Pro users

[bassybass]

As I dig in to the G&L world to see what they're all about (haven't played many), I have to ask, who are the "pro users" of note that are using these basses these days? What new albums can I hear one on? Not that it's REALLY a factor in a purchasing decision, but still---for example, do these babies show up in the A-list session world of today? (a world which I also understand is very trend and image-driven of course (i.e. everything that's crazy overpriced vintage Fender, Gibson, etc. is "cool" and "vibey") , but you know what I mean. . . ). Just curious.

[Son of Sanford]

I am not sure about now, but when Craig Montoya was with Everclear he used G&L's. I think any of their albums he is on will have them.

[rootshock]

Liam Wilson from The Dillinger Escape Plan uses an L-2000. I'm not really into TDEP or mathcore, but I see the ad every month in BassPlayer

Chopper Anderson from Reba McEntire (L-2000 & L-2500)

Garry Beers from INXS (LB-100 & L-2500)

Kevin "Brandino" Brandon (L-2000, L-2500 & JB-2) Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Mary J Blige, Justin Timberlake, Joss Stone, Luther Vandross, Jamiroquai, Outkast, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Tommy Dorsey, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Smith, Ray Charles, Barry White, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, Snoop Dogg, Al Jaureau, Waylon Jennings, Seals & Crofts, George Duke, Joe Sample, and as a LA session bassist

(That's pure "A List" baby, need I say more ??)


Seriously, go buy a G&L





http://www.glguitars.com/artists/index.asp

[cbass1]

Well........I hope that your criteria for purchasing an instrument is not based on who else is playing them, although I am sure that most people who go into GC are looking for those signature models or those absolute standards that everyone sees on TV. I know I when I whip out my l2k or my l2500 there are lots of people in the audience that say ..." ohhh nice..G&L" of course there are a lot of people who ask me why my guitar only has 4 strings as opposed to my guitard who has 6 strings.

[Spiritfield]

Here's a few more... some are using guitars, some basses: Tim Mcgraw band, Aerosmith, Goldfinger, Thrice, Angel Dust, Allman Brothers, Elton John band, Collective Soul, Staind, 30 Seconds to Mars, Black Label Society, the Butthole Surfers, Corrosion of Conformity, Matisyahu, Alice In Chains etc. etc.

[rathervague]

One of my favorite bands...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5LvoBRS1Mk

[bassybass]

Originally Posted by cbass1

Well........I hope that your criteria for purchasing an instrument is not based on who else is playing them, although I am sure that most people who go into GC are looking for those signature models or those absolute standards that everyone sees on TV. I know I when I whip out my l2k or my l2500 there are lots of people in the audience that say ..." ohhh nice..G&L" of course there are a lot of people who ask me why my guitar only has 4 strings as opposed to my guitard who has 6 strings.

Yes, you're right--I wouldn't base a decision like that simply on the "star factor"---the instrument has to feel/sound right for me. I was just curious as they're not as visible as Fenders(of course) or lakies, sadowskys, etc. etc., (but yet they have this great rep and clearly loyal user/fan base) as to what recent recordings I could hear them on.
I just read that Mike Porcaro used an L2500 on the latest Toto album (maybe a few years old now)---I'm not really a Toto fan, but that kind of high-end studio production I'd be curious to hear with an L-series laying it down. I was also just told by a pal that Brandino used one on Outkast's "Polaroid Picture"----that's a pretty darn big hit as an example of one is use(and in great hands too)!

[Spiritfield]

G&L just doesn't spend the marketing $$ the others do. You have to be "clued in" by someone in the know to try these things out rather than seeing ads for the umpteenth "Signature Model" other manufacturers churn out. Despite G&L's history and the fact they've been around 28 years, G&L is still a relativley small instrument company. Understand though that "large" doesn't necessarily mean "better".

[KsPiNeSh]

Originally Posted by Spiritfield

G&L just doesn't spend the marketing $$ the others do. You have to be "clued in" by someone in the know to try these things out rather than seeing ads for the umpteenth "Signature Model" other manufacturers churn out. Despite G&L's history and the fact they've been around 28 years, G&L is still a relativley small instrument company. Understand though that "large" doesn't necessarily mean "better".

+1

I had no idea they existed until I started reading about them here. Now, my L2000 has replaced my Warwick as my primary, something I wasn't sure would ever be possible. They are friggin' sweet instruments.

[idoru]

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

+1

I had no idea they existed until I started reading about them here. Now, my L2000 has replaced my Warwick as my primary, something I wasn't sure would ever be possible. They are friggin' sweet instruments.

If I didn't own a Thumb, I think I'd have said the same by now

c-

[lmfreeman9]

If I had unlimited $, I'd probably play vintage Fenders. Vintage G&L's IMHO are the next best thing and were produced on Leo's watch. Eventually, the market will discover this.

[Chef]

shhhh

[PluckyThump]

Staind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_GfEWLPg9c

[fish slapper]

http://www.glguitars.com/artists/index.asp

[Mesa]

A couple of other randoms that may not be in the G&L list:

I saw Heart on the tube doing a show featuring the Steamboat Annie album in its entirety. The bass player was playing an L2K through Ampeg

Also, the first bassist for kiddie band the Laurie Berkner Band played an L2K as well. I think he's actually Laurie's husband, and I don't believe he's in her band anymore. Can be seen/heard daily on Noggin.

[loendmaestro]

I just saw an old Satchel video (another of Shawn Smith's bands - if you haven't heard of them don't worry....not many people have!) And their first bass player Cory Kane was playing a butterscotch ASAT.

Though I don't know if you'd call him a pro - he probably has a day job now!

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by idoru

If I didn't own a Thumb, I think I'd have said the same by now

c-

I always knew about them, but for some reason never gave them much of a look.
And all the L2K switches and knobs confused me until a buddy showed me what was up.
Very simple actually.

Now, my L2K QUICKLY jumped to the front of the pack as my main 4 string, and really, my go to bass right now.

I did the whole swap the series/parallel switch for the 3 way for outer coils/ original parallel/inner coils mod.
I HIGHLY recommend it.

Funny, L2K's sound a lot like Smiths in a lot of ways........
You can hear my L2K on my myspace page on the song "Crazy" (board recording- not the best guitar player, but there it is none-the-less)

Thats it in the pictures as well- the green burst one.

[pbass2]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I always knew about them, but for some reason never gave them much of a look.
And all the L2K switches and knobs confused me until a buddy showed me what was up.
Very simple actually.

Now, my L2K QUICKLY jumped to the front of the pack as my main 4 string, and really, my go to bass right now.

I did the whole swap the series/parallel switch for the 3 way for outer coils/ original parallel/inner coils mod.
I HIGHLY recommend it.

Funny, L2K's sound a lot like Smiths in a lot of ways........
You can hear my L2K on my myspace page on the song "Crazy" (board recording- not the best guitar player, but there it is none-the-less)

Thats it in the pictures as well- the green burst one.

Hmmm . .. I wonder if I'd like that mod on my L2500. If anything, the one thing I don't care for is sometimes the bass can be a bit "blurry" or too "wooly" because it's so big sounding(but sometimes that massiveness is just what the doctor ordered). Does this mod result in a more focused sound?

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by pbass2

Hmmm . .. I wonder if I'd like that mod on my L2500. If anything, the one thing I don't care for is sometimes the bass can be a bit "blurry" or too "wooly" because it's so big sounding(but sometimes that massiveness is just what the doctor ordered). Does this mod result in a more focused sound?

Sorta.
With the outer coils picked, it does a active-y PJ type of tone- it's the only way I can describe it really.

The inner coils actually sound the "thinnest" of the settings. I don't mean they sound thin, just not as huge as the others.
Then with the 3-way pick-up selector combined with the switch.
Pick the outer coils, then throw the p-up selector to the front and it's in front J p-up/P Bass land.
From there it's a TON of combinations.

It's a great mod.

I think Leo left it like that on purpose. The amount of mods you can do with just moving around wires on the stock switches in nutty, let alone drop different switches in there.

[Jimtoonz]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Sorta.
With the outer coils picked, it does a active-y PJ type of tone- it's the only way I can describe it really.

The inner coils actually sound the "thinnest" of the settings. I don't mean they sound thin, just not as huge as the others.
Then with the 3-way pick-up selector combined with the switch.
Pick the outer coils, then throw the p-up selector to the front and it's in front J p-up/P Bass land.
From there it's a TON of combinations.

It's a great mod.

I think Leo left it like that on purpose. The amount of mods you can do with just moving around wires on the stock switches in nutty, let alone drop different switches in there.

Mike,

I am considering that mod for my L-2500 as well. Did you follow the instructions from DavePlaysBass in doing your mod?

BTW, I gave a listen to "Crazy". Nice job! It's great to hear "Greenzo" in such capable hands.