Best string bass on Reddit
235 reviews from r/Bass, r/BassGuitar, r/Deathcore and 4 more subreddits
235 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ibanez
4.4
(33)
"I would go with an Ibanez, in my country it is the safest option and it is a "it will never let you down" bass."
"I have an old Ibanez sr605 I bought for about 800$ new a long time ago and I love it."
"My next bass will be the SRD905 (5 string fretless)."
"Ibanez and Sire makes great 5 strings in that range."
"With that budget get an sr605, its worth the stretch."
"Ibanez BTB cause of the wide spacing and neck also are generally really good basses."
"I have an Ibanez SR505. Beautiful instrument."
"$200 Ibanez beats most things in quality and sound."
"Ibanez and Cort do some reasonable prices ones."
"I got my hands on a 3 or 4 series Ibanez 5 and I just want to say it is a spectacular bass."
#2
Schecter
4.5
(17)
"I love my Schecter Stiletto Studio 5."
"A schecter will do you good for that much."
"Also, don’t sleep on Schecters."
"A 35"-scale: Schecter, Spector, MTD-kingston, Ibanez BTB, Ltd F."
"I ended up going with another seller and getting a Schecter Omen Extreme 5 instead."
"I ordered this from Reverb."
"I bought the Studio 5 and love it."
"I'm playing one of their five strings at the mo, and it's lovely."
"Schecters are in that range and solidly built."
"I recommend schecter basses because the 35” scale necks will hold the string tension better."
#3
Dingwall
4.7
(14)
"I spent about 6 hours in the sweetwater store trying 5 and 6 string basses and I felt that the Dingwalls had noticeably better ergonomics."
"If you have the budget i highly recommend a dingwall."
"If you can afford it, definitely get a 5 string dingwall."
"Get a Dingwall if you can afford it."
"Dingwal is you best bet for anything below F."
"I had to custom order my string sets."
"Dingwall, definitely."
"I would definitely recommend a Dingwall or Kiesel, both for the scale and the tone."
"I have the dingwall and it's the nicest-playing instrument I've ever owned."
"Most metal is tuned down quite a bit."
#4
Spector
4.9
(7)
"Spector always"
"My Spector has treated me extremely well for over 20 years."
"I've been playing 5 string spectors since the late 90s and slap them like crazy."
"I recommend Spector or Warwick, both have an amazing sound for metal."
"I'd absolutely lean towards the Spector."
"Out of your list, the Spector is the clear winner in my mind."
"I'd recommend a multiscale bass."
#5
Harley Benton
4.4
(7)
"They're fantastic for the price."
"I have a Harley Benton 5 string and LOVE it."
"Harley Benton from what I've seen is making a good name for themselves."
"Get one of these. They don't have 6 string, but it's a way more reputable brand."
"I got 3 Harley bentons including this exact one. I love them all."
"A Harley Benton 5 string."
"Harley Benton have some decent bass for cheap price."
#6
Sire
4.3
(7)
"Look at sire. Awesome Instruments very well made."
"Look at Sire basses."
"Sire or Ray 5."
"Have you looked at Sire basses? They have a couple new Stingray-inspired models this year."
"I would recommend the Sire, honestly. I had one for a good while... I really enjoyed the tones it got as well as the build quality."
"A Sire shipped to your doorstep should fall into that range."
"I had a Sire Marcus Miller for about a year--a good instrument at a great price, but I didn’t like the short scale."
#7
5 String Bass
4.8
(6)
"5 strings can be very useful in deathcore. I primarily use a 5 string, and I haven't looked back since."
"I’m finding the 5 string to be incredibly useful over my 4’s recently."
"Played a 5 string for years and loved it because I felt like the low B gave me more 'umph' in the band."
"I’d say go with a 5 string, even if you don’t like the low B."
"Ended up going for the 5 string. absolutely in love with mine!"
"I would go with the 5 string. I like to play along to songs with fun basslines."
#8
Spector Legend 5
5.0
(5)
"Great bass for the price, absolutely stellar instruments."
"Had very good experiences with Schecter and a Spector Legend 5."
"Spector ergonomics are very comfortable, and I’m a fan of the passive pickups/active tone circuits."
"If you happen to find a spector legend 5 I can definitely recommend!"
"I really love it."
#9
Fender
4.0
(6)
"I love mine, absolute workhorse!"
"If I had a time machine I would buy fender or squier jazz/p bass 4s."
"I’ve got a 5 string fender jazz bass."
"If you really like your Fender, maybe just get the same thing with 5 strings."
"While I love the sound of my jazz bass, I find humbuckers blend a bit better."
"Didn't like it at all."
#10
Warwick
3.8
(6)
"I'd go with the Warwick or the Schecter personally."
"Warwicks/Rockbasses are great."
"I love the thumb basses, but the awesome ones are usually $2200 and up."
"I have a Warwick Corvette 5-String and it is HEAVY."
"If you want a thinner neck look for an older warwick, I think pre-2002."
"You will have trouble finding a German model of any of those in the price range you listed."
#11
Yamaha TRBX 305
4.4
(5)
"Couldnt be happier with mine."
"I got a Yamaha TRBX 305. No regrets."
"Yamaha TRBX. The 305 would do, but the 505 would be better."
"I believe it is really a good choice for a beginner."
"Yamaha makes really good value instruments."
#12
Cort
4.4
(5)
"So I can recommend Cort's 5 string options, plus or artisian series."
"Because if so more and more are coming on the market."
"You can get a nice Cort within that budget."
"Cort 5 string basses are nice."
"Also check out Cort - Schecter etc. Actually anything with soapbars would be better."
#13
Ibanez SR505
4.2
(5)
"I picked up a used Ibanez sr505 in that range and love it."
"So I got an SR505e because I wanted a 5 string and it weighs 7.8lbs and is get ergonomic."
"Ibanez sr505."
"I would suggest finding a used Ibanez SR505."
"I play an Ibanez SR505 in my church and really like it."
#14
Ibanez SR
4.2
(5)
"Ibanez SR necks are so fast that i think it would be great for high note shredding."
"Probaby any Ibanez SR around this price range would be my bet."
"Ibanez SR that thing spanks."
"Might be worth trying to find an Ibanez SR, Yamaha TRBX/ BB, or LTD bass second-hand."
"<$500: Ibanez SR, Yamaha TRBX300/305."
#15
Ibanez 5 String Bass
4.8
(4)
"Straight up with a 5 string if that is the only bass you can own."
"I started out with a 5 string and I’m glad i did. I would probably recommend to start with that and maybe get a 4 string later on."
"If you're interested in genre such as gospel music?, definitely pick up a 5, i started from a 4, converted my 4 to the lower strings of a 5, and i finally got a 5."
"I ended up getting a 5 string because a lot of songs I wanted to learn required it."
#16
4 String Bass
4.8
(4)
"Definetely go 4 strings to start."
"Four string is the way to go."
"If your main intention is to play stoner rock, get a four string and tune it down for the typical sludgy sound."
"Going to be honest, you should always start 4 strings."
#17
Stingray
5.0
(3)
"It has killer tone, and plays like a beast."
"Stingray 5."
"For aggressive tones you can never go wrong with a Stingray."
#18
LTD
4.3
(3)
"You playing metal? LTD basses are gnarly."
"LTD makes a good one for around $650."
"It sounds and feels great."
#19
Sterling by Music Man Ray 35
4.3
(3)
"The value is insane."
"Sterling by Musicman Ray35."
"New Sterling By Musicman Ray35"
#20
Ibanez 4 String Bass
4.0
(3)
"I would recommend trying a fretless bass for abnormally low tunes because I don't see how you could mitigate these issues without the action being too high for comfort."
"For Hip-Hop that low B is gonna put in some serious work."
"If you want to play a lot of slap and your hands are big, get a 4 string for wider spacing, otherwise get a 5 if you want one."
#21
Sire V7
5.0
(2)
"I highly recomend this one."
#22
Lakland 55-02
5.0
(2)
"Lakland 55-02 go for around 1500 new but you can find them on Reverb or the talkbass classified section for under 1k."
"Lakland 55-02"
#23
MTD Kingston Heir 5
5.0
(2)
"I couldn't recommend it enough."
"MTD Kingston Heir 5. I've got one myself and it's amazing."
#24
Ibanez SR605
5.0
(2)
"Smooth and thin easy playing neck, lightweight body."
"A nice-looking SR605E arrived and from the first moment I held it, I knew something simply worked."
#25
Yamaha BB735a
5.0
(2)
"Might be what you're looking for."
"The value is insane with what you’re getting."
#26
ESP
5.0
(2)
"ESP and Warwick extended range basses are really nice."
"Best basses for rock/metal IMO. They have tons of body styles and different options."
#27
Sterling
5.0
(2)
"Look at Sterling. So much More."
"Sterling MMs are great at 1k."
#28
G&L
5.0
(2)
"If I had €1000 to burn for a new 5-er, I'd be looking at a G&L T."
"I wouldn't sleep on the g&l tribute L2500 either."
#29
Yamaha
5.0
(2)
"Yamaha Trbx505."
"I'm a sucker for Yamaha TRBs and BB series basses."
#30
Ibanez BTB
4.5
(2)
"It punches above its weight class for the price."
"I would probably try for a used Ibanez BTB."
#31
Yamaha TRBX 505
4.5
(2)
"I would recommend a TRBX 505 over the 305."
"Yamaha trbx505 or Yamaha bb435 if you prefer single coils."
#32
Yamaha TRBX 605
4.5
(2)
"I highly recommend the Yamaha TRBX series (305, 505, 605)."
"Yamaha TRBX605"
#33
Schecter Stiletto Studio 5
4.5
(2)
"My Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 is great."
"Schecter stiletto studio 5 fretless especially as a jazz bassist."
#34
Fender Jazz Bass
4.5
(2)
"Nothing is as flexible as a jazz imo."
"If you find a Fender jazz you like (Squire or MIM, or Players) since it has a narrower nut."
#35
Ibanez EHB1005
4.5
(2)
"I ended up selling my Ibanez Gio and bought a 4 string Marcus Miller."
"If you can't afford a Dingwall then an Ibanez EHB1005ms is a good alternative."
#36
Sterling by Music Man Ray 25
4.5
(2)
"I just got a Sterling ray25 in yesterday and it is absolutely phenomenal."
"Was a lot of bass for the money."
#37
Schecter Studio 5
4.5
(2)
"I just got a Schecter Studio 5, and wow, this thing is amazing!"
"Schecter Studio 5.."
#38
Yamaha BB735
4.5
(2)
"Active passive switch with P/J pickups."
"Be sure to consider the Yamaha BB735."
#39
Ibanez Soundgear
4.5
(2)
"Try to look out for a used soundgear Ibanez with EMG HZs."
"Inexpensive and sound great."
#40
G&L L2500
4.5
(2)
"Either of those will do you very nicely."
"I would also add G&L L-2500 to the list."
#41
Ibanez BTB Series
4.0
(2)
"Ibanez BTB serie is wide all over the board."
"I'd personally recommend the IBANEZ BTB series."
#42
Ibanez SR305
4.0
(2)
"Don't need to go that far with the price, Ibanez SR305E."
"SR305 is plenty good enough to use as a stage/recording instrument."
#43
Jackson
4.0
(2)
"Get a used Jackson. They look more metal."
"Jackson has a 5 string for nearly every price point."
#44
Schecter Omen 5
4.0
(2)
"I've got a schecter diamond series 5 string. Solid budget option."
"I have a shecter Omen 5 and would recommend."
#45
Ibanez GSR205
4.0
(2)
"I have an Ibanez GSR205. It's pretty cheap and sounds good."
"I play Ibanez GSR205 and enjoy it."
#46
Spector Legend
4.0
(2)
"Spector Legend if you’re buying new."
#47
Brice
4.0
(2)
"This is a solid value."
"My go-to budget-conscious bass is from Brice at Rondo Music."
#48
ESP LTD
4.0
(2)
"ESP LTD B205"
"Ltd B-205"
#49
Music Man
4.0
(2)
"I like Musicman stuff."
"For heavy music basses with music man style humbuckers like the entry level sterlings."
#50
Ray35
5.0
(1)
"If I had that budget for a 5 today, I would be looking at the Sire Z7 or the Ray35, myself."
#51
Reverend
5.0
(1)
"There's a used Reverend Mercalli 5 on Sweetwater's gear exchange website."
#52
Capri Orange
5.0
(1)
"I ended up buying a capri orange player P because to me it looked and played awesome."
#53
Epiphone
5.0
(1)
"Recently got my hands of an Epiphone Thunderbird five string, good lord... that top string could convince the locale that the Luftwaffe have returned."
#54
Kallium
5.0
(1)
"There's a company called Kallium that specializes in extended range string sets."
#55
Ibanez SRF706
5.0
(1)
"I've been using one with tapewounds."
#56
Umanskybass
5.0
(1)
"Umanskybass is incredible for rock and metal."
#57
Ibanez BTB-33
5.0
(1)
"For precisely 1K is the Ibanez BTB-33 which comes standard strung from E-C."
#58
MTD
5.0
(1)
"Mtd Kingston Heir 5."
#59
Ernie Ball
5.0
(1)
"I use ernie ball beefy slinky's, which are a 65-130 4 string set, perfect for drop C and B."
#60
Sterling Stingray
5.0
(1)
"Sterling stingrays are great basses and come in both 4 and 5 string."
#61
Ibanez SRMS806
5.0
(1)
"I FUCKING LOVE IT!"
#62
Dingwall Z3
5.0
(1)
"Epic in every way."
#63
Stingray 5H
5.0
(1)
"Fantastic."
#64
Dingwall NG2/3
5.0
(1)
"The best option by far."
#65
Ibanez SRF705
5.0
(1)
"It IS fretless though but i found it to work really well with the track Poets Walk by him."
#66
Schecter Stiletto 5
5.0
(1)
"Get it. It's a beast."
#67
Schecter Stiletto Elite 5
5.0
(1)
"I have this exact bass and its awesome."
#68
Schecter Diamond Series Elite 5
5.0
(1)
"Well worth the money!"
#69
Ibanez SR Series
4.0
(1)
"I personally don't know any bass more ergonomic than the Ibanez SR series."
#70
Jazz bass
4.0
(1)
"That's a perfectly fine bass for what you want to do IMHO."
#71
Legator
4.0
(1)
"I think legator, and ESP make 5 string multi scale options that are more affordable than Dingwall and Kiesel."
#72
ESP LTD Neckthrough 5 String Bass
4.0
(1)
"I found an esp ltd neckthrough 5 string bass for 500$ canadian."
#73
Peavey
4.0
(1)
"I picked a 5 string fretless off of them for like €140 and it's pretty nice."
#74
Warwick Corvette
4.0
(1)
"I got my latest (and favorite) bass: a used MiG 2005 warwick corvette $$. New it sells for upward of 2400 and I got it for 750."
#75
Ibanez SR805
4.0
(1)
"A buddy of mine just tuned his Ibanez SR805 to E-A-D-G-C."
#76
Ibanez Premium 5
4.0
(1)
"I've always been keen on the Ibanez Premium 5's."
#77
Spector NS5H2
4.0
(1)
"I have a USA Spector NS5H2 that I love."
#78
EB
1.0
(1)
"Just don't buy a stingray sub-1 5 string. Those things have the worst neck dive."
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