The price is okay and that is a good idea, but I need to be convinced that I would like that more than my current Ps. I have 4.
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Depends on what you want out of a "P-bass". Ergonomically, I really like the SB, with it's more open cutaways and extra fret. It's familiar, but feels refined compared to a more traditional Fender P. Tonally, it's bigger, brighter, and more articulate, with good sustain. It's not really a substitute for a vintage sound, IMO, but certainly has voice of it's own that is grounded on the P-bass sound, but more modern (kinda like the ergonomics). Personally, there's room for both in my stable, but I do a ton of different things musically, including sessions where I might need a smooth vintage R&B sound on one session and a grinding pick tone on another. It's nice to grab the bass I need and go, rather than have to think about restringing and doing a fresh setup for every session.
Comfort-wise, the G&L 1.625" neck with the 9.5" radius on the eBay bass is pretty darn near perfect for me. AND I want a maple fingerboard. Just looking for a Shell Pink w/roasted maple neck. Then again, I could get this and have Pat Wilkins do a custom refin. Hmm...
I have an SB-2T and love the feel of the body, but is the LB100 the same body or is it a more traditional P body?
My objective would be to have a traditional P sound, but with the G&L badge. I've been a Fender fanboy for a long time, but when I say that, I mean Leo, not FMIC. So, before I buy one or have one built, I'd like to know I'd be getting the most killer P bass made.
Neither.
SB-1/2 is smallest, with a narrow waist. My porridge is too hot.
Precision is bulkier, less contour, less cut in the upper horn. My porridge is too cold.
LB-100 is right in between. This porridge is just right.
IMO, you'd prefer the LB-100 if you want the most traditional P-feel and sound with the G&L badge and quality. The LB-100 does NOT share the SB body, but it is more modernized than the standard P body. Better cutaway and upper fret access, a little sleeker in the waste, etc. The Alnico pickup in the LB is far more traditional/vintage sounding. I have the SB-1 and the LB-100. Both are excellent, but the LB gives me more of a traditional feel and sound.
Also, since you have an SB-2T, you're not really gaining a whole lot with an SB-1. I'd go for an LB-100.
I might try looking for a fretless SB-1 or LB-100 for myself. I have a handful of great fretless basses, including an L2500, but I've been jonesing for a fretless P.
I have a SB-2 and a L-1000 reissue. Once that L1K is paid off, I'm thinking of a LB-100 tribute. GAS is a terrible thing.
I have had an LB-100 for 6 months and every time I play a different bass I say to myself "this just doesn't sound like my LB-100".
I also have a G&L JB and Kiloton (all US Made) as well as other basses. But I'm selling everything except the 3 G&L's.
The LB-100 is just plain and simply a fantastic instrument!
'Nuff said
I also have a G&L JB and Kiloton (all US Made) as well as other basses. But I'm selling everything except the 3 G&L's.
The LB-100 is just plain and simply a fantastic instrument!
'Nuff said
Sure! Didn't like position dots. Love G&L's bursts. Great bass but can't displace my LB-100 onstage.
I don't often play fretless, but I have two. One is a Squier P lined and it is pretty good. The other is a Mike Kelly Dragonfly 5 acoustic. What I'm most interested in is being able to get the traditional P sound with a G&L. My Sb-2T is my #1 at the moment. I play it through a Fender Bassman 500 with 2 neo 1x15 cabs. I love the sound, but there are times I would like to get that old school P sound. I have 4 Ps, a Squire Affinity,a Squier CV 60s (love this one), an MIM standard, a really beautiful Fender P Select. I love the sound, but the gloss neck I don't like. I need to really sand the finish off and perhaps oil it, but I just like the way G&Ls are put together.
Blank planks look so cool, especially in maple!
Wish I could play them...
I started with lined boards about 10 years ago. I happily played my lined Roscoe and then my lined Lull P4 for quite a while. Eventually, I realized that I was focusing on the lines so much that I wasn't paying enough attention to the other things that really matter when trying to play fretless expressively: taste, touch, and tone. That's when I started pining for an unlined fretless.
The lined boards did help me get my intonation together, but I didn't blink when I switched to my unlined LB-100. I had already been playing with my eyes closed most of the time to force myself to rely on my ears instead of the lines. It's an awesome feeling when that finally clicks. Then when you get an unlined board, you can open your eyes again. Haha!
So very nice, wow. My dream bass would be a fretless LB-100 with an Empress body unfortunately I own a business so I'm the poorest broke son of a gun I know. My LB-100 Empress that came from you will be buried with me. I know may of us have exhibited exuberance over our gear but I have never owned a bass that speaks to me like this one does. I currently have a Tony Franklin 3 color burst fretless but I'd rather have a G&L.
IMO lines are an obstacle to playing fretless and dots too. I tell my students you do not play fretless with your eyes you play it with your ears and your heart.
I've started considering the idea of adding a J pickup at the bridge to a fretless LB-100. Not purely a G&L at that point, but some of my favorite fretless necks over the years were G&L, I love my LB-100, and I typically do use a bridge pickup on fretless, so it would seem a logical thing to have a fretless LB-100 with a bridge pickup.
Just something to consider...
I dont really care for the bridge pickup fretless sound, I like the extra cry but you loose all the bottom creamy P roundness and for what ever reason the sound of both together is awful. There is some kind of magic mojo in the LB-100s tone that doesn't exist anywhere else in the universe.
This is my LB-100 Empress from the original Rocket Music image.
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