rmcki Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1348650413' post='1816323'] Good point made by humapuma (welcome to Basschat by the way) I've owned and still have some nice 35" scale basses but I really only feel at home when playing my SR5's which are 34", when first getting into 5 string I didn't think it would matter much what the scale length or string spacing was, I never worried about it with 4 strings, so I bought basses based on their looks or how they sounded thinking I'd get used to how they play but I've come to realise what suits me in a neck andwhat doesn't. So I'd add that when trying out basses make sure you get to try, 34" 35" even 36" if you have big hands and string spacing from 17mm to say 19mm, once you know what you like it will narrow down your choices. [/quote] Great point all my other basses are 34", i'm still dithering but i think it's the Thumb BO 5 for me and my funk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Don't let the 35" scale worry you, and you don't need big hands. If you feel that you have to stretch to reach a note then you should be moving your hand in order to place your fingers at the right spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I own three fiver's. The first and my primary bass is an Overwater J 5 with 35" scale. Lovely balanced tone/volume across all the strings, sounds like a Fender jazz due to the combination of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz p'ups and John East J-Retro circuit. Second bass on most gigs is a MM Stingray. This time a 34" scale but again well balanced tone/volume across all strings. The humbucker plays a big part in getting a full sound out of the low B as is best demonstrated by the single coil position on the switch where the B string just thins out and almost disappears. MY third fiver is a home built 34" P 5 with the same p'up config as the Fender Stu Hamm basses (bart pickups and East T&B and Mid Stack circuit). On this one, you really need the P pickup engaged to get a good tone out of the B string, and there is a noticeable latency on the development of notes on the B string (same as my now sold Fender Jazz DLX 5). I don't think you can isolate scale length as being the sole contributor to a good B string. I believe its more a combination of factors and is heavily influenced by the pick-ups, circuit and ultimately your amp & cabinet setup. Going back to your original post, if I had that sort of budget available I'd be off to Carlisle to spec an Overwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcki Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 Clover Argo 5.2 Five String? Anyone played one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) You would be doing yourself a massive disservice if you didnt at least go and try a Roscoe (bassdirect.co.uk - Mark will see you right). I directly compared my Roscoe to a Clover and a few other high end basses when I got it, and I got the best of the basses on offer. It blew the Clover away in fact. By far the best B string I have heard (including on the Dingwalls I have tried before). Edited September 28, 2012 by 51m0n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcki Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Roscoe_CS5J+.html ooo... Nice bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I had a Roscoe Century Std for a while, bloody excellent bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='rmcki' timestamp='1348841172' post='1818996'] [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Roscoe_CS5J+.html"]http://www.bassdirec...scoe_CS5J+.html[/url] ooo... Nice bass! [/quote] Exactly.... It sounds as good as it looks, and it plays even better IME of Roscoes.... [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1348842020' post='1819015'] I had a Roscoe Century Std for a while, bloody excellent bass. [/quote] +1 I've been entirely GAS free since I got mine (with the minor of exception of PantherAirSoft (Shep)'s utterly gorgeous Roscoe 6 string custom fretless Century Signature, which was an insanely good instrument.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcki Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) [quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1348842837' post='1819039'] Exactly.... It sounds as good as it looks, and it plays even better IME of Roscoes.... +1 I've been entirely GAS free since I got mine (with the minor of exception of PantherAirSoft (Shep)'s utterly gorgeous Roscoe 6 string custom fretless Century Signature, which was an insanely good instrument.... [/quote] I had made up my mind... Now look at me, a reck i tells ya. I wanted a thumb, but with the two warwicks i have i couldn't help but wonder if i dont already have enough "mid-range growl". I'm going to have to decide and just go for it or ma heed will explode. Edited September 28, 2012 by rmcki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Get yourself down to Bassdirect. Its a hike for you, but not any worse than it is for me I would think, I've been their a few times and everytime I've come away with a much lighter wallet - take that as a warning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 As you're in Argyll why not get in touch with Alan at ACG and see what you can try out. He's in Moffat so not too far away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humapuma Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Well, let us know what you choose in the end rmcki, and how you get on with it. I guess this thread proves there's no right answer, it's just got to be what's right for you. And thanks to Rumple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Personally I've tried a lot of 5 string basses and gone back Musicman. Stingray 5/Sterling 5 HS or HH. More adventurous? Bongo 5 HS or HH. Killer tight b and well defined. Edited October 1, 2012 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Which 5 string . . . .? I have played many 5 strings over 25 years and if you can afford one, the best 5 string bass I have played by a country mile is a Dingwall. I have owned the MM 25th anniversary 5 string and a standard SR5 among others, and they didnt come close. Tried others and whilst they are spot on for E A D and G, the B string on Dingwall blows them away for tone and playability. If you go Dingwall you will go fanfret and this is an added bonus. I have bought two Dingwalls this year from Mark in Bass Direct. The ABZ5 is in your range for money, but beware; once I got my paws on my ABZ5 I sold all my parallel fret equipment to move on up to a gem of an ABII 5 stringer. Dingwall draws you in like a moth to the flame and is in a different league on the B string because of the longer scale. Someone else may hate them which is their right, indeed you might hate them; but at least try them before you buy another bass. Look at the Bass direct site for a host of choice and reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcki Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks for all the pointers guys, Thumb NT 5 arrived this morning thanks to Ted59 New set of strings and a setup is the task for today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoop Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 ACG all the way. Hand built custom jobs and all of these are WELL within budget. [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/22/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/22/[/url] [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/16/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/16/[/url] [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/30/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/30/[/url] [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/27/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/27/[/url] Fabulous basses with great preamps. I have ten of them so I should know. I'd simply not buy another bass from another manaufacturer ever again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alstocko Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 [quote name='rmcki' timestamp='1348503212' post='1814442'] I've been thinking about it for some time in the short list is.[list=1] [*]Dingwall ABZ 5 [*]Warwick Thumb 5 [*]Overwater Inspiration 5 [*]Fender Marcus Miller 5 [/list] I was thinking maybe the Thumb but i do have two other warwicks so maybe something different. I was hoping to get so ideas from the forum. [/quote] Stay away from the MM5 IMO It's rubbish, but I don't rate the value of high end fenders... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.