Choose a 5 string bass for £500 (ish)

[Cornwall Steve]

2 hours ago, BaggyMan said:

I am in a selling frenzy atm due to some weighty purchases. I have a cort space 5 for sale on here as well as an cort elrick.  That aside there are some seriously nice ibanez Srs out there in the sub 500 bracket..new. love this one the sr305. 

Many thanks for replying. The 305 looks very nice in that colour otherwise its a bit of a budget bass IMO and the thin neck and string spacing I'm not sure would be right for me. There are so many SR's out there 😳

[Cornwall Steve]

4 hours ago, TheLowDown said:

Sire M5 is decent. very lightweight, lots of tonal options, active/passive, 35 inch scale(I don't think it matters but some people do), and 2 attractive finishes.

Thanks. I like the M5 ( I already have an M2). It's on the short list.

[kwmlondon]

I had an Ibanez SR505 which was my first 5 string, never looked back. I loved the both-on tone but it felt less impressive when the blend went towards the neck or bridge pickup. Lovely rich, burpy, almost R&B tone, I think I’d categorise as 90s bartolini. Very slim neck with tight spacing so fast but I could not slap or pick. Good bass. Light. Fast. But not for me. 

[TheLowDown]

31 minutes ago, Cornwall Steve said:

I have an M2. It was my first 5. Others I've bought have come and gone but I've kept my M2. I especially love the neck and maple fretboard (I have the Teal colour). I've pondered on the M5/M7 but often wondered how much better they are than the M2 given they have so many parts common to all models.

If you already have the M2, I would suggest an entirely different 5 string to give some variation tbh. 

[Cornwall Steve]

7 minutes ago, TheLowDown said:

If you already have the M2, I would suggest an entirely different 5 string to give some variation tbh. 

Yep, I think so too. Either that or grab an M5/M7 then sell the M2. I'm also a sucker for a maple fretboard.

[Cornwall Steve]

15 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

I had an Ibanez SR505 which was my first 5 string, never looked back. I loved the both-on tone but it felt less impressive when the blend went towards the neck or bridge pickup. Lovely rich, burpy, almost R&B tone, I think I’d categorise as 90s bartolini. Very slim neck with tight spacing so fast but I could not slap or pick. Good bass. Light. Fast. But not for me. 

Hi, many thanks for your thoughts and experiences with the SR505. TBH I've always liked the look and feel of the SR's right across the range but never been a fan of the tones from the stock bartolini but most of all the tight spacing on the 5's. Had the same problem with the spacing on a Sterling 5 Stingray so moved it on.

[Norris]

Sterling Ray-5 (£449 from Anderton's)

Retrovibe Stinger preamp (£95 from Retrovibe)

 

Darn it, broke your budget so you can't sound as good as me 😜

 

... unless you buy used...

 

Edit: ah - just noticed that's too tight string spacing for you. Ah well.

Edited 3 hours ago by Norris

[BaggyMan]

2 hours ago, Cornwall Steve said:

Many thanks for replying. The 305 looks very nice in that colour otherwise its a bit of a budget bass IMO and the thin neck and string spacing I'm not sure would be right for me. There are so many SR's out there 😳

I get that.  For years i have shyed (shied?) away from SR's.  For 'a while'  i had a rare SR535 just didnt float the boat.  Recently taken a part time job in a music shop (remember those?) and been exposed to other basses again that i wouldnt normally go near...

Ok. so i am NOT  promoting the shop directly, but some things i have found (personally as well in the shop..) for note in your serach if that helps..

 

• SX do a range of warwick-a-likes that have set necks and are amazing vfm easily sub £500
• The new range of ibanez Sr's are a very good buy.  If i hadnt just bought a Cort A5 single cut i'd bee eyeing up one right now..
• I tried a M6 sire and sent it back..poor QC and kept snagging my index finger on the nut.  Sound great tho.. V7's are the standard, V3's have cheaper hardware and suffer from a bit of neck dive.  Still have the that cool pre amp thoiugh.
• Cort A5 series, well made and sound really good.  
• Cort space 5 series, great basses, light and well made (actually anything cort tbh).  I have owned two the green/purple and the narural one.  Excellent instruments if you like the modern sound.  I am a certified bass magpie so nothing stays forever! Full disclosure mine is for sale.
• Squier 5 string. Awesome VFM.  Something like £240 something from various places.  Play and sound great.  We had one second hand in the shop..Literally flew off the wall, gone within the week.
• For something more unconventional try an Ibanez BTB.  Some great 2nd handers out there especially the quilted maple versions.  I have owned 5 or 6.  Great instruments.

Hope that helps. 

 

GF