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I believe that G&L calls this parchment but I don't have the build sheet with me.
FWIW, my 70's Fenders came with white guards and the Fender guards they call parchment are a little bit lighter.
Either way, parchment is lighter than what I've seen advertised as cream from the aftermarket but much more authentic than white for an older instrument IMO.
Which reminds me, I wrote a review of the SB-2 for another board. Hope it's not to dull a read and thought it might help someone as the closest stocking dealer to me is a 3 hour drive.
SB-2 Tribute IMO
FWIW – I have been playing for many years. Mostly rock and R&B. I have used Fender J or P basses 95% of the time with an occasional Stingray or Spector PJ.
My main bass (back when you could actually play in bars regularly) is a 73' J with model J pups. I also use(d) either a 72' or 73' P (the latter of which I bought new with grass cutting money). I have a bunch of these 70's Fenders and know them very well. They were so cheap back in the 70's and 80' on the used market but you had to be selective. Bought a Fullerton G&L JB last year and it sounds pretty similar to a Fender J.
Thanks to a mention on this board, there was a SB-2 Tribute at a Guitar Center close by. I tried it and bought it on the spot. It sounds nothing like my Fenders.
I had an ESP PJ bass. It sounded like neither a J or a P unless one pup was removed from the circuit. I just don't care for the PJ tone on other basses. The SB-2 in not another bass.
It's an alien. The tone is not full range or nearly as pleasant to hear solo as compared to non MFD pups.
I used the following rigs for testing: Berg HT322 cabinet, GB 2x12 Neo X, and a 2x15 loaded with ancient Atec 421A's. Amps were a GK MBF 800, Ampeg SVP-CL tube pre with 1600 watt power amp and SWR SM500. The thing is, it kills in a busy mix. It cuts through without being too loud, The treble is not strident, the bottom is not boomy, and the middle is thick. But not the big fat full range P piano tone that can sometimes get lost. It gets heard clearly. It's like when you are trying to key in different frequencies of instruments in a mix so all can be heard without a mud fight. The SB2 comes out of the box with this idea in mind.
SB-2 with both volumes on full is super "tight" sounding. Much more so than a J bass. For me, the sweet spot is neck on full and bridge rolled back just a smidge. Much more open sounding but not super full range.
An SB2 doesn't sound like a Stingray but it does give you that same idea of hollowish tone but with much more Fenderish smash in the face force. Sits in the mix are the key words here. Other comparisons I've read on this board are, Thor's Hammer and Gut Punch. I agree. Mine needed a huge set up but now plays very well without issue. I am considering changing the contour of the bridge volume pot as it's super touchy but now have knobs with pointers so maybe not a problem.
The tone is gritty as hell. It is not crystal clear even through the SWR / Berg. Many think G&L stands for George and Leo.
It stands for Gritty & Loud.
Highly recommended.
SB-2 Tribute IMO
FWIW – I have been playing for many years. Mostly rock and R&B. I have used Fender J or P basses 95% of the time with an occasional Stingray or Spector PJ.
My main bass (back when you could actually play in bars regularly) is a 73' J with model J pups. I also use(d) either a 72' or 73' P (the latter of which I bought new with grass cutting money). I have a bunch of these 70's Fenders and know them very well. They were so cheap back in the 70's and 80' on the used market but you had to be selective. Bought a Fullerton G&L JB last year and it sounds pretty similar to a Fender J.
Thanks to a mention on this board, there was a SB-2 Tribute at a Guitar Center close by. I tried it and bought it on the spot. It sounds nothing like my Fenders.
I had an ESP PJ bass. It sounded like neither a J or a P unless one pup was removed from the circuit. I just don't care for the PJ tone on other basses. The SB-2 in not another bass.
It's an alien. The tone is not full range or nearly as pleasant to hear solo as compared to non MFD pups.
I used the following rigs for testing: Berg HT322 cabinet, GB 2x12 Neo X, and a 2x15 loaded with ancient Atec 421A's. Amps were a GK MBF 800, Ampeg SVP-CL tube pre with 1600 watt power amp and SWR SM500. The thing is, it kills in a busy mix. It cuts through without being too loud, The treble is not strident, the bottom is not boomy, and the middle is thick. But not the big fat full range P piano tone that can sometimes get lost. It gets heard clearly. It's like when you are trying to key in different frequencies of instruments in a mix so all can be heard without a mud fight. The SB2 comes out of the box with this idea in mind.
SB-2 with both volumes on full is super "tight" sounding. Much more so than a J bass. For me, the sweet spot is neck on full and bridge rolled back just a smidge. Much more open sounding but not super full range.
An SB2 doesn't sound like a Stingray but it does give you that same idea of hollowish tone but with much more Fenderish smash in the face force. Sits in the mix are the key words here. Other comparisons I've read on this board are, Thor's Hammer and Gut Punch. I agree. Mine needed a huge set up but now plays very well without issue. I am considering changing the contour of the bridge volume pot as it's super touchy but now have knobs with pointers so maybe not a problem.
The tone is gritty as hell. It is not crystal clear even through the SWR / Berg. Many think G&L stands for George and Leo.
It stands for Gritty & Loud.
Highly recommended.
I've just taken another look at the G&L options page. They only list parchment now, but I've seen a JB in CAR with cream given in the specs
That's the exact setting I used to use on my SB-2, like J pickup at 80% and the sound was perfect.
Me too. That's the SB-2 sweet spot for tone. Now…take the neck pickup down to 80% and the bridge pickup down to perhaps 60%. It's another bass altogether! This instrument has MFD pickups which change character with volume level. It's fascinating!
Now…take the neck pickup down to 80% and the bridge pickup down to perhaps 60%. It's another bass altogether! This instrument has MFD pickups which change character with volume level. It's fascinating!
I've heard this before but I really like the convenience of playing with the main volume knob full up and bridge backed down. It's just how I like it but get the idea that the pup changes character with added resistance.
OTOH, why couldn't one wire in a resister of X value (with a switch) to replicate the higher resistance of the pots being turned down to X value?
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Nice!!!
Is the one the right a lighter monkey pod or is it a darker looking natural finish? Either way, it's beautiful.
Is the one the right a lighter monkey pod or is it a darker looking natural finish? Either way, it's beautiful.
Yes! Welcome aboard.
There are no numbers, by the way. But a lot of porn and knowledge.
Sounds like my college roommate's bookshelf.
Newly acquired '97 Brunswick SB-2 with EMG BT mod. It's good.
All good, I guess my first question is for the USA what Allen key do I use for the truss rod?
4mm is the proper size for G&L basses after 2006 I believe.
5/32" is very close in size to 4mm, only about .001" different.
Whichever you use, just be sure it is fully-seated before you try to turn the truss rod.
Also, welcome to the club!! I have a US L-2000 in Natural Swamp Ash very much like yours.
Love those bowling ball finishes!
They are a little flaky/chippy if impacted, but I agree. I couldn't pass on a green bowling ball SB-2. So obnoxious.
On the BT mod, I initially scoffed at it, but its actually pretty awesome. It makes an already aggressive sounding bass even moreso.
Yep that treble bleed effect. I agree, all the way up all the time for me is just easier to work with. Most wont want a preamp, but the BT serves the purpose of taming them pretty well.
I'll offer a different take on this, WRT the SB-2T.
With the tone control dimed, and pickups set at a lower volume, say 75% or lower (depending on blend) there was a *softening" of the high-end/attack.
I found the tone control worked best, at repeating this effect, with the pickups set at a higher volume.
