Adventures In Bassland

[the rossness]

I could use some help and wanted some opinions-

I'm in two bands, one is a cover band (80's rock, 90's alternative and skater punk/ ska). The other band is a Rap/ R&B band doing original tunes.
I played bass years ago and sold all my gear to buy a car. Now I'm playing bass again and have a cheap bass (Sterling Sub4)
and am using a TC electronic 250 watt combo amp, which I'm planning on upgrading to a Markbass combo in the future
(they sound great and are easy to transport!). I'm in the market for one bass that I can play everything on and have narrowed my search down
to an EBMM Big Al SSS.

1) should I get a 5 string or a 4? I've played 5's in music stores but have never owned one. Do I really need the low B for anything?
My local dealer quoted me a price of around $1700 for a Sky Blue 5 string with maple neck and board and a black pearloid pickguard.
What sucks is that it would take 4 months to build and I'd rather not wait.

Theres also a 4 string on ebay with an all rosswood neck-

It looks gorgeous!
2) What is rosewood like as a neck material?
Does it warp easily? how does it feel and sound versus an all maple neck/ fingerboard?

3) Would you get the one on ebay (it's store-new) or order the 5 string and wait 4 months?

I should add that this is a very large purchase for me and don't have the budget to get
anything more expensive. I'd like one great quality bass, but don't know which one to get.
I'd appreciate some help and advice from the community.

Thanks~

 

[blackba]

I highly recommend you head over to the talkbass forum as those guys know basses inside and out.

As for a 5 string versus 4 string. I look at a 4 string as a sports car, easy to get around on. A five string is like a pickup truck, more versatile, but not as easy to play.

Also for the 5 string, don't look at how much will you use the low B. The point for most 5 string users that are not playing death metal, is the luxury of getting to lower notes, without having to go to 1st position. For example, let's say the chords are B-E-F#-G#. On a 4 string, there are 3 ways that I would play it (3 positions). On a 5 string, there are 4 ways or positions that I would play those notes.

I have a musicman sterling 5hs and fender Geddy Lee jazz bass. I find the jazz bass easier to play, but he music man is much more versatile. Both have maple necks, which give more snap than a rosewood neck in my experience....

 

[ibenhad]

Played a Big Al 4 string last night at band practice for about 5 songs while the bassist played drums. The Big Al with maple neck is amazing. 4 string with a hipshot installed. The neck is real thin as far as width I mean real thin. Have you checked out the MTD Basses? I have an artist series kingston 5 string that is pretty awesome and reasonable on the wallet.

http://www.mtdkingston.com/players/local_heroes.html I'm the 11th one down the list...

 

[the rossness]

Played a Big Al 4 string last night at band practice for about 5 songs while the bassist played drums. The Big Al with maple neck is amazing. 4 string with a hipshot installed. The neck is real thin as far as width I mean real thin. Have you checked out the MTD Basses? I have an artist series kingston 5 string that is pretty awesome and reasonable on the wallet.

http://www.mtdkingston.com/players/local_heroes.html I'm the 11th one down the list...

Actually, I was all set to get a Bongo and started listening to clips if the big al and was blown away. I have yet to play one, so I dunno what the neck is like. I can't find one remotely close to try out either. I love the bongo's neck but I find it's tone sterile. I played some of the mtd basses and they weren't my thing. If I were going to get something other than a musicman, I'd get an Ibanez BTB or a modulus (if they were still in business).