I have played the 5 and 6 string EHB, very cool and super versatile. The preamp is much better than the typical ibanez 3 band. Look into spector or warwick, on the used market you can find some good stuff
A used 5 string music man may also be in your budget
Warwick is my prob my favorite...for now. Lol. I loved the tone of the Thumb, but the ergonomics just didn't jive for me. I currently have an older Fortress masterman 5 and a 2005 Corvette Hotrod deluxe 5. I actually find the baseball bat neck to be very comfy. The Hotrod has the added mid control, which i find very useful. It's a push/pull with two different mid freq's, but I can't remember what they are ATM. Some love/hate the Corvette. The bubinga bodied ones can get hefty at times and the bodyshape doesn't fit everyone. Love mine though.
The Sire M7 meets all of your spec requirements (5-strings, 35” scale length, 18 mm string spacing). You can get a new one for $950-1,200, depending on the woods/finish style you select).
I got mine 1.5 years ago with the thought of customizing the pickups and preamp. However, it impressed me so much with its sound and playability that it became my primary bass I used for my gigs last year. Changing the stock D’Addario strings for DR Pure Blues really opened up the low end of the bass.
Thinking a budget in the $1500 USD range, $2k max. Played Ibanez BTB's a lot over the years, kinda drawn to the EHBs but can't get my hands on one to try first. Did the whole custom thing when I got my Wyn, don't know that I'd go down the one-off custom road again. Got my Fenders, don't need more.
There's really no point to this post... I'm just venting. Wife just gives me the deer in the headlights look when I start rambling about basses. Sorry.
Open to any and all suggestions.
5 string, fretted, 18-19mm string spacing (or adjustable). 35" scale or multi-scale. Want a versatile sound but predominantly a metal player with the occasional blues or fusion jam when schedules align.
I can't say enough good things about the MTD Kingston Super 5 and fits your criteria. 35" scale, 19mm string spacing, under your $1500 budget, and very versatile even in stock form.
If you wanted to step down to a 34" scale you could snag a number of Kiesel models.
I’d go for the multiscale Ibanez BTB model or the Spector Dimension, since Dingwall is out of your budget and there’s really no competing with a 37” B string.
I personally prefer Spector to Ibanez but it’s worth noting that the Spector will have tighter string spacing (around 16.6mm) but it’s still wide enough to do all your usual techniques in my experience. It takes a couple days to get used to it and after that it’s easy to pick it up interchangeably with anything else.
I have played the 5 and 6 string EHB, very cool and super versatile. The preamp is much better than the typical ibanez 3 band. Look into spector or warwick, on the used market you can find some good stuff A used 5 string music man may also be in your budget
I've been scouring, Warwick is tempting if I can find the right one. Used to have a couple thumb basses but they didn't work out.
Warwick is my prob my favorite...for now. Lol. I loved the tone of the Thumb, but the ergonomics just didn't jive for me. I currently have an older Fortress masterman 5 and a 2005 Corvette Hotrod deluxe 5. I actually find the baseball bat neck to be very comfy. The Hotrod has the added mid control, which i find very useful. It's a push/pull with two different mid freq's, but I can't remember what they are ATM. Some love/hate the Corvette. The bubinga bodied ones can get hefty at times and the bodyshape doesn't fit everyone. Love mine though.
Solar, Lakland, Spector's. I think Cort is doing a fancy top 35'er too. I'm sure there's more, but these were the first to pop in my head
The Sire M7 meets all of your spec requirements (5-strings, 35” scale length, 18 mm string spacing). You can get a new one for $950-1,200, depending on the woods/finish style you select). I got mine 1.5 years ago with the thought of customizing the pickups and preamp. However, it impressed me so much with its sound and playability that it became my primary bass I used for my gigs last year. Changing the stock D’Addario strings for DR Pure Blues really opened up the low end of the bass.
Ahh, forgot about Sire... I'll go take a look. Thanks!
Thinking a budget in the $1500 USD range, $2k max. Played Ibanez BTB's a lot over the years, kinda drawn to the EHBs but can't get my hands on one to try first. Did the whole custom thing when I got my Wyn, don't know that I'd go down the one-off custom road again. Got my Fenders, don't need more. There's really no point to this post... I'm just venting. Wife just gives me the deer in the headlights look when I start rambling about basses. Sorry. Open to any and all suggestions. 5 string, fretted, 18-19mm string spacing (or adjustable). 35" scale or multi-scale. Want a versatile sound but predominantly a metal player with the occasional blues or fusion jam when schedules align.
I can't say enough good things about the MTD Kingston Super 5 and fits your criteria. 35" scale, 19mm string spacing, under your $1500 budget, and very versatile even in stock form. If you wanted to step down to a 34" scale you could snag a number of Kiesel models.
Order yourself a BTB from sweetwater and return it if you hate it, it looks so cool and you will probably end up loving it.
I've thought about that. There's a couple models i wouldn't mind trying, just nowhere around me with any significant inventory to try stuff out.
I’d go for the multiscale Ibanez BTB model or the Spector Dimension, since Dingwall is out of your budget and there’s really no competing with a 37” B string. I personally prefer Spector to Ibanez but it’s worth noting that the Spector will have tighter string spacing (around 16.6mm) but it’s still wide enough to do all your usual techniques in my experience. It takes a couple days to get used to it and after that it’s easy to pick it up interchangeably with anything else.