I've been looking for a P Bass for quite a while, as it was the one general style missing from my line-up - I do have a 5-string Squier PJ, but rarely use the fifth string, so wanted something that could be a bit more of a reliable workhorse.
For ages I was stuck on which Squier to get, because I have no imagination, but folks here kept throwing Sire into the mix. After doing more research, it seemed that Sire made better quality basses for less money than Squier. I did look at P7s for the PJ versatility, but they seemed needlessly complicated, so finally I was settled on the P5. I decided on the R because the inlays on the maple fretboard look so hard to see, and by getting one in tobacco sunburst it was as close as I could get in looks to my late hero Andy Rourke's '62 P-Bass.
Right out of the box, this thing feels incredible. It's set up perfectly, not a single adjustment needed - that's an absolute first, even on basses that cost 5-6 times more. So far the stock pickup sounds great, plenty of low end (something they seem to have fixed since the earliest models) but a very P Bass character. I'll fully reserve judgement until its first full band practice, but I'm very optimistic.
And then there's the neck... my god, the neck. I loathe the phrase "plays like butter", but if it ever fit anywhere, it would be here. It's smooth with a capital smoo. The rolled fretboard edges mean you just don't feel the frets as you slide along them. The roasted maple is gorgeous, and your hand glides along it. And the rosewood fingerboard looks like it's been properly treated - no hint of dryness or need for oiling early on. I had worried that a P neck might be too wide for me, but I had no need to worry here. It's perfect.
I have no idea how they make a bass this good for so little money. I paid just 366 of the King's English pounds for it (about 495 USD). It's absolutely mind-blowing, and far better quality than any Squier I've ever bought. And so good that I've gone ahead and ordered a D5 too (don't judge me).
So thank you to everyone here that helped me join the Sire club!
