new sb-2 for dub/reaggea/funk tones?

dubsymmetry · #1 01-03-2009, 12:43 PM

I like the old dub/reaggea and some fingerstyle funk tones and I´ve been thinking about a p bass, but all the new fenders I tried didn´t tell me much. I liked a lakland quite a lot, but it was a little to "shiny" in tone, feel and looks..

I keep reading about how bright the sb-2 is, and that it´s really a rock-only, mid-heavy pick bass (said with a little exaggeration).. can it do the deep tones also?

Ken Baker · #2 01-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsymmetry

I keep reading about how bright the sb-2 is, and that it´s really a rock-only, mid-heavy pick bass (said with a little exaggeration).. can it do the deep tones also?

The SB-2 is as bright as the strings on it and the amp's EQ setting allows. This is kinda like saying that it responds to the same things that other basses respond to. They are pretty midrangy compared to other P/J styled basses, but this isn't your daddy's P/J. It's a whole different animal.

I'd imagine that it could get pretty boomy with flats, little to no bridge pickup, and boosted bass EQ on the amp.

Ken...

Nedmundo · #3 01-03-2009, 03:11 PM

Yes, the SB-2 can be bright, but I think it also has deeper lows than a traditional P-bass. With the right strings and EQ on the amp, I think it would be great. The powerful pickup is well-suited to that light touch/cranked amp approach that works for reggae/dub. But if you're considering G&L generally, try out an L-2000 also.

dubsymmetry · #4 01-04-2009, 11:31 AM

thanks for the answers, will go and try both the sb-2 and a l2000, though I like it passive and simple on the bass - the effects board is another deal.

quickervicar · #5 01-05-2009, 07:14 AM

Steps to Dub tone on SB-2: Bridge off. Neck @ 8. Anchor right thumb @ base of neck. Turn up amp. Change pants.

dubsymmetry · #6 01-05-2009, 01:31 PM

went to the shop today to try the sb-2 out and it´s killer! I love the tone, the neck, the body, the balance, the looks... I like it, can you tell?
I also tried the other g&ls (the whole range) and they are all great, but mine´s the sb-2.

now I have to pick colors and order one..

edit: thanks for the steps to dub tone - that´s what I found out playing the bass, rolling the volume back also darkens the tone.

quickervicar · #7 01-06-2009, 09:42 AM

Also darkens the pants.

dubsymmetry · #8 01-07-2009, 03:47 AM

but my pants are black alrea... oh, I get it.

ordered a sb-2!

Spiritfield · #9 01-08-2009, 08:58 AM

I love the SB-2.. good choice!

dubsymmetry · #10 01-08-2009, 02:41 PM

thanks!

only thing I don´t like is the wait time - 8-10 weeks... but it gives me the feeling that I´m waiting for a boutique custom bass. everything is stock on mine though : )

**Freddels** · #11 01-08-2009, 03:33 PM

If everything is stock, did you look for dealers that might already have one in stock?

When I ordered my ASAT, I was told about 12 weeks and IIRC I think it came around 9 1/2 weeks.

When you order a bass, your order is in line behind all the other orders. That's why there's a wait.

If you ordered a burst finish and if you want it on the back too, you need to specify that. Otherwise, I believe it will be a solid color on the back.

dubsymmetry · #12 01-08-2009, 03:55 PM

thanks for your suggestions, but I´m in europe and it´s not that easy to get a g&l around here. usually they have ibanez, fender, squier, warwick, lakland and maybe gibson, and that´s it.
also the shop I´m buying from is the one I get my strings and other gear usually and they give me ok prices.

and I do have other basses I can play till march ; )

quickervicar · #13 01-09-2009, 08:24 AM

My Tobaccoburst/maple SB-2 was worth the wait. After a couple weeks you put it out of your mind for awhile. I would do it all over again, if need be.

dubsymmetry · #14 01-09-2009, 09:03 AM

thanks for reassurin me..
btw, I saw in your profile you have a mesa 400+ head.. how do you like it? I have access to one (it´s not mine though), but I didn´t plug it in yet.

dubsymmetry · #15 05-06-2009, 02:41 PM

so it´s here! it only took them 4 months, compared to fodera-waiting this is nothing

initiall impressions: great feel and look! I put on new chromes so I play some miles on that bass before I can comment on the sound, but even with these new flats it sound great already. there´s something about the sustain on the low notes that feels like a massive object vibrating - well, that´s what it is I guess.

I know about "no pics no bass yadda yadda", but I don´t have a camera here. so here´s a pic I found on talkbass a few monts ago (I forgot who uploaded it, but thanks for posting as it made my color-decision easier) , mine´s just like it:

dgce · #16 05-07-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsymmetry

so it´s here! it only took them 4 months, compared to fodera-waiting this is nothing

initiall impressions: great feel and look! I put on new chromes so I play some miles on that bass before I can comment on the sound, but even with these new flats it sound great already. there´s something about the sustain on the low notes that feels like a massive object vibrating - well, that´s what it is I guess.

I know about "no pics no bass yadda yadda", but I don´t have a camera here. so here´s a pic I found on talkbass a few monts ago (I forgot who uploaded it, but thanks for posting as it made my color-decision easier) , mine´s just like it:

I'll presume most of us are men and men are visual. We want bass porn! PICTURES!

But never mind that for now. Tell me, how are you getting along without a tone knob? This is my only beef with this otherwise excellent bass. I know there are mod options (I've seen 3-way mini switches and an additional tone knob squeezed in, and my own less obtrusive idea--a concentric knob for v/t). However, can one get along without that tone knob without feeling shorted?

dubsymmetry · #17 05-07-2009, 10:27 AM

I can´t say much about the bass yet (I had it for 2 days) except that I really like the neck and ergonomics, that it´s built very good and it looks stunning.
I put on a set of new d´addario chrome flats, these need a few days of playing I guess. It´s a new bass for me and I also didn´t have an instrument with flats for a while (except the double bass

but I do get the concept of the neck pickup as the fundamental of the sound with a brightness control in the neck pickup - I think of it of kind of a p bass in reverse. but the bridge pickup shouldn´t be ignored, I have to do some experimenting with pickup height, we´ll see.

quickervicar · #18 05-07-2009, 12:45 PM

That neck will only get better with time. Mine always has the "Ahhhhhh" factor when I strap it on. (not that my ASAT or L2k are bad...)

Also, don't forget to experiment with the neck volume as well. Turning it down can really change the sound.

Oh, and as far as the Mesa goes, I really like it. I just haven't gotten much of a chance to run it full-throttle yet. I worry about the floor beam of my home letting go. (it's a very old house)