Hey guys, I've been eyeing G&L's ever since a friend of mine bought one and have been interested ever since. Right now I play an MIM Fender P-Bass, and while I really like the general concepts of my bass, I've been thinking about an upgrade somewhere down the line, and I thought a G&L might be a good option considering the quality and price.

So, my main question is, is there a G&L with a comparable tone/neck/feel to my P-Bass? Thanks much.
-Russ

There is a previous thread entitled " Explain me the L2000". I think you will find some of your questions answered there. I have a L2000 Tribute, a inexpensive tone machine.

Yeah, check out an L2000. They can cop a pretty good Precision tone plus several other tones. The neck is similar too although you can special order one with the skinnier jazz neck too.

Hey guys, I've been eyeing G&L's ever since a friend of mine bought one and have been interested ever since. Right now I play an MIM Fender P-Bass, and while I really like the general concepts of my bass, I've been thinking about an upgrade somewhere down the line, and I thought a G&L might be a good option considering the quality and price.

So, my main question is, is there a G&L with a comparable tone/neck/feel to my P-Bass? Thanks much.
-Russ

If you can find one a Legacy/LB-100 bass or alternately an SB-1 are the closest.

What does your friend have?

Jim

If you can find one a Legacy/LB-100 bass or alternately an SB-1 are the closest.

What does your friend have?

Jim

My friend has an L-2500. It's actually been a while since I played it, but I do remember really liking the build quality and all that. I want to stick to 4 strings. I also use flatwounds if that makes a difference. Also, the L-2000 can switch from passive to active, right? It sounds really versatile. I guess I could sum it up like this:

Things I like about my P-bass
-Neck
-Body
-Sound with flatwounds

Things I don't like
-Build quality
-One trick pony

So, if the L-2000 can cover the P-Bass sound, switch between active and passive, and has the same overall feel of the P-Bass, then it sounds like it matches my wants exactly.

I have the SB2. It is PJ, so it gives you some more flexibility. But with the J pup dialed off it nails the P Tone IMO. Most SB2's come with a J neck, but I think you can custom order a beefier P Style neck. I put LaBella deep talkin flats on it, and my tone made the drummer in my new band gaze at me in awe. :cool:

edit I had the L2K, and I didn't feel that I could dial in a really good P tone. It always sounded kinda thin to me in Passive.

I think the L-1000 with flatwounds does a better Precision than a Precision :hmm:

I think the L-1000 with flatwounds does a better Precision than a Precision :hmm:

Oh yeah. You got that right.

IMO, the SB-2 does a P pretty well also -- and, it excels in live work -- even though the L-1000 has a better overall tone and sounds better by itself or in a small acoustic setting.

The knife edge sound of the SB-2 just works better in the noisy mix of a rock band where you're cutting thru guitars and drums.

You might be best off with an L-2000, but for grins I'll toss the L-1500 into the mix, because that's what I bought instead of a second P-bass. It feels similar to a P-bass (especially with the chunky standard neck), and the single pickup magnifies the P vibe. Tone-wise it's less like a P-bass than the neck pickup on an L-2000, or the single pickup on an L-1000, because the L-1500's pickup is closer to the bridge. But it still has some of that Fender texture and sits in a band mix somewhat like a P. It growls more than a P-bass though, and has more tonal variety with the series/parallel and active/passive switches. It's not as versatile as the L-2000, but the L-2000 can't duplicate the L-1500's aggressiveness either. Food for thought.

There's a G&L Legacy on EBay right now... the closest thing to a Precision G&L ever made.

I have a P bass and I had an L2k with the #6 neck.The #6 is the standard neck that gets compared to the P neck. I thought that the L2k neck was way too big. I sent it back for a #8 neck. Its a jazz neck. Go out and feel the necks. Don't be so sure and order something that you may decide later doesn't work for you.

Actually it should be a #7 neck that's standard on L-2000s (1 3/4" nut w/ 12" radius) that's comparable to the P neck. The #6 or #8 is supposed to be comparable to the Jazz (1 1/2" nut). The #8 and #6 are similar except in radius. I forget which is closer as far as radius goes, but my bet is #6.

I don't know what the neck #'s are, but I've got an SB-2 with a P-style neck (in width) and a L2K with a P-style neck (again, in width).

The SB-2 neck is almost identical to my Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub neck. I absolutely love both - very thin and whatever the radius is, I like it more than a jazz style neck.

The L2K neck, while having similar width at the neck, is really fat. The "baseball bat" style neck, and is similar to my MM Sterling.

So, don't go just on width at the nut. I've never owned a Fender P, but it seems the thinner profile neck might be what you're after.

I bought both of these G&L basses used, so they can be found used. I think the wait time for a custom G&L bass is 3-6 months. Not that long if you really want exactly what you want.

Tonewise, the SB-2 and the Bob Glaub are very close. Both are very clear and even. The lows on the SB-2 have a slightly different character, though. I can't really put my finger on it, but it's like the lows for the SB-2 have slightly more bite to them. Again, it's a very subtle thing.

I can't comment on the L2K's ability to do the P bass tone. I just haven't tried it.

Good Luck!

You may also notice that the SB-1/SB-2 bodies are a bit more....ummmm.....voluptuous than a P-bass/L2k. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

I had an MIA Hot Rodded P and now have an SB2. I think the SB2 has a more classic P tone. Although I had half rounds and not flats on the P. So not an exact comparison.

I ordered a custom ASAT HB last year and I got it in about 9 weeks.

Here is a link to the G&L site and neck options. You can order anything you want. http://www.glguitars.com/frameset.htm

I had an MIA Hot Rodded P and now have an SB2. I think the SB2 has a more classic P tone.

IMO, the SB-2 is a vastly underrated bass. They absolutely kick ass, yet very few people have ever heard of them (or G&L, for that matter).

I've found that I can get a wide range of classic tones out of my stock SB-2, from J-to-P and inbetween.

The cool thing is that they seem to have a rep with the real players because they're utility basses -- nothing fancy or extra.

IMO, the SB-2 is a vastly underrated bass. They absolutely kick ass, yet very few people have ever heard of them (or G&L, for that matter).

I've found that I can get a wide range of classic tones out of my stock SB-2, from J-to-P and inbetween.

The cool thing is that they seem to have a rep with the real players because they're utility basses -- nothing fancy or extra.

+1

My SB2 with flats has inspired awe in my fellow musicians and bass players for it's vintage thump and cut thru ability. It is also incredibly hot for a passive bass:cool:

My SB-2 made the studio engineer look up from the desk, if that says anything. :cool:

I have a JB-2 with flats on it and it sounds great. My ASAT HB also has flats on it. I've been eyeing the SB-2 . . . perhaps in Baby Blue!!

My SB-2 made the studio engineer look up from the desk, if that says anything. :cool:

At the shop where I bought my L-1500, I met some guys who operate a studio in West Chester, PA. They have an SB-2, and said most bands decide to use it when they hear how well it records. I'd love to add one to the arsenal, but alas, a fiver is next up.

West Chester's only 1/2 hour from me. I'd better check to make sure my SB-2 is still in its case.

The Sb-1 is my favorite P-bass I own. As mentioned above it's a little sexier than a P, but where it really shines is in the thump department. When you roll the tone all the way down you get a thump from beyond the grave. I have owned many P-basses over the years and nothing matches the output and balls of the Sb-1. Mine is an 87' (the second incarnation of the Sb-1). Plus, if you can find one you can still get one for about the price of a tribby.

The Sb-1 is my favorite P-bass I own. As mentioned above it's a little sexier than a P, but where it really shines is in the thump department. When you roll the tone all the way down you get a thump from beyond the grave. I have owned many P-basses over the years and nothing matches the output and balls of the Sb-1. Mine is an 87' (the second incarnation of the Sb-1). Plus, if you can find one you can still get one for about the price of a tribby.

Do you know what value capacitor is in the tone circuit?
I've been thinking about adding a tone to my SB-2 to give it al little more warmth but haven't decided what cap to use yet...

Thank,
Karl

I didn't think to look on the G&L website about this- it's a .1uf cap...(I would have guessed as much)

Karl

The SB basses are very puncy , check out the L2K series as well.