the best of GnL ever made

[francisl2500]

I'M about to add some bass to my family (only two members, yeah it's a small family you know, but....). I am very impress by my firts trib L2500 and definitively loocking for another GnL. But my question is: What is "the " GnL bass . You know "the one" that most of GnL players would dream to play. I don't care if it's a old school vintage one or a recent one. My home is far from every GnL dealer and it's pretty hard to go and play some "instore" bass and i think that some expert like you guys could help my research from the "holy Graal". Don't be shy and share your experiences
Many Thanks
Francis

[Ken Baker]

There is no universal "The G&L Bass" or "Best G&L Bass". In general, they are all great basses.

The Best G&L Bass is the one that calls to you. It's the one that feels just right in your hands and sings to your ears. It's the bass that becomes an extension of the song in your mind.

For example, you might pick up any number of L-2000 basses and none of them would really be it for you. Then you pick up another one and you just know it's meant for you. Could be the way it falls to hand, or maybe the voice. You're bitten.

The down side to this is that you have to actually lay hands on the beasts, and that can be a problem for many people that don't have a dealer nearby.

I have three G&Ls. Two of them are the sort that fit just right and aren't going anywhere; my L-2500 and an old SB-2. The other one is a beautiful L-2000 fretless that my wife has insisted that I hold onto for my son. Nice bass, but if it wasn't for her wish it would be outa here.

Good luck in your search.

Ken...

[unclejane]

For me it was my L2000 when I played it in a store years ago. It has the jazz style neck and unlined fretless ebony fingerboard. It was exactly what I was looking for at the time and just had the perfect feel and fit for for my hands. The tone is a very massive, velvety tone especially in series mode.

Leo Fender always said he thought the L2000 was has masterpiece and I pretty much have to agree.

I also have an L2500 fretless which I like almost as much but it's more of a smooth, less midbassy sound. A bit more high tech. It also has the fretlines, which is a little bit of a concession.
But it's the best 5 string I've ever played.

at this point if I had to get rid of one of them I honestly couldn't say which I'd have to let go..

I'd call "the" G&L the L2000 with the jazz neck personally with the L2500 the very close second....

LS

[lmfreeman9]

L-1000. The ultimate evolution of the P-Bass. Simple yet versatile. Sounds and plays great. Leo's last, best improvements.

[dogbass]

+1. L1K w/o a doubt. Simple, elegant, even understated, yet perhaps the ballsiest passive bass on the planet. Not the most versatile for sure, but IMO much more of a testament to the genius of CLF.

[Assumer]

My JB2 that is until my L2000 with the #8 comes in then there will be two GNL basses.

[TDR1138]

I'll swear by my L2k. Ironically, it didn't speak to me as much when I first got it... It was a promo that a friend of my dad's had stored in his bar for about 5 years before I got it, and once I did, it probably spent the first few years I had it in the case. I l thought it was a real nice bass, so I just hung on to it. The action was a little high, so it was rougher to play than my Ibanez. But once I learned how to set up a bass to my liking and dial in the sound, I realized what I was missing. Now, my L2k is the first I go to, and I don't ever plan on selling it.

[duke12]

The L-1000 is truly an awesome machine. Simple and great.

The one on the right is a 1980 mahogany/ebony L-1000 with the most killer tone of any G&L I've ever owned (at this point, about 30+ of them have gone through the Owl Farm).

[francisl2500]

[quote=duke12;6519347]The L-1000 is truly an awesome machine. Simple and great.

The one on the right is a 1980 mahogany/ebony L-1000

Oh sir What a nice bass...congrats. Maybe i should find one on Ebay or somewhere...
Francis

[jetagegreg]

Do you prefer

-J- or P-type neck?
-7.5" or 12" fretboard radius?
-Active or Passive?
-Body wood - Ash? Maple? Alder? Mahogany?
-Fretboard wood - Maple or Rosewood?

IMO everyone should have an SB-2 and an L-1000. (I prefer alder/maple w/#6 neck).

My 2 cents,
-GB

[jetagegreg]

Oh yeah... You can hear the SB-2 in my avatar all over our last album (The first song is actually an L-1000).

http://thejetage.net/ecard/

Good luck,
-GB

Originally Posted by jetagegreg

Do you prefer

-J- or P-type neck?
-7.5" or 12" fretboard radius?
-Active or Passive?
-Body wood - Ash? Maple? Alder? Mahogany?
-Fretboard wood - Maple or Rosewood?

IMO everyone should have an SB-2 and an L-1000. (I prefer alder/maple w/#6 neck).

My 2 cents,
-GB

[johnpaulbass]

my vote goes for the l2500

great tone from this bass + versatilty...

I used to own one

[GaryLC]

Originally Posted by jetagegreg

Do you prefer

-J- or P-type neck?
-7.5" or 12" fretboard radius?
-Active or Passive?
-Body wood - Ash? Maple? Alder? Mahogany?
-Fretboard wood - Maple or Rosewood?

IMO everyone should have an SB-2 and an L-1000. (I prefer alder/maple w/#6 neck).

My 2 cents,
-GB

Hey Greg,

I've got plenty of SB-2's, but am having a hard time finding an L1000. Want to sell me yours?

Gar

[jetagegreg]

Originally Posted by GaryLC

Hey Greg,

I've got plenty of SB-2's, but am having a hard time finding an L1000. Want to sell me yours?

Gar

Actually, I'm looking for another L-1000 myself. Let me know if you see a mahogany/ebony with a bi-cut neck...

Ever find your perfect P-Bass sound? Or is the L-1000 part of the quest?

-GB

[Templar]

The L-1000 is truly an awesome machine. Simple and great.

Yeah, I might as well pile on too. I vote for the 1000, hands down the best G&L ever.

I disagree about it not being versitile. Mine have always been versitile enough that I can't find a reason to own a 2000.

As enthusiasts know, individual 1000's can sound distinctly different from one to the next, so it's hard to only want "one".

Be careful, L-1000 GAS is incurable!

[duke12]

Originally Posted by Templar

Yeah, I might as well pile on too. I vote for the 1000, hands down the best G&L ever.

I disagree about it not being versitile. Mine have always been versitile enough that I can't find a reason to own a 2000.

As enthusiasts know, individual 1000's can sound distinctly different from one to the next, so it's hard to only want "one".

Be careful, L-1000 GAS is incurable!

Oddly enough, I've had thoughts of unloading the one L-2000E I have left in favor of keeping the 3 L-1000s I have. My Wunkays all sound very different, and of the nine or so that I've owned, each had its own voice. And yes, the Wunkay GAS is incurable. I still look when I see them for sale.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by duke12

Oddly enough, I've had thoughts of unloading the one L-2000E I have left in favor of keeping the 3 L-1000s I have. My Wunkays all sound very different, and of the nine or so that I've owned, each had its own voice. And yes, the Wunkay GAS is incurable. I still look when I see them for sale.

Funny, I just sold my one e-type this week. It was a complete monster but did'nt really do anything my 1000's can't do.

Here's my trio, from left to right...
1980 hog large hex, near mint
1981 poplar slotter, beat up
1983 ash, small hex, super clean
They all sound and feel different.

[francisl2500]

The Wunkay G.A.S. is very close to my wallet...
Francis

[Flabass]

My G&L L200 with Leo's signature on the horn. 1.75" nut, like the precision, blue burst with maple fretboard. Also have owned 3 Legacy basses. One stolen, one sold and the other now in the proud hands of my son. I get great sounds with it and many compliments.

[ljazz]

Anything G&L made with the 1 11/16" neck. For me, it's the most comfortable neck size I've ever played.

I swear, I would have bought one of the BABP L1000's if they'd trim the friggin' neck down a bit.