LeftyBassist.com

This is in the "lefty" section of eBay when you do a search by "Left-Handed" in basses. Now I'm not a Fender fanboy but part of that is I can't get one of these lefty without selling off one of my cars and having to see it all the time makes me insane. How do you stop the pain without a custom shop order for 4K?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Fender-USA ... 33991239ca

Oh the agony!!!!!!!

Your link takes me to a right-handed Marcus Miller 5

That's his point.

The new Carvin JB series (and to a point, the old SB series) are pretty much that, but a bit cheaper, a lot lighter (with the chambering option), and with a whole list of options. I'm not a Carvin fan, but I have faith that these new JB are as close to a proper 5-string Fender Jazz as it can be. I have one on order that I will receive in February.

I had an SB5001 before, and one of the main reasons I didn't like it was because the 14-in radius. With the JB, it occurred to me that Carvin might do 12-in, and sure enough, I called them and they are doing it (they may even do 10-in radius, for a more vintage feel, but i like 12-in on 5-string). Fretboard radius is a decisive factor for me. I just don't like how flat radius feels, whether the neck is narrow or wide.

The other sub-$2000 option is a Warmoth bass, but their 5-string necks are usually very thick, and they won't change that. But if you like thick necks, then you could definitely build yourself a top-notch lefty 5-string bass for well under $2000.

I'm afraid that after that, the next option is a Lull, and then we are talking about $3000.

I share your pain a bit, but in my case, even if Fender offered these in lefty, I know that finding a sub-9-pound 5-string Fender would be next to impossible.

I have played a few Carvin basses in the last few years and I have to say they were great playing instruments and made really well I was blown away. But I'm shallow and although the name Carvin on the headstock really at this point in my life doesn't bother me as it did at one time they have the worst headstock designs I have ever seen. The one shaped like a shoe is enough to make me throw up a little in my mouth and the rest scream 80's metal. Dunno why it is that way but I can't get over it.

I can build one from a kit or actually from scratch and I will do one or the other or both but sometimes I just want to hit buy-it-now and be done with it.

Carlos you remind my of the pea and the princes the way if something isn't right for you it blows your mind. I am exactly the same way but my preferences and much more shallow and stupid. Yours are well thought out and I applaud you. Hell if I am playing with my band and I forget to put the cord up over the strap or a knob is loose or I want to tweak something I all but almost can't continue or play. OCD or something I don't know. Radius preferences I really never thought about too much other than nothing has ever felt as good or has made as much sense as a compound radius. The Lakland basses I have owned I had just loved their necks they absolutely conform to my wrist and hand in the first position or all the way up perfectly. I never liked anything too round anything more than 12" I do not like at all. I guess too many years of playing 24" Warwicks..

I will build a couple when I'm done building the 3 I have on my benches..

There is a nice 5 string MIJ Jazz on Arni's site for 1200 Euros.http://www.leftybass.com/e_start.htm

I laughed out loud so hard at this. No offense to owners of those newer Carvins (I have an older pointy head banger headstock) but they do look exactly like you described and I still scratch my head almost to the bleeding point as to how this came about. It's almost as if they consulted with the SX guys on head stock design. Ok here we have a shoe, as Joe S described it and here we have a large cutting tool look. Oy ve.

I agree on the Carvin playability though. On a whim I bought a lefty neck-through 4 passive with the pointed 80's metal headstock and dagnabbit if that thing didn't shock the hell out of me in action, consistency and build quality. Even my luthier commented favorably on it. Of course we had to route and toss some G&L MFD's in there for fun but it is one serious player.

The Warmoth basses are also a great idea. I am on my 3rd and really enjoy them. If you get the necks set up right and a good level and polish if not already done right, they can be amazing players. The options for pickups are almost endless as well which adds to the fun.

Here's a question, is Valenti still doing basses ? He seemed to build some quality basses I believe originally from Warmoth parts if I am not mistaken.

That MIJ has a rosewood fingerboard not my thing for a 5 string basses. Addison once told me he felt 5 string basses seemed to have more of at least of the snap and clarity with a harder wood fingerboard like maple or ebony as a 4 string basses usually has. I agree 100% the B strings on a 5'r especially 34" scale it just works better in most cases to me with fingerboards other than rosewood.

Nino Valenti is still making basses. I have yet to play one but he is of the Sadowsky school of bass building and I think for that type of kit bass building he probably has one of the best bang for the bucks. I will probably when the 5 string jazz 34" scale part bass hits hard enough I will do a Warmoth. I think it's a good thing except for resale value but that's not why I would build one. I just always find myself in that place where 5 string type jazz basses come up for sale and it's not exactly what I want but it's easier and cheaper than ordering custom from Fender and less work than building your own. I want that God dang Marcus with the aged maple boad and neck with MOP blocks and binding blah blah blah, fast and under 2K.

I'm going to build a few and see what happens.

I have a 5 String Valenti, for this one, I opted for the high C rather than the low B, I have the Maple Neck and it really sound great.

Thumbslam, I am in Willow Grove not too far if you are interested in ordering a Valenti would be happy to lend you my bass for a couple of days so you can check it out.

WOW thanks bobjones... I would love to see and play it.. I'll PM you after the holidays. We have sort of a "leftybass" day every couple months here at my place with me and another member here who owns about 14 insane high end custom basses and well I have a few. He brings his Puma 900 head and I have GK and several others and a GS 4/10 Aguilar cab here and we just have crazy lefty bass porn day...It actually is pretty mind blowing. Maybe I should put one together for January sometime.

Oh, you mean like this?

pete

In my OP my intentions were to mention when you go on eBay and go to basses then on the left hand side click "left-handed" many many right handed basses come up and A. it's annoying B. That Fender which is not available lefty unless you do a custom shop or whatever comes up. Sorry for all the confusion this post seems caused.

I once did a quick survey and it was something like 60% of the basses listed as lefties are righties. Spectacularly annoying, as if we don't put up with enough shit already!

One of the culprits is Music123. I emailed them through eBay and offered to buy one left handed for the advertised price. They responded with a simple this is not available.. Still there though.