5 String with the most Sizzle on the top end

[AJC08]

Hey all,

 

My sincere apologies for the stupid title, it's difficult to describe hahaha!!

 

I'm curious to know what is the brightest bass you've owned/played with the most sizzle on the top end? While still retaining good low end. Ideally a 5 string but not essential. I'm basically in the market for a new 5er with about £1k-1.5 budget.

 

Thanks as always!!

 

Aj

[Woodinblack]

For me, any active 5 string bass with the treble turned up and new strings. The bongo is pretty good, but they all are really until the strings go dull

[Pinball]

I was going to say Stingray lol

The Anaconda basses have great pups, not sure if that qualifies as sissle though. 

[dub_junkie]

G&L L1505? If it's the same as the 4 string L1500 then it will be like drawing squeaking chalk down a blackboard. They've got more bite than Luis Suarez

[Killerfridge]

I think my most "sizzly" bass is my Warwick Thumb with EMGs and John East UniPre

[Bass Direct]

MTD, Spector

[Chris2112]

Spector with EMG's and a Tonepump or EMG preamp. Musicman anything also a good call. Status Graphite Series II, Stealth and Modulus basses with EMG pickups can also be very bright when the strings are fresh. 

[BigRedX]

All my basses have plenty of sizzle if I turn up the treble somewhere in my signal chain.

[Mrbigstuff]

I would have said Fodera but might be a struggle budget wise 😅 i always associated Ibanez basses to have lots of top end but then I was never keen on the low end of their sound. 

[gjones]

The G&L L2000 or L2500 has a little 'sizzle' switch, which gives extra, high frequency, top end if you need it.

 

Bats love them.

Edited 23 hours ago by gjones

[Woodinblack]

49 minutes ago, Mrbigstuff said:

i always associated Ibanez basses to have lots of top end but then I was never keen on the low end of their sound. 

 

One of the nordstrand Ibanezes has a lot of top end with the treble turned up

 

 

[Terry M.]

6 hours ago, AJC08 said:

I'm curious to know what is the brightest bass you've owned/played with the most sizzle on the top end? While still retaining good low end. 

While still retaining good low end? If you can find a Sadowsky in your budget give it a spin. I have a Sad preamp in my 5 string Fender Jazz and the sizzle and low end live happily side by side to my ears.

[Schnozzalee]

Carvin SB, Kiesel JB, Peavey Cirrus, Lightwave VL in that price range. I had a Kubicki Key Factor but they're silly money now. 

 

All lively preamps with a strong B, but the Cirrus doesn't have a passive option (would need a mod) and even the 4 strings tend to be 35" scale.

[Supernaut]

I usually play my Jazz nowadays but for that top end sizzle? Just add a skillet. 🥩 

[AJC08]

Thanks for all of the suggestions folks! Definitely considering trying some of the suggested if I can find any. I have to say I played a spector euro 5lx years ago and absolutely loved it! May have to wait and see if anyone is parting ways with one!!

[LeftyJ]

21 hours ago, dub_junkie said:

G&L L1505? If it's the same as the 4 string L1500 

 

Still confuses the hell out of me that a 5-string version of the L2000 is called the L2500, but the 5-string version of the L1000 is an L1005 and the L1500 is an L1000 with the pickup moved towards the bridge position