String Bass reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 332 Reddit reviews across 5 subreddits and 71 posts to rank the best String Bass brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Bass, r/BassGuitar, r/Djent, r/Deathcore, r/Leftyguitarists. Top-rated brands include Ibanez (4.3/5), Schecter (4.5/5), Dingwall (4.8/5).

Stats

Reviews332

Subreddits5

Posts71

Brands70

Products38

Top communities

r/Bass297 r/BassGuitar24 r/Djent5 r/Deathcore4 r/Leftyguitarists2

332 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Ibanez

4.3

(57)

"I would also recommend Ibanez for that budjet, the quality and sound is way better than ESP LTD's with the same price range."

"Ibanez SR505"

"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."

"Ibanez and Sire makes great 5 strings in that range."

"With that budget get an sr605, its worth the stretch."

"Ibanez electronics have a definitively modern sound and are incredibly versatile. The preamps they have are incredible, and you cannot go wrong with b"

"I picked up an Ibanez BTB805MS last year and it looks and sounds amazing."

"Ibanez all the way."

"Have multiple 5 string Ibanezs. BTB is the best model with Bartolinis."

Schecter

4.5

(22)

"Schecter make great basses. Pickups and components are found on basses that are over 4k. They sound so good and play better."

"Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 I got mine used for $500. It looks like they retail $800-$900."

"I love my Schecter Stiletto Studio 5."

"Lots of good recommendations here, I'll go ahead and add mine. Schecter Damien 5."

"A schecter will do you good for that much."

"Also, don’t sleep on Schecters."

"I have a Schecter Damien 5 with DR hi beams. I love the tones I get out of it."

"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'm playing one of their five strings at the mo, and it's lovely."

Dingwall

4.8

(20)

"Also Dingwalls. We can't forget the almighty Dingwall."

"Dingwall Combustion is probably the 'best' answer to a 5 string for metal."

"Dingwall. Cased closed. If you have a smaller budget, save and get a dingwall."

"If you want to spend then go for a Dingwall or Spector."

"Fanned fret, multi scale instrument like a Dingwall. The multi-scale is the truth."

"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 arent afraid of multiscales, you should try out a combustion."

"If you can afford it, definitely get a 5 string dingwall."

"Get a Dingwall if you can afford it."

Yamaha

4.5

(15)

"I have a yamaha and I absolutely love it."

"Yamaha TRBX 605 is very good."

"I’m gigging a BB735A rn and it’s a great option."

"Yamaha TRBX 605"

"I've been looking pretty hard at the Yamaha BB735A. Don't sleep on Yamaha."

"Yamaha Trbx505."

"I'm a sucker for Yamaha TRBs and BB series basses."

"Yamaha trbx505 maybe. Super comfortable, basically indestructible lmao, can get a huge range of tones."

"Yamaha's basses and Sterlings by MM are pretty good."

"Yamaha also make some great sub $1k basses. They always are build great and sound great."

Stingray

4.8

(14)

"It has killer tone, and plays like a beast."

"Stingray 5."

"For aggressive tones you can never go wrong with a Stingray."

"I’d say go with a 5 string, even if you don’t like the low B, you can string it with a high C instead."

"5-string is the modern standard."

"The 'B' string is useful NOT in that it gives you an extra 5 low notes, but in that it gives you extended range ACROSS the neck."

"I've started on a 5 string and I've never regretted it."

"A 5 string bass isn't particularly harder to play and doesn't has more nuance than a 4 string."

"I would go with the 5 string."

"Nothing wrong with starting on a 5, just make sure it feels right."

Sire

4.5

(14)

"Sire, they punch well above their price."

"If OP couldn't source a used BB735 under $800, then the Sire P7 would be my next choice in that price range."

"Fantastic basses for the money and you can grab a new, 5-string Sire for about $750."

"I have a sire P7 5 str (1st gen 2017) and its my current daily."

"Look at sire. Awesome Instruments very well made."

"I would recommend Sire basses more than anything else under $1000."

"Look at Sire basses."

"Sire or Ray 5."

"Sire also has a 6 string for 999€."

"I’ve heard great things about Sire"

Spector

4.9

(9)

"My Spector Legend 5 plays and feels awesome and the sound fits aggressive metal really well."

"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 really love my Spector Legend 5, which fits very well in extreme metal."

"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."

Harley Benton

4.1

(9)

"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."

"Harley Benton just released a multiscale bass for 350€, albeit only 5 string for now."

"There are Harley Benton muliscale basses. They have only 5 strings but they are multiscale and inexpensive."

Cort

4.3

(8)

"So I can recommend Cort's 5 string options, plus or artisian series."

"Because if so more and more are coming on the market."

"Look for a second hand Cort a5 plus. They are great value for the money"

"I have a cort 5 string and it has a very nice growl to it."

"Or its cheaper but equally good cousin, Cort."

"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."

#10

Fender

4.1

(8)

"I love mine, absolute workhorse!"

"If I had a time machine I would buy fender or squier jazz/p bass 4s."

"Something like EBS session 60 or fender rumble 100."

"I’ve got a 5 string fender jazz bass."

"Something like EBS session 60 or fender rumble 100."

"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."

#11

Warwick

4.0

(8)

"Save 200 more and buy a warwick"

"You might be able to find a used German-made Warwick."

"I'd go with the Warwick or the Schecter personally."

"There are a few Warwick Corvettes on Reverb right now for about 1400."

"Uses German Made Warwick Corvette if you can find one for that range."

"Warwicks/Rockbasses are great."

"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."

#12

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."

#13

D'Addario

4.3

(6)

"I'm a huge fan of the D'Addario Tapewounds. They are the closest I've gotten so far to an upright bass tone on an electric."

"Daddario NYXL for my normal scale basses and Payson strings for my Dingwall because of consistency and availability. Both brands last a long time and retain their sound in my experience."

"These days I'm really digging playing on D'Addario NYXLs. They have a nice, relaxed feel and good, bright tone without sounding *too* zingy."

"Love Roto's but Im trying the D'addario NYXL's. And their pretty nice and last a long time."

"Have you tried the NYXL line? They run a super-long set, it's what I play on my multi-scale."

"D’addario tapewounds on a fretless are cool."

#14

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."

#15

Ernie Ball

4.6

(5)

"Fat Beams for me all the way."

"I put Fat Beams on my MTD and I don’t know if I’ll ever try anything else. Ridiculously clear sounding."

"EB cobalt flats on my active jazz and Fender 9050 flats on my p bass, mostly because the silks match the bass color. The cobalts are surprisingly bright for a flat wound."

"I use cobalt flats from Ernie Ball. They sound like rounds but are easy on the fingers."

"Hi beams- live. Ernie ball cobalts- studio Elixirs - if I did a little overtime."

#16

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."

#17

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."

#18

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."

#19

DR

5.0

(4)

"DR makes awesome strings. Love the black beauties."

"DR Black Beauties are something else"

"DR black beauties"

"DR Black Beauties are my favorite. I play with my fingers rather than a pick, and the coating on the strings really preserves my skin from getting torn up, plus the sound is really great!"

#20

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."

#21

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."

#22

Jackson

4.5

(4)

"It's a killer bass."

"Jackson David Ellefson sig models. All of them are great!"

"Get a used Jackson. They look more metal."

"Jackson has a 5 string for nearly every price point."

#23

Sire M5

5.0

(3)

"I really love my Sire M5."

"I would recommend anything from Sire."

"Would highly recommend the Sire M5."

#24

Schecter Stiletto Studio 5

4.7

(3)

"Plays and sounds like a dream!"

"My Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 is great."

"Schecter stiletto studio 5 fretless especially as a jazz bassist."

#25

Lakland 55-02

4.7

(3)

"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"

"Used Lakeland 55-02."

#26

4.0

(1)

"I have a MM Sterling Ray5 myself and I like a lot the sound of the lowest string."

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