What year is that? I've had two and never seen one with the switch like that. Pickup selector?
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Hey Dav. Yep it's a pickup selector. It's probably an '84 based on the serial. This was the first generation of SB-2 made from about '82-'84. At that time they also made an SB-1 that is just the neck single coil with a smaller control plate. I believe the current PJ version of the SB-2 was released in '87 or something like that.
There was another version of the first gen SB-2 in the mid 80s called the Lynx. It had contours and was available with rosewood fretboards as well as maple.
Ah, I'd heard of the Lynx, but didn't know it was an SB-2. I had a SB-2 I bought as NOS in the early 90s that was a late 80s model. The one I have now is the SB-2T. The T means factory tone control. It is one of my two favorites, it and my Fender P Select. If I could only keep two basses, it would be them. If I could keep only one, my head would explode from indecision. Leo got it right the first time, but that doesn't mean he didn't do some other cool stuff later on.
Nice! I actually have an SB-2 with tone mod on order. Should be done soon.
I've noticed that they no longer refer to them as "T" models on their Instagram page. All the SB-2s coming out now have a tone control and they are just referred to as SB-2. I bet it becomes a standard spec next year.
I couldn't get on with the non-tone SB-2 so wired mine as an SB-1 a few years ago with the intention of adding a side jack and making it an SB-2T but somehow never got round to it.
It currently lives in my buddies studio (where we do a weekly live stream to Facebook) and he forbids me to mess with it as he likes the sound of it so much.
Yes, the 'T' in SB-2T denotes the addition of a tone pot... however, the tone pot in my SB-2T is sponsored by these two...
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
There is diffidently develop going on in the bass area of G&L.
Hey Tony! I see that they are working on prototype mfd singles in J cases. Very cool!
Hey whats happening k?! You still rocking your Sb-2 and L2500?
Yeah, I also like the 3+2 on my M-2500, and it seems to make more sense. But on traditional P and J types, a 3+2 just looks wrong to me, so I'm happy my JB-5 is a 4+1.
I may have discovered an odd consequence of G&L using both configurations: They might use different length cases for the two types. I recently bought my JB-5 used, and the seller pointed out that it didn't fit perfectly in the G&L case, which he said came with the bass from the previous owner. The bass is a little too long, so you have to turn the D string tuner so it's flat against the end of the case. Then it works.
When I got home with the JB-5, I looked at my row of G&L bass cases, and immediately noticed that my JB's case is slightly longer than my M-2500's. Both are the black Tolex cases. Seems they get slightly longer cases for the 4 in-line and 4+1 basses, so those basses don't fit well in the 3+2 cases.
Wouldn't it be easier to just use longer cases that could accommodate both types? It's only about a half inch difference. Sheesh.
Anybody else notice this, or does my herd of basses and cases contain a mutant strain or two? The latter is entirely possible.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
They are right now playing around with some of the resistances, but so far so good
I specifically requested it but it was also no charge for me. And like Indy, you chose... wisely. It's just more versatile with a tone pot. Just dont turn it up and down constantly during songs. That would be odd anyway.
Wait, its only scratchy when you turn it right?
I had a no tone one for a while and liked it a lot. I sold it in a moment of foolishness thinking it was redundant to my L2000 and I wanted a guitar for some reason I dont quite recall.
I specifically requested it but it was also no charge for me. And like Indy, you chose... wisely. It's just more versatile with a tone pot. Just dont turn it up and down constantly during songs. That would be odd anyway.
Wait, its only scratchy when you turn it right?
Aaaarrrggggghhhhh!
Sweet! One of those is on my wish list too. Looks to be in great shape!
