Picked this up for my wife who’s been learning bass for a year or so on a cheap Ibanez Mikro bass (she’s very short), so wanted something that was a step up which would see her through the next stage of her playing. Read a few reviews and the U5 seemed a good option. Bought blind from Thomann.
Sweet Lord, this is a fantastic bass. Not just for the money (which it most certainly in), but a great bass, period. I have played bass for more than 20 years and currently have a pair of Warwick basses. This thing sounds legitimately good and plays phenomenally well. The neck back is satin (great), fretwork is on point and it came set up nicely straight from the factory. It plays and sounds better than some P basses I’ve been trialling recently (Fender player, classic vibe, G&L LB100, Yamaha) and I’ve no hesitation in recommending it if you want a shortscale. I’ve nicked it to play live a couple of times already.
Minor niggles? Not a fan of the bridge pickup being as far back as it is… I know it’s 70s style, it’s just not optimal position for my preference. Sounds fine though. Other niggles? I’d like the pickup covers to have been slightly less square at the edge to rest my thumb. Lastly, belly cutaway would help seated comfort.
Any of these stop me buying again if this was nicked? Heck no. It’s a flipping great bass.
