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Fender P vs G&L LB-100 vs EBMM Cutlass

Which P would you go with

  • Fender AVRI or American Vintage

    Votes: 15 31.3%

  • G&L LB-100

    Votes: 28 58.3%

  • EBMM Cutlass

    Votes: 6 12.5%
  • Total voters
    48
  • Poll closed .
citizenchris099

citizenchris099

Jan 23, 2012
557
709
46
Dallas, TX
#1
I'm on the market for my first P (style) Bass.
I love my Fender AVRI Jazz so up for Consideration is either an old 2016 AVRI 58 or one of the current American Vintage 60s P. Of course I have played the current Vintage models in the local shops and love them.
I ADORE my G&L SB-2 which has me wondering if that companies answer to a "vanilla" P (as apposed to the SB-1) is worth considering. None of the shops have one but if my SB-2 is any indication G&L make great basses
Finally the much loved EBMM Cutlass. I read nothing but rave reviews of this bass here...none of the shops have one around me though.

So which is it guys? Which P would you pick?
 
#2
citizenchris099 said:
I'm on the market for my first P (style) Bass.
I love my Fender AVRI Jazz so up for Consideration is either an old 2016 AVRI 58 or one of the current American Vintage 60s P. Of course I have played the current Vintage models in the local shops and love them.
I ADORE my G&L SB-2 which has me wondering if that companies answer to a "vanilla" P (as apposed to the SB-1) is worth considering. None of the shops have one but if my SB-2 is any indication G&L make great basses
Finally the much loved EBMM Cutlass. I read nothing but rave reviews of this bass here...none of the shops have one around me though.

So which is it guys? Which P would you pick?
Click to expand...

I voted for the lb100 not because I've played it buy just because my l2000 is amazing and I'll happily buy another G&L. Probably it's not such a strong motivation. Nrvertheless I hope that more informed people will chime in helping you with the choice.
 
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#4
I bought a new G&L American SB-2 last year. I was so impressed with that instrument that I bought a used (almost new) G&L American Kiloton early this year.
I also want a P because although the SB-2 can get somewhat close it isn't a P. Soooo, I ordered a new G&L American LB-100 3 weeks ago. The quality and playability of both of my current G&L's has ruined me for other manufacturers. And the fact that you can order a bass EXACTLY THE WAY YOU WANT IT and typically less expensive than the standard production models from other manufacturers are huge benefits to me. I'm getting the same "C" neck (1.5" at the nut) that's on my SB-2 and Kiloton with a satin vintage tint finish. I'll post pics when I get it :D.
 
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#7
I have an LB-100, so...

My thoughts:

G&L - extremely customizable if you order from the start, excellent build quality, not totally accurate to the original design.

Fender - limited options but extremely customizable with aftermarket parts, great build quality. This is the original design.

EBMM - limited options and not very customizable, excellent build quality, look like they melted the original design.
 
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#9
I have the G&L LB-100 and echo what was said above. It is so good that I can barely play anything else anymore. I sold a USA Fender P and my Sandberg California P because they just sat around as I picked up the LB-100 every single time. Granted my LB-100 is a 1994 and has EMGs so I can't speak for unmodded current ones but I'd bet they're just as good.
 
#12
If I played right handed, I'd buy the Fender Elite Precision even though it's not on your list. I do have a lefty 1976 Precision I custom ordered, and also a factory stock new American Professional Precision. The '76 is in it's case. The Professional is on the stand and has become my #1. Best playing and best sounding bass I own. The neck is the best playing, and the VMOD pup's are the very best I've ever heard.
 
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#14
I’ve actually owned 2 and played all 3. The G&L played like butter, really nice bass. Tone was good, but its a rather bright one compared to what I prefer. Rolling it back helps, but it’s a different tone.

The Cutlass was a bass I was excited to get, but it recorded pretty blah and was not that inspiring to me. I did not see any reason to choose it over a good Fender P, and the look was not as good to me either. It was still quite nice, but I had been playing an AVRI 63 for a year prior, and the tone of the EB just wasne’t there. Playability was quite good though.

AVRI ‘63 is what I bought and stay with. Besides my Sadowsky P/J, this is the best bass I have owned. It has a nice thick neck and the tone records so well. If you like to use flats, it just gets even better. It’s the most recorded bass I have owned. It’s also under 9 pounds if you care about weight.

Anyway, it was not a tough decision for me to go with the AVRI compared to the other 2. And the other 2 are VERY good basses. It would be tough to go wrong in this situation.
 
#15
I also have a G&L SB-2, and I'd get the G&L for the reasons mentioned above, largely the ability to get a neck with 1.5" nut and 12" radius. I also love the G&L bridge for palm-muting, which is a huge plus for me. I have seriously considered getting an LB-100.

Nevertheless, the new American Original Fenders are great. I recently tried an AO 60s Precision in LPB, which was beautifully built and sounded fantastic. It absolutely nailed classic P-bass tone IMO. It was on sale, so I was tempted, but simply can't deal with 1.75" nut width on fours and I prefer the flatter fretboards available from G&L.
 
#16
Luigir said:
sorry, I hadn't read your first posh carefully. That's why I've deleted my post. as far as I know the sb2 with tone knob should be sound like an sb1.

By the way, having the sb2 what do you think is missing from a standard p?
Click to expand...

I LOVE my SB-2...its just not a P. Nor did I really expect it to be either. If you dial back the volume on the neck pup it gets close I guess
I tend to have basses for certain tones / strings etc..
I have a 64 AVRI Jazz w/Chrome Flats
SB-2 has DR Pure Blues
I'm wanting whatever my next bass to be a thuddy sort of Nylon Tapes sort of deal
 
#17
I think that the only reason the Cutlass has so few votes is that not many people have tried this amazing instrument. I have a Caprice, because I like having two pickups, but if I was satisfied with one, I would pick a Cutlass, hands down.

I love G&L and their LB-100 would be a fine second choice. But if you have a chance, rent a Cutlass for a month and try it out. Better yet, just go buy one.
 
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#18
Edgetone said:
I think that the only reason the Cutlass has so few votes is that not many people have tried this amazing instrument. I have a Caprice, because I like having two pickups, but if I was satisfied with one, I would pick a Cutlass, hands down.

I love G&L and their LB-100 would be a fine second choice. But if you have a chance, rent a Cutlass for a month and try it out. Better yet, just go buy one.
Click to expand...

do you own a Stingray as well? I would feel weird owning only one EBMM and it NOT being a Stingray
 
#20
Cutlass. Hands down. I’ve had a lot of P basses, and none of them were as good as the Cutlass. It’s just an incredibly well-made instrument. They really nailed down the details on that thing, and it shows (and feels like) it. I unfortunately do not own one yet, but I’m stupid Cole to pulling the trigger. I’m trying to wait and see if they’ll come out with a 5 string version.

I will disclose though, that I played one in a GC here in Spokane where the nut was cut really high. It was annoying, and something I didn’t expect out of EBMM.
 
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