Mary Kaye?
Mary Jane is what you must have been smoking when you sold that bass!
Yes, she was something! ...made me lose my head
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Yes, she was something! ...made me lose my head
I've had many different basses by many manufacturers including USA G&L's and Tribute G&L's. I haven't found any like I like to gig more than the JB-2 Tribute I've been using for a while now. It is very comfortable to play, has great build quality, and it just sounds "right" without much EQ'ing or other fuss or drama.
All of this recent JB-2 love is too little and too late. The model is not currently being produced, having given way to the MJ-4/5, and the JB, for the vintage/passive purists. I'm glad to have owned 4 different JB-2s, and to still have the best two of them.
This is why the Tribute JB-2s have dropped to $450 (less if you use a discount code). Get 'em while they're hot!
I have restrung my L-2500 Custom (1997) from d'Addario roundwounds to GHS flatwounds, and apart from the obvious differences, I find the GHS are really fantastic, full of warm vintage thump. On single coil mode (K-switch), and passive, I get very convincing P (neck PU) and J (bridge PU or both PUs) tones.
I ordered a set of GHS Precision Flatwounds 45-126 and received the ones illustrated below. I believe they are the old stock for the same strings. The B-string is for the regular scale (34") while others are extra long 35"-36" (the picture is with through bridge stringing). This B-string is quite excellent (no tone or sustain difference with the E-string).
All my other basses (G&L SB-2 and Fender AVRI '62 P and J) have Chromes (light or regular gauge), except an ASAT Bass fretless that is already fitted with GHS flats, so I think these GHS are now the ones that tonally best match my taste.
Note - These GHS appear to be new old stock as 36.5" flats have been discontinued since fall of 2013.
I ordered a set of GHS Precision Flatwounds 45-126 and received the ones illustrated below. I believe they are the old stock for the same strings. The B-string is for the regular scale (34") while others are extra long 35"-36" (the picture is with through bridge stringing). This B-string is quite excellent (no tone or sustain difference with the E-string).
All my other basses (G&L SB-2 and Fender AVRI '62 P and J) have Chromes (light or regular gauge), except an ASAT Bass fretless that is already fitted with GHS flats, so I think these GHS are now the ones that tonally best match my taste.
Note - These GHS appear to be new old stock as 36.5" flats have been discontinued since fall of 2013.
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Another JB5, in Tangerine Metallic... I feel something bad coming up 
GAS GAS GAS GAS
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Ok, guys if G&L land, advice please.
Love G&L's and I have an ASAT and an L1500 both of which I absolutely love. (I also have a fender Cabronita P bass as back up)
I am considering my next step which will I think be either an LB100 or an SB-2.
The obvious answer is both (I would love to) but if you had to get one.....
I play a range of music from rock to blues, pop etc.
All opinions valued
Thanks
Love G&L's and I have an ASAT and an L1500 both of which I absolutely love. (I also have a fender Cabronita P bass as back up)
I am considering my next step which will I think be either an LB100 or an SB-2.
The obvious answer is both (I would love to) but if you had to get one.....
I play a range of music from rock to blues, pop etc.
All opinions valued
Thanks
The body shape is a little different, the SB-2 pickup is supposedly a little closer to the bridge (and there's a J pickup). So that's all taste stuff. You need to play both.
But the other thing is what you're after sonically. The pickups are the thing. SB-2 does "P bass on steroids" very well--more highs, lows, grind. And it can cop a convincing P bass tone (at least according to tests on TB). LB-100 is more like a modern sound precision and can mellow out even more. Are you a Precision with flats person, or a grindy pick player or both?
Again, you'd be better off playing both.
If it were me, I'd go SB-2T. But others will say LB-100. It's taste.
But the other thing is what you're after sonically. The pickups are the thing. SB-2 does "P bass on steroids" very well--more highs, lows, grind. And it can cop a convincing P bass tone (at least according to tests on TB). LB-100 is more like a modern sound precision and can mellow out even more. Are you a Precision with flats person, or a grindy pick player or both?
Again, you'd be better off playing both.
If it were me, I'd go SB-2T. But others will say LB-100. It's taste.
Thanks for that bro
I play (well try to play) finger, pick and slap and depends on the song really.
Some times I like to drive with overdrive if it's a metal song, sometimes I like to rock, sometimes it's a sit in the mix.
Just wanting to have sonic variety compared to ASAT and L1500.
The ASAT I usually have both pups together and look for a very full sound, time about 3/4, L1500 I use for its zingy punchy feel.
Seeing I have a Cabronita P bass, that's maybe my laid back growl, and if I want more a thump I can dial back ASAT or just dial in SB2 pup.
Maybe that is the way to go, but the LB100 gets awesome reviews.
So many choices!
So far as set up, I know the neck shape I like as well
I play (well try to play) finger, pick and slap and depends on the song really.
Some times I like to drive with overdrive if it's a metal song, sometimes I like to rock, sometimes it's a sit in the mix.
Just wanting to have sonic variety compared to ASAT and L1500.
The ASAT I usually have both pups together and look for a very full sound, time about 3/4, L1500 I use for its zingy punchy feel.
Seeing I have a Cabronita P bass, that's maybe my laid back growl, and if I want more a thump I can dial back ASAT or just dial in SB2 pup.
Maybe that is the way to go, but the LB100 gets awesome reviews.
So many choices!
So far as set up, I know the neck shape I like as well
In a mix, I doubt the LB-100 will sound too different from another P-Bass. But you might enjoy it for other reasons.
Totally agree with this. The SB2 is a totally amazing bass. Love mine! P bass on steroids, plus...so much more versatile than a P. To me, the SB2 is the great secret of G&L. If u like the basic P tone and want to be able to add to it, then the SB2 is the way to go.
Take care!
John
@Cuzzie I envy your bass budget...
I had an SB-2 as my main gigging bass for a number of years. I currently have an older LB-100 and two L-2000s. I have also owned an L-1500. So, here are my thoughts.
As noted, the LB-100 is more of a traditional P bass. Shines with flats, sits in the mix, and all the other P stereotypes but with G&L build quality and feel.
The SB-2 is much more of a raw, open bass. It's very much a "rounds with a pick" bass, IMO, but works well fingerstyle as well. The purists will tell you that you don't need a tone control, per the stock design, but I thought that even the neck pickup solo'd was too bright, so I modded mine to master volume, master tone, and a bypass for the bridge pickup (neck pickup on always). Most of the time is play with the bridge pickup off and the tone about 80%, but adding the bridge in and rolling the tone back to about 20% made for a fat fingerstyle funk tone.
As to what you have, if you want different, I'd go with the LB-100. A wide-open SB-2 isn't too far off from a wide open passive L-1500, IMO. Not exact, but in the same ballpark. If you're committed to the G&L tone, go for the SB-2. And don't rule out the SB-1, either.
There's also a Tribute SB-2, if you want a lower-cost option. Find a good deal on a used LB-100 and get both.
Lastly, if you like wider necks, you're gonna find more LB-100s with big necks and more SB-2s with thinner necks.
I had an SB-2 as my main gigging bass for a number of years. I currently have an older LB-100 and two L-2000s. I have also owned an L-1500. So, here are my thoughts.
As noted, the LB-100 is more of a traditional P bass. Shines with flats, sits in the mix, and all the other P stereotypes but with G&L build quality and feel.
The SB-2 is much more of a raw, open bass. It's very much a "rounds with a pick" bass, IMO, but works well fingerstyle as well. The purists will tell you that you don't need a tone control, per the stock design, but I thought that even the neck pickup solo'd was too bright, so I modded mine to master volume, master tone, and a bypass for the bridge pickup (neck pickup on always). Most of the time is play with the bridge pickup off and the tone about 80%, but adding the bridge in and rolling the tone back to about 20% made for a fat fingerstyle funk tone.
As to what you have, if you want different, I'd go with the LB-100. A wide-open SB-2 isn't too far off from a wide open passive L-1500, IMO. Not exact, but in the same ballpark. If you're committed to the G&L tone, go for the SB-2. And don't rule out the SB-1, either.
There's also a Tribute SB-2, if you want a lower-cost option. Find a good deal on a used LB-100 and get both.
Lastly, if you like wider necks, you're gonna find more LB-100s with big necks and more SB-2s with thinner necks.
dieselman
Supporting Member
There is a Real nice SB-2 in the classifieds with tone control mod. Priced well for sale. It's a USA.
Ok. So I got my 82 L2000E sorted out. The preamp wasn't working and it needed some other help in addition to a good setup. The preamp is fully functional now and it took a pretty good setup. Last night it went with me on its 1st gig.
I've got to say I've really been digging it just playing it around the house but WOW! did this thing ever do the trick last night! Punchy and and fat when I wanted and grindy/ growly when I wanted that! A friend that is a great local bassist gushed about how good it sounded out front.
This is my 1st foray into a G&L, and I am impressed!
Now I get it!
I've got to say I've really been digging it just playing it around the house but WOW! did this thing ever do the trick last night! Punchy and and fat when I wanted and grindy/ growly when I wanted that! A friend that is a great local bassist gushed about how good it sounded out front.
This is my 1st foray into a G&L, and I am impressed!
Now I get it!
Here's my US made SB2. I had it slightly modified by my local luthier when it was new, he added the thumb rest.
@TDR1138 i don't really have a bass budget, well I do, but I break it.
Aside from a mortgage and an overdraft I have no debt, and you only live once!
I just love playing basses and discovering new stuff and sounds!
I know what will happen, in time I'll probably get both, but if I saw an SB2 with a thicker neck nicely priced.....I have very little self control..
Aside from a mortgage and an overdraft I have no debt, and you only live once!
I just love playing basses and discovering new stuff and sounds!
I know what will happen, in time I'll probably get both, but if I saw an SB2 with a thicker neck nicely priced.....I have very little self control..
