LeftyBassist.com

I'm really gassing for a 5 string Jazz style bass, want to keep it around the $1500 range at most. I absolutely love my MIJ Fender Jazz but I find I just can't gig without a fiver. It's aggravating that they don't seem to have readily available, affordable lefty 5's.

Any suggestions for some brands that might fit the bill?

You could build a kick ass one from Warmoth parts for around that much.

Ken Smith Basses?

http://adirondackguitar.com/lefty/ken_smith/menu.htm

I know they're lower than your price range, and i am not certain how nice they are, but i've seen them around alot.

This bass is killer....Call Brian the neck is awesome and perfect and the electronics and pups are top notch!! I held this bass in my hands at a show. Will need a new nut but I bet they will set it up the "normal" way before shipping it out.


http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewto ... highlight=

Looks Nice!

I'm not a red bass guy but that's nice. It's like half a skjold headstock..

hmm I like the looks of this one:

http://adirondackguitar.com/lefty/ken_smith/ksd_605.htm

Beware the KSD Designs basses. I never liked any of the righties I played. Perhaps they have improved over the last couplea years, I dunno, haven't looked at them in quite a while. But at the time they were hugely overpriced instruments bearing a resemblance to Ken Smith in licensed name only.

KSD = Ken Smith Design

Ken was paid to help design this line of basses for a company. Design, and nothing more. They definitely don't have the form/fit/function/quality reputation that a real Smith bass is known for

all the best,

R

Thanks for the heads ups on the KSDs.

I was looking at the new MTD kingston Saratoga import but not sure, since i didn't like the KZ5 at all, and worry that might suffer as well.

What about the Carvin SB5000? I used to play an LB75 but it didn't stick. Not sure I want to go back to a Carvin but from what I've heard from sound clips it seems like the real deal.

The Carvin SB basses are getting rave reviews even from people who don't like Carvin basses.

You could also talk to our own resident builder extordinaire Rod (A.K.A Rodent) at:
http://regenerateguitarworks.com/

There's a big thread on talkbass regarding the Carvin SB4000/5000 series...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthrea ... vin+sb5000

... but I like Basshappi's suggestion about taking a look at our own resident bass builder, Rod at Regenerate. Really great looking and sounding basses.... take a look at his build thread at the bottom of the index page.

Yeah I've been seriously considering the Carvin, I just can't tell if I like the style or not. One time I look at it and it really speaks to me, then other times I'm not so sure.. Can't deny the sound though - I've heard enough clips, along with Ed Friedland's review to be convinced.

I wasn't sure of the price range on the Regenerates but I definitely like the look of those, and of course the lefty friendliness

Matt mentioned Warmoth - I didn't see if they had an option to build a complete bass, electronics and all. I'm not currently interested in too much of a project. Would prefer to order something ready to go when it arrives..

You could order everything you need to build a Jazz V from Warmoth, but they don't assemble them for you. If you do it all yourself and don't go nuts with expensive woods, you could do it for under $1000. I've been slowly collecting all the parts for my own Jazz V build, just need the bridge and tuners and I'll be ready to start!

But, one should build a Warmoth because they enjoy doing projects or because they want something they can't get otherwise, NOT because they want to save money!

From what you say you're looking for I think Rod is your man!

Cheers!