I’ve been using Lakland for years and even with the great sound that Lakland produced I always catch myself modding. This essence that I just received, does need anything added to it. I was blown away by the different tones & bite I was getting from this bass. The preamps and pickups are untouchable!!! Great bass

Fantastic sounding pickups, they’re right where I was hoping them to be. Full, punchy and musical. The sound I was after in my bass I can’t praise Andrew enough for his customer relations . He was responsive and professional in helping me iron out a small issue I had . Went above and beyond duty!

Really pleased with the bass. Sounds brilliant and very easy to get around. Superb service and set up .

Love it, excelente quality amaizing sound love everything about it, specially the color

I own a few Anaconda basses but this review is about the latest Essence range I would say these bass guitars are hands down the best you can buy at these prices even if they were double the price why ? because they are incredible, the build quality is excellent and the neck does not move it is rock solid and also very easy to play. The Anaconda pickups and pre amps are very special indeed and allow a wide range of quality tones with authority in the lows mids and highs.I congratulate Andrew for developing and producing these high quality bass guitars at such a bargin price keep up the good work Andrew.

Ottimi pickup, ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo

An absolutely stunning and extraordinary instrument that will change my playing experience! I owned, played, modificated and collect quite some basses since 35 years, I run a pro-level recording studio, play saxophone, know lots of musicians and think of myself as an audio-addict with love for perfection in many ways. When it comes to Bass I think of three categories: P-Bass (straightforward, classical, passive), "modern" concepts with humbucker pickups, different pickup-positions, active electronics, fancy wood and design) and finally my beloved J-Bass - what is a complicated thing, where a competition of two fundamental concepts is going on, as all bass players know: 60ies pickup position, alder body, often rosewood fingerboard, passive electronics vs. 70ies pickup position with ash body, often a maple neck/fingerboard and maybe active electronics (not to discuss many variations here). The problem: the 60ies-concept with that growl, fat low midrange and mellow highs can not get converted into that sparkling, brillant "millerish" 70ies sound concept by simply adding active electronics - and a 70ies concept vice versa mostly won't have that 60ies warmth and growl. Too often a 60ies J-bass will get worse with added active electronic for my taste. Andrew's Ultra J5 Essence easily takes an outstanding position in the crowd of J-Bass designs with a superb combination of well thought out features. The craftsmanship is simply perfect and beyond any doubt - there is absolutely nothing of any "made-in-far-east" taste or feel and it looks and feels like the top class instrument that it is - made with love and passion. The sound is stunning in a way I rarely found in any bass - a combination of the best features of a 60ies and 70ies jazz bass-concept in one instrument with quite some fire added. So much dynamics, growl, sparkle and fat bottom, superb finger style definition and simply killing slap sounds - the best ones I can think of. And amazingly - Andrew achieves that with an alder (instead of ash) body and slightly modified pickup positions with the bridge pickup in between a 60ies and a 70ies position as far as I checked. Electronics are perfectly matching the acoustical qualities of the J5 and it's pickups - all the fundamental color of sound is already there switched passive, in active mode just more options come up and the stage of sound gets (much) wider. The added scale length helps the lively and fat H string and overall impact without complicating playability. In a few words: a stellar J-Bass that keeps all that "J"-vibe with a beguiling combination of 60ies and 70eis properties with just the right amount of added tasteful contemporary update, sparkle, power and fire. For me: the best thinkable J-Bass on steroids! Congratulations and greatest respect to Andrew for this fantastic instrument! The only downside: I will have to get a J4 and J6 in addition to the J5...

This is my 2nd bass by Anaconda and it absolutely sounds AMAZING. The tones have clarity and are distinct even in passive mode. The overall quality and craftsmanship is definitely excellent and the best part is they affordable and worth every penny!

I made a resolution in 2023 that I would not be buying any basses that year. This commitment gave me lots if time to think about what bass i would buy in 2024. I came across anaconda basses in summer 2023 and was immediately intrigued. I did my research and only heard great things. I was conflicted because I did not know anyone who had owned or played an Anaconda since they are based in the UK and are not a common bass in Missouri. I decided to take a leap of faith in 2024 and opted to buy an Ultra J5 essence with added soapbar pickups and treble bright switch. I cannot tel you how happy I am with this bass. I have played basses that are much more expensive and not as great imo. The bass itself is solid, beautiful, and plays fantastically. The pickups offer many different sounds and I swear that it gets and better P bass tone than my Fender American P bass. I can dial in just about any tone that I can think of within a matter of seconds and without adjusting my amp. I am almost considering just getting rid of all my other basses and just playing this one. There is just so much about it that I really like and the price is right as well. Also, shout out to Andrew for all of his help, quick responses, and exceptional customer service. Buying this bass put my mind at ease because I can now just play and enjoy making music and not be concerned about tone and or buying other gear. A good instrument just makes you wanna play and the Anaconda J5 essence definitely does this for me. Thank you Andrew and Anaconda. Jeremy Ellison

+ 2

Fantastic bass!!! I bought the Ultra J Essence 6, I have owned many basses from low budget to extremely high end, but this bass is by far THE best sounding bass I have ever owned. Its just perfect in every way, fit, finish and most importantly, SOUND! The pickups are extremely clear, fluid and powerful. This bass has been the 6 string sound that I have been searching out for a long time. Now I definitely have to order a 5 string. THANK YOU Andrew for building such a GREAT product, being a true class act and providing great customer service, this is what all instruments manufacturers should be.

Fantastic bass!!! I bought the Ultra J Essence 6, I have owned many basses from low budget to extremely high end, but this bass is by far THE best sounding bass I have ever owned. Its just perfect in every way, fit, finish and most importantly, SOUND! The pickups are extremely clear, fluid and powerful. This bass has been the 6 string sound that I have been searching out for a long time. Now I definitely have to order a 5 string. THANK YOU Andrew for building such a GREAT product, being a true class act and providing great customer service, this is what all instruments manufacturers should be.