What do you recommend for a 5-string bass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MetalThrasher
  • Start date Start date
Any lower to mid level ($$$) 6 string bass recommendations?
 
For the money, used Carvins are great basses.
I sold mine when I sprung for a Spector though....
 
MetalThrasher said:
Thanks for all the solid advice everyone! I ordered this as a B stock for $700. Should have it by the weekend! https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...n-stingray-ray35-bass-guitar-vintage-sunburst

As I'm new to playing bass, should I start off using a pick or should I learn to use my fingers for picking? Also, what about slapping? I'm impressed as we seem to have a good amount of bass players on here!
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I would at first start with fingers just to get the basic techniques down. Don't worry about slapping and all of that until later. Don't let anyone tell you playing with a pick is wrong though...it's all personal preference and what style of music you are playing. Since you already play guitar, it will most likely come pretty easy to you. If you are going to be playing metal, you will most likely end up using a pick anyway.
 
japetus said:
Don't worry about slapping and all of that until later.
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Not only that, you will find out that slapping works better on certain style of bass guitars.

My buddy is a bass player who was plowing along for years on this modified cheap Ibanez Geo bass. He made it 'more metal'. But after a while, he wanted some more variety; bought a Hofner violin bass (the McCartney type), an acoustic bass and at a certain point he wanted a 'slapping'/allround bass. The kicker was, he's left-handed. So trying out bass guitars at a store really limits your options.
He tried a 'Lemmy' style Rickenbacker 4001...looked cool AF, but NOT a great bass guitar to start learning slapping on.
Luckily I found this cool Sandberg California bass (sort of a Jazz bass, German made) and that was exactly giving the playing style and tone what he was looking for.
 
I own ESP and Ibanez basses and can vouch for both, you can get some decent deals in the used market right now. Good luck when you start learning!
 
It comes with a set of 45-130 strings. I plan on tuning it down a whole step to A. Will the 45-130 strings work for this or should I get a heavier gauge set of strings?
 
45 to 130 is a good set. I don't want to fight the strings on my bass. Also I think if I had learning bass over again I would have started finger style then moved to a pick later if at all. Finger style just always sounds more expressive
 
I'm a Spector guy through and through... so they are always my recommendation. You should start with fingers since using a pick will probably fill more natural, but experiment and see which sound you prefer. I've primarily been a finger player during my bass playing, but the last year or so in my cover band I've been using mainly pick except for a few songs. It's hard to beat that grind. 45-130 will be fine down a step too.
 
I have to suggest the Sterling Ray series for whatever fits your price range the best also.

I used to have a Sub 4 and it was KILLER.
 
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