RhoadBlock Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 I'm planning on buying a 5 string bass soon. I've got my eye on the Ibanez SR series, mostly the SR905 & 705. I'd like a bass that will tune to a low B. But I want it to sound sweet. I'm lookin for a nice warm, solid tone. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a 5 string, or experience with a SR905 or 705? Ibanez BTB450 Ibanez SR905 Ibanez SRX400 Brownsville ABG2CRBS Palatino VE-500 EURB Crate BX-2115L Crate BT50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 The upper-end SR's are definitely nice basses...they are not to my tastes though. The string spacing is very close, which I do not like. (Notice I said "like" and not that it's a bad thing...it depends on what you like.) There are plenty to choose from in that price range. Speaking of "likes", why don't you go out and play every 5-string that's available locally and see what YOU like? Throw away any and all preconcieved notions...go out and play 'em all...and remember to listen with your ears and not your eyes. IMHO, one of the best value-priced 5-strings is the G&L L-2500 Tribute (about $700 new or $400 used)...check one out locally if possible. It's quite different from the Ibanez SR's though. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickKline Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hey RhoadBlock, Dave said it best - "...go out and play every 5-string that's available locally and see what YOU like" That said, I've been playing Peavey Cirrus basses for about 5 years now - have a fretless 5 and a fretted 6 both in alder/maple/purpleheart. I love the broad range of sounds, the balance, and playability. I SWORE (shame on me ) that I would NEVER own a bass "with a comma in the price", but these changed my mind. Worth checking out, but follow Dave's advice - he seems like a wise person. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Look into the OLP Tony Levin model. Serious bang for the buck, they sound & play great. I'd stack mine up angainst any Ibanez out there. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edro Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 why don't you go out and play every 5-string that's available locally and see what YOU like? Besides being good advice, if you have a lot of shops in your area a lot of fun can be had testing possible new gear. :grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I'll go with Picker - the OLPs are pretty good for the money, although they usually need a proper setup by someone who knows. I have a Yamaha RBX365 which is pretty good fro the money, but has wide string spacing and hence a wide fretboard. This started to cause me tendonitis in my fretting hand, so I bought Hohner 'B' bass. I already had a Hohner 'JJ', so I'm pretty happy with the Hohner Professional series of basses - they are much better than people generally suppose. The 'B' has a narrower neck, is neck-thru' body and has EMG-licensed pickups and pre-amp. For what I do it's pretty damn good. However, I currently also have an Ibanez Roadstar II *and* a Westone Thunder III Fretless, both of which I have strung B-E-A-D and lets me use a 4 string neck. I'm currently using them both and not taking the 5 at all. Just a thought. Geoff "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the World will know Peace": Jimi Hendrix http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=738517&content=music The Geoff - blame Caevan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yourlord Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 To tell you the truth, I just got in a new Brice HXB-405 5 string fretless. This thing cost $280 shipped. It's been a very pleasant surprise so far. It had a bad pot when I got it, which they sent me a replacement for and that has been fixed. Other than that this thing is solid as steel, light, very well balanced, and sounds and plays fantastic with decent strings (the flats they ship on it are horrible). For the money I'd buy it again.. I'd buy it again even if it cost more.. Here's a pic: http://www.delusionalmind.com/equip/brice_front_032407.jpg Feel free to visit my band's site Delusional Mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BargeOn Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Ever paid any attention to ESP basses? I never did until I went shopping for my first 5 string and got the B-155. Street price is usually around $300. Your description fits this bass, warm, solid, sweet. I didn't want to spend a lot and there are quite a few good ones out there. No kick against Yamaha or Ibanez but the ESP stacks up well. If that is your price point, check them out if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Play a bunch of them. There are lots of nice choices at all price ranges. Also, don't forget Carvin, which you won't see in stores but should consider. Peace. --s-uu spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Y'know, that Brice (should be Bryce) looks *really* nice. G. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the World will know Peace": Jimi Hendrix http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=738517&content=music The Geoff - blame Caevan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 With a five, there are many varieties of string spacings, neck profiles, and body size/weights. You can select a bass "unplayed", but it's not easy. If you know something about the dimensions and "feel" that you want, it will help. I had tried some ESP basses a while back - they were clearly low end models and I didn't care for them. I think they've stepped up a bit - I'll have to find some and try again. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhoadBlock Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 Nice. Thanks for all the bass models to look for. I went and got a chance to play some 5 strings today. I played some Warwicks, Fenders, and Brownsvilles but wasn't too impressed personally with their sounds or feel, or both. I gotta say, though, the Ibanez SR905 was pretty sweet. The Bartolini pickups made for a nice variety of tones that I could choose from. It sounded nice and felt comfortable. Only thing is the higher price. I'll have to double check for some ESP basses. I want to try them as well (especially if they sound as good for cheaper). I didn't see any OLP basses though. I'm gonna have to check more this Saturday when I go back to play. Ibanez BTB450 Ibanez SR905 Ibanez SRX400 Brownsville ABG2CRBS Palatino VE-500 EURB Crate BX-2115L Crate BT50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 why don't you go out and play every 5-string that's available locally and see what YOU like? Besides being good advice, if you have a lot of shops in your area a lot of fun can be had testing possible new gear. :grin: Indeed! The hunt is part of the fun! :grin: And if you don't know what you like, then trying different stuff will often help you figure out what you do like. Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Nice. Thanks for all the bass models to look for. I went and got a chance to play some 5 strings today. I played some Warwicks, Fenders, and Brownsvilles but wasn't too impressed personally with their sounds or feel, or both. I gotta say, though, the Ibanez SR905 was pretty sweet. The Bartolini pickups made for a nice variety of tones that I could choose from. It sounded nice and felt comfortable. Only thing is the higher price. I'll have to double check for some ESP basses. I want to try them as well (especially if they sound as good for cheaper). I didn't see any OLP basses though. I'm gonna have to check more this Saturday when I go back to play. Cool deal, you are finding what you like. If you played a Brownsville, it must have been at a Sam Ash. They should have the ESP's too. I played one of the higher end ESP's side-by-side when I bought my Tobias Killer B...tonally, you could get similar things out of them, but there was no comparison in the articulation...I went home with the Tobias. That said, the higher end ESP was a quite nice bass. If I recall though, the Ibanez has a slightly more articulate sound (not sure that's important to you however)...more concentration in the upper mids, where I recall the ESP having more concentration in the lower mids. (I could have faulty memory though!) Regardless, go play some more...if there's a Guitar Center nearby, hit that too. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhoadBlock Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 Yeah, good call. The Sam Ash in Tampa. I'll definitely look into some ESP's to see if I like them. I'm going to Guitar Center and Sam Ash-Clearwater this weekend too. I'm sure I'll post my new findings and opinions on more 5-strings as I play them. Ibanez BTB450 Ibanez SR905 Ibanez SRX400 Brownsville ABG2CRBS Palatino VE-500 EURB Crate BX-2115L Crate BT50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Trying as many basses as possible is the best route to go. I'm not too crazy about what the so-called "super stores" usually have in stock, but they'll have some competitive prices. I know that there's also Bass Central in the Orlando area, and that always gets some mention whenever bass shopping in Florida comes up. Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Don't foget Yamaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I have an Ibanez Sr 1005, older model (96) without the bartolini pickups, it is a very nice instrument but lacks output. Also try some Spectors, I have mine from Europe series and couldn't be happier www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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