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Deciding on a bass. Musicman or...
- Thread starter rage941
- Start date
I like all of these basses although I havent tried the Lakey but have heard it sounding awesome.
For me the G&L wins cause I like the versatility, fat neck and body design and finish. Doesnt mean it will be best for you.....You could always get a l2k USA used in the 700$ range and if you dont like it sell it again---have fun and good luck!
For me the G&L wins cause I like the versatility, fat neck and body design and finish. Doesnt mean it will be best for you.....You could always get a l2k USA used in the 700$ range and if you dont like it sell it again---have fun and good luck!
I think the color is tacky but that's a good deal. Once I factor in shipping though I don't know if it's a good enough deal to settle on the color. Definitely something for me to consider though, thanks.
Not interested in a 5 but thanks. Also not interested in a Stingray unless it has the smaller neck.
I haven't found many US G&Ls in the $700 range...
Only takes one. I see one on GC used site right now and this one just sold here on TB for 7$ US!!!!
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-usa-g-l-l2000-l2k-trans-green-swamp-ash-$695-shipped-844459/
I played bass for 35 years and had a lot of basses (Fenders, gibsons, MusicMan, G&L, boutiques bass) and while I'm still keeping my old Jazz '72 and a Precision, my favorite bass is now my Sterling 4HS USA. I'm currently in Europe and could bring only one bass and I choose this one. I think it's a very versatile bass with a lot of punch and easy to play. When the 5-way pickup selector, it's easy to have any sound we need, even some kind of Precision or Jazz (and Stingray, of course). I have short hands and it's perfect for me. I read everything before in this thread and while comments about G&L, the neck of the L2000 is generally not the same. Another thing I've found, because I've had 3 Sterlings, is that the ones with maple fretboards have a slighly thicker neck (back to front) than those with rosewood neck. I prefer this last one and i swaped necks from my last two. I think that it's important to try basses if you're sensible to neck size like me. And I'm not sure about the Sterling Classic regarding the neck size.
That's a very valid argument. The same could be asked for buying a NYC Sadowsky or a Fodera over a US made Musicman. Sure those basses are extraordinary, but are they really worth $3000.00 more than a US made Music man? To some they are...to me they're not.
However, a US Musicman is worth the price to me. Is it double or triple times better than the SBMM stuff? I wouldn't say so, but there's enough difference to offset the cost for me.
Another thing you have to consider is the quality of components in the woods and electronics and how well they will age.
I might have had a bad apple. I ordered the bass sight unseen and when I brought it to church to play it, the sound guy asked if I could play another bass that it was buzzing all through the system. I checked it at home through my amp and turned my fan off in the room and sure enough there was a buzz at all times. I think the bass could've benefited from some shielding. Every US EBMM I've had has been dead quiet.
Not knocking SBMM as a whole. SBMM is well worth the cash, but, like I said before, it's worth it for me to buy a US made MusicMan. I think they're worth the extra money.
I love my MM Sterling. Plays like a dream, gives me exactly the sound I like for 80's hair band stuff, I don't break strings like I used too... And I got it used for $800.
I was looking at a Fender Jazz, but the only ones I liked were the Custom Shop ones that were over $2,000.
I was looking at a Fender Jazz, but the only ones I liked were the Custom Shop ones that were over $2,000.
musicman, far as im concerned they are the best quality mass manufactured bass out there. but again this is my oppion.
And what is the last one? Maple or rosewood?
Exactly why I'm being stubborn about american made stuff.
So it seems everyone thinks the sterling neck is exceptionally comfortable? Even compared to G&Ls? Bass central should have a non classic Sterling, so hopefully I will like the feel of that and then I will seek out a used one!
Sorry if it's not clear, I'm a french person. I finished with a fantastic Sterling 4HS Blue Ocean Mist with the rosewood fretboard. But I have to say that I found the maple fretboard a little better for slap. Since I don't slap a lot, the rosewood was the best for me and anyway it's a Sterling. And a Sterling is always good for slapping...
+1
I got the SBMM 'Ray 34 as a late birthday/early christmas gift last year and it's quite simply the bass I've always wanted... Well except for maybe a Wal, but those things are way expensive. The SBMM basses are affordable for the quality sound you can get out of these things. If you're especially a 90's music guy like me then there's no way you can deprive yourself of getting one, seeing as all the major bands at the time were using either a Sterling or Stingray, and for a good reason too. You can get a very punchy tone by cranking the lows/highs and turning down the mid a bit on the bass. I still am messing around and discovering new sounds all the time. I've seen other people use stingrays/SBMM's and they sound even more kickass with a sansamp (which I really want and am saving up for). I got mine new which was around $800 but if you look hard I bet you can find one for around $400-500 used. Well worth the price, especially if raw but vibrant and aggressively punchy tones are your thing!
Here we have to moderate our comparison. The Sterling is more comfortable than the G&L L2000, which generally have a kind of P-size neck. But I had a G&L SB2 and the neck was fantastic too, but it's not the same sound and versatility. I must admit that I would like to try the Stingray SLO, to see how it feels to have a Stingray with a Sterling neck.
Interesting that you don't like P-Basses and didn't like the MarkBass LMII/III. I happen to love both of those pieces of equipment (among other stuff). Different strokes for different folks.
I would be another one who would suggest trying a Sterling by MusicMan series bass. Of the ones I tried, the main difference would be that on average, they were heavier than their American counterparts. Even some of the EBMMs are fairly heavy. If you could find a SbMM used for a good price, you could pick it up while you save and search for an EBMM Classic Sterling. If you end up liking it enough, you won't need to upgrade. If not, then you're not much worse off as you can just sell it.
There should be no reliability issues with the SbMM. A good bass is a good bass no matter where it's made.
I would be another one who would suggest trying a Sterling by MusicMan series bass. Of the ones I tried, the main difference would be that on average, they were heavier than their American counterparts. Even some of the EBMMs are fairly heavy. If you could find a SbMM used for a good price, you could pick it up while you save and search for an EBMM Classic Sterling. If you end up liking it enough, you won't need to upgrade. If not, then you're not much worse off as you can just sell it.
There should be no reliability issues with the SbMM. A good bass is a good bass no matter where it's made.
Jean-Pierre said:
Comfortable is to a large extent subjective.
For me, a P bass neck is more comfortable than a Jazz. I prefer a Stingray over a Sterling mostly because of the neck...
Different strokes etc.
I know I don't understand it haha.
