SB2 vs L2K

whoneedstherapy · #1 01-06-2008, 08:51 PM

Hey guys,
I might be in the market for a new axe in the next month or so which is probably going to end up a lakland or G&L. I'm looking at the tribute range, both the SB2 & L2K.

Now i know the L2K can do a whole lot of different tones, i was just wondering can it cover most of the tones an SB2 would produce? If so are there any advantages of getting an SB2 over an L2K?

Also has anyone heard anything bad about the new made in indonesia tributes?

mellofello · #2 01-06-2008, 10:50 PM

I have an SB-2, I have a friend who plays an L2k. I've had the opportunity to play the L2k on numerous occasions. You really can't lose with either bass. One thing I have noticed about the SB-2 is that certain amps just don't seem to agree with it, (usually cheaper amps that aren't voiced very well) in that situation it would be nice to have some of the features of the L-2000. But when I plug my SB-2 into a good rig it's like heaven, for me simply no other bass will do.

pauldebass · #3 01-07-2008, 02:04 AM

I have two L2000s and a SB2. The two L2000 have different tones as one is mahogany body w maple fingerboard and the other alder w rosewood. the second is darker. Both get a variety of sounds. I use the mahogany most often and have flats on it, cuz i play blues and country with it. It gets a big fat tone. A friend who has a 57 p bass said it's closest he's heard that sounds like the 57 (w flats on it) we A/Bed both... it is close.. I had it in passive with the middle switch on (bass boost in my ears) with just the neck pickup. The SB2 basically gets two tones... one with the bridge p/u , the other without it.If you like the tone it gets you'll like it. It's kind of a one trick pony like the Fender P bass. I have rounds on that and use it for funk type stuff or more rock blues. It gets a little more midrange growl. What I like about the SB2 like the 60s P basses when you dig it it growls but the bottom doesn't drop out. With the new P basses I've tried, even the reissues, as soon as I dig in the bottom drops out and it gets a nasal tone. The SB2 was a mod people did to their P basses in the 70s. A friend of mine did it with his back then. I don't know if the necks are standard with the out of US basses. Is the L2000 like a Pbass and the SB2 like a jazz? That issue may sway you decision

whoneedstherapy · #4 01-07-2008, 03:10 AM

Thanks guys, looks like i'll have to try and find an SB2 & a L2k

quickervicar · #5 01-07-2008, 11:39 AM

Both are extremely versatile basses with a lot of different tonal options. The L2k just has a lot more beef & a lot more options. (SB-2 has a broader range of tones than what many people give it credit for)

**craigb** · #6 01-07-2008, 12:31 PM

If you are looking at Tributes only one thing to consider is the neck (in the US range although the standard necks are the same as the Tribute necks each model can be ordered with any of 4 neck types).

The SB-2 will have a #8 neck - 1.5" wide at the nut, 12" fretboard radius. A "modern jazz" neck - skinny at the nut and flatter fingerboard. It's a small neck and if you like narrow, skinny necks then this is a big bonus.

The L2K will have a #7 neck - 1.75" wide at the nut, 12" freboard radius. I haven't played a #7 but a #5 (same width, 7.5" fretboard radius) I've had in the past felt wide but fairly shallow and I'd expect the #7 to feel even shallower.

Along with neck dimensions there are also limitations on the woods/finishes with each model. Tribute SB-2s are rosewood board only so if you want maple you have to go L2K. They are also only basswood bodied so if you want ash you have to go L2K.

Tonally the L2K will offer more tones and won't have the single coil hum the SB-2 bridge pickup can produce. But personally I have 3 SB-2s and no L2Ks so it depends on what sound(s) you want to make - for me the SB-2 is a better fit than the L2K. It would be best to try both if you can to see which neck you like better and which sounds best to you.

sunbeast · #7 01-08-2008, 01:22 AM

In my experience- the L2000 will hold down the bottom like no other bass in a band situation. You will be felt...The SB-2, on the other hand, will cut right through the mix- you will be heard! Guitar players prefer the L2000 in my experience (especially when you're playing through a 300 watt tube amp!).

Karl

quickervicar · #8 01-08-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

In my experience- the L2000 will hold down the bottom like no other bass in a band situation. You will be felt...The SB-2, on the other hand, will cut right through the mix- you will be heard!

That's a really good description of what's going on.

whoneedstherapy · #9 01-08-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

In my experience- the L2000 will hold down the bottom like no other bass in a band situation. You will be felt...The SB-2, on the other hand, will cut right through the mix- you will be heard! Guitar players prefer the L2000 in my experience (especially when you're playing through a 300 watt tube amp!).

Karl

Sounds like i need to get both! haha.

I think i might be leaning towards the SB2 at this stage as i've got a warwick $$ if i need to be felt.

Hopefully i can finally find one over here to play on the weekend

quickervicar · #10 01-09-2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoneedstherapy

Sounds like i need to get both! haha.

Hey, it works for me!

Warwicks are kind of a cross between the two sounds, from my experience with them (what little it is). Punch and thump at the same time.

**Chef** · #11 01-09-2008, 09:13 AM

If you like yer basic P bass sound, the SB2 is like that, 'ceptin' waaaay meaner and grindier with the MFD split P pup. No tone knob, only the J pup to be used as a tone knob to add clarity, kinda like.

The L2000 is yet again a different thing.

metron · #12 01-09-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoneedstherapy

Sounds like i need to get both! haha.

Thats what I did

**Chef** · #13 01-09-2008, 09:29 AM

If you buy used tributes, buying both is cheeeeeeep.

Skeletomania · #14 01-09-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellofello

I have an SB-2, I have a friend who plays an L2k. I've had the opportunity to play the L2k on numerous occasions. You really can't lose with either bass. One thing I have noticed about the SB-2 is that certain amps just don't seem to agree with it, (usually cheaper amps that aren't voiced very well) in that situation it would be nice to have some of the features of the L-2000. But when I plug my SB-2 into a good rig it's like heaven, for me simply no other bass will do.

I have to agree with him, some amps just doesn't want to work with the sb-2. My practice amp sounds like dog doodoo when I play the sb-2.

**Chef** · #15 01-09-2008, 02:36 PM

It's a high output mofo, and will drive some preamp sections to distraction without an input pad.

Funny, of all the 30-ish (haven';t counted recently) basses I have-many of them active-the two that smack certain preamps around the most are both passive G&L's:
L1000; SB2 P/J...

whoneedstherapy · #16 01-09-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

If you buy used tributes, buying both is cheeeeeeep.

Unfortunately in Aus finding an SB2 is hard enough let alone a used one. If i do go the SB2 route chances are i'm going to have to order one in.

rok51 · #17 01-09-2008, 06:12 PM

I just tested the G&L waters with a Tribby SB-2. I love it. It's back to the basics all over again. I have been surprised by the tonal variations available with just two volume controls...and the tone plays out in ways that has left me quite surprised.
As soon as I sell/trade my Millennium Plus, I will be shopping for a blueburst/rosewood L2000.

Kim

Nedmundo · #18 01-10-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

In my experience- the L2000 will hold down the bottom like no other bass in a band situation. You will be felt...The SB-2, on the other hand, will cut right through the mix- you will be heard! Guitar players prefer the L2000 in my experience (especially when you're playing through a 300 watt tube amp!).

I've never played an L-2000 in a band context, but I have no doubt this comparison is accurate based on my experience with my L-1500 and SB-2. (Yeah, yeah, I know I need an L-2000 too.

)

I think you could almost say the same thing comparing an SB-2 to a conventional P-bass, i.e., the SB-2 has a heavier bottom and can be "felt" more. At least that's how it seems to me. The lows "thump" like a P-bass, but have additional "slam." And yet, as you say, it cuts right through the mix too.

birminghambass · #19 01-11-2008, 11:02 AM

Owned a few of both through the years, at one time owned one of each(USA not Tributes). In a live setting the L2k can give you any tone the SB2 can(close enough anyway) and much more. However, I now only own a SB2 because I greatly prefered the weight, neck and feel over the 2 L2k's I've owned. I also prefer the simple controls on the SB2 vs. the preamp and switches on the L2k.

rok51 · #20 01-11-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birminghambass

...I also prefer the simple controls on the SB2 vs. the preamp and switches on the L2k.

That's what got me. Simple. No batteries!!! The SB-2 fits me real well, to boot. Hopefully, I'll get to play an L2000 before I pull the trigger on one, but I'm used to buying sight unseen. Lucky, I guess. I was playing a gig last weekend that was a shared bill. The other bassist, a close friend, was playing an early Sabre II through a SVP Pro/Stewart 1000 then into a pair of Portabass 210s. I was using the SB-2 through my LM II and a pair of GS112s. The consensus was that my rig punched through and had plenty of booty, but his was just mud city. We tried to pump up the high mids on his rig, which helped, but he just couldn't cut like I could. Can you tell I really like this little G&L?

Kim