5 String Bass - Thin & Fast Neck
Debi
I've no local retailers to actually try but I am going to London next week
so I'm hoping, armed with your advice/suggestions, it will make my job a
little easier.
Basically I want to by a 5 string bass but I've only got small hands so I'd
really like a thin & fast neck.
I found an Ibanez SR505 on eBay which appears to fit the bill on paper (Item
No: 380152138467) but are there any other makes/models I should be looking
at?
I can afford to pay around �500 but I will pay extra for something a bit
more special.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Kindest regards,
Debi :-)
suds mcduff
----Fender Jazz 5's have a thin and "fast" neck.....
241mm neck radius..
compared to 305mm on the Ibenez sr605....
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SR605-5String-Bass-Guitar?sku=580529
----needless to say, you've got to play both, preferably through your
rig....
dusto...@mac.com
I don't know if you'll see a Lakland fiver in the UK but I've seen one
Skyline five-string that might have suited you in spite of the 35"
scale.
The first one I tried had a neck that was thin & fast, in spades,
Since then, I've sampled another one that had a somewhat clubby neck.
The one I should have bought, just to rub it in a little, was also
just feather light and hung on me just right for standing-up playing,
had very nice fretwork and Bartolini pickups with what seemed to be
(from just a quick tire-kick) quite a variety of tones available. --D-
y
dusto...@mac.com
Well, daggone it, I was only meaning "rub it in" for me, not you.
Apologies.
I went and glanced; Lakland does have a presence in the UK. The
MusicMan/Jazz pickup configuration is pretty pricey, around £1300;
there's a two-soapbar pickup version that might (guessing) be about
£300 cheaper, new. I didn't see one of those on a pricelist. But a
nice used one might be found in your price range.
The thing about these Laklands is, they are reported to uniformly have
strong B (or however tuned, "low") strings, where some 34" scale
basses do not have excellent B's, and that's what you're buying a
fiver for, right <g>?
I A/B'd that Lakland V against a G&L V, and even though I have two
early G&L four-stringers that I really like, I played about three
notes on the G&L and put it back in the rack. Awful, flabby B string.
Some Fenders, even the "offshore" variants, have been reported here to
have fully functional B strings, and those I believe are 34" scale.
Lots cheaper probably than the Lakland.
Good luck!
--D-y
Derek Tearne
> ----Fender Jazz 5's have a thin and "fast" neck.....
>
> 241mm neck radius..
> compared to 305mm on the Ibenez sr605....
When guitar manufacturers talk about radius they are generally talking
about the fingerboard radius not the profile or thickness of the neck.
So this means the Ibanez has a flatter fingerboard.
On the Ibanez website they helpfully show all the neck dimensions -
including thickness - something Fender and other manufacturers don't
bother doing. It certainly looks like a thin neck to me. Whether it
feels 'fast' is, I would say, more to do with finish and profile than
absolute thickness.
> ----needless to say, you've got to play both, preferably through your
> rig....
Of course, getting that to London might be a problem...
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S - improvisation from Aotearoa/New Zealand
http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
Derek Tearne
> Hi Guys,
>
> I've no local retailers to actually try but I am going to London next week
> so I'm hoping, armed with your advice/suggestions, it will make my job a
> little easier.
It's a shame the London Bass centre is now internet only. Until
recently that would have been the place to go. Is there nothing similar
left in Britain now?
According to their website they now operate by internet, mail order and
'by appointment' - it might be interesting to know what that means. If
you're making the trip with the intention of coming back with a bass
they might line up a few basses for you in their warehouse or something.
Otherwise there's always Denmark Street - which has several instrument
shops near to each other. I used to find them particularly overpriced -
but times change.
eadg
news:yPGdnXK_I-wOGMzW...@pipex.net...
There's a lot to choose from, and �500 is a good bargaining
tool if you shop at a retailers and have the annoying habit
of strumming away with a wad of �20s whilst making your mind
up...
For playability I'd suggest a used Musicman or a Fender if
it's an investment, or a BB-type Yamaha or mid-range Warwick
brand new off the web otherwise...you won't be disappointed
either way.
Hand size is moot to me (I have hands like shovels but I'm
regularly embarrassed by waif-like girls weilding 4/4 upright
basses, with a 'C' extension), how it sounds comes first;
your ears will always have the final say.
--
SR
co...@flashback-theband.com
I've tried. I now have three, a fretless four, a fretted four and a fretted 5. They
have another notable feature.....the fours weigh in at about 7 lbs.
Stipo
Debi
appreciated!
Kindest regards,
Debi :-)
"Debi" <De...@uk.com> wrote in message
news:yPGdnXK_I-wOGMzW...@pipex.net...
Mike Fleming
<De...@uk.com> writes:
> Basically I want to by a 5 string bass but I've only got small hands so I'd
> really like a thin & fast neck.
>
> I found an Ibanez SR505 on eBay which appears to fit the bill on paper (Item
> No: 380152138467) but are there any other makes/models I should be looking
> at?
Peavey Grind. That's the nicest of the readily-available 5-string
necks you'll find. The Cirrus is more expensive and a little less slim
and shallow. Don't bother with the Fender Vs, they're dreadful clunky
things. Come to think of it, it might be worth checking out Warwick
Rockbasses - Warwick say they've slimmed the profile down on this
year's models (5-string Warwick necks used to be as bad as Fender
necks, haven't tried the current ones).
If you happen to encounter a Mazeti, that's well worth trying. It's
highly unlikely that you'll encounter an Antoniotsai, but if you do,
give that a try.
--
Mike Fleming
Mike Fleming
<don't...@it.com> writes:
> Hand size is moot to me (I have hands like shovels but I'm
> regularly embarrassed by waif-like girls weilding 4/4 upright
> basses, with a 'C' extension), how it sounds comes first;
The playability is the most important thing to me. If it really sounds
bad due to the electronics, that can be sorted. If it really plays
badly due to the neck profile, that's a lot more difficult to sort.
--
Mike Fleming
MegaSwing
I once owned a Pedulla Rapture J2 five-string that had a crazy thin
neck that felt really good in my hands. I didn't fully realize how
thin it was until I got a Fender Roscoe Beck 5 that was solid as could
be but felt like a log in comparison.
Two big things about the Pedulla (and should be things to consider
when looking for thin necks): It had an extremely musical B string,
perhaps the best I have had, AND the neck was extremely stable; I only
needed to tweak it twice in five years (and I am pretty particular
about string heights and neck relief, as well as live in a climate
that has extremes). Both are equally important things to consider.
Flabby, one-dimensional B strings are a hinderance, whether its in the
mix or in your playing. Also, a B string saps the power out of a lot
of amps. Might as well choose a nice-sounding B. Plenty of amp power
is essential.
Necks that need constant tweaking are a bother. I try to avoid these
divas. There are too many fish in the sea to put up with that.
I've seen some crazy good Ibanezes, and some that I would use for
wheel chocks. Build quality is generally very good, occasionally
clunky. Know exactly what you are looking for in terms of the range
of possibilties: Woods, shapes, electronics, finishes, etc.
The research you're doing here is important, because other players may
have useful experience to impart. My own is subjective, but based on
practical experience. All research you do into the subject will help,
even ads. In the end, you have decide if it's an instrument you want
enough to keep. It can be complicated.
Know the warranty. Pay accordingly.
If you see a Pedulla, check it out. The Rapture J2-5 is often a
tremendous used buy and sounds like a good match for you.
YMMV.
Edward G.
Baltimore, MD
geoff
I once had a 5-string Rickenbacker that had a neck so slender (normal) and 5
strings that were too close (normal '4' width ?) for me to play - sounds
like something like that may suite you...
geoff
suds mcduff
> In article <yPGdnXK_I-wOGMzW...@pipex.net>, "Debi"
> <De...@uk.com> writes:
>
>> Basically I want to by a 5 string bass but I've only got small hands so I'd
>> really like a thin & fast neck.
>>
>> I found an Ibanez SR505 on eBay which appears to fit the bill on paper (Item
>> No: 380152138467) but are there any other makes/models I should be looking
>> at?
>
> Peavey Grind. That's the nicest of the readily-available 5-string
> necks you'll find. The Cirrus is more expensive and a little less slim
> and shallow. Don't bother with the Fender Vs, they're dreadful clunky
> things.
---Maybe my 5 is the exception, but at our studio, I've had occasion to
play Warwick and Ernie Ball 5's, and I must say my Fender 5 is easier to
play..perhaps that's just muscle memory, though...
Come to think of it, it might be worth checking out Warwick
> Rockbasses - Warwick say they've slimmed the profile down on this
> year's models (5-string Warwick necks used to be as bad as Fender
> necks, haven't tried the current ones).
----Aren't Warwicks more expensive than Fenders?
suds mcduff
> suds mcduff <sudsmcd...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> ----Fender Jazz 5's have a thin and "fast" neck.....
>>
>> 241mm neck radius..
>
>> compared to 305mm on the Ibenez sr605....
>
> When guitar manufacturers talk about radius they are generally talking
> about the fingerboard radius not the profile or thickness of the neck.
> So this means the Ibanez has a flatter fingerboard.
----Thanks for the info. How about the width of the fingerboard?
> On the Ibanez website they helpfully show all the neck dimensions -
> including thickness - something Fender and other manufacturers don't
> bother doing. It certainly looks like a thin neck to me. Whether it
> feels 'fast' is, I would say, more to do with finish and profile than
> absolute thickness.
>
>> ----needless to say, you've got to play both, preferably through your
>> rig....
>
>
> Of course, getting that to London might be a problem...
---I'm sure she can probably find a reasonable facsimile...
Mike Fleming
<sudsmcd...@gmail.com> writes:
> Mike Fleming wrote:
>
> > Come to think of it, it might be worth checking out Warwick
> > Rockbasses - Warwick say they've slimmed the profile down on this
> > year's models (5-string Warwick necks used to be as bad as Fender
> > necks, haven't tried the current ones).
>
> ----Aren't Warwicks more expensive than Fenders?
Not the Rockbasses, they're the equivalent of Squiers. Bolt-on maple
necks rather than neck-through or bolt-on multi-laminate necks.
--
Mike Fleming
The BorgMan
news:yPGdnXK_I-wOGMzW...@pipex.net:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I've no local retailers to actually try but I am going to London next
> week so I'm hoping, armed with your advice/suggestions, it will make
> my job a little easier.
>
> Basically I want to by a 5 string bass but I've only got small hands
> so I'd really like a thin & fast neck.
>
> I found an Ibanez SR505 on eBay which appears to fit the bill on paper
> (Item No: 380152138467) but are there any other makes/models I should
> be looking at?
For thin/narrow necked 5 strings -
Ibanez
Fender MB-5 (Not Squier, Fender MIJ)
SX (Essex) SJB-62
--
Aaron
Derek Tearne
> Derek Tearne wrote:
> > suds mcduff <sudsmcd...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> ----Fender Jazz 5's have a thin and "fast" neck.....
> >>
> >> 241mm neck radius..
> >
> >> compared to 305mm on the Ibenez sr605....
> >
> > When guitar manufacturers talk about radius they are generally talking
> > about the fingerboard radius not the profile or thickness of the neck.
> > So this means the Ibanez has a flatter fingerboard.
>
> ----Thanks for the info. How about the width of the fingerboard?
At the nut the Ibanez is thinner - Fender can't be bothered to mention
the width at the 12th fret - even though that's a fairly important
measurement - although to be fair Ibanez list the width at the last fret
instead - which is not so great for comparison either (the ibanez is a
24 fret bass).
Golem
is a plea for playability. I'm kinda klutzy, maybe
cuz I play normal bass even tho I'm left handed.
Anywho, my klutziness led me to find that only
a wideneck [19mm/3/4" spaced] 5-string would
play well in my hands .... until I met a Spector
5-string. It has fairly narrow spacing and a 35"
scale, and it was my "breakthrough" bass for
5-strings without needing a neck as wide as a
6-lane highway.
So if you encounter a Spector 5-string, check
it out. I'll not quote any neck dimensions cuz
the point here is that it's fairly narrow and very
easy to play, at least per my experience above.
Mine is a bolt-on. I don't expect you will find a
neck-thru for 500, but I would spoze neck-thru
might be even a bit easier to play ?
Derek Tearne
> There has already been mention that "thin-fast"
> is a plea for playability. I'm kinda klutzy, maybe
> cuz I play normal bass even tho I'm left handed.
>
> Anywho, my klutziness led me to find that only
> a wideneck [19mm/3/4" spaced] 5-string would
> play well in my hands .... until I met a Spector
> 5-string. It has fairly narrow spacing and a 35"
> scale, and it was my "breakthrough" bass for
> 5-strings without needing a neck as wide as a
> 6-lane highway.
This is an important point. Most people assume that playability is as
simple as thin = fast and narrow = easier
This isn't necessarily the case - identical necks with different neck
profile or fingerboard radius can feel quite different - and a wide neck
fat neck with a profile that suits ones playing style/hand capabilities
may well be faster and easier than a thinner/narrower one with a
different neck profile.
Which is why it's important to try as many different basses as possible
- even ones you don't think you will want to buy or feel won't suit you
for some reason.
Golem
Many players "fear" the tone of a carbon
fibre composite neck ["worse" yet, a whole
bass], but the incredible strength of these
composites allows neck profiles that are a
real dream to play. Not only can they have
a profile thaz difficult or nearly impossible
to render in wood, but once you carefully
set them up ... and anyone with playability
goals WILL want a careful set up ... you
get to enjoy that set up exactly as you want
it with no reactions to climate, seasons, etc.
I must admit that I've found it hard to grasp
what most players want under the left hand
[double entendre acknowledged]. Since I'm
a lefty playing normal instruments, my right
hand can feel kinda klutzy, but my left hand
is my "neck hand" and thaz my good hand,
so I'm left to wonder just what kind of neck
designs help right handed players deal with
managing the neck with their "wrong" hand.
Derek Tearne
> so I'm left to wonder just what kind of neck
> designs help right handed players deal with
> managing the neck with their "wrong" hand.
After playing stringed instruments, mostly bass, for 30 years, and
spending much of my time at computer keyboards, I'm no longer sure there
is any functional difference between the two hands. Except for
handwriting - which is illegible with the left hand - my you it is
illegible with the right hand also.
Having broken my left elbow it's now very clear (sometimes painfully)
exactly how much I do during the day with my left hand. Essentially I
will use whichever hand is closest to do any given task.
I'm sure I wasn't this ambidextrous when I started out playing and
typing.
Are there any other players here with similar experiences?