question about G&L bass

[pedroims]

Hi,

I am new bass player and I am looking to upgrade from my current bass, I was thinking to go for a Fender MIA, either J or P , but I concerning to follow a tradition that says go " Fender" , I did not know that Leo produce more bass other than Fender today I found these G&L, I would like to know what the main differences are between Fender and G&L , specially in quality and playabilty, the GC in my town only has Legend models which I believe are built in Korea.

I belive in Leo Fender as a man not as a brand.

Thanks

[lug]

Originally Posted by pedroims

Hi,

I am new bass player and I am looking to upgrade from my current bass, I was thinking to go for a Fender MIA, either J or P , but I concerning to follow a tradition that says go " Fender" , I did not know that Leo produce more bass other than Fender today I found these G&L, I would like to know what the main differences are between Fender and G&L , specially in quality and playabilty, the GC in my town only has Legend models which I believe are built in Korea.

I belive in Leo Fender as a man not as a brand.

Thanks

In essence, Leo built Fender, moved on to Musicman, and finished up at G&L. He stated the the G&L's were the best basses he ever designed.

[spideyjg]

What kinda stuff you play?

Build quality is great on the modern G&L's and aside from little custom tweaking for action a truss rod, which would need to be done to ANY bass, with a G&L you don't need any upgrades.

I see people buying all kinda stuff to improve their Fenders, pickups, bridges, preamps, etc. and with my favorite the L-2000 you put on your string of choice, adjust intonation actions etc. to your liking, and go jam.

You like simple try an SB-2. Far more agressive than a typical Fender.

For me I love John Wetton's growl on the first Asia album on Only Time Will Tell. No other bass could give me that until I tried an L2K.

Jim

[perucci]

The Fenders use almost exclusively single-coil (Jazz) and split-coil (Precision) pickups. G&L additionally offers humbucker as a common option, which has a much "fatter" sound.

The G&Ls also seem to be built better - better quality-control in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, the Fender basses give a more "common" bass sound - they were among the first, and still are frequently used.

I came close to buying a Fender, but I decided on the L-2500 Tribute for the fatter sound and the better build-quality.

Depending on what type of music you listen to, the real key may be the strings. A lot of music is recorded with flat-wound strings which sound a LOT different from the round-wounds that virtually all basses come standard with.

[pedroims]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

What kinda stuff you play?

Build quality is great on the modern G&L's and aside from little custom tweaking for action a truss rod, which would need to be done to ANY bass, with a G&L you don't need any upgrades.

I see people buying all kinda stuff to improve their Fenders, pickups, bridges, preamps, etc. and with my favorite the L-2000 you put on your string of choice, adjust intonation actions etc. to your liking, and go jam.

You like simple try an SB-2. Far more agressive than a typical Fender.

For me I love John Wetton's growl on the first Asia album on Only Time Will Tell. No other bass could give me that until I tried an L2K.

Jim

Basically I am playing workship which I would like to say is pop-contemporary rock, 50% of what I am playing is latin music.

[pedroims]

Currently I am using TI Jazz Flatwounds, have you tried thise strings in a G&L?

[quickervicar]

While not exactly worship, my SB-2 & ASAT got me through 5 years of touring the CCM festival circuit, if that helps. They are very versatile, reliable basses.

[rduckwor]

I have a Fender P-Bass, Fender J-Bass and a G&L L5500. The G&L is the outlier as far as G&L basses go with EMG DC40 Pups and their built-in pre, but it's my favorite as far as sound and playability. I upgraded the electronics to 18 volts and it roars.

Be aware that most producers and engineers prefer Fender as that's what they are used to dealing with. If its a purchase for you and your pleasure, buy the one that plays well and sounds they way you want it to sound.

[pedroims]

well I am not planning to record, I just want a bass that rock my world and my church ! Unfortunally I can not test the G&L because the store doesnt have, but sounds like the G&L is what I am looking for.

[quickervicar]

Originally Posted by rduckwor

Be aware that most producers and engineers prefer Fender as that's what they are used to dealing with.

Very good point & one that often gets overlooked by a lot of players. The guys sitting behind the desk are often gear bigots. Sure, my Alembic preamp may give a better sound than most anything else out there, but if it doesn't say "Ampeg" on the front panel a lot of producers wouldn't want anything to do with it.

Same goes for pit conductors.

[Nedmundo]

I have two recent U.S. Fenders, a P and a J, and two recent U.S. G&L's, an L-1500 and an SB-2. I've played numerous other Fenders, and a few other G&L's. I could go on and on about the differences, but since you specified quality and playability I'll start there.

On average, I think U.S. Fender and G&L have similar playability, but playability is somewhat a matter of taste, and both companies offer several neck sizes and fretboard radii which create different feel. For example, my 2004 American Series Precision with its 1.625" nut width and 9.5" fretboard radius feels very different from an American Vintage '57 reissue with its 1.75" nut width and 7.25" radius. And my L-1500 and SB-2 with G&L #8 necks (1.5" nut width, 12" radius) feel quite different from anything with the #5.

That said, I think my Fenders and G&L's all have similar playability. None have a vintage (7.25") fretboard radius, and their nut widths are either 1.5" (G&L's and Jazz) or 1.625" (Precision). They're within a relatively narrow range spec-wise, and they set up with similar action -- except the L-1500. It goes slightly lower, and has the quickest playability of the bunch. I slightly prefer the feel of my Fenders, partly because of the rolled fingerboard edges, but U.S. G&L's have this now. My Fender Jazz neck is slightly thinner front-to-back than the G&L's with the same 1.5" nut width, which have a fuller rear contour. Both are fine with me. The slightly flatter 12" fretboard radius on the G&L's does feel different from the 9.5" Fender radius, but I don't have a strong preference there either.

I also think they have similar quality. Many criticize the quality of U.S. Fenders, but I have the two basses and two U.S. Strats, and all are outstanding. I have owned an American Deluxe Precision, and it was even better. My G&L's are also rock solid. The American Series Fender tuners are more substantial, but G&L uses a more heavy duty bridge. Fender's truss rods seem to adjust more easily, and I prefer the adjustment at the neck heel. The one area in which G&L completely dominates is paint finish. I think G&L might be the best in the business. Fender is good, but G&L is in another league.

Tone wise, Fender offers nothing that really compares with the L-2000, and no other company offers anything like G&L's MFD pickups. For example, the SB-2's MFD split-coil has massive power that blows away any stock Fender Precision split-coil. And the L-2000 is a monster compared to Fender's dual-humbucker Roscoe Beck and American Deluxe Zone. It's much more powerful, and yet capable of mellowing out with its flexible controls.

But if you're after a more classic, vintage tone, Fender is a safer bet. Even then, many players modify their Fenders to improve their vintage tone, as Spidey mentioned. I have Lindy Fralin pickups in mine, for example, which were a huge improvement, despite being in the same "vintage" ballpark. No need to touch the pickups in G&L basses, unless you want something fundamentally different. But if you want something fundamentally different, you shouldn't go for G&L.

[FidgetStone]

Regarding your wish to rock the world at your church, the sound man at my church was astounded by my G&L ASAT. The ASAT is the same as the L-2000 but with a Telecaster body shape. He literally said that it was the best sounding bass he had ever heard.

Also, we have followed the general church pop music trend of having no amps on stage. Everyone has an in-ear monitor and plugs straight into the PA. The guitar players naturally play through effects pedals and so on but I , on the other hand, just plug straight into a standard DI box with no tone control except what the bass can do and the sound guy loves it. All he does is play with the volume. He doesn't have to EQ or compress the bass at all.

Good luck in your decision. Any time you are acquiring a new bass is a happy time.

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by pedroims

well I am not planning to record, I just want a bass that rock my world and my church ! Unfortunally I can not test the G&L because the store doesnt have, but sounds like the G&L is what I am looking for.

I play worship music at church and at a Christian camp for teenagers (mostly Hillsong stuff). My L-2000 has served me well. I get positive comments on my sound all the time, which is much better than my actual playing!

[Assumer]

I use a G&L JB2 at my church and everyone (myself included) loves the sound. Just a great bass.

[pedroims]

Thanks all you guys,

I will do sme resarch in the web this weekend and see if I can get a L2000.

Any suggestion for strings, I am currently using TI Jazz Flats on my yamaha, Do any of you know how these strings sound in a G&L

[lmfreeman9]

One more ting-used G&L's are a bargain compared to used MIA Fenders.

[pedroims]

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

One more ting-used G&L's are a bargain compared to used MIA Fenders.

Yesterday I lost the opportunity to get a 2007 USA SB2 in mint condition for 550 usd, I think is a great price, I feel guilty for not asked my wife first and rejected the offer, later night I told my wife about it and she told me , when you will receive the bass!!!! by then the bass had been sold. damn it , Im still criying.

[chunkstyle]

TI Jazz Flats on a G&L? i never heard of such a thing! J/K....

if you like TI Flats right now, you'll love them on a G&L. i promise. i had TI Flats on my L-1505 and the tone was phenomenal. i couldn't get into the low tension, but the sound was definitely happening. if you currently use TIs, then you will have no worries.

[pedroims]

Well I am ready to order my L2000, I am still little worry about the initial set up, I hope it will come with a great set up so I will need do nothing to pull the flats. What I did not like is wait 16 weeks to get it !!! I will post a pic as soon as I get it.