Does the G&L M2500 (American made) run completely passive?

[Nedmundo]

You can order any G&L with any neck you want if it's from their American plant. They have quite a few neck options available. They build things like Fender did back in the day, where you order a bass with the neck of your choice. If you shop used you can find some L2000s with Jazz bass style necks on occasion. The ASATs are basically the same control scheme as the L-series but with a Jazz bass neck as standard and a different body style.

The fours have lots of neck options, but not the fives. The L-2500, L-1505, M-2500, and MJ-5 all have the same neck, but of course you can choose fretboard wood, fretless, binding, etc. The new JB-5 has a slightly different neck exclusive to that model.

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BTW, I'm digging the Dub King! I used to play a semi-hollow DiPinto, and I love that vibe.

 

[Antisyzygy]

The fours have lots of neck options, but not the fives. The L-2500, L-1505, M-2500, and MJ-5 all have the same neck, but of course you can choose fretboard wood, fretless, binding, etc. The new JB-5 has a slightly different neck exclusive to that model.

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BTW, I'm digging the Dub King! I used to play a semi-hollow DiPinto, and I love that vibe.

Oh that's right, I missed the 5-string part.

You can get the radius you want at least. I've found the thicker the neck the more I need a rounded radius for comfort. 7.25- 7.5" for a big chunky one.

 

[Shortie]

until your luthier pulls out an icky 33 year old 9 volt

I gather you have to keep battery in there even if you only run passive, correct? That's what I seem to remember from my old L.

 

[mpdd]

I'm at the vet waiting on my basset, the bass works great with no battery too

I gather you have to keep battery in there even if you only run passive, correct? That's what I seem to remember from my old L.

 

[Shortie]

I'm at the vet waiting on my basset, the bass works great with no battery too

You took you bass-et to a vet? Shouldn't you take it to a luthier?

 

[Shortie]

and I love that vibe.

I just couldn't get over how cool it looked and Reverend has a good reputation. I'm into short scales so I waited for a cheap one to show up on Reverb. I didn't really know what to expect - I figured it would probably sound like an old Gretsch. I was very wrong about that - it's very versatile and sounds good in the mix. I play it through an SVT tower and everybody loves the sounds it makes.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

I've heard people complaining that if the batteries go dead, the bass can't make a sound.

... Sounds like you have, in fact, found the answer already. The reason people complain about that is because if the batteries go dead, the bass can't make a sound. It's an active bass without a passive option. Batteries die = no sound out of the bass.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Maybe I'm mixing up - I think maybe the way it worked was the battery could be dead and it would work, passive, but you had to keep a (dead) battery in there or it was dead, unlike a lot of other active/passive basses that don't need a battery at all in passive mode.

Tnx

Yes, you are mixing up. This is incorrect. An L-2000 or L-2500 with no battery works just fine in passive mode. An M-2000 or M-2500 with no battery is a dead bass because it only runs in active mode.

 

[Shortie]

An L-2000 or L-2500 with no battery works just fine in passive mode

So everybody agrees - if want a G&L, I should go for the L-2500.

Tnx

 

[Shortie]

You can get the radius you want at least. I've found the thicker the neck the more I need a rounded radius for comfort. 7.25- 7.5" for a big chunky one.

I think that makes sense - a more rounded profile will allow your hand to assume a more relaxed position when you grab around the circumference, instead of stretching out lengthwise. A wide, flat neck would make you stretch your hand more to get the right grip.

 

[Humbled]

...It can almost do a Hofner...

My 2013 (I think) USA L2500 with fairly dead nickle-rounds on it can almost do a Hofner. I think it's a versatile and good feeling/sounding bass.

And yes, it will run completely passive.

 

[GaryCorby]

In twelve years of using active pickups I have never, ever, not even once, had a battery die. I change the battery every six months, whether it needs it or not, which it never does. I've yet to change a battery that wasn't still more than half full. It's even in its own little compartment at the back; it's not like this is difficult. (Many of the people who panic about that battery will happily change tubes in an amp.)

So I'd say go with the M- series if you like the sound. The active EQ is well worth it.

 

[Shortie]

So I'd say go with the M- series if you like the sound. The active EQ is well worth it.

Neck comfort/playability is the most important issue for me. I know G&L so I trust that both of them sound great, and I am very partial to passive mode.

Tnx