Tribbie's good, but...

Gothic · #1 11-04-2008, 03:49 AM

Just saying a hello, after a long time of absence from TB! And of course the reason is my new G&L L2500 Tribute.

Cutting to the chase, the bass is quite good, BUT, I'm going to have to sell it, straight out of the box, too.

So, the story (for anyone who wants to read

)

The bass came about two days ago, and I went all happy rottweiler on the box, took it out, and just stared at it. Seems my wish to get a diff hue of the blueburst, combined with the trib's inconsistency concerning this colour, gave me that really cool greenish/teal colour burst, which really made me a happy motha - but that was before I got to actually play it...

The bass sounds fantastic, the fretwork was flawless, a little cracking on the pots, but easily fixed (seems it was just minor moisture in there, nothing serious), everything REALLY nice. Even the neck (not fretboard though), seemed to have a flamed kinda pattern there. Nice touch!

BUT! The neck on that thing gave me the bird... It was too chunky/awkward for me. I used to like chunky necks, but due to problems with my wrists now I can't play them - really sucks... I know I should've tried it first, but since noone had them down here (Greece sucks), it had to be a blind buy...

I REALLY like the bass, and later on, when I can spare the dough, I'm gonna get a skinny neck USA one, but for now I'm giving this one away, regardless how much I love it. And a big shame, really, since a G&L was a dream bass for me for a REALLY long time...

And since I know the golden rule (yeah, I've read almost everything here) -no pics, no bass-, here's me keeping that end of the deal!

It seems that no matter what I did with the lighting, the photo colour still turned out blue, so these are the best I could do to show the true colour! Enjoy!

P.S. : Any suggestions about a new bass would be greatly appreciated!

oldrookie · #2 11-04-2008, 05:48 AM

Man, that is just rough! I have the Tribute L2000 and thought I would love the Tribute L2500, but ran into the same problem you have...just couldn't get used to the extra thickness of the neck. Mine was preference, rather than necessity, but same result.

Ended up with a TBC AP500M and I love the neck (wide and thin.) The electronics, not so much. Took both with me to a gig this weekend and ended up playing the Trib the whole time. Just no comparison in the live mix.

Gothic · #3 11-04-2008, 06:15 AM

Real bummer man. It's undeniable that the G&L's probably the best bass to sit right in the mix, and at the price range (and for now my price range as well), there's not one that can beat it.

It's kind of ironic, because most basses in that range, meaning the ones crafted in Korea or Indonesia or China, etc., are all equipped with similar mighty mite preamp chips, the only thing that changes are the pickups. At first glance, the mighty mite electronics in the tribute threw me off, but after hearing it, it all went away.

As far as a new bass is concerned, I'll most likely go with something with a skinnier neck, and probably jazz-like width. I wish I could go for the attitude (yammie, and yummy!!!

), but at that price, I find it quite difficult, since there's so much cash left to spare (considering I'm moving to another country with about 5 cents in my pockets!

).

The TBC I haven't even heard of, actually. I should remind you that I'm in Europe's buttcrack, and not only I can't try a bass out, but even those European e-stores don't have the variety in stock that the US ones do. Plus, import basses are not only rare, but quite impossible to find here. Really, REALLY sucks, but... oh well, what can you do...

I'm also thinkin' about getting me an Ibby iceman (icb300), or the sheehan sig. yamaha (the BB one), but none of these give me the right feel - you know, that "click" in your mind when you see a bass, that you know you'd like.

Anyway, I end my incessant babbling here!

felixxx · #4 11-04-2008, 08:18 PM

You can try to contact G&L and see if you can get US neck. I am not sure if they want to do it, but it is worth trying.
On the other hand, it would be pretty expensive even if they want to sell you just the neck.
There are other necks that would fit G&L, but they are all rather pricey. Moses graphite neck comes to mind immediately.

DavePlaysBass · #5 11-04-2008, 11:28 PM

My USA neck L-2500 was chunky. Play it for a while. Maybe you will adjust to it.

Gothic · #6 11-05-2008, 02:24 AM

Thank you for the answers guys, but I was already on a tight budget, and now I can't afford anything more, so a new neck is unfortunately out of the question. Even if I had the money, it would be to expensive, indeed. Plus, I don't have access to most US stores...

And Dave, I don't really have a problem adjusting to it, I can play it for a while (5 minutes), but after that it's just too much pain, and I can't see myself gigging with it.

Anyway, some guys were interested in the bass, so I'll probably sell it and maybe get an Ibby sixer (sr506)...

sunbeast · #7 11-05-2008, 03:36 AM

Yeah- the majority of US L2500s also have fairly chunky necks in my experience. They only offer one neck profile on that model, so you have to get lucky to get a fairly skinny one. I put the neck from a G&L L5500 on my L2500 for awhile because I prefered it- a little wider at the nut, but skinnier front to back. L5500s are pretty hard to come by (and aren't very "G&L" soundwise), and its quite possible that the neck I found was just a fluke. The only other 5 string G&L was the L5000- it was essentially a 5 string bass with a 4 string neck- so it would probably be ideal as far as neck profile, but the string spacing is super tight. L5000s are even harder to find than L5500s.

Most of the suggestions I have would probably cost as much as a used US L2500, so if you can't afford that you probably couldn't afford those either (Musicman, Lakland, Fender, etc)...

Karl

Gothic · #8 11-05-2008, 04:00 AM

Yeah, that's true, even moreso since these basses you mentioned are way overpriced over here. For example, a new stingray starts at about 1800 euros (close to 2000 bucks), and if I'm not mistaken that's the H version too. Laklands are pretty scarce, but the ones available are also pretty expensive, and the same goes with fender, although I wouldn't buy much from fender.

Used instruments tend to be cheaper, but you don't see any good deals often, and on top of that, it seems good instruments are way overpriced even used. Really crappy deal goin' on, I know...

E-bay's also out of the question, since I don't want to mess with banks just before I leave the country, plus, to be honest, I don't really trust it, and the whole bidding war goin' on there just gives me a headache.

Thus, it seems I'm gonna have to settle with the aforementioned ibanez sixer. I've played it, it seems good enough, sounds good enough, it'll do the job, I guess. I'm a little biased against mighty mite electronics (and the MK Barts they use on these are actually mighty mite, with just a different tag on them), they're pretty sloppy jobs, but I can't afford to be picky about it, anyway. Maybe later on, when I can spare the extra dough, I'll rip those out and get something better on it.

And again, thanks for all the answers guys, I appreciate it.

ljazz · #9 11-05-2008, 04:03 AM

If the width is fine, but the profile is too thick, then maybe having it "trimmed" down by a good luthier is the thing to do, especially if you dig the bass.

Personally, I would do it on the Tribby. I can't see you hurting it's resale a whole lot, and even then, it may not be a problem if you plan on keeping it.

Ljazz

Gothic · #10 11-05-2008, 04:16 AM

I've thought of that, but I abandoned the idea almost instantly. If the manufacturer made it that way, he must've had a reason!

Nah, seriously, I actually don't wanna do this to a brand new bass, plus I'm afraid it may cause instability problems, and perhaps too much trimming might actually snap it during a truss turn. I'm just guessing (I tend to see the glass half empty

), but in any way, I don't wanna do this to the bass...

Edit: BUT, since the bass doesn't seem to interest anyone else down here, it seems compulsory that I keep it (obviously, I have to, I have to record with something!). So, don't you think trimming the neck is potentially dangerous? Has anyone actually done this *successfully* to his bass? My gut tells me not to do this, but the logical devil inside my brain tells me I gotta make do with what I got... HELP!!!

wyleeboxer · #11 11-05-2008, 11:36 AM

I'd say trim the neck... and if your looking at SR506 be careful of a couple things (I had one) the string spacing is tight and they are neck heavy... and being a 6 string the neck is wide compared to most 5 string, maybe a SR505?? I say trim the chunk on the trib!

Gothic · #12 11-05-2008, 11:43 AM

Yeah well, the 506 would only be bought if the tribbie would go, but since there's no interest, no deal... I'll go tomorrow to a trusted local luthier here and see what can be done about it. If nothing, I guess I'm gonna be poppin' a lotta painkillers during the recording sessions!

Either way, it seems the tribbie's a keeper, so, add me to the club! Hopefully, I'll get a US one in the future - always loved the look of those f holes on ASATs!

As for the 506, and generally any bass, I don't mind the board's width, but it's the neck profile that bothers me. String spacing, be it tight or loose doesn't make much difference to me - I had to play A LOT of different basses during worse times, so I got used to all of them, I guess!

TDR1138 · #13 11-05-2008, 01:36 PM

A few years ago, I took a guitar neck that had a sharp/thick "v" profile down to a more comfortable round profile. Just used a rasp to get the bulk of the wood off and make the basic shape, then used sandpaper to fine tune it. went from 60-grit increasing up to about 800-grit, then finished with minwax wipe-on poly finish, satin blend, buffed out to 2000-grit paper, then used some polishing compound on it. I thought it came out pretty good. If you do decide to do it yourself, just remember that what you take off can't be put back on, so go slow...

Gothic · #14 11-05-2008, 01:38 PM

Thanks a lot man, but I do not, in any case, intend to do it myself. It may be a tribbie, but it's my only bass for now, and I can't pull any experimental crap on it that easily! I'm gonna take it to a luthier, and hope he won't skin me for the work... But thanks again!

TDR1138 · #15 11-05-2008, 05:03 PM

s'all good. I wouldn't have done it myself on the guitar I mentioned other than the fact that it was an old one I keep around more for experimenting than playing...

felixxx · #16 11-05-2008, 08:21 PM

I am glad you are going to keep it.

It is such a pretty bass.

Caimanson · #17 11-06-2008, 04:21 PM

Persevere, I got used to it in a couple of weeks.

RockBoxBass · #18 11-06-2008, 04:30 PM

A good luthier can take a little off. I did it on an old warmoth neck and it came out awesome. It cost me $80. There is lots of extra wood on those necks...

Gothic · #19 01-10-2009, 10:45 PM

Well, bumping the thread after some time has passed, and the only thing I gotta say is... I am a moron!!! Yeah!

Long story short, I get the G&L, I kinda hate everything about it. Two-three months later, constantly playing with it, I absolutely fall in love with it. Fortunately, my wrist problems aren't as bad, and the kinda chunky neck on my 2500 fits me like a glove, the sound is absolutely thundering (plus, I can make it smoooooooth), and I'm totally hooked on G&L!

I already got the Ibanez SR506 for my six string needs, but pretty soon I'll be getting my tribbie SB-2, and I'll be one happy mutha...

Now if only there were more European dealers so I can actually choose something other than black/black pg/rw or red/white pg/rw...

Anyway, just wanted to share the love with you guys!

Peace!

unclejane · #20 01-11-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic

Well, bumping the thread after some time has passed, and the only thing I gotta say is... I am a moron!!! Yeah!

Long story short, I get the G&L, I kinda hate everything about it. Two-three months later, constantly playing with it, I absolutely fall in love with it. Fortunately, my wrist problems aren't as bad, and the kinda chunky neck on my 2500 fits me like a glove, the sound is absolutely thundering (plus, I can make it smoooooooth), and I'm totally hooked on G&L!

Peace!

By looking at a couple of the pics, I'd say the action still looks a mile and a half high. Have you tried lowering the action and adjusting the relief? Also, if it's new and/or otherwise still has the factory setup, I'll bet a million the nut is high as well.

Doing a good setup will make it MUCH easier to play. Even my MIA L2500 fretless nearly broke my left arm with the factory setup. I had to do a bunch of work on it when I got it to get it setup....

But yes, it's the voice of satan now....

LS