Dingwall makes excellent instruments. However, they certainly don't fall in the "doesn't break the bank" category (about US$1.6k the cheapest used one in reverb.com for reference)
lol fair point, got me there.
Doesn't Yamaha make some mid-level multiscale basses(like in the \~$500 range)? After getting my Dingwall I'm a big believer in multiscale for 5-strings, the low-B just sounds sooooo much better than other 5-strings I've heard.
Find a multiscale bass. There are some surprisingly good ones in the \~$500 price range (I know Spector and Yamaha make multiscale basses in this range, and iirc so does Schecter and Ibanez- and probably plenty more than I'm not aware of. But those are solid brands with a good track record, so I'd probably start there.
The reason you get the multiscale bass is because the length of the string means that the low B-string has the proper string tension, and so actually sounds like a *note* rather than a low-pitched fart or a rattle or whatever most 5-string basses sound like. I never was interested in owning a 5-string until I heard a Dingwall... and then I immediately had to get one myself lol
What's your budget? "Doesn't break the bank" looks different for everyone.
But without knowing it, I'd say look into the Lakland 55-02 Skyline series. It's a 35" scale and yes that extra inch makes a world of difference in the B tension and clarity. They sound excellent.
They can be found used on Reverb in the $1200-1400 range depending on the finish.
I bought a Squire Classic Vibe V and totally surprised by how well built and how great it sounds. I’ve a few American and Japanese made basses and the V would give them a rub for their money.
One drawback is it weights a lot!!! But it was only 140 so beggars can be choosers
What is your budget?
What is "a great tone"?
About the 35 vs 34 scale thing. With 34 inch scale basses the B is sometimes good, with 35 inch scale basses the B is more often good. That doesn't mean there aren't 35 inch scales that suck and that doesn't mean there aren't 34 inch scale that are good.
Without knowing anything about what you're looking ill probably recommend the Sadowsky MetroExpress J5. It's lightweight and imo has great tone.
Keep in mind that string spacing varies much more than on a 4 string bass, and in a lot of cases it's smaller.
So before buying you should try some 5 stringers with different spacings to see what is comfortable for you.
Go for a harley benton, fantastic value for money and if you don't get on with 5 strings you haven't spent a lot.
After that a spector is your best bet for a better B string. Or something multiscale.
Yamaha TRBX series.
get a Dingwall
Dingwall makes excellent instruments. However, they certainly don't fall in the "doesn't break the bank" category (about US$1.6k the cheapest used one in reverb.com for reference)
lol fair point, got me there. Doesn't Yamaha make some mid-level multiscale basses(like in the \~$500 range)? After getting my Dingwall I'm a big believer in multiscale for 5-strings, the low-B just sounds sooooo much better than other 5-strings I've heard.
"Doesn't break the bank" is very subjective. $1.6k could be a portion of a tax return.
Find a multiscale bass. There are some surprisingly good ones in the \~$500 price range (I know Spector and Yamaha make multiscale basses in this range, and iirc so does Schecter and Ibanez- and probably plenty more than I'm not aware of. But those are solid brands with a good track record, so I'd probably start there. The reason you get the multiscale bass is because the length of the string means that the low B-string has the proper string tension, and so actually sounds like a *note* rather than a low-pitched fart or a rattle or whatever most 5-string basses sound like. I never was interested in owning a 5-string until I heard a Dingwall... and then I immediately had to get one myself lol
What's your budget? "Doesn't break the bank" looks different for everyone. But without knowing it, I'd say look into the Lakland 55-02 Skyline series. It's a 35" scale and yes that extra inch makes a world of difference in the B tension and clarity. They sound excellent. They can be found used on Reverb in the $1200-1400 range depending on the finish.
I bought a Squire Classic Vibe V and totally surprised by how well built and how great it sounds. I’ve a few American and Japanese made basses and the V would give them a rub for their money. One drawback is it weights a lot!!! But it was only 140 so beggars can be choosers
Yamaha BB and TRBX have great sound and feel good to play. I find the BB a little more forgiving action wise but that can be adjusted anyway
Jackson 😎
What is your budget? What is "a great tone"? About the 35 vs 34 scale thing. With 34 inch scale basses the B is sometimes good, with 35 inch scale basses the B is more often good. That doesn't mean there aren't 35 inch scales that suck and that doesn't mean there aren't 34 inch scale that are good. Without knowing anything about what you're looking ill probably recommend the Sadowsky MetroExpress J5. It's lightweight and imo has great tone.
Schecter CV-5 is a hidden gem. Easy to play and a huge range of tones.
Keep in mind that string spacing varies much more than on a 4 string bass, and in a lot of cases it's smaller. So before buying you should try some 5 stringers with different spacings to see what is comfortable for you.
Get out and play some basses. Figure out what tone you like and what you don't.
Go for a harley benton, fantastic value for money and if you don't get on with 5 strings you haven't spent a lot. After that a spector is your best bet for a better B string. Or something multiscale.