G&L 5-String Choices

[Ancient Mariner]

OK, let's play "what if"....what if you wanted/needed to have 2 fretted USA G&L 5-strings in the arsenal - would you get two L2500's or would you get one L2500 and one L1505? If the latter is your choice, what does the L1505 do that's different from the L2500?

I know there are other (older) 5'er choices out there, but I'm primarily interested in comparing those two.

[Nikoubis]

One L-2500 and one SB-2 fiver...

[Ancient Mariner]

Aahhh... if only!

[Nedmundo]

I'd get a 2500 and a 1505, because they sound different due to different pickup placement. I suspect the 1505's B string might be more to my liking (i.e., less boomy than a 2500's with the neck pickup on), but I already have a 1500, so if I get a G&L fiver it would probably be a 2500.

[Joe_K]

I'm delurking just to say ... this is no hypothetical here. I have 2 G&L's, and they are the L-1505 and L-2500. I play in 2 bands, the L-1505 is primary in one band and the L-2500 is primary in the other (due to their appearance mainly), yet they back up each other on each gig nicely.





(oh how my photos cannot do "Silver Metal Flake" justice)

They have the obvious difference that comes with placing the pickups in different places, and the ability to blend two pickups on the L-2500, but I only use Passive the that extra Active mode doesn't come into play. I do think that the Ebony fretboard on my L-2500 makes it always a little brighter on the attack (at least acoustically). Mostly I'm the "set it and forget it" type, though I will switch Parallel/Series based on the sound the guitarist has dialed up (to compliment).

I've set them both up so that the play is extremely consistent, and the Bs on both are killer. You really can't go wrong either way.

EDIT: Oh, I do like the neck pickup placement on the L-2500 as a thumb rest, though I have no problem using the B string as my thumb rest on either bass ... and almost always do that anyway out of habit.

[FidgetStone]

Joe,
What strings do you like on your 2500 and 1505?

Thanks . . .

[Jimtoonz]

Joe_k: Would you mind taking a few minutes to address your impression of the tonal differences between the 1505 and the 2500? I have owned a number of 2500s, but never have managed to get my mitts on a 1505, and occasionally suffer G.A.S. for one.

My main question would be - Would an L-1505 do anything for me that I couldn't approximate on an L-2500?

Thanks!

[Nedmundo]

Joe, those are gorgeous! (I'm watching a 2500 on eBay now that's identical to yours. Lovin' the metal flake.) For which genres or styles do you use these two, and why? I'm curious how you think they compare, because I'm considering them. I'm drawn to the single pickup simplicity of the 1505, and like my 1500, but the 2500 seems much more versatile. (Plus it's more plentiful used, and available in the Tribute series.) Also, I've found the 1500 isn't as "plug and play" through as many rigs as more typical basses (J, P, etc.), and I'm wondering if you find that with the 1505.

Edit: I see Jimtoonz has a similar question. GAS afflicted minds want to know!

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by FidgetStone

Joe,
What strings do you like on your 2500 and 1505?

Thanks . . .

EB Regular Slinky 5 pack. Can't run them through the body though, their outer wraps end just shy of the nut that way ... but I have no problem at all with the sound I get running through the tail piece.

I keep them for about 2 months, and I clean them by boiling them for 20 minutes just about every week I use them (I like them best after the first week when their attack settles down).

I know that was kind of a long answer ... but I am definitely no string connisseur and this is certainly no recommendation. I just picked them by throwing a dart at the board and have stuck with them for about 20 years now (guitar and bass). I like consistency.

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by Jimtoonz

Joe_k: Would you mind taking a few minutes to address your impression of the tonal differences between the 1505 and the 2500? I have owned a number of 2500s, but never have managed to get my mitts on a 1505, and occasionally suffer G.A.S. for one.

My main question would be - Would an L-1505 do anything for me that I couldn't approximate on an L-2500?

Thanks!

There is nothing on the L-1505 that I cannot approximate on the L-2500. Having a 1505 in addition to a 2500 doesn't really bring a much broader tonal palette.

The difference in Passive mode is exactly as you would suspect by looking at them: The 2500 bridge pup adds just a touch more twang, the neck pup a lot more boom than the 1505's single pup. Since it is situated just a little south of the 2500's bridge pup, and has a lot more in common with it ... it isn't very close to the 2500 neck position at all (ie: it isn't exactly in the middle of those two spots).

The sound of the 2500 bridge and the 1505 is quite approximate (and you have the treble knob to work with ... cut just a bit on the 2500 .. though I would be hard pressed to pick one out in a blind test as-is).

But to flip the question around, I also don't look at the 1505 as a red-headed step-child of the 5-string line, it is simply (for me) all the most useful parts of a 2500 without any excess, and that appeals to me as well.

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

For which genres or styles do you use these two, and why?

I perform a very wide range of music, from Progressive Hard Rock (my personal favorite) to 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's hits and standards, including Blues, Rock, Swing, Pop, Soul. I also regularly gig in a high-end Elvis tribute act (which I never imagined myself doing, but it is a blast). Why? I guess simply because I like these basses ... I could do it with others, but the G&L feel best in my hand and I like their overall design. I like being able to go from mellow to overdrive just by altering my attack, the pickups really respond great to that.

I control my range of tone first with right hand placement and attack, and then at the instrument controls (which makes the 2500 more versatile). I also have a 3-button programmable Sansamp Bass DI (mostly the Ampeg's preamp is heard, I just blend in some color on the Sansamp as needed .. a lot of the time it is bypassed) and I also use the graphic EQ section on the SVT as a mid-boost when I need to. I have my ways of covering the basses ( ), but honestly my Progressive Hard Rock sound suffers in the "catch all" mode and when I want to do this sound properly I have to turn a bunch of dials and use my Jazz Bass.

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

Also, I've found the 1500 isn't as "plug and play" through as many rigs as more typical basses (J, P, etc.), and I'm wondering if you find that with the 1505.

The reason I have 2 is because no other bass really backs up a 1xxx/2xxx properly except another one. They completely changed the gain structure of my rig in a way not easy to duplicate with other basses.

[Jimtoonz]

Joe_K: Many thanks. You have explained the difference in a very real and concise manner which (now) makes perfect sense to me. No one that I have read before has offered so useful a comparison.

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by Joe_K

The difference in Passive mode is exactly as you would suspect by looking at them: The 2500 bridge pup adds just a touch more twang, the neck pup a lot more boom than the 1505's single pup. Since it is situated just a little south of the 2500's bridge pup, and has a lot more in common with it ... it isn't very close to the 2500 neck position at all (ie: it isn't exactly in the middle of those two spots).

The sound of the 2500 bridge and the 1505 is quite approximate.

Joe, thanks a lot for your input. Based on a short spin with an L-2000 yesterday, I completely agree with your assessment. I think the 1500's pickup's outer coil overlaps with the 2000 bridge pickup's inner coil, so it is beefier than the 2000's bridge pickup, but definitely more of a "bridge" tone than a "neck" tone. I was surprised how much the 2000's bridge pickup reminded me of my 1500; I thought it would be thinner. This has me leaning toward a 2500 if I get a G&L fiver.

[Ancient Mariner]

OK, so here's the OP with a summary statement and question: if I understood correctly, based on my original question, those of you in the know would rather have two L2500's in the arsenal rather than an L2500 and an L1505 (assuming you had to choose one set or the other)..is that correct?

Thanks, Joe, Jim, Ned and others for the info and insights..much appreciated.

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by Ancient Mariner

OK, so here's the OP with a summary statement and question: if I understood correctly, based on my original question, those of you in the know would rather have two L2500's in the arsenal rather than an L2500 and an L1505 (assuming you had to choose one set or the other)..is that correct?

Not exactly .. I'd rather have what I have ... but not because the L-1505 pickup placement adds some radically different sound ... just because I like the L-1505's simple approach. I'd buy another 1505 or 2500 if I saw one I liked and could afford. (not to throw you back into questions again ... just clarifying .. I wouldn't RATHER have two 2500s ... I'm saying, for my use, it doesn't really matter which one is in my hand. I know what to do to play each and get the tone I want live.). I guess I'm just being difficult. Two 2500s is a fine choice!

[DavePlaysBass]

A L-2500 with the three way switch series / parallel / single coils can go inside single coils. And that is close to L-1505 parallel territory.

I also think the wood differences between an ash / maple and a basswood / rosewood are noticable. I have yet to try basswood / maple but I have a feeling that would be good combo.

[Nedmundo]

I'd still rather have one of each, and a 1500 and 2000 while I'm at it!

One more thought, which helps keep the 1505 in the game for me. I really like how my 1500's low end is powerful, but not too boomy. It stays tight, and doesn't overwhelm the mix. Sound guys dig this, with one calling it "thick but clear," and saying my tone was the best of the night. With the B string, I would expect this to be even more of an advantage, whereas the 2500's neck pickup and a B string could easily enter the "boom" zone if left unchecked. I've read some reviews that mention this about the 2500. (This should be less of an issue with the L-2000.) I'm sure the passive bass cut, parallel mode, and amplifier EQ can address this, but it's one of those things I think about in those GASsy moments.

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

With the B string, I would expect this to be even more of an advantage, whereas the 2500's neck pickup and a B string could easily enter the "boom" zone if left unchecked. I've read some reviews that mention this about the 2500. (This should be less of an issue with the L-2000.) I'm sure the passive bass cut, parallel mode, and amplifier EQ can address this, but it's one of those things I think about in those GASsy moments.

You raised something I didn't mention ... all things being equal, the added twang of the bridge pickup in the 2500 keeps the B string more focused sounding while the 1505's B string more easily go into slightly excess lows (boom or overdriving the amp). However, I don't keep things equal when I play .. cutting the bass or treble on either instrument levels out this difference. Just kind of do it without much though I guess.

[Basshole]

Hmmm. My L-2500 has a 4+1 tuner arrangement.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Basshole

Hmmm. My L-2500 has a 4+1 tuner arrangement.

No big thing that is the way the first generation was made. Probably has a 6 bolt neck plate and a micro-tilt on it too.

Jim