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Compare the bridges and pickup pole spacings.
Yep, specs list it as the same.
I'm not a five string player but how important is the wider width to those of you who are?
It's not to me, but I'm not much of a slappy-doodle.
Like a lot of instrument related specs, it depends on how much it matters to a given player (or at least how much they think it matters). For some I am sure it definitely impacts their playing and comfort level. For others I think they just overthink specs (I probably did not need to mention this group... they include most of us on talk bass
). The final group generally does not care. Noting that technique/type of playing is going to be a factor. I fall into the camp where for the most part I do not really care about string spacing differences (though neck profile differences sometimes bother me). While I can tell when I am playing narrower/wider string spacing, I have no problem transitioning from 19mm on my Emerald Balor 5 (the widest spacing I own) to 15mm on my L5000 (the narrowest I own). Noting that I almost exclusively play finger style (never with a pick, and rarely with a slap/pop).
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I'm mainly a 4 player, so keep that in mind. But I've had a few 5s over the years, including some Tribute G&Ls, and I found 19mm to be a lot more intuitively comfortable. Meaning, one less thing that trips me up when I play a 5. So, I'm excited for the Series 750 or whatever, but since I'm not a big 5 player, I'm not sure I'd shell out the cash for one. If they did a Tribute 750, take my money now please.
string spacing doesn't bother me much. I play upright. after you do that, anything else is pretty much cake.
I already own a 5-string Fender P. I like it just fine.
But I want a 5-string single-MFD pickup bass from G&L.
I could go Kiloton 5 if I wanted the pickup in the Stingray spot, with 17mm spacing.
Or I could go L-1005 750 (or whatever they will call it) if I want the pickup in the P spot, with 19mm spacing.
If those are my two options, I'd go for P spot all day long. Esp. with OMG mode. That's what will set it apart from my Fender P5, and might lead me to sell that one in due time.
I already own a 5-string Fender P. I like it just fine.
But I want a 5-string single-MFD pickup bass from G&L.
I could go Kiloton 5 if I wanted the pickup in the Stingray spot, with 17mm spacing.
Or I could go L-1005 750 (or whatever they will call it) if I want the pickup in the P spot, with 19mm spacing.
If those are my two options, I'd go for P spot all day long. Esp. with OMG mode. That's what will set it apart from my Fender P5, and might lead me to sell that one in due time.
I see string spacing in a totally unique way, twould seem. I only play 5 string basses, with an occasional 6 thrown in. Never a 4. I also don't slap, but I do play with a pick on occasion.
String spacing at the bridge is a meaningless stat for me. I do not pluck over the bridge. So a measurement there means little or nothing to me. All basses have different neck tapers. And the spacing where I pluck, from over the end of a fingerboard to over the bridge pickup varies by a lot. On my 20mm spaced Warwick 5, the spacing at the nut is the same as my Fender Jazz 5. But the Jazz is spaced at 18mm. This means, at some point along the string's lengths, they are both spaced the same. In my G&L's case, at the bridge it is spaced 17.5mm, but the nut is 2mm more narrow than my Jazz an Wick. I play where it feels comfortably, naturally. But to change tones and response, I pluck all my basses at points all over a string's length. So spacing is all kinds of variable. With all the variations? A single point measurement at a place I never pluck doesn't do me any good. Same as measuring watts on an amp or cab. I never run my amps at 10, so maximum watts are meaningless. dB, is how I measure my rigs. Comfort in far more areas than just string spacing is how I measure my basses. I am not a fan of super narrow spacing. I pluck hard, room to move is good. But I play Ibanez and Wick bolt ons with great success, as well. In the end, they are MY hands, and they do what I tell them. Spacing, along with many other stats, can get in one's head. I try not to let it.
String spacing at the bridge is a meaningless stat for me. I do not pluck over the bridge. So a measurement there means little or nothing to me. All basses have different neck tapers. And the spacing where I pluck, from over the end of a fingerboard to over the bridge pickup varies by a lot. On my 20mm spaced Warwick 5, the spacing at the nut is the same as my Fender Jazz 5. But the Jazz is spaced at 18mm. This means, at some point along the string's lengths, they are both spaced the same. In my G&L's case, at the bridge it is spaced 17.5mm, but the nut is 2mm more narrow than my Jazz an Wick. I play where it feels comfortably, naturally. But to change tones and response, I pluck all my basses at points all over a string's length. So spacing is all kinds of variable. With all the variations? A single point measurement at a place I never pluck doesn't do me any good. Same as measuring watts on an amp or cab. I never run my amps at 10, so maximum watts are meaningless. dB, is how I measure my rigs. Comfort in far more areas than just string spacing is how I measure my basses. I am not a fan of super narrow spacing. I pluck hard, room to move is good. But I play Ibanez and Wick bolt ons with great success, as well. In the end, they are MY hands, and they do what I tell them. Spacing, along with many other stats, can get in one's head. I try not to let it.
You guys checked this out yet?
There's some great playing. And interesting perspective on what Ed looks for, sonically. Such a shame that he was interrupted several times and that the sound quality is sometimes lacking. Still it's cool.
It amazes me how G&L has difficulty doing stuff like this, when it seems like every Youtuber is able to crank out quality stuff with what seems to be very simple setups.
Anyways. Still entertaining.
There's some great playing. And interesting perspective on what Ed looks for, sonically. Such a shame that he was interrupted several times and that the sound quality is sometimes lacking. Still it's cool.
It amazes me how G&L has difficulty doing stuff like this, when it seems like every Youtuber is able to crank out quality stuff with what seems to be very simple setups.
Anyways. Still entertaining.
Yes offense but G&L really need to start using someone else to handle their bass promotional material.
Yeah, their video making skills have been awful for quite a while now (stock watermarked applause jpg pic across the screen, really??), including the video and the audio quality. I've also never liked Araujo's demo videos. I think most of it sounds awful (bad audio, usually fret buzzing all over the place), his demo basslines are random noodling (never well thought out, always just random noodling). Ed Friedland on the other hand, is awesome. So that's a plus for sure.
The matching headstock is a really nice touch!
Finally someone says it out loud!
Imagine if it was run like a real business with decent QC, customer service, planning, etc. I have 3 G&L's and the only consistent item is the finishing. Heaven help us if the painter leaves...
OTOH, the neck shape and pup designs are awesome thanks to Leo. I do give G&L credit for using empress wood and a variety of cool finishes.
I get a sense that they're a lot smaller outfit than some of the folks they're being compared to -- almost like a family-run outfit. If so, should we cut them a little slack?
Nah -- Nevermind -- this IS the internet, after all...
;->
Honestly, I've received some of the best customer service from smaller builders.
I wonder just how much volume G&L does? That one video with Cheech and the shop tour was an eye opener. Seemed like a good time video while the shop look reasonably quiet & unorganized. I don't know this for sure but based on the QC and ridiculous issues that I and friends have had makes me wish they would improve.
And the reason they seem like a family run business is because they are. Look who heads up BBE.
In 1991 (when they were purchased) they were reported to have sales of $2M and 30 employees.
