BassBunny Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Having completed the experiment to see if a medium scale bass helps with the onset of arthritis, I'm now looking around for options for 32" scale 5ers before going down the get one built route. I've decided to go "full on" medium scale and have started shedding my standard scale basses. I bought an Ibanez Mezzo 5 String, which is astonishing and I wouldn't object to getting another. What other 32" 5ers are out there? They seem pretty thin in the ground. I know MTD are bringing one out but not sure when it will be available in the UK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDC484950 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 The only one I’ve noticed recently is the Spector Euro Bantam 5 - not cheap at £1650 but looks a good spec if you like dual EMG humbuckers. Bass Direct has one and there’s a YT vid or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCYPbass Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, BassBunny said: I know MTD are bringing one out but not sure when it will be available in the UK. I too look forward to try one of these. Bass direct listed as "coming soon" but it's been some time. I am talking about Kingston model. 6 hours ago, BassBunny said: I bought an Ibanez Mezzo 5 String, which is astonishing and I wouldn't object to getting another. I have one of these and they are very good for the money. I also have US made MTD Lynn Keller Signature (532) and it is great in every way. Just too valuable for me to play at every gig so I bought the Ibanez Mezzo 5. No anxiety 😁 I think I saw a Mensinger 5 string at bass direct and I saw that Wilcock is making 32" 5 string as well as an Italian brand called Biarnel. Maruszczyk may have some too. Edited July 29, 2022 by GCYPbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 7 hours ago, FDC484950 said: The only one I’ve noticed recently is the Spector Euro Bantam 5 - not cheap at £1650 but looks a good spec if you like dual EMG humbuckers. Bass Direct has one and there’s a YT vid or two. Having had a Spector, it's not for me. I had a Euro5lx and wanted to like it but couldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 1 hour ago, GCYPbass said: I also have US made MTD Lynn Keller Signature (532) and it is great in every way. Just too valuable for me to play at every gig so I bought the Ibanez Mezzo 5. No anxiety I think I saw a Mensinger 5 string at bass direct and I saw that Wilcock is making 32" 5 string as well as an Italian brand called Biarnel. Maruszczyk may have some too. The MTD is a LK signature Kingston model. I'm looking forward to them appearing at BD. I'll check out Wilcock and Maruszczyk. I've had some dialog with Biarnel a couple of years ago on a possible build. I'll give them another look. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 You should maybe talk to Jon Shuker too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 20 hours ago, BassBunny said: Having completed the experiment to see if a medium scale bass helps with the onset of arthritis, I'm now looking around for options for 32" scale 5ers before going down the get one built route. I've decided to go "full on" medium scale and have started shedding my standard scale basses. I bought an Ibanez Mezzo 5 String, which is astonishing and I wouldn't object to getting another. What other 32" 5ers are out there? They seem pretty thin in the ground. I know MTD are bringing one out but not sure when it will be available in the UK. What does your Mezzo weigh? There is one on Amazon and they list it at 12lbs! That must be a printing error, surely. I'm becoming more interested in short scale basses, as long gigs can leave me with aching joints, particularly in my left thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 This one 😀 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 30 minutes ago, chris_b said: What does your Mezzo weigh? There is one on Amazon and they list it at 12lbs! That must be a printing error, surely. I'm becoming more interested in short scale basses, as long gigs can leave me with aching joints, particularly in my left thumb. Using some luggage scales it's between 7.75 and 8.00 lbs. Tried weighing it 4 times with different results. It's astonishing for the price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLowDown Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 45 minutes ago, chris_b said: What does your Mezzo weigh? There is one on Amazon and they list it at 12lbs! That must be a printing error, surely. Often what's being quoted is the weight including packaging. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Oh, Spector do a Bantam 5er now which is 32” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 2 hours ago, Merton said: Oh, Spector do a Bantam 5er now which is 32” Not keen on Spector. Had a Euro 5LX and couldn't get on with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCYPbass Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 15 hours ago, BassBunny said: The MTD is a LK signature Kingston model. I'm looking forward to them appearing at BD. I can guess that they will be great if they are half as good as the US LK model. They are not listed on MTD's website either yet but they appear in the price list and they don't seem to be too expensive. US prices though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 38 minutes ago, GCYPbass said: I can guess that they will be great if they are half as good as the US LK model. They are not listed on MTD's website either yet but they appear in the price list and they don't seem to be too expensive. US prices though. I messaged Mark @ Bass Direct about them a few weeks ago and he said they would be £949. Assume that is the four string version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 (edited) I have a Mezzo 5 and snapped up a Warwick Rockbass Corvette Medium scale 5 from the marketplace here soon after. They are both great, but the Warwick edges the Mezzo for my needs. If you can find one, I recommend it. I now take two Corvette's to a gig (one German 34 and the 32),as back up and if space is tight (like last night) I opt for the 32". Edited July 30, 2022 by redbandit599 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCYPbass Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, BassBunny said: I messaged Mark @ Bass Direct about them a few weeks ago and he said they would be £949. Assume that is the four string version. MTD listed them as (MAP) $979 for 4 strings and $999 for 5 strings. I assume 5 strings won't be more than £1000 at Bass Direct. Sounds fair for what it is. Please let me know when you have chance to try and good luck with the search. Any info about when they will be in stock? Edited July 30, 2022 by GCYPbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, GCYPbass said: Any info about when they will be in stock? He just said later this year. Nothing more specific unfortunately. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Hadn't heard about the MTD 32" models, look very interesting! Not quite sure I like the longer horns on the smaller shape but sure they'll be better pictures than the BD site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 How about this little beauty? https://www.acguitars.co.uk/project/0434harlotmkii5-32/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Ibanez EHB1005SMS 32-30 multi scale. There’s one in the classifieds. Ahem. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 30 minutes ago, eude said: How about this little beauty? https://www.acguitars.co.uk/project/0434harlotmkii5-32/ That is sexy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Most of the short scale basses seem to be designed for "small" people. All I want is a short scale. I don't want a small body and I definitely don't want anything less than 18mm string spacing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Just remembered - Sandberg will build their 4 and 5 strings at 32 inch scale. It's a custom order of course, but available. The upcharge is the same as going for a 35 inch scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 4 hours ago, fretmeister said: Just remembered - Sandberg will build their 4 and 5 strings at 32 inch scale. It's a custom order of course, but available. The upcharge is the same as going for a 35 inch scale. More money for less bass? Harrumph! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 hour ago, ezbass said: More money for less bass? Harrumph! When I ordered my Lionel shorty I went for Superlight woods and I said the same thing. Less dense wood = less wood = more money? You havin' a laugh? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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