Thanks for the responses guys. I have played basswood instruments from other manufacturers and wasn't very impressed myself. I think I'll hold out for an ash-bodied version or a USA.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Thanks for the responses guys. I have played basswood instruments from other manufacturers and wasn't very impressed myself. I think I'll hold out for an ash-bodied version or a USA.
My opinion is: basswood does not ring as much as alder or ash!
There is plenty of information on wood musical properties on the internet.
This is only one of them here: Guitar Wood FAQ - Wood Types & Tones
Last edited:
The bongo with bass wood sounds great it's a warmer sound. Mahogany is really warm\dark, alder and ash sound more neutral to me. Will be hard to tell the difference in a mix.
Very true. I've always been a big fan of Alder; maybe you can't hear "it" in the mix but I can sure feel it when I'm playing. Same with ash to me. I really loved the ash tribby's I've tried. "Dark" tone is not what I'm looking for. If basswood tends to fall towards that side of the sound spectrum, then that's probably not what I'm after.
In my opinion, the central component to any L or M series instrument is the MFD pickups. Other parts of the bass have an impact, but that impact is minimal. Those MFD pickups dominate everything. I don't worry a whole lot about tone woods.
I record all my gigs and practices. When I go back and listen, I am hardpressed to tell you which of my M or L series basses were used. There's a difference when you listen to them individually in a quiet room. But in a band mix, the MFDs dominate everything.
Anyhow, that's my opinion.
Take care!
John
I record all my gigs and practices. When I go back and listen, I am hardpressed to tell you which of my M or L series basses were used. There's a difference when you listen to them individually in a quiet room. But in a band mix, the MFDs dominate everything.
Anyhow, that's my opinion.
Take care!
John
I was recently so enamored of other basses that I was actually considering selling my G&L as redundant.
Then I got out the M2500 and have been playing it for over a week again and I fully agree with jfh2424's comments about the dominance/impact of the MFD pickups.
The sound is thick and rich and has a lot of flat out oomph. It was playing other basses for a few weeks that opened my ears to this.
I retract what I responded to chef regarding the MJ5 (put hum cancelling jazz pickups in another of his jazz basses) I don't think it would be the same at all.
How it feels and plays is one thing, but the sound is what really sets these apart. So any thought of selling is gone.
Then I got out the M2500 and have been playing it for over a week again and I fully agree with jfh2424's comments about the dominance/impact of the MFD pickups.
The sound is thick and rich and has a lot of flat out oomph. It was playing other basses for a few weeks that opened my ears to this.
I retract what I responded to chef regarding the MJ5 (put hum cancelling jazz pickups in another of his jazz basses) I don't think it would be the same at all.
How it feels and plays is one thing, but the sound is what really sets these apart. So any thought of selling is gone.
So with the price increase looming and not finding many in stock I got motivated to snag this MJ 5. It must be NOS as the finish is Old School Tobacco Sunburst and the build date was 11/14/14 (hmm, could be some numerology mojo in that number ) it was pristine when I cracked open the case with no signs of play on it. I was a little hesitant since I have a M2500 Tribute, but I'm digging it and really glad I got it. A little over 9 lbs. Options were Quarter Sawn neck and Light Satin Tint with emphasis on light as it's lighter than the back of my M2500 which is kind of odd. ( this pic is way darker than real life due to crapola camera ) Other than the strings my only issue is that just like on my 2500 the blend knob is more of a switch than a knob which has been previously mentioned in the best user review ever by JMLEE, I'll replace it if it doesn't mess with the warranty, guess I'll give G&L a call. Glad to be back in the G&L pool. Being a geezer I also dig that the Burst is Old School as well, lol
Anybody in the West Michigan area want to help me do the wiring for the K-switch mod? I'm having trouble following the diagrams.
I have an ash-body L2500 Tribute. It is a little heavy, but very close in tone to the USA models I have tried. It is an excellent bass that easily cuts through the mix. I will never forget the first time I plugged it in at a church service, how easily I could hear myself as opposed to my previous bass. Shocking....
So I ended up trying out that basswood Tribute L-2500 last week, and (hoping not offend the guy, he's a TB'er also and pretty darn cool) it wasn't my cup of tea. It was one of the Korean versions and to start, the tuners felt very cheap. "Flimsy" might be a better word. The neck took me by surprise as well. I have never seen such a thick baseball bat-style neck on anything but a Warwick. None of the Tributes or USA L-2500's I've tried had a neck like that. The electronics sounded like they were missing something. Still all G&L, but "thin". And yes, before you ask, that was in series mode as well. Was there significant changes in production between the Korean and Indonesian factories?
After trying that older Tribute, it makes me more curious about the L-1505 I scored. The neck on it is much thinner front-to-back than the USA L-2500 and more of a D shape than the C style profile. Is/was a different profile available if you ordered custom? I know on the site it only lists one style of neck available in 5 string.
After trying that older Tribute, it makes me more curious about the L-1505 I scored. The neck on it is much thinner front-to-back than the USA L-2500 and more of a D shape than the C style profile. Is/was a different profile available if you ordered custom? I know on the site it only lists one style of neck available in 5 string.
Chef
In Memoriam
That is where the USA and Tribute models differ. The USA model, in my experience, is more "fit". It is typically a little lighter/less bulky and the neck is slimmer.
The fit and finish to USA is top notch, from what I have seen. You can get close to the sound with a tribute model, but there are a couple of drawbacks like the neck. I became accustomed to it fairly quickly, but ultimately, I think I would like to get a USA model.
OK, I'm lost here... Chef, are you referring to USA or import models? My 1505 is a '99 and the neck is as I described above. The newer USA L2500's I drooled over at Bass San Diego felt a little more C shape, but not as extreme as on the Korean Tribute. The newer Tribute models I've had experience with had the C shape as well, but not nearly as bulky as the 2004-ish (estimated by the G&L registry) Tribby I tried. It felt very odd and uncomfortable.
Basslifter, is yours Korean or Indonesian?
Mine is Indonesian - 2013. I can't comment on different G&L eras as I have no experience there. My comments are only directed toward Tribute vs. USA necks in the current era. I hope that helps.....
Chef
In Memoriam
Always thought white body binding was only available on the ASAT bass.
G&L L-2000 Empress "Candy Apple Red Metallic/Rosewood" 4 string Bass
w/case - Call or E-mail For Price!!
Guess I was wrong. Pretty killer looking.
G&L L-2000 Empress "Candy Apple Red Metallic/Rosewood" 4 string Bass
w/case - Call or E-mail For Price!!
Guess I was wrong. Pretty killer looking.
Chef
In Memoriam
So, I've been away from the forums for awhile rearing my latest demon seed. I haven't been playing much, recently. I had to go to the guitar shop for repairs on another bass, and this bad boy ended up following me home:
I'm back. My love for G&L has got the best of me. Having owned in the past 4 different L2500 basses and two different M2500 basses.... I just bought a new M2500 blackburst with matching headstock and L2500 blueburst. I know... no pics no bass. I'll get pics up soon. I couldn't decide which one I like better so I bought both. @edfriedland is right in this video when he says, "I say in a perfect world the answer is both".
Last edited:
