What to pair with an L-2000: another L-2000, or an SB-2 or JB-2?

[Thunder Pulse]

I got an L-2000 Tribute recently that I've absolutely fallen in love with. My first thought was that I wanted to get a second one so I could have one bass with rounds and one with flats, but then I gave it some more consideration and figured I should consider a model that's a little different from an L-2000 before I rush into anything.

I'm interested in 4-string basses only. Let's hear some opinions. Should I get a second L-2000, or an SB-2 or JB-2, and why?

[4Mal]

IMO - neither are particularly versatile.

The SB-2 has been described as a P Bass on steroids. The J style MFD is not functional as a stand-alone pickup - it functions more as a brightening control. It's a great bass but versatility is not one of it's attributes IMO.

The JB-2 is a J bass clone with some flaws. The pickups are overly harsh. Some describe the bass as 'revealing' - I would add - bright to the point of being unfriendly. I'm a J Bass guy. My #1 is a J. I've owned 2 MIA JB-2's and neither were good enough to stick here for any time. Beautiful - but not great basses. If you replace the pickups in the JB-2 then maybe ... but that beg's the age old P vs J debate...

IMO - the one to own in that pair is the SB-2.

[Thunder Pulse]

Thanks for your opinion. I don't think 'versatile' was the right word to use so I've edited my original post. It won't be my only bass as I also have the L2000 I mentioned which is versatile, so what I should have asked is which bass I should pair with it as a second bass since I'd like to have one bass set up with rounds and one with flats.

I haven't read much about the JB-2's, but I don't like that you think the pickups aren't very good. Sounds like you have enough experience with them to know what you're talking about.

As far as the SB-2 goes, I read somewhere about a tone mod of having the neck pickup wired in parallel rather than series because it makes both pickups closer to the same volume. I didn't quite understand it though because each pickup has its own volume control, so couldn't the volume be balanced that way? On my L-2000 I prefer the sounds I get in series mode rather than parallel so I'm not sure what to think of all this.

Or perhaps a second L-2000?

I'm open to all opinions, so let's hear 'em.

[ljazz]

I just got an SB2 this past weekend. The thing kills! I put some TI JF's on it, and now that they're starting to break in, thoughts of adding the tone mod are vanishing.

I agree, being versatile is probably not the SB2's strong suit.... however, it's a killer pbass sound (roll off a touch of the p pup, and add a touch of the j pup), and to me, that works with virtually everything. In fact, it could end up replacing my '87 SB1 as my main player ( pretty telling when you consider I have a beautifull '02 US L2K and a SD Antiquity loaded MIA Jazz sitting here as well).

Ljazz

[earlgray]

Hey, I've got 4 L-2x00s, each setup slightly different, an SB-2, and a JB-2. Here's my opinion on this issue, which is probably worth exactly what you paid for it.

Another L-2000: I have an '81 L-2000e with TI Jazz Flats for a mellower sound. Its just an incredible bass and everytime I play it, I fall in love again. But, there's some things it just doesn't like, and that's now the job of my badassbassplayers.com L-2000 limited edition with TI SuperAlloys. Its a great rock bass -- good for slap too. The rounds give it a lotta bite and a growly sound that really cuts thru a dense mix. I used to play a lot of fretless, so I also have an L-2500 FL with SuperAlloys that give an incredible sound, so that's another dimension for you.

An SB-2: My SB-2 is the ultimate in simplicity and a great bass to play. Thin, fast neck & comfortable even for long gigs. With experience, you can dial in tones using the bridge pickup to taste. This is my favorite road bass because its light, simple, and never fails me; its probably my favorite bass out of the entire bunch, and its my "comfort bass" -- you know, the instrument equivalent of comfort food --- for me, its the one I pick up when all hell has broken loose and I still need to deliver at a gig. And, it has G&L's MFD pickups, for that sound we love.

A JB-2: I have this love/hate relationship with my JB-2. Its much better than any Jazz bass i've owned (MIA, J, or M) past & present, but its a wild beast. The pickups are not MFD, but they're hot and very sensitive -- they bring out everything, good & bad. This bass makes you a better player. If you're having a bad day, the JB-2 will not go easy on you and it gives you nowhere to hide; but, when you're on fire, it provides the flamethrower. I went thru a wide variety of strings before settling on a set of TI Jazz Flats. They help tame the beast inside.

I think the JB is probably the best built bass I've ever owned; its an ash body with quartersawn 6-bolt neck, which gives it sustain like a neck-thru bass -- more than my RIC. A fast, slim #8 neck and totally even response up and down the neck and across string to string. No dead spots that I can find anywhere. The body is comfortable and it is a beauty: clear orange with a maple board. It is why G&L makes the ultimate Jazz bass.

IMO, you'll not go wrong on any of these, but they're all very different and it really depends on what you're looking for in a 2nd bass -- if pushed to pick one, I'd probably recommend an SB-2 just because of the style contrast with the L-2000, but you still get that MFD sound.

hth.

[lug]

My preference would be the SB2. I'm just waiting for a lefty Trib model to come out.


<prays yet again for lefty Trib SB2 model to come out>

[Nedmundo]

I don't have much experience with the JB-2, but I have an SB-2. I think it's probably a safer bet for you, in part because you prefer running your L-2000 in series. This suggests you prefer a thick, heavy tone, and the MFD split-coil does this extremely well. I'm a P-bass fanatic, and I simply love the SB-2's take on heavy duty P-bass tone. Plus, you can dial in the bridge pickup to move a couple of steps closer to J-bass territory with additional high end. For all its simiplicity, the SB-2 is pretty versatile IMO, just like a conventional P-bass. It might not produce a wide range of tones, but those tones will work in a wide range of material.

[sunbeast]

Another vote for SB-2. I personally think the L2000 does a much closer Jazz bass sound than a P-bass sound- I think a split coil (P-bass style) pickup just has characteristics to the attack that other pickups can't really cop that well. So, in the interest of adding a different tone to your arsenal, I would go with the SB-2.

Karl

[Thunder Pulse]

SB-2, looks like it's unanimous. Thanks for all the opinions.

[skaelin]

I use flats on my SB-2 and it sounds great. Real thump and definition, plus solid lows. Awesome funk sound.

I use rounds on my JB-2 and although some might consider it a "bright" sounding J, it works great as a slap instrument.

When I want to thump, it's the SB-2. When I want to machine gun, it's the JB-2.

[Assumer]

I love my JB2 as a matter of fact I have two. They both sound great. Never had a problem with them being overly bright. Playing finger style it has a nice Chris Squire, yes type sound that can be altered with the tone knob. I guess it all comes down with personal preference.

[Chef]

REally, you need to get somewhere and play the JB and SB; they're quite different, and both quite tasty.
Like 4Mal, I found the JB2 to be pretty harsh with the stock rounds.
A set of LaBella 760FL stainless flats calmed her right down while retaining plenty of highs.
Best passive Jazz bass built, IMO, if you like a J.

[Wwolof]

Yeah, reading this, I really want a Trib JB2. I tend to go bass-heavy on the L2K setup, and this may form a useful contrast.

That said, the L2K (only a Trib here!) is a remarkable instrument and really kicks it in terms of the sound I am after. I look at Rays now and go, well, not "meh", but no longer quite so necessary, especially with the whole middle-aged shoulded/weight thing.

[Wwolof]

shoulder!