2500 with Swamp Ash over "American Tilia"

sunbeast · #1 08-09-2006, 12:08 PM

Hi, I have been looking at buying a 2500 recently, and have a question-
I thought all 2000 and 2500 USA models were either swamp ash or alder, yet I'm seeing many that are a swamp ash top on an "american tilia"(basswood) back- even the G&L website says this is how they all are now.
Is this a new thing?
Anyone have one with these wood types vs. other types?
Are there major differences in sound?

I really just want to know if I should try to buy an older one, or if they're all made of these same woods.
Thanks,
Karl Zickrick

lug · #2 08-09-2006, 01:56 PM

They have been doing the L2500 like this for several years to save weight. Soundwise, I think Basswood is a bit more like Alder than Ash, a bit more rounded sound. I doubt you could tell the difference in a blindfold taste test.

cb56 · #3 08-09-2006, 08:56 PM

I had an older L2500 that was solid ash and it sounded great. Now I have a newer L1505 that's tilia/ash and it sounds great too. So either there is no difference in sound or not enough difference for me to hear. It's lighter, I can tell you that.

sunbeast · #4 08-09-2006, 10:19 PM

Thanks, I feel more reassured about buying a new one- which I would prefer as far as warranty and the available "stock" finishes look pretty nice. I really like the newer ones with the blueburst/ cherryburst top and natural bindings, are these the stock colors of the new ones or are they custom colors?

Are the natural bindings also stock on the new 2500s?
(I would assume so because of the different woods coming together)

Thanks, Karl Zickrick

lpdeluxe · #5 08-10-2006, 07:42 AM

I just borrowed a friend's '91 L2.5K and it weighs a ton! I'm all for anything that would make one more manageable.

I'll have to weigh it to see exactly what it is.

lpdeluxe · #6 08-10-2006, 10:08 AM

Is it just me, or is that a ***LOT***?

I don't think it's just me.

lug · #7 08-10-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

Is it just me, or is that a ***LOT***?

I don't think it's just me.

My L2000 is the heaviest bass I own. Heavier than my Pbass....EVEN HEAVIER THAN MY T-40!

clanner · #8 08-10-2006, 12:29 PM

my L-2000 is my heviest, only other basses i've played that way near or more than it are t-40's and thats saying something, but I'm all for making it lighter, hope my l-1500's will be lighter once I get the scratch to order them.

megiddo · #9 08-10-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

My L2000 is the heaviest bass I own. Heavier than my Pbass....EVEN HEAVIER THAN MY T-40!

Heavier than your T-40!? Wow. I'm going home and weigh my L2500 and my T-40. I'm pretty sure the 2500 is lighter, or maybe I just want it to be.

lug · #10 08-10-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megiddo

Heavier than your T-40!? Wow. I'm going home and weigh my L2500 and my T-40. I'm pretty sure the 2500 is lighter, or maybe I just want it to be.

Do you have the new L2500 with the ash top on tilia or the old solid ash one? The new one won't stand a chance.

cb56 · #11 08-10-2006, 05:38 PM

I don't know how heavy my solid ash L2500 was, but it never bothered me. I am kind of a hefty guy though. I think the solid ash ones are awful pretty and worth the weight.

lpdeluxe · #12 08-11-2006, 08:00 AM

Call me a wuss, but that L2.5K is too heavy for me. I played it exclusively last night and it wore me out. I sure did love having that B string, though, so I guess I'll look for something lighter.

RSalvador · #13 08-11-2006, 11:06 AM

Anyone weighed their ash bodied L2500? How much is heavy? My 5-string Ibanez is the next thing to probably be replaced by a G&L and it weighs 10lbs, which is fine for me. Would an ash bodied Tribute or Fullerton L2500 weigh more than that?

lug · #14 08-11-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

Call me a wuss, but that L2.5K is too heavy for me. I played it exclusively last night and it wore me out. I sure did love having that B string, though, so I guess I'll look for something lighter.

The answer - Attach a helium weather balloon.

lug · #15 08-11-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSalvador

Anyone weighed their ash bodied L2500? How much is heavy? My 5-string Ibanez is the next thing to probably be replaced by a G&L and it weighs 10lbs, which is fine for me. Would an ash bodied Tribute or Fullerton L2500 weigh more than that?

Having a basswood body with a thin Ash top should reduce the weight by over a pound. so If the original all Ash bodied L2500 was say 12 lbs, figure the new ones to be somehwere around 10.5 lbs on average.

aban · #16 08-11-2006, 07:10 PM

Yes my 2500 weighs exacty 10.5 lbs

megiddo · #17 08-11-2006, 11:13 PM

My L2500 weighs 11 lbs and my T-40 weighs 13 lbs. I've got an extra wide Levi's strap on the L2500 and also use a wide strap with some thick mohair stuff under it so it doesn't seem that heavy.

I used a bathroom scale so it could be off a bit.

glassjaw_jc · #18 08-14-2006, 03:42 AM

How does the sound of the new 2500 (tilia/ash)? What's your take on basswood?

lug · #19 08-14-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassjaw_jc

How does the sound of the new 2500 (tilia/ash)? What's your take on basswood?

Basswood sounds very close to alder to my ears. Some people knock but I think that's more due to the fact that it's a cheaper wood than to it's actual sound qualities. The real problem with it is that it is a softer wood and easliy dented, etc. compared to others. The Ash top takes care of that at least for the front.

glassjaw_jc · #20 08-14-2006, 10:38 PM

I tried some guitars basses with basswood bodies. They seem to be lacking focus in the low E. Seems like a spongy feel and sound on it. Did you notice the same?