Decisions, decisions...

bassfootballguy · #1 06-30-2009, 01:26 PM

Okay, I am trying to decide on a new bass. Actually a new/used bass.

The contestants are:

A G&L 1505

A G&L SB-2 USA

A G&L SB-1 USA

A G&L JB-2 USA

Type of music: guitar-oriented contemporary Christian music that swings all the way from Government Mule sounding stuff to softer, ballad-ish stuff.

The equipment: I have an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO head running through either a SWR 12 Pack 4x12 cabinet plus a Son of Bertha 1x15, or with a Goliath Jr. III 2x10 or running the 2x10 and 1x15 together, depending on the mood.

The bass I already have: a 90s SB-1 in that emerald teal metallic color with rosewood board.

What should I get?

Thanks,

James

Slapme Silly · #2 06-30-2009, 02:16 PM

I don't know about those G&Ls on your list but there is a sweet G&L USA L-2500 on craigslist for $850. Located in Park Ridge, Illinois.http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/msg/1241162703.html

bassfootballguy · #3 06-30-2009, 02:25 PM

Thanks SS, although I the ones I have tracked down in the categories about are going to be cheaper than that, I will check it out.

spideyjg · #4 06-30-2009, 02:41 PM

JB-2.

The SB-2 doesn't add much above the SB-1, unless you don't have MFDs in your SB-1. The SB-1 is redundant if you have one.
The 1505 will rip peoples heads off and crap down their necks. Not exactly the kinda aggressive, gnarly, hairy sound I would see in a service or ballad.

The JB-2 would be better for ballady and nice nice stuff. A 2500 or 2000 would be better if you can swing one.

Jim

Madcity Fats · #5 06-30-2009, 02:46 PM

If you like your SB-1, my vote would be to go with the SB-2. But I'm probably biased (because I love my SB-2).

The JB-2 and 1505 will provide the greatest departure in tone from what you've currently got--think jazz or stingray (more or less) vs. your SB-1 "P on steroids"--assuming that's what you're after.

Edit: Spidey's got a point. I find my SB-1 and SB-2 to be pretty different from one another, but in large part that's because my SB-1 is a pre-MFD model, thus more akin to a classic P in tone.

bassfootballguy · #6 06-30-2009, 03:27 PM

I've got the split coil MFD SB-1. Is the 1505 that aggressive? I mean, I've had L2Ks and ASATs and they were pretty snarly. Is the 1505 moreso? And don't get me wrong, I probably won't be playing in a service w this bass.

TDR1138 · #7 06-30-2009, 03:56 PM

For what you're doing, I'd go for the JB-2, personally. Or, yeah, an L-2000 or L-2500. Or, Chef's got a nice single-coil (1st generation) SB-2 in the classifieds...

As far as the L-150X being aggressive... yeah, it can be. It's got (to my ears) a lot of mid range and an ungodly amount of treble boost in active mode, which is why a lot of people like to swap out a resistor in the preamp (something I'm planning on doing). But, for me at least, I'd actually say that my SB-2 is more aggressive than my L-1500. But, I'd also say the L-1500 is more aggressive than my L-2000. Just my opinion, though...

oldrookie · #8 06-30-2009, 04:36 PM

Heard a band with an L-1500 the other night. More growl than I get (or at least know how to get) from my L2500. Very snarling sound for part of the show. Absolutely loved it. I thought it sounded great in the blues/rock/swing band context. Would love to have one.

Not as sure it would work for a lot of praise band music. Haven't played any of the others, so will refrain from commenting.

bassfootballguy · #9 07-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Thanks everybody... the newest contenders are a Bongo 5 or Pedulla Rapture JJ 5.

Nedmundo · #10 07-01-2009, 02:18 PM

For the mellower stuff you mentioned (ballads), I think the Pedulla might work really well, though I'd go for a P/J configuration. But with the Bartolini pickups and full-time active pre, it's just about the polar opposite from G&L's with MFD pickups. It provides a smooth, modern take on J-bass tone, and has none of the MFD grit.

I have an L-1500, and you could think of it as providing a thicker, nastier version of L-2000 bridge pickup tone. The pickup is just far enough from the bridge to provide hard punching lows, and just outside the "twang" zone. It is very aggressive, in a growly, punchy, cutting sort of way. It's a cool bass, but for all around use I prefer my SB-2, which is also very agressive, but in a thick, low end slamming sort of way, still with plenty of grit. I think the SB-2 is easier to dial in, more like Fenders, while the 1500 isn't as "plug-and-play" IME. With some rigs, and in some rooms, it takes some tweaking.

The 1500 can mellow out with the pickup set to parallel, judicious settings of the volume and tone controls, amp EQ, and of course technique. For a one pickup bass, it does provide a wide range of sounds, but the core sound is definitely of the intense, gnarly variety.

bassfootballguy · #11 07-06-2009, 10:42 AM

The Pedulla is out (budgetary reasons only).
OK, more about the 1505 - so this is a way more aggressive bass than a StingRay 5?

jfh2424 · #12 07-06-2009, 10:55 AM

Personnally, I think everyone would benefit from owning an L2000. Second up, in my book, is an SB2. With both of these, there isn't a lot of tones you can't get. I don't see the use for anything else.

John

Nedmundo · #13 07-06-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfootballguy

OK, more about the 1505 - so this is a way more aggressive bass than a StingRay 5?

I think so. The StingRay has more of that smooth, active "sheen," and less grit than G&L's. The L-1500/1505 are more like the Sterling, which I prefer to the StingRay.