G&L vs Musicman

drumbook · #1 04-12-2007, 10:19 AM

I never owned a MM, but have lots of friends who believe they are right up there with premium Fenders and G&L's mostly because they were decendents of Leo. Are they good basses as well?

lug · #2 04-12-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumbook

I never owned a MM, but have lots of friends who believe they are right up there with premium Fenders and G&L's mostly because they were decendents of Leo. Are they good basses as well?

absolutely.

quickervicar · #3 04-12-2007, 01:16 PM

Solid basses, for sure. I'd rank them above Fenders and near-equal to G & Ls in construction.

Tone is another matter.

spideyjg · #4 04-12-2007, 02:10 PM

They are different but definitely solid basses. Ask the same question out in basses and all the EBMM fans will tell you G&L's suck.

What I said elsewhere on this because the MFD's don't sound like any other pickup.....

The G&L basses have, except for one mode a cut only tone control package. The EBMM basses all have a boost/cut active circuit.

To really compare the PICKUPS you have to set the EQ on the EBMM to the center detent at flat and on the G&L flip it to the active without treble boost mode. Now on both the G&L and the EBMM you are as close to an equal footing as you can get.

Any tweaking of the EQ's other than flat is not a fair test to compare the character of the pickups.

The Bongo has perhaps the most tweakable onboard package in a mass produced bass. However for me the core sound of the pickups isn't my thing.

My Sabre is a badass bass though and it is a funk machine.

Jim

Lesfunk · #5 04-12-2007, 02:13 PM

I like Music Man Basses. The only issues I have with them is the Unfinished neck (gets dirty) and the polepieces tear up my fingertips.
I think G&L makes an excellent Fender bass.

**Chef** · #6 04-12-2007, 02:14 PM

Ack!
You have right there, the only MusicMan bass I've ever wanted.
Gimmeegimmeegimmeedatbass!

spideyjg · #7 04-12-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

Ack!
You have right there, the only MusicMan bass I've ever wanted.
Gimmeegimmeegimmeedatbass!

Lemme think about it........No.

It kicks the snot out of any MM I have put it up against.

However at 12 lbs I hope to find a HH that can take it's place someday.

Jim

**Chef** · #8 04-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Remember me when ya do

drumbook · #9 04-12-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickervicar

Solid basses, for sure. I'd rank them above Fenders and near-equal to G & Ls in construction.

Tone is another matter.

Yes, tone....... that is the one achilles heel on basses in general. It is the one of the main reasons I can't talk myself out of my L2K. I am not the most discerning bassist in the world, but as a professional drummer first and foremost, I have listened to ********* of basses over the years and frankly my G&L is a pleasure to listen to & PLAY.

The MM's look really cool with the teardrop pickguards.

TNF · #10 04-14-2007, 02:30 AM

I can't complain about my Cutlass I's tone, or my L-2000's... or any of my other G&L's actually. They all have their special character really. My Cutlass is my favorite bass to record with presently.... I'd go for one of each if pushed.

ArmyPunkGuy · #11 04-14-2007, 02:37 AM

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

cb56 · #12 04-14-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

.... plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

Not true.

drumbook · #13 04-14-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

Really???? All good basses can be tweaked! How so??? Even the space shuttle has some electronic issues. Which basses DON'T have at least some issues?

**Chef** · #14 04-14-2007, 09:51 AM

G&L's with electronic issues?
I won't say never, but not really that I've heard of.
I currently have twelve G&L's, mostly '83 and older, but a 97 and a 2000. None have ever given me trouble, nor any of the many I've owned in the past.
My 5 or so Fender P's and variants haven't ever given me grief either...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

spideyjg · #15 04-14-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

First and foremost the P is a good bass sound no doubt but there are sounds to be had with 2 pickups such as a Jazz, or any other dual pickup that a P cannot do.

Try this out. Use the search function to see how many people modify their G&L's vs the P basses.

Sure G&L over the years didn't shield the basses like they do today so you will see many folks adding shielding. Nowadays they shield them.

We don't need to "upgrade" the pickups, don't need to "upgrade" the bridge, and don't need to put any aftermarket stuff in it to make it work. Some people take all the "Fender" out of a P bass and then proclaim it great.

It ain't a "Fender" anymore if all that is left is the original neck and body.

GLeeks put on their string of choice and go.

I will give you one thing though few guitar techs would understand what the heck to do if they had to go in that cavity and unless you are a good electronics tech it can get buggered up bad.

I have seen some nightmarish electronics "work" by guitar techs.

OTOH they were designed by Leo Fender but don't say Fender on the headstock so they must be crap.

Jim

Templar · #16 04-14-2007, 03:22 PM

Apart from a brief spate of faulty op-amps (circa '98?), electro issues are rare.

The usual "electronics issue" is the lack of the casual observer's ability to grasp how the controls work.

Granted, the L2000 cockpit is atypical and counter-intuitive, but it's amazing how many players test drive one, then claim they can't get "their sound" out of it.

Considering the L2000's extreme versatility (and the fact that amps have knobs too), if a player can't find "their sound", then maybe said players don't actually have a "sound".

As for the Tribbies and their crap pots.....hey whaddya expect for $400! LOL

Lordcliff · #17 04-14-2007, 04:11 PM

I've never played a Musicman, I can't recall ever hearing anything negative about them though. I'd never hesitate to try one out though.
I find my L-2500 can do just about any kind of usable bass tone I can think of, and do it well. I've come to really love the controls, because they're more useful in shaping your tone, than boost only electronics. My opinion of course.

bassbluestew · #18 04-16-2007, 05:12 AM

I have both an EBMM StingRay 5'er and a G&L L-2500.
Both are fine, fine instruments and I think between them they cover all sounds I need.
I use the G&L in passive mode and with the TI Jazz flats I get a lovely warm vintage type tone, but with plenty of articulation, flip it into active and I get a more modern sounding bass.
The MM does the same, just slightly differently.

I would say the G&L has it on PUNCH value alone. Both are great to play. I feel very lucky to be able to HAVE to choose between them.
Stewart

mchildree · #19 04-16-2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

Any statement that begins with "I've heard..." should be taken with a 40lb bag of salt.

chunkstyle · #20 04-16-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

i still think the regular old P-bass is and always will be the best bass period, plus i've heard that alot of G&Ls have electronic issues

it's been ten years since i bought my first G&L. i've bought and sold 7 since then and i currently have two "keepers" in my stable. i have never had any electronics issues.