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G&L Club Part 5

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#21
soulstrapsb1.gif
 
#23
Back to having 2 G&L's in the stable!! While cruising through GC, and thinking about trading my Squiers in for a nice Ibby SRA550, I spied my very first G&L, a 2007 Tribute JB-2 in natural, sitting for sale. She's had some additional miles on her, but is still ol' Blondie to me. Instead of shuffling Squiers, I will now be taking Blondie around town, most of the time, tuned-down a half-step, as my main band does. Honeychile, my USA JB-2, will remain in standard tuning, and be used for other projects, and hired gun work. Ditto my Warwick limited edition, too. I'm a happy camper!
 
#24
The serial number is b0011xx which I think is an 80 or 81. The headstock though has the newer sickle style. I'm assuming it's a replacement neck but regardless, it is a great bass and the neck is very comfortable.

I have small hands and used to hate p-bass necks until I bought my SB-1. G&Ls are the only basses I've ever played where a fat neck isn't a problem. Yet when I play Fenders, Laklands, etc. with fat necks I start getting hand cramps. Strange, huh?
 
#25
So, here's a 1983 neck I paid 400 bucks for and just acquired body for almost as much (with shipping)... I guess this makes it a unique item, worth more than its parts. Regardless of the origins, it has MONSTER tone, and it's loud. I put TI flats on it so I can use my 1974 P interchangeably if required, and put a bit of jazzy tightness when I want to... Awesome! But, now my L-2000 E is sans necque...

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#30
I would love to try an M to see how it compares to my Lakland 55-02, but the local store by me has very little selection for a authorized dealer. One of the down sides for living in the sticks I guess.
 
#34
1980 L-1000 s/n B000587, which is bass #69 (my lucky number!)
This bass was given to me in 1980 by the most serious groupie I've ever had, other than my wife, who just gave me the Bassman 100T for my 60th birthday. So far the two are playing very well together (the bass/amp, not the girls. I'm not that lucky.), but I'm not sure they're aware of each other's history.
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#35
scubaduba said:
Since the thread was split to part 5 right after I posted my review yesterday here it is again. I also added a bit more at the end.
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Originally posted April 12, 2012

OK. I've spent an hour or so with my new M2500 Blackburst that arrived late this afternoon. First some pics of this beauty.

You should know I owned a L2500 Blueburst with wood binding a couple years ago. While I liked the L2500 I didn't love it. I never really connected with it. Mind you I wanted to love it but it didn't work out. It sounded good but was just to "rough" sounding for my taste. I like powerful basses but the L2500 just felt unpolished. I spent more time fiddling around with the switches then enjoying the sounds I was getting out of it. The whole thing just felt like some sort of high school science project.

After several months I flipped it spent the cash on another more "modern" style bass. I figured that would be the end of G&L's for me. And I've never really thought about getting another since. That is until hearing about the new M series with its revamped preamp and full 3 band EQ. Unfortunately there's not much out there in the way of reviews let alone hands on reviews of the new M series. So I bit the bullet and purchased this new one.

More pics.

What I love:

- The 3 band EQ. It works great. It sounds great. It isn't some crazy boost/cut. It seems fairly balanced.
- Balance across all the strings.
- Lack of switches. I totally don't miss them. Series/Parallel... I don't need the option.
- Boost and cut of the 3 band EQ. The tone I like is treble boosted 1/3, mids cut 1/4, and bass boosted 1/3. This sounds REALLY good.
- The pickup pan. I never cared for the 100% neck, 100% bridge or 100% both option with the 3-way toggle switch. With the M series you choose our ideal mix.
- The neck. Awesome. Much thinner (less chunky) than the one on my L2500. I don't know which neck spec my L2500 actually had but this neck is more like a Jazz bass.
- The black pole pieces on the pickups. Blend in better.

What I don't like:

- Actually there isn't much I really don't like. My preference is for more modern looking basses. But that's just preference. Not the fault of G&L.
- The headstock. G&L headstocks have never done much for me with the can opener looking notch and all. But not a function of sound or quality.
- There's still a bit of neck dive. Not bad though by any means.
- I'd prefer wider string spacing at the bridge.

OK, now for what you probably really care about. How does the M sound with new preamp? Much better than the L series in my opinion. My M2500 definitely has that L series vibe and "bigness" of tone. It's all G&L there. But there is a warmth -- a more refined sort of sound totally not found in the L series basses. I don't think I'll miss the passive option on the L series but I can see where this would be bummer for many who prefer the passive tone option. The M is still big sounding. But at the same time maybe a bit more modern sounding. I really, really like the sound varieties.

That's it for now. I need more time with it before I can say more definitively. These are my initial impressions and I need to use it in a band setting too.

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Updated April 13, 2012

Really liking this thing. It feels lighter than I remember my L2500 being. And the thickness front to back of the headstock seems less thick too than my L2500.

My reaction is that the M has more noticeable mid presence than my L did. I'm actually rolling back the mids more than 1/3 back after detent. Rolling them forward much more than the detent is just way too much. If you like mid presence you'll be pleased I'd say.

The treble is also not nearly as brittle as the L series. Much more subdued and balanced. I'm rolling the treble forward at least 1/3 past the detent. This is with pickups equally balanced.

Everything set flat sounds good but you'll probably need to mess with the EQ to get your sound. Not a bad thing. It's actually a LOT more pleasant to do than trying to cop your sound with the switches in the L.

Summary so far:
The M is very, very good.
Click to expand...

Scuba, we want to to hear clips of the new M series!! :)
 
#39
The M series bass sounds good. I haven't done more than noodle on one in the local store, but it is very impressive. Still sounds like a G&L, but as Scuba said, it's more balanced than the L (sound wise). Still very big and fat sounding. I actually found myself dialing up some treble in the store, which is WAY not like me. I typically turn the treble down on most bases.

I wish I could have spent more time on it. I sold my L-2500 for financial reasons and really miss it. I've been mostly playing my Lakland 55-02, which sonically is a masterpiece, but I just can't fall it love with the feel of that bass. It's something I can't pinpoint. It's not the scale, as my Peavey is 35" scale and it practically plays itself.

I am really considering selling my 55-02 and my Peavey (I'm not a 6 string player...I'm not than good) and picking up something to compliment my Jazz bass. The M-2500 might fit that bill. It is so much bigger and fuller sounding than my Jazz, but nothing sounds like a Jazz...it just fits so nicely in the mix for so many types of music.
 
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