G&L L5000

I bought this 1990 model L5000 bass in 1991, with a "Made By Leo Fender" sticker on the sickle-shaped headstock. That sticker does not exist on later model G&L guitars, pulled off the market after Mr Fender's passing.

The L5000 was the first 5-string bass I have purchased, and came with a beautiful transparent finish showing off the ash body and maple neck-fretboard. The neck has slightly turned a darker honey-like color while in its case, just like older Fender guitars do. The L5000 a simple passive bass, like the Fender Precison but improved in several ways. The bridge is a massive piece of work, and seems to allow for good sustain, in conjunction with the nicely-shaped body that resonates very well with a bolt-on neck. Pull a lower string while pressing the guitar to your body, and you can feel a wonderful resonation ebb out of the L5000. My new Ibanez doesn't even do that.

The sound is on the dark side, almost a grumble with the tone control on its bright side. Turn the knob the opposite way, and a warm, late 50s-style of Precision sound emanates out of the bass. The tone doesn't get muddy when playing at the muted tone knob position, just a soft penetrating sound like the older Fender basses from the 1960s on down, while playing through a Harke 3500 head and Eden cabinet. The L5000 carries a very powerful pickup, and almost as loud as some active basses. This bass is great for stage and studio work. I did have to replace a capacitor between the tone & volume controls about 3 years into its life, after a weird buzzing started up. Fixed the problem after resoldering a new one. One major point is the low-B string. It is very clear and and has positive definition when plucking this string. I've tried many 5-string basses, and many cannot produce a good tone or response from the B-string, my new Ibanez included. I'll attempt to work on that.

The action is very good for my slightly smaller hands. When I first bought the bass, it had a larger standard-sized string set that made it somewhat awkward to play. The top string was a 45. I didn't use this bass very often for many years, and even had thoughts of this bass being a possible mistake to purchase. I've barely used it, looking pristine as the first day i bought it. Earlier in 2009, I finally experimented with a light gauge string set, and the heavens opened up on me! The playability improved tenfold with a lower string action, softer string feel and used it a few times onstage and recording. It's now a dream to play! I've been reading recent articles of L5000's rare availability and price going up, so i've already retired it and will use it very sparingly, or maybe not even at all. I bought a cheaper Ibanez 5-string last week as a frequent workhorse now. BTW, the neck is solid rock-hard, and have never had to adjust the trussrod since purchasing in 1991.

The L5000 is a solid workhorse and minimal hardware/electronics would make it easy to repair if needed. With prices of Leo Fender-era G&Ls going up and only 400 L5000s produced, my recommendation is to stop playing it regularly and park it inside the case for future value. Although i initially didn't like the thick string-narrow neck concept back during purchase, I'm quite pleased to have kept it in brand new condition.

Never had a problem, it's been in the case practically all its life!

I've been playing musical instruments for 39 years, mostly bass. Of all other passive bass guitars I've used, this one is the best. I've used several basses with active pickups and although they sound ok, I haven't really found one with true warmth like an old Fender or L5000 using a split-pickup design. Maybe some of these newer basses with active electronics should include a small vacuum tube inside the electronics hatch, LOL. I rated this category a 10, because the bass didn't cost too much at purchase time. Its current value also makes me smile, especially noticing prices up to $2K for top-condition L5000s.

Mine was made in 1990 in the US. Simple volume and tone controls. Thin neck for easy playability.

This is the 5 string Precision Bass that Fender have never been able to produce. Fender's 5 string Precisions just don't sound like Precisions to me. Played through a Fender BXR 300 Amp Head and a Behringer 2x10" and Carvin 15" boxes.

Bass played pretty well out of thebox and marginally better when a tech adjusted it.

I'd never go to a gig without a back-up. This a rock-solid bass.

Never had to eal with the company.

Tis is the best bass I have ever played. It only took me 17 years to get it and I don't know why I didn't get it when they came out.

This is a 1993 L-5000, made in the USA in Fullerton, CA. 5 string fretted bass, 21 frets. "P" style body and (aluminum)pickguard, swamp ash body (nicely grained), "Z" coil MFD pickup (a LEO FENDER original design). Passive electronics, 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob. Utter simplicity personified. Neck is hard rock maple, maple fingerboard, 7.5" radius and 1.75" wide. Very comfortable for me to play though the string spacing is a bit on the tight side. This one has the "eye-gouger" headstock rather than the "sickle" style headstock. The bridge is the crinkle finished "saddle lock" bridge also developed by Leo Fender. I bought this one used, but it was a New Old Stock item for the previous owner. It came with the hard case, allen wrenches, owners manual, warranty information card, certificate of authenticity signed by Mrs. Leo Fender, and the original hang tag. Not a mark on the bass...

The sound is fantatsic. It is not as bright sounding as I had feared (I generally gravitate to "darker" sounding basses). Very growly and aggressive due to the MFD Z coil, but can be super smooth with a twist of the tone knob. Very full bottom end. I use a Gallien-Krueger 400RB-III 2x10 combo amp at home and a Hartke 1x12 combo at the rehearsal space. I also use a GK 800 RB head and SWR 4x10 and 1x15 cabinets. This is actually the second L-5000 that I've owned- the first was a Leo-era G&L, but honestly this one sounds better/plays better than the first one I had.

The action came to me set up medium/low with no fret buzz or rattle; the strings were a bit on the old side and may be original to the bass- in which case they would now be 13 years old! No worries, I like older, dead sounding strings rather than "zingy" bright, new strings so I view this as a plus. The fit and finish are as good as any bass I've ever owned or played, and the condition of this one could pass for brand new. Not a mark on it! Tuners are Schaller open back units that just won't go out of tune. Everything about this particular example is top-notch. The sunburst finish looks great!

I use this bass live with absolutely no problems. I don't even use a backup for it with my current gig. Everthing is solid and well built. The thing seems bullet proof! I will add Scaller straplocks, just because that's what I do with all my basses/guitars.

Never needed them.

I've been playing bass since the mid/late '80's. I've played in a steady full-time band for 4 of those years travelling around the south and southeast and I've owned some 60 basses over the years. This is the finest 5 string I've owned by far. Matter of fact I had almost given up on becoming a "five string guy" until I stumbled across this one. If you are looking for a narrower necked 5 string with closer than "normal" string spacing, try and find one of these L-5000's. There were only about 400 or so made, but they are well worth the effort of tracking down.

1988 G&L L-5000 5 string bass guitar, sunburst ash body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, single z-coil MFD pickup (3-2 P-bass style), volume and tone (passive).

This is a pretty basic P-bass on steroids. One extra string, one very hot pickup. Feels like a P-bass, but the body is just a little smaller. Very nicely shaped body and neck.

Not a bass for everyone. Spacing is a little tight with a 1-3/4" neck and a 7.5" radius. I find it very comfortable and more Jazz bass like.

The pickup is pretty hot and has a lot of mids. Cuts like a knife. The band likes it - they hear me better than the scooped sounds of a jazz. Can be a little clacky/harsh, and I have to pay atention more to be smooth.

The pickup is pretty hot and has a lot of mids. Cuts like a knife. The band likes it - they hear me better than the scooped sounds of a jazz. Can be a little clacky/harsh, and I have to pay atention more to be smooth.

If you like a P-Bass with a hot pickup, this bass will be a good fit.

Due to the odd shape in the pickguard I'd think it would be hard to find an aftermarket pickup to fit.

Purchased used. Good, typical G&L quality. Some checking between the bridge and control plate, but not too bad. Very stable, never adjust anything.

Never a problem, I'd give it a 10.

N/A

Been playing for 12 years since re-starting in music. Before that I played bass for 2 years at the end of high school. Mainly play R&R cover tunes with this bass, which it does well in the live setting. Never tried recording it, but expect that you would need a really decent pre-amp/DI, or you'll have to mic a cab to get the sound you want.

Love the feel of this bass, but the tone has been a problem for me. The hot pickup seems to sound different in every amp I've tried, and a Fender M-80 bass probably handles it easist. Adjustment to my technique has helped a lot, and I'm beginning to appreciate the variety of tone I can get for a single pickup. It's all in the hands with this one. Would definitely like to have another just in case disaster strikes.