Best 5 string with active EQ

Dirk Rockbottom

Dirk Rockbottom

Oct 30, 2012
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#1
I've decided I'm ready to graduate to a top quality instrument. My Fender Mexican 4 string Jazz is great, but I'd like to have active pickups and EQ. I've also decided to learn 5 string. I just have to have that extra low string. I was looking at MM but it seems they have limited selection. The 5HH looks like a good one. Have also been considering Warwick, Carvin and Yamaha. I like a growly, punchy sound - not too muddy, but not too high either. I'm not a slap player. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks all. -Dirk
 
#3
Between $1500 and $2000. Maybe up to $2500 if I had to. My first bass was a Ibanez Soundgear but very thin lightweight body. Just a cheapy.
I never thought to take a second look at Ibanez, thanks. I'll check them out as well as Sire.
 
#5
Dirk Rockbottom said:
Just checked the Sire Marcus Miller. Very nice. Only $889.
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Some variants are cheaper, yeah, they're starting to have a range now, but the active 5s start around $599 or so? And up for fancier models. I like my Sires so much I just ordered another - a fretless 5 P7! :) So yeah I'm biased sure but worth checking out. Some Ibby fans could tell you which models to look at, but I'm sure they have some decent entries as well, may or may not be to your tastes. :) Nice having options.
Edit: Yeah, I checked, the basic V7 Alder 5er starts at $599, 3 color choices currently orderable. They're selling so fast they're backordered again.
 
#6
Dirk Rockbottom said:
I've decided I'm ready to graduate to a top quality instrument. My Fender Mexican 4 string Jazz is great, but I'd like to have active pickups and EQ. I've also decided to learn 5 string. I just have to have that extra low string. I was looking at MM but it seems they have limited selection. The 5HH looks like a good one. Have also been considering Warwick, Carvin and Yamaha. I like a growly, punchy sound - not too muddy, but not too high either. I'm not a slap player. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks all. -Dirk
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I play Status Graphite 5ers with 18v active EQ circuits that I rather like, but those are expensive and quirky, and I'd actually suggest a different route. For one thing, if you don't yet know whether a 5er is your thing, nor what kind of active EQ is easiest for you to get the tones you like, then going directly to a high-end instrument could be hit-and-miss, and every time you buy and flip one you don't like, the hit is several hundred dollars.

Get yourself a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz 5, maybe even used. Mine cost me less than $300 new, out the door, and it's a really good instrument with excellent tone with the "Duncan Designed" Jazz PUs. Just really heavy to wear, compared to my Status gear. Then go for some after-market active PU's and EQ. For the price of one mid-range Warwick or Yamaha, you could cycle through several electronics configurations (and sell the ones you don't like on TB classifieds).
 
#7
bholder said:
Some variants are cheaper, yeah, they're starting to have a range now, but the active 5s start around $599 or so? And up for fancier models. I like my Sires so much I just ordered another - a fretless 5 P7! :) So yeah I'm biased sure but worth checking out. Some Ibby fans could tell you which models to look at, but I'm sure they have some decent entries as well, may or may not be to your tastes. :) Nice having options.
Edit: Yeah, I checked, the basic V7 Alder 5er starts at $599, 3 color choices currently orderable. They're selling so fast they're backordered again.
Click to expand...
What's better, Alder or Ash? I always get mixed up. Thanks.
 
#8
Dirk Rockbottom said:
What's better, Alder or Ash? I always get mixed up. Thanks.
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It's one of those "does it really make a difference" purely subjective matters of taste. Alder tends to be lighter and straighter grain, ash typically has wavier grain, and is somewhat stiffer. Impact on tone is arguable, some prefer ash, I doubt it matters, I have both, I think other factors make a bigger difference. Now, at Sire, ash body comes with maple fretboard, and alder with rosewood, which seems to have more impact on tone (purportedly). So you might want to choose based on which fretboard wood you want. The Vintage V7s are a few bucks more and have different colors and trim and 70's pickup position. The M7 and V9 are fancier models even. Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know. :)
 
#9
Dirk Rockbottom said:
What's better, Alder or Ash? I always get mixed up. Thanks.
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What do you think looks better? Alder will be fractionally lighter, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on whether it leads to neck dive. Contrary to a lot of hype, there's no scientific reason to believe that the choice of "tone wood" makes a significant difference in the sound of a solid-body electric instrument (search TB for flame wars on the subject, rather than start another here, please).
 
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#10
Short version: if weight is important and you don't mind plain grain or want rosewood board, get alder. If you want ash's prettier wavy grain and a brighter maple board, go Ash. Choose wisely. :)
 
#11
bholder said:
It's one of those "does it really make a difference" purely subjective matters of taste. Alder tends to be lighter and straighter grain, ash typically has wavier grain, and is somewhat stiffer. Impact on tone is arguable, some prefer ash, I doubt it matters, I have both, I think other factors make a bigger difference. Now, at Sire, ash body comes with maple fretboard, and alder with rosewood, which seems to have more impact on tone (purportedly). So you might want to choose based on which fretboard wood you want. The Vintage V7s are a few bucks more and have different colors and trim and 70's pickup position. The M7 and V9 are fancier models even. Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know. :)
Click to expand...
Definitely rosewood fretboard for me. Maple is way too percussive for my taste. Thanks.
 
#12
Dirk Rockbottom said:
Definitely rosewood fretboard for me. Maple is way too percussive for my taste. Thanks.
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The V9s have Ebony boards, too, I think. The Vintage V7s appear to all be maple with black blocks, so you'd want to skip those I guess. So sounds like Alder V7 might be your winner. ;)
 
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#13
Sid Fang said:
I play Status Graphite 5ers with 18v active EQ circuits that I rather like, but those are expensive and quirky, and I'd actually suggest a different route. For one thing, if you don't yet know whether a 5er is your thing, nor what kind of active EQ is easiest for you to get the tones you like, then going directly to a high-end instrument could be hit-and-miss, and every time you buy and flip one you don't like, the hit is several hundred dollars.

Get yourself a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz 5, maybe even used. Mine cost me less than $300 new, out the door, and it's a really good instrument with excellent tone with the "Duncan Designed" Jazz PUs. Just really heavy to wear, compared to my Status gear. Then go for some after-market active PU's and EQ. For the price of one mid-range Warwick or Yamaha, you could cycle through several electronics configurations (and sell the ones you don't like on TB classifieds).
Click to expand...
I'd rather stay away from single coil Jazz pu 's. Too noisy. Prefer humbuckers. Thanks.
 
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