Worth Buying?

Resonance129

Resonance129

Feb 15, 2011
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#1
I've been searching for a decent 5 string option recently, and really thought about saving for something really nice. Considering a Warwick Thumb BO or a Ibanez 1405E. But the more I thought about it, I LOVE playin 4-string so much (probably because that's how I got started), and I really think I'd rather get a "standard" or less expensive 5'r for now, and save up for a really nice 4. If I fall in love with playing a 5'r, I'll save up for a nicer option, later.

Well today, I stoped in a local pawn shop that sells music instruments exclusively. He only had 2 basses in the shop: A Hofner-like violin bass and a MIM Fender Jazz V. Didn't pay the violin bass much attention, but I played the Fender and liked it quite a bit (didn't think to snap a pic of it). It was priced at $395 which seems to be a pretty good price, but the input jack was wiggly and seemed to have a short in it. When I pulled on the cable, even a little, I got no sound.

Doubtful the store owner will have it fixed before sale, so my question is: Would it be worth buying it at $395 and getting it fixed? I'm not sure how much an input jack repair or replacement would cost me, or how much trouble it would be for me to attempt on my own, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if someone could tell me if that price is right.

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
#5
KeithAlanK said:
In output jack is just about the easiest and cheapest fix there is.
$4 part, 10 minutes. It probably just needs the solder re-done, and a wrench to tighten.

If you love 4 strings but want to go lower, consider modding a bass for BEAD tuning.
Works great for me and a few of my friends.
Click to expand...

Good to know. The bass was in seemingly good shape, otherwise. Didn't think it was that simple a fix. Figured there was some re-wiring necessary. I've changed out pickups once, and I understand the soldering process relatively well. Just haven't looked into what the input jack fix would take yet.

And I don't think I'd want to modify any of my 4's. I like em all as 4's for various reasons. Really just getting a 5 to get some lower notes for the band I'm in. If I end up falling in lover with the 5, I'll sell the cheap one I buy and upgrade. For now, I just wanna add to the stable.
 
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#6
I think you're in a good mind state. I was in a similar position and pulled the trigger on an American V J bass. Now I have this super expensive bass that I don't take out of the house very much. Prolly gonna sell it at a big loss and buy a cheap 5 and a new P bass 4... Point of the story is: make sure you're not a complete four string junkie like me before buying an expensive 5.
 
#7
eJake said:
I think you're in a good mind state. I was in a similar position and pulled the trigger on an American V J bass. Now I have this super expensive bass that I don't take out of the house very much. Prolly gonna sell it at a big loss and buy a cheap 5 and a new P bass 4... Point of the story is: make sure you're not a complete four string junkie like me before buying an expensive 5.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's taken me a while to realize "Hey, I'm a 4-string guy", and be ok with it lol.
I wanted to force the 5-string thing because, let's face it, it's really cool to have that low B sometimes. But I decided to be practical with myself and just try an inexpensive 5'r in a band setting first and see how that goes. Wanna save the "high-quality money" for a really nice 4.
 
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#8
I started off like you some 6 years ago, playing 4-strings. Because of a power trio I joined some 1.5 years ago, I got a 5er (a new MTD Kingston, which cost around 850 bucks...very affordable by Swiss standards) and went into the shed non-stop until I got used to it. Slowly but surely I got a second 5er and started playing in my covers band. And yesterday I traded my 1 but last 4-string bass for a Warwick Streamer LX 5. Will never look back.

On the other hand, it needs to work for you. I'm convinced there are 5-string people and 4-string people. My first 5-string was a "cheaper" model, as i didn't want to commit to a large investment. It wasn't a year after that, that I bought a Dingwall NG2, and quite recently I snapped an Ibanez GWB fretless.

If I were you, I'd try an affordable 5-string, and seriously work on it until it feels natural. You have to insist, it doesn't come naturally if you're very used to 4 strings.
 
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#11
FerK said:
I started off like you some 6 years ago, playing 4-strings. Because of a power trio I joined some 1.5 years ago, I got a 5er (a new MTD Kingston, which cost around 850 bucks...very affordable by Swiss standards) and went into the shed non-stop until I got used to it. Slowly but surely I got a second 5er and started playing in my covers band. And yesterday I traded my 1 but last 4-string bass for a Warwick Streamer LX 5. Will never look back.

On the other hand, it needs to work for you. I'm convinced there are 5-string people and 4-string people. My first 5-string was a "cheaper" model, as i didn't want to commit to a large investment. It wasn't a year after that, that I bought a Dingwall NG2, and quite recently I snapped an Ibanez GWB fretless.

If I were you, I'd try an affordable 5-string, and seriously work on it until it feels natural. You have to insist, it doesn't come naturally if you're very used to 4 strings.
Click to expand...

Ha, that's exactly where my mind is at these days. I had a 5-string Spector Legend that I'd gotten from my cousin who'd stopped playing, but I hated the thing and eventually sold it. I don't regret selling it as I couldn't get comfy with it (plus, it was heavy), but I definitely want to have a 5-string in my house to really shed/play with.
At the end of the day, I feel like I'm one of those 4-string purists, but I haven't given 5's a fair enough chance yet to know. Hopefully, I'll be able to get something pretty soon and start getting a feel for that extra string. May end up loving it.
 
#12
M0ses said:
The jack is definitely a simple fix and probably wouldn't cost you much to get it done.
But $395 is probably significantly too steep for a pawn shop MIM that needs work.
Click to expand...

I'm actually gonna try and haggle him down a bit, especially considering it's got an issue. Hell, even if it were in perfect condition, I'd be hesitant to pay close to retail for a used instrument.
If I can get him down to closer to $300, I may snag it and fix it up.
If not, I'll just keep looking. I'm in no MAJOR rush, although the sooner I can get one, the better.
 
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#13
Bill Whitehurst said:
I didn't know if I would get along with a 5er.
To find out, I got a used Squier five string Jazz
for the princely sum of $115.
Turns out I do get along with 5 strings.
Still have the Squier and a Cirrus 5 to go with it.
Click to expand...


I actually found a Squier VM 5 online for a little over $200. Sent the guy a message. Hopefully, he'll get back to me and I can be done with it. Squier really makes some impressive stuff in the VM and CV lines.
 
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#14
Resonance129 said:
I'm actually gonna try and haggle him down a bit, especially considering it's got an issue. Hell, even if it were in perfect condition, I'd be hesitant to pay close to retail for a used instrument.
If I can get him down to closer to $300, I may snag it and fix it up.
If not, I'll just keep looking. I'm in no MAJOR rush, although the sooner I can get one, the better.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan. You don't say what year it is. Check the serial number. It will start with MX. The next two numbers are the year. If it is in good shape, has a straight neck, the fretwork is well done and the only issue is the easily repairable jack, I think somewhere between $300 and $350 wouldn't be that bad for a fiver. Anything more than ten years old though, be careful. But if you like it, and it sounds good, what the heck.

I frequent pawn shops just to see what I might find. I've bought two basses from pawns. In both instances, they had been there for more than three months. I haggled one down $75 and bought it for $125, tax included (an Epi Goth Tbird). The other by $50; got it for either $250 or $275, tax included, can't recall specifically (an Ibenez EDB 500 with a perfect, super sweet neck). The latter came with a like new case that retails at $125. Pawns that deal in instruments typically try to sell them at the current price for that instrument listed on Reverb. But they got it for 50% or less than that amount. There is a lot of wiggle room for them. The longer it hangs in the shop, the better the deal you can make.
 
#16
MCF said:
Sounds like a plan. You don't say what year it is. Check the serial number. It will start with MX. The next two numbers are the year. If it is in good shape, has a straight neck, the fretwork is well done and the only issue is the easily repairable jack, I think somewhere between $300 and $350 wouldn't be that bad for a fiver. Anything more than ten years old though, be careful. But if you like it, and it sounds good, what the heck.

I frequent pawn shops just to see what I might find. I've bought two basses from pawns. In both instances, they had been there for more than three months. I haggled one down $75 and bought it for $125, tax included (an Epi Goth Tbird). The other by $50; got it for either $250 or $275, tax included, can't recall specifically (an Ibenez EDB 500 with a perfect, super sweet neck). The latter came with a like new case that retails at $125. Pawns that deal in instruments typically try to sell them at the current price for that instrument listed on Reverb. But they got it for 50% or less than that amount. There is a lot of wiggle room for them. The longer it hangs in the shop, the better the deal you can make.
Click to expand...


Didn't think to take pics or check for year until I got home. Unfortunate, but I plan to check when I go back to haggle. Everything else on the bass seemed fine though - neck was pretty straight, action was a bit high for my taste but not incredibly so, frets didn't look entirely chewed up. Bridge was dirty and the input was obviously faulty, but aside from that, it was cool. Nice color, too (burgundy wine kinda color).

And yeah, I've read a few stories on TB about great deals found in pawn shops so I'm making it a point to check pawn shops out whenever I want something non-specific like "a five string bass" lol. Seems like a potentially decent route to take.
 
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#17
Resonance129 said:
Yeah, it's taken me a while to realize "Hey, I'm a 4-string guy", and be ok with it lol.
I wanted to force the 5-string thing because, let's face it, it's really cool to have that low B sometimes. But I decided to be practical with myself and just try an inexpensive 5'r in a band setting first and see how that goes. Wanna save the "high-quality money" for a really nice 4.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan...
 
#19
Reedt2000 said:
If you liked the feel of the 5 string J bass the squier vintage modified version is less than $400 brand new.
Click to expand...


Ha, I actually just "won" the bid for the 2016 Squier VM Jazz V that I found on Reverb.
The guy had it posted up for $235 which, in my opinion, is pretty good. But I made an offer for $200 even. Just got home a few minutes ago and found out he accepted my offer for $200 :D. And no shipping charges because he lives only a few cities south of me. Planning to go pick it up a little later in the week (we're workin out the details, now)

Won't be going back to that pawn shop for a little while.
 
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#20
Resonance129 said:
Ha, I actually just "won" the bid for the 2016 Squier VM Jazz V that I found on Reverb.
The guy had it posted up for $235 which, in my opinion, is pretty good. But I made an offer for $200 even. Just got home a few minutes ago and found out he accepted my offer for $200 :D. And no shipping charges because he lives only a few cities south of me. Planning to go pick it up a little later in the week (we're workin out the details, now)

Won't be going back to that pawn shop for a little while.
Click to expand...
Nice! I've heard nothing but good things about the v modified series. And really the fender designs are so simple and proven to sound good that if you get one that plays good you're just a pickup swap away from a high end bass.
 
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