Is the Fender P and the G&L SB1 the same animal?

bmaker · #1 01-16-2011, 04:30 PM

I am looking to add a Fender P to the arsenal. However, I have heard some good things about the G&L SB1. Do these fit the same bill (nice warm punchy tone)? Does anyone have experience/opinions on both of these models?
Thanks,
Chris

**Chef** · #2 01-16-2011, 05:26 PM

The G&L MFD P pickup would be one big diff, along with the G&L saddle lock bridge.
The G&L pickup is hotter, beefier sounding, with more of everything across the spectrum.

However, rolling the volume control shut a tad, and using the tone knob with net you solid traditional P tones.

BIGBEE · #3 01-16-2011, 05:45 PM

maybe you should try the G&L LB 100 instead of the SB1 definitly more of a traditional p bass tone(IMHO).

SoonerMatt · #4 01-16-2011, 05:50 PM

You should also check out the Lakland/Skyline 44-64. Best P-style bass on the market, IMO.

Nedmundo · #5 01-17-2011, 08:23 AM

I have a 2004 MIA Fender P and 2007 G&L USA SB-2. Chef is spot on, but there are other differences. The G&L comes stock with the #8 neck, which is 1.5" nut width like a Jazz, and a 12" fretboard radius. It feels more like a Jazz than a Precision, and IMO is a fantastic neck. (I should mention not all #8 necks are created equal. My new G&L JB's neck is thinner front to back than my SB-2's, and feels quite different.) My Fender plays as well as any Precision I've ever tried, but the G&L is even better. The G&L also has a six bolt neck joint and 21 frets.

The pickup is the key difference though. It's in the split-coil P-bass family, but it's much more powerful, with deeper lows. Overall, I prefer the G&L MFD tone over my Fender with Lindy Fralin, but when a more vintage tone is appropriate, the Fender/Fralin combo is better. Similar tones are on tap in the G&L via rolling back the volume and tone (my SB-2 has a tone control), but the Fralin is special in its own right.

**Chef** · #6 01-17-2011, 09:15 AM

"stock neck"

that's one upside to G&L; you can order whichever of 4 necks suit you.

ezstep · #7 01-17-2011, 01:00 PM

I have owned both. Very similar in most aspects, but different in sound and overall workmanship. G&L (P) had the Fender P beat in both areas, IMHO. I traded in my Fender, but I still have the G&L and will continue to keep it.

Of course, you need to try out both for yourself, if possible.