new to G&L

[megadan]

I have a line on a trade, my Ric 4001 for a G&L L-2000.
It looks like a beautiful bass, but I have literally never seen or heard one before. I've heard fantastic things here on TB however.

What can you tell me about the sound of this instrument? Can I cope a jazz bass tone out of it? I've been GASing for a jazz for a while now.
I understand it's very versatile bass. I have a Stingray and a Ric as comparison, how do the G&L humbuckers compare to the Stingray pickup?

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by megadan

I have a line on a trade, my Ric 4001 for a G&L L-2000.
It looks like a beautiful bass, but I have literally never seen or heard one before. I've heard fantastic things here on TB however.

What can you tell me about the sound of this instrument?

That it is exceptionally strong in the mix with a snarling midrange bite that'll keep it there.

Can I cope a jazz bass tone out of it? I've been GASing for a jazz for a while now.

Nope. It's a G&L with ceramic humbucking pickups and a massive bridge. This is, or course, compared to alnico single coils with a bent piece of metal for a bridge. The L-2000 is flexible enough to come close, but it won't copy anything but a G&L L-2000 (which is, after all, the point).

In the end, if you want Jazz tone, buy a Jazz. If you want something more, buy a G&L.

I understand it's very versatile bass. I have a Stingray and a Ric as comparison, how do the G&L humbuckers compare to the Stingray pickup?

It is nothing like a StingRay, which uses Alnico pickup(s) hardwired in parallel. StingRay basses sound great as-is, but are a little limited in flexibility when it come to coil switching.

Comparisons are cool, but getting a G&L to cop some other bass' tone just isn't gonna happen. A Jazz is a Jazz, a Precision is a Precision, a 'Ray is a 'Ray, and an L-2000 is an L-2000. They all have a voice that is distinctive and all their own, which is as it should be.

But the L-2000's voice is pretty damned special. Play one and you'll see.

Ken...

[megadan]

Thanks Ken. Excited to try it out tommorow.

[spideyjg]

How much does a used Ric go for? A used USA G&L goes $650-$900 or so. Check Ebay and make sure you aren't getting the short end of the trade. Replacing the Ric may not be easy.

However if the 2K sound knocks your socks off who cares.

Jim

[megadan]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

How much does a used Ric go for? A used USA G&L goes $650-$900 or so. Check Ebay and make sure you aren't getting the short end of the trade. Replacing the Ric may not be easy.

However if the 2K sound knocks your socks off who cares.

Jim

In this case I think I'm getting a good deal. Up here that bass would be closer to $1000 - $1200 used. The Ric is a little more worn and has non-original parts, and is worth a little less than normal.

Also, I still have another Rickenbacker

[megadan]

For market comparison values, that G&L costs $1800 new here, and the order price for a new 4003 is around $2100+tax (13%)

[louloomis]

I hate to be like this.....BUT...I would still strongly consider trading the Rick for the G&L. Even though your Rick has some non-original parts (without more info it's hard to say what this may be), unless there's non-restorable "work" done to the Rick such as routing, etc., I would seriously think about selling it privately (or not at all) but, if sold, keeping the cash difference and then buying the G&L (or a G&L) for cash.

Remember, once you get rid of a bass, you can't get it back.

LouLoomis

[ljazz]

L2K.... I'm learning to think of mine as just that.... L2K

I can adjust and get that low mid punch of a P bass.... but it still sounds like a L2K.... which is totally hip.

I can adjust and get that growly fuller range tone of a Jazz..... but it still sounds like a L2K.... again, totally hip.

The point is that you can make the necessary adjustments to make it sound great with anything you're playing, but it's still L2K! Get your head around the copius amount of sound (the damn thing will knock down walls), and you'll understand why we love the L2K so much.

Ljazz

[louloomis]

Originally Posted by louloomis

I hate to be like this.....BUT...I would still strongly consider trading the Rick for the G&L. Even though your Rick has some non-original parts (without more info it's hard to say what this may be), unless there's non-restorable "work" done to the Rick such as routing, etc., I would seriously think about selling it privately (or not at all) but, if sold, keeping the cash difference and then buying the G&L (or a G&L) for cash.

Remember, once you get rid of a bass, you can't get it back.

LouLoomis

Hi...if it's not obvious from my post, I meant to say "I would strongly consider NOT trading the Rick for the G&L"

Sorry for any confusion.

LouLoomis