sig bass. Quite like the tone myself..

 

 

The tone on a lot of these tracks sounds like the passive Jazz to me? Maybe it's a mix of both?

Listened again, front to back.

It's kinda of got a summery laid back vibe, which I didn't really pick up on to begin with, but is actually kinda cool on repeated listens, but it's still not overly memorable.

Again, Flea's tone - It sounds like he's pushing a Jazz to the limit, trying to get that Ray/Modulus type sound, but getting a weak version of it (before anyone kills me, I love Jazz Basses). His Modulus tone was absolutely explosive and suited his playing style to a 'T'

Maybe I'm getting old but it just don't sound right, I tell thee!

Just listened to it all the way through. 

Meh. 

Not many wild ideas on the album. It's very, very, very safe.

Edit - I also really wish Flea would go back to his Modulus or his Stingrays. His Jazz bass tone is pants, IMO.

8 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

Roger Sadowsky has no connection to the basses made in his name by Warwick.

I had read on Talkbass that he was aware of the issues and had discussed this/these with Warwick with a view to improvements? Either rate, they are improved from the infamous first run. Sadly that didn't extend to the headstock!

I'd be using a pick with a piece of sponge chucked under the strings near the bridge. I'm pretty sure Carol Kaye used to do something similar to this?

Thank you all for the input. It's been tremendously useful! 

I heard someone playing a Streamer LX5 on YouTube this morning and the sound absolutely blew me away - so much so I put a wanted advert out. I've had P/J Streamers, but the J/J's just have that 'burp'. Finding one under 9lbs could be a mission, but my previous Streamers were all super lightweight, so could be possible! 

I'm also going to try the Sadowsky Metro Express as previously suggested, even though the headstock looks absolutely awful. They seem to be lightweight for 5ers - a couple I saw online in my travels, seem pegged at around 8.5lbs. I also understand Roger has overseen a raft of improvements across the board, from the very first ones that earned a bad rep, with improved QC and preamp components.

Good lord. I absolutely love the Dolphin. What a stunner!

7 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

Depends on your budget. What is “unattainable”? Most stores like GG, Anderton’s, PMT, GSK etc can cobble together some 5ers at the lower end of the price bracket. it’s possibly simpler to decide what you’re looking for and take it from there?

£1500 tops. 

The issue is I'm fairly open to most things, and it's hard to pin it down to a particular bass, so my thinking was playing a bunch of random 5ers and seeing if something speaks to me more than others - hence looking for a shop that is likely to have quite a few to try.

Morning all!

Again, tried the search function but couldn't seem to hone in on this particular question.

In my quest for the perfect 5er, I thought about maybe visiting some stores across the UK. It would be good if I could find a shop that had a very wide range of basses (although I know this is rare). Anyone suggest the best place to do this?

Bass Direct is on my door step, however it does deal primarily in very high end gear, slightly out of my price range, so would just result in un-scratchable GAS.

Thank you!

This sounds promising (pun intended).

8 hours ago, Owen said:

I picked up an MTD Kingston on a whim on here a LONG time ago. I paid £180 for it. They hardly ever appear, they are very light, the neck is proper yummy and the control cavity is big enough to put whatever you want in there.

I'm really liking the KZ5 at Bass Direct. Weight looks to be 8lbs 7oz of the fretted one left in stock. One of the sold ones was even lighter than that. Great B-strings as well. 

1 minute ago, bagsieblue said:

 

SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB 315 is a great option for this requirement.

You could probably pick one up for about £250 too - an absolute steal.

 

Japan Sadowsky Basses are almost invariably light.  I have a RV5 that weighs in at 3.9Kg.

I did think about the Nanyos. Crazy that they still go for so little! Good call!

24 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

And I’ve got the fretless version on sale here for £475. I’d do you a trade as well.

Thank you for the offer! Not my cup of tea visually I'm afraid (as much as I like Spector).