Anyone likes G&L L2000?

[chinesepaul]

I want to buy a g&l. I don't know whether it is suitable for me. I like j fusion, and I like the sound of Mitsuru Sutoh. But, moon bass is not sold in my city...

I need your advise. Thanks.

My email: [email protected]

 

[Mike Shevlin]

I actually think that every bass player should experience the L2000~ it is a serious weapon.

 

[Aspidites]

Seriously underrated bass, you should be able to pull just about any tone you want out of it.

I love mine.

 

[Nikoubis]

You owe it to yourself to try one.

 

[LDonnie]

Is this the Tribute or the American G&L? If you want the Mitsuru Sutoh sound, just buy a Jazz bass IMO.

 

[chinesepaul]

Thanks for your advices. I want to buy an American one.

 

[LDonnie]

Thanks for your advices. I want to buy an American one.

I advise a certain cautiousness in that case. Makes sure that you like what you buy, because there is alot of money involved. Again, if you like the Mitsuru Sutoh sound, just buy a Jazz bass (though I think a G&L can pull off the Jazz sound, someone needs to confirm this though). I think a Jazz is a much safer investment since it is such a staple.

 

[chinesepaul]

I advise a certain cautiousness in that case. Makes sure that you like what you buy, because there is alot of money involved. Again, if you like the Mitsuru Sutoh sound, just buy a Jazz bass (though I think a G&L can pull off the Jazz sound, someone needs to confirm this though). I think a Jazz is a much safer investment since it is such a staple.

Now I've got it. Thank you very much. o(∩_&#8745o...

 

[Aspidites]

I advise a certain cautiousness in that case. Makes sure that you like what you buy, because there is alot of money involved. Again, if you like the Mitsuru Sutoh sound, just buy a Jazz bass (though I think a G&L can pull off the Jazz sound, someone needs to confirm this though). I think a Jazz is a much safer investment since it is such a staple.

I don't understand your point, an L2000 is no more expensive than a fender Jazz and is a higher quality instrument and yes you can pull a Jazz Bass tone out of an L2000 along with many more tones than you can imagine.

 

[chinesepaul]

I don't understand your point, an L2000 is no more expensive than a fender Jazz and is a higher quality instrument and yes you can pull a Jazz Bass tone out of an L2000 along with many more tones than you can imagine.

Maybe I should earn money and buy a jazz bass and a L2000.
Anyway, thanks.

 

[Jim Roseberry]

I don't understand your point, an L2000 is no more expensive than a fender Jazz and is a higher quality instrument and yes you can pull a Jazz Bass tone out of an L2000 along with many more tones than you can imagine.

FWIW, I have a nice US L2k.
It's great...
It's got a real gutsy/crunchy aggressive sound.

I'd say you can get P'ish and J'ish tones out of it.
Not an exact J tone (due to the humbuckers and them being ceramic). With a split coil mod, you'd get closer to a true J tone.

 

[chinesepaul]

FWIW, I have a nice US L2k.
It's great...
It's got a real gutsy/crunchy aggressive sound.

I'd say you can get P'ish and J'ish tones out of it.
Not an exact J tone (due to the humbuckers and them being ceramic). With a split coil mod, you'd get closer to a true J tone.

Cool. I will buy one this year.

 

[LDonnie]

I don't understand your point, an L2000 is no more expensive than a fender Jazz and is a higher quality instrument and yes you can pull a Jazz Bass tone out of an L2000 along with many more tones than you can imagine.

True, but I never said a G&L was less or more expensive. Tributes fall in the MIM range as well, but there is a difference in spending $1400,- and $500,- (just estimates, I only know the price in euros). My point was that having a Jazz is never a bad thing since it is such a standard, though I acknowledge that this is debatable. If the G&L can pull of a J(-ish) sound, which it apparently does, then the OP might want to lean to getting one. Nothing sounds more like a J than a J though and he does want the Mitsuru Sutoh sound...

 

[woodsideh]

Look around for a used L2000. You can find them in the $700 range if you look hard enough.

 

[oldrookie]

And I don't get the concern about whether he buys a Tribute or not. Very high quality bass. Same electronics for less.

Most agree that the major difference is in the number of finishes available and fewer choices in neck size options.

If you were saying --don't spend USA $ unless you are sure you can get the sound-- if the USA gets it, the Tribs get it.

 

[LDonnie]

And I don't get the concern about whether he buys a Tribute or not. Very high quality bass. Same electronics for less.

Most agree that the major difference is in the number of finishes available and fewer choices in neck size options.

If you were saying --don't spend USA $ unless you are sure you can get the sound-- if the USA gets it, the Tribs get it.

I am sorry I was not clear yet. I was talking about the implications of spending $500,- or $1400,-. All the basses mentioned are fine, surely, but if the OP decides he doesn't like the bass, he will be glad he spent $500,- instead of $1400,-. The OP hasn't tried the G&L yet and wants to approach Sutoh's sound, who plays Jazz basses. I am just saying that if he wants that sound he might be better off purchasing a Jazz. Personally, I would be more reluctant to let go of a Jazz than the G&L because the Jazz is more of a standard, but again, this is debatable.

B.T.W. gassing for a L2000 Tribute pretty hard

 

[Aspidites]

This thread needs some L2000 photos, here's mine.

 

[oldrookie]

I am sorry I was not clear yet. I was talking about the implications of spending $500,- or $1400,-. All the basses mentioned are fine, surely, but if the OP decides he doesn't like the bass, he will be glad he spent $500,- instead of $1400,-. The OP hasn't tried the G&L yet and wants to approach Sutoh's sound, who plays Jazz basses. I am just saying that if he wants that sound he might be better off purchasing a Jazz. Personally, I would be more reluctant to let go of a Jazz than the G&L because the Jazz is more of a standard, but again, this is debatable.

B.T.W. gassing for a L2000 Tribute pretty hard

Ahh! With you now. Thanks for the clarification.

And get whatever form of L2000 you want. Doubt you'll be unhappy. Loved my Trib L2000 so much I sold it to fund my Trib L2500--my now primary bass. Love it.

 

[Bassnut62]

if you want to be closer to a Jazz, you could go for a used Amercian G&L Asat Bass. It has all same pick-ups and electronics as L2000; but the neck is much closer to a Jazz neck. Also an Asat looks much more cool IMO!
As for Jazz sounds out of one of these G&Ls, I say 'not really'. They can get Jazz-ish; but this is not a Jazz bass. IMO the L2000 and the Asat are both a great blend of hot versions of a Jazz, Precision and Stingray.

 

[Joebone]

A dissenting note here, and a reluctant one at that, but one that counsels someone seeking a J-bass sound to pursue a J-bass, or some other axe with alnico magnets in the pickups.

In starting to play bass somewhat seriously over the last few years, I came into the enterprise with the L-2000 in mind - I have strong memories of hearing them when they first came out, and absolutely loving the sound (I also loved those dual-pickup MM Sabre basses that people were playing back in the day).

Since then I've been through 5 different L2000 and an L2500 - all US, ranging from mid-90's on. Two of them - 4-stringers with ebony boards - were really excellent instruments: nice wood, nice build, a bit lighter than most, lively and musical sound in most respects. None of them was a dog, although one needed fret work (which got done via a plek job at the factory, quickly and cheerfully - and let's hear it for Matt at Guitar Trader in NYC, who is a killer G&L dealer), G&L quality control is good, and they seem to understand wood in a very nice way for their price point.

The problem? I've come to figure out that I don't get on with basses using ceramic pole pieces for the magnet. Each L2k would impress with the wide tonal range and the potential for a fat sound -- but then as I would listen into the notes, I'd feel like the center was missing, and that the attacks didn't have the transient snap I was hoping for (I play mostly fingerstyle, with minimal slapping and no pick).

In messing around with EBBM Stingrays, I learned about how EBBM shifts periodically from alnico to ceramic and back to alnico, and found that the alnico pickups sounded way, way better to me. A little less gain, perhaps not so fat, but a much purer, more centered sound, much crisper attacks, and better results when chording. In comparison, the ceramic pole instruments felt, in the words of guitarist friend, like "wearing rubber pants;" like playing or listening through thin layers of gauze and rubber.

I associate my frustration with the L2K with those pole pieces, as my issues with ceramic-pole EBBM stuff mimicked my issues with the L2K.

Not everyone will share my preferences or experience in this regard. And I suspect that the L2K kicks booty when played with a pick. But I really, really, really wanted to love these axes, and just could not get there.

If the OP is looking to mimic a jazz bass sound, please note that alnico magnets are a feature of the classic J-bass pickups, and to me, there is a real difference between ceramic and alnico.

Here's a question for the world - is there any chance that the early L-2000's had alnico pole pieces?