5 string Double Bass?

[jacko]

There's a five string on Ebay at the mo - Liverpool based I think. Finishes in a couple of days.

[JimBobTTD]

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1505731317' post='3373787']
There's a five string on Ebay at the mo - Liverpool based I think. Finishes in a couple of days.
[/quote]

Link to it is [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-5-string-3-4-size-c-1960-Czech-swell-back-laminated-/162668616952?hash=item25dfce1cf8:g:Y5MAAOSw-EBZtWa1"]here[/url]

I went to look for it and thought I may as well put it up

[NickA]

Hmm plywood. Good for rock n roll, less so for Jazz .. not good for classical beyond grade 5. Whatever floats yr boat. Essential to try (as many basses as possible) before buying tho.

If it were me I'd go for something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zeller-Solid-Wood-3-4-Double-Bass/172865629446?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D46150%26meid%3D41388e888de84aac8caf554d1bc00772%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D162668616952&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1 and forgo the 5th string.

[jacko]

So I'm at the point of ordering now and I've narrowed it down to two choices...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_25string.htm?sid=cd204b278a8974dd04746016caa8f658

Hybrid solid carved top with laminated back in stock and ready to ship

or...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_44_5s_3_4_europe_double_bass.htm

Carved top and back BUT it'll take 4 - 6 months to be made and shipped. - I'm not in a huge hurry so happy to wait if necessary.

Anyone have any thoughts on the laminated back vs carved back arguments?

[timmyta]

I have a gedo fully carved five string with high C, the neck is not chunky (despite being 6ft I have tiny hands and struggle on six string basses but this is fine) the G string was hard to bow but my local string luthier did an excellent job on reshaping the bridge and now it bows fine, I mainly use it for jazz and having the high C helps so much especially with my aforementioned little hands. Gedo dont currently have any five strings in stock.

[jacko]

I've ended up ordering Thomann's 2/5 . I'll start a NDBD thread when it arrives. Hopefully before Christmas.

[petebassist]

Looks very nice mate, with spiros too! An adjustable bridge is a good idea in my book if you haven't been able to try an instrument before buying. Best of luck with your new bass.

[Musashimonkey]

Thanks for all the advice. Currently still on my 5 string EUB, but keen to take the plunge to full DB. 

[NickA]

Oooo;  looks nice, same shape as my old German one (ie the BEST shape IMHO = viol shape with a swell back).  Adjustable bridge, high tension pizz strings - ready to Jazz; ... hope it's all you expect; 

I'd be very nervous about paying £1700 for a bass I'd not played (but did it with an electric once and am very happy with it!).