Got the itch for a 5-er. What else should I consider?

I think Marusczcyk will get you there, too, or build you one if they don't have one in stock. Looks like their prices have gone up though since last I checked. Here's one with a big oval Bassculture pickup in the bridge:

 

The entire bass world beyond the Leoverse?

 

I recommend a Used Carvin BB75.

 

I mean, for 2500 USD and liking the sterling as a main player, there's Dingwall, Spector and of course Musicman.

 

You would be buying it for the neck. 19mm, very thin front to back, asynchronous neck (thinner on the G string side). It also sounds great!

 

Seriously?

 

Five string, fat bridge pickups, under $2500? Dingwall NG.

 

MTD Kingston Super 5!

 

Spector. Period.

 

You are missing ...

1. Pickup Placement - Much of the magic of the Stingray sound is due to the pickup being between the P and bridge-J positions. Putting a big humbucker at the bridge J position won't get you the Stingray sound. Were I in your shoes I'd be constraining myself to a Stingray 5 or Kiloton. Not the L-2500. In my shoes, I'd be building a Warmoth bass with the pickup in the Sweet Spot and picking parts to reduce headstock weight.
2. Weight & balance. Fivers are heavier than 4 string bases - one extra tuner, larger bridge, larger pickups. And if they are too light they become neck-dive monsters. Figure you're in the 9.5 lb range for light weight unless you get one with light tuners which allows for less body weight while still staying balanced.
3. Muting - Your normal 4-string muting techniques will have to change or you'll always have one string droning away.
4. String Spacing - Some are 19mm at the bridge, some are narrower. Choose your adventure.
5. String Confusion - Having an extra string is really confusing for may of us at first. It took me 6 months of dedicated 5-string playing to finally get to where it was automatic.

 

I love my G&L L2500. It is empress body and 8lbs even. You can find light ones if you are patient and ask before buying. I love mine!

 

You could try tuning BEAD. You probably want to try the 5-string first. If you don’t like the 5-string and get to missing those low notes BEAD might be something you’d like.

 

Not even remotely a universal truth. I have 6s with multilam necks of heavier woods than maple that are smaller and lighter than P basses I've owned, and are better balanced. And the difference in weight between a 4 and 5 bent plate bridge would have to be under an oz.

 

I just picked up a used Dingwall NG3 and I am in love. It is a beast. It or another in their line would meet all of your criteria I think, except for cost on a MIC Dinwall.

 

If you like the Stingray sound and want a solid 5 string for less than $2500, evaluate either a used US Lakland 55-94, 55-14, or a Skyline 55-02. Great variety of tones and the best B string in the business...IMHO.

 

I’d probably only look at necks that are synchronized.

 

Lakland 55-02 or 55-94 depending on your budget.

Overwater Progress, if you want a UK Custom.