Chef
In Memoriam
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G&L Club Part 4
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
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They don't make L5500's anymore. L5500's had EMG soap bar pups and a "big ole honkin neck".
OK.....I'm in. Do I need a pic? Well...picked up a '98 L-2500 USA, Blueburst. Needed to emulate that Fender twang, but I refused to buy a Fender. Also needed to stay with the closer string spacing for the 5'er, so this bass was the winner.
I like a good solid bass, coming from Warwick feel and experience. The G&L provided me that solidness, and got be the vintage Geezer Butler sound I needed for this Sabbath Trib I got myself into. I use forward neck pickup, passive selected and the tone switch in the middle position to achieve the sound that I have been looking for.
I like a good solid bass, coming from Warwick feel and experience. The G&L provided me that solidness, and got be the vintage Geezer Butler sound I needed for this Sabbath Trib I got myself into. I use forward neck pickup, passive selected and the tone switch in the middle position to achieve the sound that I have been looking for.
I'm so sorry...but I have to post mine up again. It's been about 2-3 years since you guys have seen it...
Body stamped July 1996, Neck stamped August 1996
L2500 Custom - flat body, no contours except a tummy cut, natural binding, ash top (I thought it was all ash, but I recently found out it is alder with the ash top), 4-piece flamed maple neck. I love all 11 pounds of it!
the 1996 catalog page:
Body stamped July 1996, Neck stamped August 1996
L2500 Custom - flat body, no contours except a tummy cut, natural binding, ash top (I thought it was all ash, but I recently found out it is alder with the ash top), 4-piece flamed maple neck. I love all 11 pounds of it!
the 1996 catalog page:
Chef
In Memoriam
I'm so sorry...but I have to post mine up again. It's been about 2-3 years since you guys have seen it...
Body stamped July 1996, Neck stamped August 1996
L2500 Custom - flat body, no contours except a tummy cut, natural binding, ash top (I thought it was all ash, but I recently found out it is alder with the ash top), 4-piece flamed maple neck. I love all 11 pounds of it!
Like....that is art baby!
the 1996 catalog page:
Like, that is art baby!
I'm so sorry...but I have to post mine up again. It's been about 2-3 years since you guys have seen it...
Body stamped July 1996, Neck stamped August 1996
L2500 Custom - flat body, no contours except a tummy cut, natural binding, ash top (I thought it was all ash, but I recently found out it is alder with the ash top), 4-piece flamed maple neck. I love all 11 pounds of it!
the 1996 catalog page:
if this ever ends up in the classifieds i may have to sell one of my kidneys! Stunner!!!
Chef
In Memoriam
In the promo material, the trans red ash with bound body...I remember seeing that traded here.
I had one very much like it, and it was supremely awesome.
I had one very much like it, and it was supremely awesome.
There was a lined fretless in CherryBurst for sale on here like 2 years ago. One of the fret lines around the 12th fret had a tendency to slide out. I wanted it SO bad, but didn't have the money...
Chef, since you've owned every single G&L bass ever made, I'm curious about the differences in the 5500 and the 2500, tone-wise. I can't imagine swapping my MFDs for EMGs (or any other pup, for that matter).
Chef
In Memoriam
5500: the one I've not owned.
It's gonna sound muuuuch more modern than any MFD/G&L preamp'd bass, would be my guess.
They run on the heavy side, and I've never found one in the right price/weight/timing combination to hit one.
It's gonna sound muuuuch more modern than any MFD/G&L preamp'd bass, would be my guess.
They run on the heavy side, and I've never found one in the right price/weight/timing combination to hit one.
Yeah, and the body is unique also. It's sleeker than the 2500.
Someone correct me, but I think the 5500 was designed outside of G&L by a third party, tho I can't recall his name.
Chef
In Memoriam
"designed outside"
That, I'd not heard.
Makes sense, I can't necessarily see Leo not using his stuff.
That, I'd not heard.
Makes sense, I can't necessarily see Leo not using his stuff.
Dang, all this "5500 talk" has me gassin' for one again.
I like MFD's as much as the next guy (well almost), but those big EMG's make some seriously sweet, clear low B notes.
And I love the BTC dip switches. Four settings to set the mid freq center.
The 5500 is a truly awesome sounding fiver IMO. But alas, as mentioned, they are heavy. Too heavy for me....sigh.
I like MFD's as much as the next guy (well almost), but those big EMG's make some seriously sweet, clear low B notes.
And I love the BTC dip switches. Four settings to set the mid freq center.
The 5500 is a truly awesome sounding fiver IMO. But alas, as mentioned, they are heavy. Too heavy for me....sigh.
if you look at the promo sheet, here is a better version
...
the first-run L2500 had a large body (like mine). In 1997 or 98, when G&L went to the 3+2 headstock, they basically redesigned the L2500 and gave it a similar body, if not the SAME body as the L5500.
Also take note that the pickup wiring description is different between the years.
1996 says Series with coil tap, 1997/8 says Series/Parallel
They also narrowed the neck width at the nut by 1/16"
...
the first-run L2500 had a large body (like mine). In 1997 or 98, when G&L went to the 3+2 headstock, they basically redesigned the L2500 and gave it a similar body, if not the SAME body as the L5500.
Also take note that the pickup wiring description is different between the years.
1996 says Series with coil tap, 1997/8 says Series/Parallel
They also narrowed the neck width at the nut by 1/16"
I... just...
Here's the only youtube vid I could find of a 5500. Good player but the effects kinda ruin it.
Slap Bass - YouTube
The slimmer, trimmer 2500 is definitely better looking than the wider version, but it's not the same body as the 5500. If you look closer you'll see differences. The easiest to see in the promo pic is the differently shaped treble horns.
There were two versions of the 5500 that I know of. The 5500's seen in that promo ad, and an earlier version with wider-spaced pickups. The earlier version is kinda rare.
I took the lazy way out last night and didn't bring any of my basses to my band-mate's get-together. Instead I played his Tribute JB-2--and really liked that little bass! WAY lighter than my late '82 L-2000E, that's for sure, and lighter than my Am. Std. Jazz that's my "#1 bass" right now. The JB-2 played well and felt good in my hands...
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