Haven't posted in ages but I need some advice on 5ers...

Dan B

Dan B

Oct 19, 2008
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Amherst, MA
#1
So, as the title says, I haven't posted in ages due to me relocating and getting a job. Which means, tax return season is soon and I will be having some cash to get me my first five string. Normally I play 4s; I am used to how the neck feels, where the notes are, and how the bass will respond. However, I've been thinking of getting a five for these reasons:
1: Why not?
2: A band I did try out for told me they tuned in drop A. I show up with a drop D bass and hastily drop the low E (well, D) to A so it's AADG. Not ideal. Needless to say, the project didn't pan out. I COULD get another 4 string and drop one of my existing basses to BEAD/AEAD, but I like having the G string available.
3: A 5 would be a good step forward anyway. Extra versatility doesn't hurt, right?
Anyway, this was what I was looking at:
- Sire M7.
-- It's very affordable and looks amazing.
-- I love the zillions of options that it has, though I am confused a bit by the website. Are the mini toggles split/series/parallel?

- BassMods Q5 SuperQuad
-- Again, good options for coil splitting since it has those Sims pickups, but I do not know anything much about the brand. I've heard some samples of the pickups themselves, and they do sound great, but they were in different basses.
-- It only has 21 frets; not a big deal breaker but all my other basses have 24 so it'd be a bit odd. Also, it's a 34" scale length; isn't 35 more ideal for 5s?

- Tune TWB-5EX (specifically, this one: イケベ楽器店Website　|　TUNE TWB-5 EX Hyb-II "Redwood Top"【特価】 【半期決算クリアランスセール2018】)
-- It's a new model Japanese Tune.
-- It's also the most expensive of the bunch and since it's in Japan I am not sure if shipping will come into play.
-- It's also 34".
-- However, I've been dreaming about getting a new Japanese Tune for ages.

So this is where I stand; should I go for the big Tune or save and go for the Sire or BassMods? Also, for what it is worth, there is a used Tune that I am watching on Reverb but it is an older one.
 
#5
IMO the Sire is a good 5 string bass to start on. . . . but I'm not sure you have listed a good reason for making the move to a 5er.

It seems to me that most people who sell up and go back to 4s do so because they didn't get on with the differences and had no reason to work through the awkwardness of the change over.

I only play 5s, my main bass is a Sadowsky and I'd buy a Sire if they would bring them in under 8 1/2 lbs.

Good luck dipping your toe in the 5 string bass water.
 
#6
chris_b said:
IMO the Sire is a good 5 string bass to start on. . . . but I'm not sure you have listed a good reason for making the move to a 5er.

It seems to me that most people who sell up and go back to 4s do so because they didn't get on with the differences and had no reason to work through the awkwardness of the change over.

I only play 5s, my main bass is a Sadowsky and I'd buy a Sire if they would bring them in under 8 1/2 lbs.

Good luck dipping your toe in the 5 string bass water.
Click to expand...

I do get what you are saying. I have played around with 5s in the past, usually at GTGs, trade shows, and music shops, though none long term. That said, I do feel more comfortable with them now then I was in the past. Plus, I do use the G string quite a bit, so that's a plus over a BEAD 4.

Slater said:
Go for the Tune. It seems like that’s what you really want. Hopefully you can get it shipped without having to deal CITES and all that.
Click to expand...
The Tune seems to be using normal woods, though CITES is something I will have to pay attention to since it does have an ebony board.

Alternatively, I am also looking at some higher end Ibanez BTBs though though Premium and Prestige models don't always come up for sale (I know there's the one in the Classifieds here; I am keeping an eye on it).
 
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#7
Although I am inclined to believe that strings are more important than scale
in how well the B string works, I do feel that 35s have some edge over 34 inch scale.
This would be more of a factor if dropped to A.
I'd go for a B a bit bigger than average.
Maybe in the .135 - .145 range.
Kalium can help you out, there.
Once you get used to playing 5s, you will wonder why you waited so long.
 
#9
Bill Whitehurst said:
Although I am inclined to believe that strings are more important than scale
in how well the B string works, I do feel that 35s have some edge over 34 inch scale.
This would be more of a factor if dropped to A.
I'd go for a B a bit bigger than average.
Maybe in the .135 - .145 range.
Kalium can help you out, there.
Once you get used to playing 5s, you will wonder why you waited so long.
Click to expand...
That is something I am going to think about. I use steel Dunlop rounds normally, though I will check out Kalium.

Ampslut said:
What 4 string basses do you presently play?
Click to expand...
Right now it's my Carvin Vanquish that gets the most play; my Korean made Tune needs work done (battery compartment is too small for batteries and one of the 9volt leads got ripped out of the battery connector when trying to remove said batteries; ergo, needs some wood removed) and my Schecter 4 and defretted Peavey Grind are at my parent's place currently (and the Grind also needs work since the neck is wonky). In short, all my basses are dual coils, and all but 1 are active. It's kinda one reason why I am looking at the BassMods SuperQuad since it's the most "traditional" of the basses I am looking at.
 
#11
BruceWane said:
Oh, I can say that 35" scale isn't a necessity for a 5 string; there are good B strings at 34" out there.

But it is still kinda hit-or-miss, and personally I would bet on a 35" bass to be more likely to have a good B.
Click to expand...
I lucked out or maybe they’re just good. Anyway my Jag Squier bead is just fine at 34”. Also the Squier jag 5. Also 34”. Both have great setup, so, there is that...
 
#12
Ampslut said:
So, you are looking for something somewhat hi-fi or traditional in sound.
Click to expand...
Sorry for not replying in a while.

All my basses have a modern sound to them. Not overly clicky (though they can get that way), but not what I would call traditional.

Wfrance3 said:
I lucked out or maybe they’re just good. Anyway my Jag Squier bead is just fine at 34”. Also the Squier jag 5. Also 34”. Both have great setup, so, there is that...
Click to expand...
I think that'll be the main thing. I also noticed there is a Warrior going for absurdly cheap (for a Warrior), but that Tune has my heart. Decisions, decisions.
 
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#13
I went to a 5 string for exactly the same reason you were thinking of. I got into a death metal band tuned to A standard and sometimes I drop the second string for drop C.

I have no experience with the models you are looking at though, I play Fender p-basses.

You definitely don't need a longer scale, get one if that's what you want obviously but... I went with a custom set of GHS Boomers 45,65,85,110 and 130. Just going up a little in gauge got rid of the floppiness.
 
#14
I've been playing 5 strings since 1991.
No experience with the ones you mention but I
did sit in on a friends gig and played his Ibanez 5 fan fret bass.
Very comfy and easy to play and the B string felt really good and
sounded very even wiyh the other strings.
Happy hunting.
 
#15
I've been playing 5 since the early 90's. I had a Sire V7-5 for 7 months. Sounds great, one of the best pre-amps going and the tone is right up there with any of the Fender Jazz V type basses. Fit and finish is very nice for the money. I could never bond with the neck so I ended up selling it but, you may like it just fine. My main 5 string is a StingRay 5 and as far as I'm concerned is the best 5 string available. The Ibanez ATK305 is fairly close and can be had used very reasonable.
 
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