Will an SB-2 suit me fine?

[Willem]

I think an SB-2 will suit me well, from what I've read about it here and at the pit. Also I love the simplicity of the two vol knobs, I like P, I like hot pickups, I like 21 frets and I like the idea of choosing color, pickguard and fretboard myself.

But that's all theory, I don't really have a chance to try it out...
So here's my situation:

I play in a thrash metal band with two guitarists. The rhythm guitarist boosts treble and cuts mids and bass, the lead guitarist boosts bass and cuts mids and treble; both with a fair amount of gain.

What I need is a bass that can cut through that well balanced wall of sound + that can give me a good amount of low mid with just a turn of a knob when the leadguitarist plays a solo and leaves a gap in the low mid region.

So can the SB-2 give me these two sounds
- cut through two distorted guitars
- fill out the mix in the low mids
without too much knob fiddlin and without having to add a tone knob?

[saxofunk]

Metal aint my bag, so I can't tell you exactly how to accomplish cutting through, but I am confident it can be done with an SB-2.

As for tone changes, a slight tweek on either volume knob changes the tone a bit. The P volume knob will give you a full, slightly brighter tone when cranked to 10. Roll it off to 9.5 and it gets less trebley and doesn't effect the volume significantly. I think that would serve the low mids you're after.

If you want to test an SB-2 and can't get ahold of one locally, maybe pick up a Tribute on eBay for $300-400, test drive it, and flip it for the same money.

The following post is one of my all time favs:

Originally Posted by quickervicar

I had considered going to a tone pot until I spent more time with the bass. I can get a huge variety of tones using just the two volume pots. Here's what works for mine:

N-10 B-0 = P-bass with tone @ 10 (bassy & blooming)

N-8 B-0 = P-bass with tone @ 3 (warm thud)

N-10 B-8 = the SB-2 (punchy, thick & crunchy)

N-10 B-10 = J-bass with N + B + tone @ 10 (clear, punchy & bright)

Spend time with an SB-2 & you'll find that it will get you through any gig. Not a monster like my ASAT, but it is my favorite bass. Hard to explain but it is just so right in so many ways.

from This thread

[coop]

I'm not a Metal player either, but Wanda with the Iron Maidens http://www.theironmaidens.com/ uses an SB-2 so it works fine for Metal.

[spideyjg]

She has no problem being heard over the 2 guitar players. We made sure she had enough power.

She can thump them off the stage if she wanted.

SB-2, Steve Harris Flats, 4X12 Schroeder cabinet, BBE Bmax-T and QSC PLX2 3102 going BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!! at only 1/2 of what it can do.

Jim

[Willem]

Ok so we've established it can cut through.
But can it carry the sound like a P?
Thanks for your answers so far!

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Willem

Ok so we've established it can cut through.
But can it carry the sound like a P?
Thanks for your answers so far!

Once again best rock example for a P in use is Iron Maiden. Steve Harris has used them his entire time.

Wanda can be heard playing those lines Steve recorded with P using her SB-2 here on the demo section of their site.

Children of the Damned is thick bass as is Killers, and Phantom is cutting through. Her sound is just a good as Steve's on CD and live.

Youtube thread. Many live clips.
I've shot many clips of them in action and the sound is always iffy but you can always hear the SB-2.

If I had another example for you to hear with your own ears I'd point you there also.

My SB-2 with round does an awesome job of covering Jay Bentley's sound with Bad Religion. Check out Los Angeles is Burning. Jay uses a 78 P and I can get that sound easy.
You can find lots of BR here.....

Jim

[quickervicar]

An SB-2 with just the Neck on "8", played with right hand over the neck joint will get you as lush & blooming tone as you'll ever need. Or at least all that I'll ever need.

[Willem]

Thanks for all the answers, they were really helpful. In theorie this bass should be IT for me.
I found a G&L dealer near my hometown who's gonna give me a call as soon as they have an SB-2 in stock, so I can try it out with no obligations. I'm really excited about that, but it could take a long time. But I'll have to save up for a long time before I can afford a new SB-2 .

Thanks again for your help.

[quickervicar]

Save up, it's worth it. I won't tell you how much I've spent on my trio, but you can find deals. Just get to know your dealer & keep your eyes open for used ones. Remember, this is a "keeper."

[Willem]

yeah, I am keeping my eyes open for used ones. But the only used one I have seen so far was on ebay with only the buy it now feature. It was an 85 SB2 for €1345. That's what you pay for a new one... I fear there aren't many SB-2's in Europe, and if it's a keeper, there are even less used ones for sale. :s

This one is in stock with the importer:


I always thought a pickguard would screw up bleuburst (or any other burst), but this one is beautiful. I wish it had a maple fingerboard. Then I would beg my dad to lend me the mony to get it and I would sell my current bass to pay him back.

[quickervicar]

I recommend the maple board, if possible. I wouldn't change mine at all. Warm or aggressive depending on your mood.

[Willem]

Another question, I probably shouldn't worry about this, but I read somewhere that some basses don't sound like they should sound when tuned down... we tune down a half step. Will the SB-2 still sound good?
And how does it sound when played with a pick?

[quickervicar]

I've had mine in drop D for some time & it was fine. A half step shouldn't be anything to worry about.

I'm biased, but I think picks are for guitar players. Bassists should use their fingers. Having said that, there are times when you need that pick to cut through or to get the staccato punch that the song needs. This is where my SB-2 shines. Neck @ 10, bridge @ 8, angle your pick attack so you hit the string at about a 45 degree angle. You will absolutely growl.

[Willem]

Originally Posted by quickervicar

I'm biased, but I think picks are for guitar players. Bassists should use their fingers.

I'll admit, I'm a guitarplayer playing crappy basslines.

Originally Posted by quickervicar

Having said that, there are times when you need that pick to cut through or to get the staccato punch that the song needs. This is where my SB-2 shines. Neck @ 10, bridge @ 8, angle your pick attack so you hit the string at about a 45 degree angle. You will absolutely growl.

Thanx for all your answers so far, Q. Really helpful!

[quickervicar]

Glad to be of assistance!

[jaxzen]

I have an SB2 that I am willing to sell. It has an ash body, natural, just clear coated and a rosewood fretboard. It's all original including the case and paperwork. It is in excellent condition. I'm sorry but I don't have a pic of it right now. If you want to know more just ask. I am interested in a neck through Spector or a Warwick Streamer and would be willing to trade this bass plus cash for the right one.

[Willem]

No thanx, I don't have any money, nor do I have a spector or a warwick. + I really want a maple fretboard and an alder bodey. + I live in Belgium.

[dgce]

Originally Posted by Willem

No thanx, I don't have any money, nor do I have a spector or a warwick. + I really want a maple fretboard and an alder bodey. + I live in Belgium.

I'd like to second a suggestion someone else on this thread made about the discontinued Tribute SB-2. I've seen 3 (one at a shop and two online) all going for under $350 (one for only $299!). I tried the $299 one at a shop and was blown away. The J style neck was comfy. The pickups kicked butt though certainly not as head-crunching as the active-humbucker equipped L2000. Bag for buck, these are the sweetest 4 string basses you can find. Great quality, US made PJ pickups, plenty comfy, and you WILL be heard. The trick is finding one. I can only recommend keeping yr eye on eBay daily. Sooner or later, one will pop up.

r