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G&L basses

H

Hoobajesse

Dec 4, 2010
6
0
Los Angeles, CA
www.facebook.com
Disclosures
Endorsing: Gallien Krueger. Ernie Ball.
#1
I'm in the Market for a new bass. Currently I'm using Fender's (jazz 5 str. and P-bass deluxe 4 str.). Although the tones and feel of the fenders are great and classic, I feel the jazz basses especially have kind of a "dead" sound. Very low output, leaves much to be desired (especially in the studio). I'm looking to switch to something more versitile with a higher output that has some balls and I'm thinking G&L. If anyone with experience with these basses could write me a little short testimony I would be greatly appreciative. Thanks for your time. :help:
 
#2
I love my USA and tribute SB-2's. I had issues with the "dead" sound you mentioned with fenders. Then I played my first G&L, a tribute model, and fell in love. Mine both have jazz necks and feel much like a fender.

The bridge p/u isn't really all that great for solo sound, but it adds an enormous amount of character to the P pickup's tone. I love having the ability to adjust the pole pieces as well. I have my D and G poles much closer to the strings than the lower strings. It makes those upper octave notes sting. You can also do a great deal by just adjusting the volume level of your pickups. The P pickup full on is really in your face and almost unnecessary. Drop it back a touch for that full P sound.
 
#3
I hear great things bout them...just never any near me to try out.
(and the looks..meh...take it or leave it.)

But your comment bout a jazz being "dead"..in the stuidio (or much to be desired in studio)

IME..you do not want a whole lot going on when you record...you can always add later...(spice it up)...but you can't take it away if its on the original recording.
I guess you really dont want a super hot (preamped-up) super signal whilst you record.

If you do use an "active" bass for recording..I'd set the eq on the bass flat.

Remember folks..before grabbin the pitchforks and storming the castle...J M O.


.
 
#5
Bassdirty, I understand your comment on recording technique and trust me, I know. I have lots of experience in the studio as a session player and I have a good idea what producers/artists are looking for. Your reply is quite valid, but I feel that with the particular instruments that I'm using most engineers are giving me the stink eye :). I love fenders, but MY fenders, I don't like for the gigs I play. Generally, I prefer passive for the studio which is also why I'm looking at G&L (passive/active toggle).
 
#6
G&L basses are a think of beauty. When I bought mine, I picked it up to augment my other bass, but more often than not, I end up playing the G&L. The amount of different tones you can get out of it is amazing, and it's just "fun" to play. No way to describe it. Seems to put a smile on my face when I hear it.
 
#7
I just can't say enough good things about G&L basses. I've owned 2 Climax basses, 2 L-2000, 1 L-1500, 1 L-2500 & 1 Legacy bass. I currently own a USA L-2000 & a warmoth Jazz I just built for kicks. I'm thinking of selling the warmoth & getting another L-1000. I've been playing 20 years & have dang near played everything out there. I keep going back to G&L. Quality sound, quality playability, just plain quality! The tone is the kicker though, Leo Fender put his heart & soul into these basses. The tone is just God like.
 
#13
I have had 2 a USA 2500 5 string and a ASAT 4 string. Both had maple necks. I really loved them. They definitely have a high output and versatile sound capabilities. However the thing I liked the most about them was the nice growl they had. I only had a chance to record with the ASAT but it sounded great. They really are wonderful basses for the money. Awesome fit / finish and sound. The playability was great to. The only thing I didnt like was the slightly chunky neck on the 2500 series and the string spacing. I personaly like full string spacing and a slim neck. This was a deal breaker for me , but that was totally a personal choice. This might not bother others. The ASAT was totally awesome I loved it and hope to have another one some day. I only sold it because I am a 5 string guy. Try to play them if you can , I think you will really like them. There is nothing that sounds quite like a G&L
 
#16
I really can't say enough good about them. The fit and finish is second to none.

I can get just about any sound I want out of them from clean and semi delicate to ballsy, gritty and downright nasty (a good nasty).

There are currently three of them residing here, L1000, L2000 and L1505, and they are definite keepers. The L1000 has the best neck I have ever experienced on a 4 banger.
 
#17
Hoobajesse said:
tbird36go, thanks for the reply (and all of you :) ). Can you get a "p-bass" stylish tone out of a L-2500 or L-2000? I love the punch and clarity, but can you back it off if need be? I know it's going to be different, but could you play a reggae gig with it?
Click to expand...

You can get a really close P bass approximation out of the L2000 or 2500 with the neck PU (only) in single-coil mode. It even gets rid of the mud you usually have with a real Precision - the MFD's are clearer than that little cheapie crap split thing they have in the Precision. If you run it in "parallel" mode, you get a really super fat version of the P bass sound.

I have one or two clips of my L2000 sort of making that sound (my supporting membership has lapsed tho so I"d have to to send it to you via some other method if you wanted to hear it).

The MFD pickups are basically the hottest PU's available on the planet so it does take some work to tame them for other sounds. I.e. the jazz "jaco" style sound can be approximated by running the bridge PU in single-coil mode and plucking right over it, but you do have to EQ it afterwards.

For reggae, you're definitely ok. Just put it in parallel mode and run either both PU's or neck-only with the treble knob turned all the way down.....

LS
 

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