G&L Help

[WyattUrp]

Hello all,

I am interested in a L-2000 but was wondering you guys opinion between L-2000 vs. Sb-2(early 90's if it makes a difference) tone wise , differences.

As always all opinions are greatly appreciated
thanks guys

[lug]

Originally Posted by WyattUrp

Hello all,

I am interested in a L-2000 but was wondering you guys opinion between L-2000 vs. Sb-2(early 90's if it makes a difference) tone wise , differences.

As always all opinions are greatly appreciated
thanks guys

Both sound great, but the L2000 is so versatile it's rediculous. Think of the SB2 as a Precision on steroids and the L2000 as about 3 different basses in 1. It can cop a great Pbass, Jbass, or Musicman style sound.

[Masher88]

Yeah, I actually have both kinds of basses. Lug pretty much nailed it. The SB-2 is a P-bass sound, but to the max! The L-2000 is like a swiss army knife.

[lpdeluxe]

That's about it. I split my playing these days between 2 Ps (one at home, one at the rehearsal space) and an L2K. When I want a P, I play the P; everything else, the L2K. Astonishing bass, and it is close enough in dimensions to the Ps that it's really easy to switch back and forth.

[craigb]

Both basses share the same "general" character - growly, aggressive, vintage-ey (as opposed to modern)

L2K: more lows, more growl, less clarity in series, worse balance (string-to-string, high-to-low) in series mode

SB-2: better balance (string-to-string, high-to-low), more clarity, more clank/harshness

You could say the SB-2 is a one-trick pony in the vein of a Precision or Stingray because the split-coil pickup dominates and the bridge pickup is just for subtle variations in texture - but all that really means is that the responsibility for altering the sound is the responsibility of the player to handle via technique (plucking location, muting, plucking method, etc.) rather than flipping switches. Granted you aren't going to get the variations in basic sound with an SB-2 you can get with an L2K but IMO you can play any music with any bass - it's up to the player to make it work.

I just went back to SB-2s and sold my L2K because whenever I played my L2K (and it was rarely leaving the house, constantly being passed over for other basses) I spent a lot of time flipping switches and turning knobs looking for "the sound" for each tune. With an SB-2 that doesn't happen - when I want to adjust the sound I do it physically and the sound an SB-2 makes by default is one I was often looking for.

You can't go wrong with either - they are both great basses. If you want a wealth of sounds and options in a single bass go L2K. If you want one great sound and simplicity go SB-2. The physical dimensions can also affect things - most SB-2s have jazz-like narrow necks and most L2Ks have wider necks (although I've had L2Ks with narrow necks as well).

[Nedmundo]

Very smart post by CraigB. I love the simplicity of P-type basses, and I was interested in a hard rocking bass along the lines of a P-bass with Quarter Pounder. Then I discovered G&L, and was interested in pursuing that. The solution? L-1500. It has some of the L-2000's flexibility, but single pickup simplicity. And the tone is pure heaven for rock. Now I'm just waiting to get it back from G&L, where it's getting a defective neck replaced.