Interested in a L2000 but never played one...

jgroh · #1 04-23-2008, 09:49 AM

I have been reading about the G&L's for a while now here on TB and like what I am hearing as far as feedback. I play a Fender Jazz now (Geddy) but would like something with more tonal options to add to the stable. I am really interested in picking up a L2000 (probably Tribute), but I have never played one before. That said, is there anything I should know before buying one online (like on ebay)?

I have read that some of the necks are chunky, which I am not a fan of. If so, what size neck should I look out for? Is this the kind of bass that you should REALLY try before you buy? (I know, they are all probably that way, but some more so than others. I bought the Geddy on ebay before playing it although I have heard Rush plenty)

The only dealer in the area is 45 minutes away that MAY carry G&L at times, so trying one first is a long shot. Thanks for any input.

Jimtoonz · #2 04-23-2008, 10:24 AM

If you like the a Jazz neck, then you probably want a USA L-2000 with the #8 neck. You can see one of these if you go into the for sale area and do a search. I posted an ad there for an L-2000 that has the #8 neck among its options. The title says "Nicest L-2000 you will see today". The photos will give you an idea.

As I understand it, the Tribute models do not have the same neck profiles as the USA ones, although I would like to hear further comment.

On USA models, the "standard" L-2000 neck is the #7 which is 1 3/4" width at the nut. The #8 is 1 1/2" at the nut and is standard on the ASAT and JB-2, but can be ordered on the L-2000.

jgroh · #3 04-24-2008, 08:01 AM

Thanks for that info. When we are talking about a chunkier neck, are we talking a wider fretboard or just a thicker neck in circumference? My Geddy Jazz has the thin neck circumference but is wider with more spaced out strings than I had used before in the fretboard.

Wwolof · #4 04-24-2008, 08:29 AM

The Trib L2K neck is like a nice Precision — similar to my 1957 reissue. Wide like a P, but not especially deep. I like these necks, but if you absolutely need a Jazz profile and width, this may not be your biscuit. The thing that got me when I touched my first L2K, which was not a Trib but had the P neck, was "this is a Fender I have never played!"

Immediate comfort.

quickervicar · #5 04-24-2008, 09:18 AM

I'm a J-neck fan myself. My SB-2 has the thinner #6 neck (at least I think it is) and my ASAT has a #8. Both are 1-1/2" @ nut, but the ASAT has more of a EBMM feel to it. I bought a used L2k off of a friend and it had the standard #7 with 1-3/4" nut. I was put off of that one initially. I didn't think I'd get on with the wider board, but I completely forgot about it about 10 minutes into the first gig. While I still prefer the #6, the #7 could be described as "beefy, not clumsy". Please keep in mind that these are all USA models, not Tributes.

rootshock · #6 04-24-2008, 10:30 AM

I sold my MIA Jazz V and have bought a L-2000 Tribute. I would never go back to a Fender product again, and this is a Tribute

The neck is thicker, but I don't find it objectionable. In fact, now when I play a Jazz, I feel that it's too thin!

I got mine new off eBay w/ gig bag for under $500. You should be able to do the same.

Mytola · #7 04-24-2008, 11:05 AM

I bought my first G&L, a L2000 Tribute, used from a guy here on TB. I did a lot of research on the basses before I bought one, as I had no chance of trying it out first.

I did expect a lot, but it was even better than I thought it would be. Build quality and finish was on par with US Fender, at least, and the tonal options and pickups are a lot BETTER than US Fender, IMO. Leo was a genius, and really knew how to make his instruments even better than he did with Fender. A couple of months later, I wanted to try out a fiver, and got hold of a Tribute L2500 from the US, which was sent off to a guy in Chicago for fretwork, nutwork etc, then shipped over to me here in Norway. This L2500 is my only bass today, as I sold my L2000 and my old Yamaha to build a pedal board instead. The L2500 (and L2000 of course, since it really is the same stuff, but with one less string) is just so versatile and easy to play, and my next bass is going to be a US L2500 full with a lot of custom options. I'm hooked on these G&L's, and my advice for you is: Get one!

jgroh · #8 04-24-2008, 03:10 PM

I think I will be ok with the neck...just wanted to be sure. I really like the neck on the Geddy as well as my fretless jazz, both are nice and thin. But my old bass definitely had more junk in its trunk (thicker back) and I played that for 20 years. I was just worried it was going to be wide and thick.

rok51 · #9 04-24-2008, 06:18 PM

I gravitate towards thin necks because of my small hands. The SB2 neck is perfect to me. I wasn't so sure about the Tribute L2000. I've only gigged it once so far...but the neck was comfortable all night long...I didn't even notice the difference.

Kim

ljazz · #10 04-25-2008, 04:48 AM

I notice that I play differently when I'm using one neck size vs another. Not better... not worse.... just different. I kinda dig how when the feel of the bass changes, my playing changes a bit to adjust. I used to try and only buy stuff with a jazz neck size, until I found that I play just a bit funkier with a thicker/wider neck.

With all of that said, IMO, the best neck G&L ever made was the 1 11/16" neck width. Just a tad slimmer than a P..... but a really shallow profile. If the LE L1000 had that neck available, I'd buy 2 of them!

Ljazz

quickervicar · #11 04-25-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

I notice that I play differently when I'm using one neck size vs another. Not better... not worse.... just different.

I find that I do the same thing. My fingers tend to find different notes with a bigger neck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

With all of that said, IMO, the best neck G&L ever made was the 1 11/16" neck width. Just a tad slimmer than a P..... but a really shallow profile.

My Moses fretless neck is 1-5/8", but with a J-type profile. I like it far more than I ever thought I would.

jgroh · #12 04-25-2008, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the info again guys...I just found out that a local shop has some G&L L 2000 Tributes in stock, so I am going to head out over the weekend to try it out. I probably would still come home and search for a used one on ebay as I dont think I will be giving up on the Geddy anytime soon, or my VM fretless, and if I spend too much on gear I just may be a single man!