fretmeister Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 My main bass is my Marleaux Consat Custom 5. It's wonderful but I need a back up 5 string. The SR1205 seems good from the specs and it's not too mental in price, especially if I can find a used one. Anyone using one regularly? Is there any neck dive? (that does my head in more than anything else on a bass) ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I have only played one in the shop when testing out an amp and a few pedals but I have to say as far as Ibanez goes, I was seriously impressed. Really lightweight and very comfortable to play and sounded really nice too. I was only sitting down but it felt really well balanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I have virtually no 5 string experience, but the guy I bought my RH450 from had a SR1205 and I played it to test the amp. It played beautifully, really good quality feel to it. Granted I only played it at house volume but it sounded lovely, the low B was killer. I ended up asking more questions about the bass than about the amp I was buying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Check your string spacing on your Marleaux, Ibanez tend to use narrow string spacing on their 5s, and I found them quite difficult to play as a result, probably not an issue if you use the same bass all the time, but very confusing for the fingers if you are used to playing on regular Fender P-bass spacing. Yamaha on the other hand make a lot of 5s with the same string spacing as you get on a regular 4 string - when I bought my RBX 775 it was the string spacing issue that sealed the deal in preference of the Yam over the other 5s that I tried out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 [quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1396361472' post='2412690'] Check your string spacing on your Marleaux, Ibanez tend to use narrow string spacing on their 5s, and I found them quite difficult to play as a result, probably not an issue if you use the same bass all the time, but very confusing for the fingers if you are used to playing on regular Fender P-bass spacing. Yamaha on the other hand make a lot of 5s with the same string spacing as you get on a regular 4 string - when I bought my RBX 775 it was the string spacing issue that sealed the deal in preference of the Yam over the other 5s that I tried out. [/quote] That's a good point! The Marleaux is definitely narrower than my P bass, but I don't know the exact measurements. I will check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 According to the Marleaux website my bass has 19mm spacing. But the Ibanez site doesn't seem to list their spacing. Very annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Ibanez spacing is usually in the 16.5-17mm territory, according to GAK the spacing is 16.5mm on the SR1205, pretty sure that the BTB also has the same spacing. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ibanez-sr1205-vnf-vintage-natural-flat/45301 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I love them they as my experience is that they play great and the electronics sound "massive". String spacing may be an issue if you play other basses and slap. Any doubts just try before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I have an SR1605 (a 1205 with a different top), the string spacing is akin to an MM fiver (about 17mm), slim neck front to back, no neck dive, super light, transparent sounding preamp. The bodies are quite small (thus the light weight) which can make playing on your knee feel a bit odd if you're used to wider bodied basses and because of the finish they are susceptible to dents and dings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I have one, I think it's an excellent bass for the money. No noticeable neck dive at all. And I think 17mm is about right for the string spacing, which I found a bit tight at first but I'm totally use to now. Great sound and versative pre-amp too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 Thanks for the help chaps. Not sure I could cope with 16.5mm - I've tried Status' with that narrow spacing and it really annoyed me. 18mm would probably be ok, but I find the spacing on my Marleaux to be perfect at 19mm. Have to keep looking I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1396371023' post='2412810'] Have to keep looking I suppose. [/quote]Lakland Skyline? They're 19mm spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 (edited) I have gigged extensively with my SR1205 for the last 2 years and it has been a revelation. Modern, original, sleek design...lightweight (8lbs), nicely put together with quality timbers/parts, infinitely playable and sounds incredible at volume. I have made recordings with it also and it punches way above it's price tag. It balances perfectly ...no neck dive whatsoever. I have owned Wal's, Alembic, Vigier, Jaydee etc etc...but the 1205 is easily the most playable bass I have ever owned. String spacing is 17mm - perfect for fast finger playing. I adapted to slapping with it easily enough also. Highly recommended. Edited April 1, 2014 by White Cloud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 String spacing is a matter of personal teste I think. I'm so used to the 16.5-17mm spacing of my Ibanez and Spectors that the only thing I hate about my Sadowsky is the 19 mm spacing. I keep feeling my fingers fall in between the strings and the distance makes my digits work more. (but the sound and the feel of that bass makes up for that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Squier Active Deluxe Jazz V? Cheap as chips, good sound, well regarded by many and I think a decent string spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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