SteveXFR Posted yesterday at 07:56 Posted yesterday at 07:56 I'm just about ready to buy a nice Spector 5 string and was reminded that previously with 5 strings, I've had a nightmare trying to sell them when ready for a change. Are 5 string basses typically difficult to sell or have I just had the wrong ones? Previous 5's include Ibanez SRMS805 Ibanez SR505 and Sterling Ray35 (very nice budget stingray) 1 Quote
Hellzero Posted yesterday at 08:01 Posted yesterday at 08:01 No, they are not, it all depends on the price tag. 3 Quote
simonlittle Posted yesterday at 08:23 Posted yesterday at 08:23 18 minutes ago, Hellzero said: No, they are not, it all depends on the price tag. Exactly this. I’ve sold many five string basses over the years. The cheaper basses flew out the door and the more premium instruments took a while longer to find the right home. Certainly haven’t noticed any difference in selling fives than fours… 1 Quote
Terry M. Posted yesterday at 19:54 Posted yesterday at 19:54 11 hours ago, Hellzero said: No, they are not, it all depends on the price tag. This. Advertise a 4 string at the "wrong" price and see. Quote
Mrbigstuff Posted yesterday at 20:03 Posted yesterday at 20:03 Funnily enough when I see a bass I often think, ahh that’s great if only it was a 5! 1 Quote
Owen Posted yesterday at 21:26 Posted yesterday at 21:26 You cannot spell Bass without a B. Come at me 4 string zealots. 12 Quote
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted yesterday at 21:39 Posted yesterday at 21:39 I had a five string once. The B string came in handy as a thumbrest. 1 1 Quote
Terry M. Posted yesterday at 22:15 Posted yesterday at 22:15 As a die-hard 5 string player I admit to enjoying seeing 5ers in classified ads that 4 stringers failed to get the hang of only because they sometimes can't get rid of fast enough and will sell below market value. I've nabbed a few along the way like that. One man's poison... Quote
Norris Posted 6 hours ago Posted 6 hours ago I so like 5 strings now that I tend not to look at the ads for 4 stringers. In fact I'm toying with the idea of trying to replace some of the herd with 5 string versions. First on the list for that would be the Ric 4003. My browsing history has a few 4003s/5 in it, especially in walnut... 🤪 Quote
40hz Posted 2 hours ago Posted 2 hours ago Slightly off topic, but, I sometimes feel like an outlier, as I'm just as happy on a 4 or 5. It seems to invoke some bizarre tribalism in people, but really, it's not that big of a difference, or a difficulty to swap between the two, IMO. Whatever gets the job done. Back on topic, never had an issue selling a 5er - price is everything! Quote
jwood662 Posted 2 hours ago Posted 2 hours ago I needed a 5 string for an audition once and picked up a nearly new sterling ray5 from fb. Managed to sell it later that month (fb again), went within days and with a £50 profit to boot! So from my (albeit limited) experience I’d say not a problem at all! Quote
Woodinblack Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago I am so unlikely to buy (and retain) a 4 string bass, I often get annoyed that the sales area doesn't have a filter to filter only 5 strings, then I remember it would have to be me that did that and I let me off 3 Quote
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago On 21/05/2025 at 08:56, SteveXFR said: I'm just about ready to buy a nice Spector 5 string and was reminded that previously with 5 strings, I've had a nightmare trying to sell them when ready for a change. Are 5 string basses typically difficult to sell or have I just had the wrong ones? Previous 5's include Ibanez SRMS805 Ibanez SR505 and Sterling Ray35 (very nice budget stingray) Ooh nice. what you getting? Quote
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago (edited) There’s a Spector at a certain UK dealers that I’m hoping someone will buy so I can’t/don’t. I would say only harder to sell in so much as you have to exclude 4 string only players as potential customers. Edited 1 hour ago by hiram.k.hackenbacker Quote
lemmywinks Posted 55 minutes ago Posted 55 minutes ago Never had an issue selling 5 strings, I always price them to sell but not too cheap. Hope I've not just jinxed myself as I'll most likely be putting my EHB 5er up for sale soon! Quote
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