5-string recommendation

[Aloe]

Wasn't the X for the US and the no X rest of world (ROW)?

nope, x is a later modification with a pickguard and that's it. the X also has electronics accessible under the control plate, no rear access, if that matters to you. but it's the same bass otherwise

I personally dig the pickguardless versions more, but ymmv

 

[mellobud]

I'm looking for a used 5 string. The music I play is blues, RnB, some classic Rock, Country etc. I'd like to get something that can cover all of the above. Max price is about $1200. I am very partial to a P-Bass body or similar. For whatever reason I never got comfortable with a J bass.

Basses I have looked at so far:

Yamaha BB425x
Lakland Skyline 55-02
G&L Tribute L2500

I looked at a Sire V7 just to check out the electronics but hated the knobs layout. I'd love to get my hands on a P5. The L2500 was alright but I felt there were too many switches.

I do own a Ray35 which can cover 75% of what I do but is lacking where a pbass would fit best. Can the Lakland cover those sounds alright? What else should I be looking at?

Are you looking to replace the Ray35 with this purchase or purely add to your collection with this purchase? Apologies if you’ve already addressed this question prior.

 

[jtg]

The BB735a would probably be very close and not terribly expensive. I'm not sure what the weight is on that bass, but I would assume it is 9 pounds or heavier. A similar bass but a bit avant garde looking is the Reverend Mercali 5. Right in your price range. Be aware that the Lakland, while reputedly a very good bass has a 35" scale length and a 46mm nut. Not overly large, but different than the BB735 which has a 43mm nut and a 34" scale.

I'll third the BB735 recco. It took me a long time and some stiff strings to come to terms with it, but now I love it. It's a fair amount of bass in terms of size and weight, but not overwhelming, and it is consistently effective. The P is credible. I also have a 55-94 (same style as 55-02, but with the old Barts the new ones don't have). I love that bass, and despite its relatively modern tone, it's extremely effective in a mix and can effectively function like a more traditional instrument. Nonetheless, the BB735 has gone out on gigs more since our rapprochement. But you have no losers on your list, so you can't go wrong.

 

[Minimalist]

nope, x is a later modification with a pickguard and that's it. the X also has electronics accessible under the control plate, no rear access, if that matters to you. but it's the same bass otherwise

I personally dig the pickguardless versions more, but ymmv

I prefer pick guards. To each their own. You might be qualified to answer my previous question regarding the consistency of the line. In particular the b-string. Are they consistently good.? The one from today was excellent.

 

[Minimalist]

Are you looking to replace the Ray35 with this purchase or purely add to your collection with this purchase? Apologies if you’ve already addressed this question prior.

At this time I am adding on. The Ray35 as a Nordstarnd pickup and John East preamp. It sounds awesome, but I just don't play it all that much. Since the early 90ties I wanted a Stingray and this satisfies that urge. But urges change, so who knows. The only thing consistent is my appreciation of a good p bass.

 

[Minimalist]

I'll third the BB735 recco. It took me a long time and some stiff strings to come to terms with it, but now I love it. It's a fair amount of bass in terms of size and weight, but not overwhelming, and it is consistently effective. The P is credible. I also have a 55-94 (same style as 55-02, but with the old Barts the new ones don't have). I love that bass, and despite its relatively modern tone, it's extremely effective in a mix and can effectively function like a more traditional instrument. Nonetheless, the BB735 has gone out on gigs more since our rapprochement. But you have no losers on your list, so you can't go wrong.

Why did you need stiff strings?

 

[jtg]

Why did you need stiff strings?

Good question. Mine didn't resonate enough with the D'addario xl170s it came with because they were too soft. i put lo-riders 45-125 on it and the higher tension woke up the body.

 

[Minimalist]

As a side note, I will not respond to offers via PM. I posted to get advice and not offers. Pointing me to your ad is OK and if I am interested I will respond there. Thank you.

 

[badinage]

I own two USA L2500 G&L purchased new, one in 2012, one in 2016, very nice basses, I like them a lot. It is my impression and belief that the Tribute version has a slightly deeper neck profile. ...Maybe to allow a little more leeway in the quality of the wood used for the neck and still maintain acceptable stability.

I've had a Sire V5 for about six months (my first Sire). I like it a lot, maybe better than my G&Ls. Something about a passive bass allows ME to get more tonal variation by how much I dig in to it than I can on an active. I've changed nothing on the Sire, not even the factory strings, but it's about time for that. If I'm in a super-quiet room I can notice a perceptible hum out of it with both volumes at 100%, but in a band setting, it's unnoticeable.

I have very little experience with Yamaha basses, but I will have to say I sure do notice a lot of online chatter from people who own (and apparently love) them discussing what strings/pickups/other "change" might produce a tone that is more to their liking.

So... I vote Sire.

 

[fretlessbass]

I'm looking for a used 5 string. The music I play is blues, RnB, some classic Rock, Country etc. I'd like to get something that can cover all of the above. Max price is about $1200. I am very partial to a P-Bass body or similar. For whatever reason I never got comfortable with a J bass.

Basses I have looked at so far:

Yamaha BB425x
Lakland Skyline 55-02
G&L Tribute L2500

I looked at a Sire V7 just to check out the electronics but hated the knobs layout. I'd love to get my hands on a P5. The L2500 was alright but I felt there were too many switches.

I do own a Ray35 which can cover 75% of what I do but is lacking where a pbass would fit best. Can the Lakland cover those sounds alright? What else should I be looking at?

I'm looking for a used 5 string. The music I play is blues, RnB, some classic Rock, Country etc. I'd like to get something that can cover all of the above. Max price is about $1200. I am very partial to a P-Bass body or similar. For whatever reason I never got comfortable with a J bass.

Basses I have looked at so far:

Yamaha BB425x
Lakland Skyline 55-02
G&L Tribute L2500

I looked at a Sire V7 just to check out the electronics but hated the knobs layout. I'd love to get my hands on a P5. The L2500 was alright but I felt there were too many switches.

I do own a Ray35 which can cover 75% of what I do but is lacking where a pbass would fit best. Can the Lakland cover those sounds alright? What else should I be looking at?

 

[fretlessbass]

I'm looking for a used 5 string. The music I play is blues, RnB, some classic Rock, Country etc. I'd like to get something that can cover all of the above. Max price is about $1200. I am very partial to a P-Bass body or similar. For whatever reason I never got comfortable with a J bass.

Basses I have looked at so far:

Yamaha BB425x
Lakland Skyline 55-02
G&L Tribute L2500

I looked at a Sire V7 just to check out the electronics but hated the knobs layout. I'd love to get my hands on a P5. The L2500 was alright but I felt there were too many switches.

I do own a Ray35 which can cover 75% of what I do but is lacking where a pbass would fit best. Can the Lakland cover those sounds alright? What else should I be looking at?

I have a couple you may be interested in; sent you a PM...

 

[InhumanResource]

That's pretty spot on. The Lakland I tried was poorly set up, but I could still tell that it is a very refined and polite bass. The neck profile felt very nice though, and I can see one in my future.

They’re very nice. The 5501 I had was beautifully crafted and provably the most comfortable neck I’ve ever played on, but even with an upgrade to US Bartolini electronics it just didn’t have enough punch in a typical electric guitar band setting. In a less dense mix I could see it really shining.

 

[Aloe]

You might be qualified to answer my previous question regarding the consistency of the line. In particular the b-string. Are they consistently good.? The one from today was excellent.

I really don't know, as mine was a 4-string

 

[Riff Ranger]

No affiliation (and again, I’ve had both and kept the Yamaha BB735A), but here’s a Squier VMPV at a good price if you want a wider neck. 2015 Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass V - 3 Color Burst | Reverb

 

[bassplayer1494]

Sire M5 is a great fiver that can be had at a decent price.
Check Thomann

 

[Minimalist]

Ended up with the Yamaha and am very happy with it. It needed a set up and I replaced the pots, switch, and jack.