G&L Club Part 7

[richwag]

So I spent some quality time with an SB-2 today and I totally get it now.

I wondered how they could make a bass with no tone control but after playing it I realized that you can get loads of tone control by adjusting the volume of the 2 pups. And you lose very little real volume unless you put the below 1/4. Both at 1/2 gives a nice fat tone. What wizardry is this?

(apologies to the SB-2 owners who already know this)

I was going to try to get G&L to make me one with tone control (they'll do that for a dealer if they get minimum 3 orders) but now I don't think I'll do that - seems redundant.

So back to the original quandary - SB-2 or LB-100 (fretlesses).

I modded my SB-2 with a pan/master tone and master volume and would highly recommend a tone control. It's another way to control your tone. Think about soloing the neck pickup for a p-bass tone. You can brighten it with the rear pickup, but you can't darken it any further. Doesn't apply to a fretless, but what if you're playing some really aggressive stuff and want to dial off a bit of highs to remove some fret noise? I think a tone control just makes it ever more versatile.

The SB-2 is an outstanding PJ bass. I think it has so many more tonal options than an LB-100. Unless I was absolutely sure that ALL I wanted was a p-bass, it'd be SB-2 all day long for me.

 

[richwag]

They dipped their toe into the “relic” pool a few years back. I don’t think it really took.

Oh got it. Yea, I never really got the attraction of someone beating up a bass for me. Sort of like paying for a new car and having it come with dents, rust and upholstery rips.

 

[richwag]

Christmas came early this year

Enjoy! I love my SB-2. Be prepared for some quality time spent learning all the tonal options you can have.

 

[RissKippery]

Oh got it. Yea, I never really got the attraction of someone beating up a bass for me. Sort of like paying for a new car and having it come with dents, rust and upholstery rips.

I think a lot of the appeal is bypassing the “break in” period. Having an instrument that feels well worn without some of the issues that come with an aging instrument is practical.

 

[SJLee]

I turn into Pavlov's dog every time you post a pic of that bass!

Thanks, man!

 

[Ricky Rioli]

The SB-2 is an outstanding PJ bass. I think it has so many more tonal options than an LB-100.

I was wondering between an SB-1 and an SB-2T. Given how much change in character that the volume knob can make on the MFD pickups, the SB-2T has three different ways of altering the sound. I decided three is one too many for me, and went for the SB-1. Hopefully it won't be too long before I discover if I was right....or wrong....

 

[jfh2424]

Consider me disturbed! LOL Just kidding.

The PFMT (Premium Flame Maple Top) option is $429 MSRP and you'd see it advertised for $300.

Just FYI - I've got a handy sticky thread in my sponsored forum here on TB with all the G&L options and pricing:
G&L Pricing | TalkBass.com

That info should all be correct and current, though most of the links are dead after G&L redesigned their website. One of these days, I'll update the links to get them working again...

Thank you so much, Greg. We are lucky to have you in this thread.

 

[pjbassist]

Thank you so much, Greg. We are lucky to have you in this WORLD.

I fixed it for you @RocketMusic

 

[richwag]

I was wondering between an SB-1 and an SB-2T. Given how much change in character that the volume knob can make on the MFD pickups, the SB-2T has three different ways of altering the sound. I decided three is one too many for me, and went for the SB-1. Hopefully it won't be too long before I discover if I was right....or wrong....

I don't think there's a "wrong" answer. I'm sure you'll be quite happy with your SB-1.

 

[MascisMan]

I know this is a super generic question, but, those that own both an L1K and a P-Bass, how would you compare them tonally? I know its not an "apples to apples" test because the MFD's switching, but thoughts across the board? Is there room in the stable for a P-Bass when the L1K enters?

 

[TDR1138]

I know this is a super generic question, but, those that own both an L1K and a P-Bass, how would you compare them tonally? I know its not an "apples to apples" test because the MFD's switching, but thoughts across the board? Is there room in the stable for a P-Bass when the L1K enters?

I have both.
I do like the simplicity of the P, it does what it does and we all know and love that...
The L-1000 does have a little bit of a different voice. Aside from the volume difference, it’s just got more range and more girth to it. And obviously more ways to sculpt the tone.
If I had to choose, I’d choose the L over the P, but I really do like the P.

 

[woodyng2]

Over the last 5 years, I’ve gotten back into P bass land after a 35 year hiatus.(bad experience with 2 in the 80s.)
I started with an AVRI ‘57 Precision, which i traded for a GL LB100,which I in turn traded for an L1k.
I had each bass for about 2 years between trades, and only recently got the Wunkay.
The P had a beautiful sound,which, to me, simultaneously sat well in a mix and disappeared.
The lb had a bit more presence,but I still found it to be kind of anonymous even though it fulfilled its sonic function very well.
The L1k i got has an alnico humbucker instead of an MFD pickup, and i think the third one’s the charm!
It does the big passive full precision-ish sound very well,but i can tweak both the treble and bass response,as well as get 3 variations from the minitoggle switch,and i find all 3 positions to produce very useful sounds. And it really roars with a distinctive edge,like my Rickenbackers.
I’d still like to try out a Kiloton, but am really digging the Wunkay right now.

 

[Holdsg]

I know this is a super generic question, but, those that own both an L1K and a P-Bass, how would you compare them tonally? I know its not an "apples to apples" test because the MFD's switching, but thoughts across the board? Is there room in the stable for a P-Bass when the L1K enters?

I too have owned/currently own both. Although currently my pair consists of a modded SB-1 for the P and a Tribute Fallout for the wunkay. I love a good P bass. And for country, you can’t go wrong with that. However, for rock, I prefer the edgier tone of the MFD pickup in my Fallout. 2 flavors of awesome.

 

[jcburn]

I'm a bit of the opinion the L1000/L2000 don't really replace a P. Using the neck pickup you can definitely get a P vibe, but its bigger, ballsier and has a humbucking thing going on that doesn't replicate a P Bass - certainly doesn't do the P bass with flats and tone rolled off thing - it always is a bit more aggressive and edgier in my opinion and in no way am I dissing either instrument.
I love a simple P bass. It simply sounds great. But I also love my L2000 and all of it's different tones.

 

[J. Brooks]

I have both.
I do like the simplicity of the P, it does what it does and we all know and love that...
The L-1000 does have a little bit of a different voice. Aside from the volume difference, it’s just got more range and more girth to it. And obviously more ways to sculpt the tone.
If I had to choose, I’d choose the L over the P, but I really do like the P.

This sums it up perfectly. I like my L1000 cuz it has huge low end but you can roll off the bass so it's super versatile. Also, having that high output is nice especially if you play lightly.

My p bass is a little more even, clean and clear sounding.

 

[jefff100]

Oh got it. Yea, I never really got the attraction of someone beating up a bass for me. Sort of like paying for a new car and having it come with dents, rust and upholstery rips.

yeah- its not really my thing either. G&L isn’t building bass bodies with mahogany anymore (although Greg indicated that they could probably do a one off custom shop build).

this one became available here on TB and its all original with no mods and no cracks or gouges.
This gets me into the world of the HOG body for less than half of what a new custom shop build would have cost. Its by far the heaviest bass I have at 11 lbs.

The finish is heavily worn & has extensive cold checking... but the back of the body has very large patches where the finish is completely worn away - and the grain underneath is beautiful.

I figure that if after a few years of playing it, if I still enjoy it, then maybe I’ll refinish with a hand rubbed tung oil finish. If not, then I can flip it back out onto the classifieds market with a minimal (if any) fiscal damage.

 

[armybass]

Just curious as to what the opinions are on the G&L Tribute LB100's and the JB's? What are the quality controls like, setups and how are the necks?

 

[Andyman001]

US basses are solid. Tribbys are split.

In case anyone wanted to know, (or even if you didn't ) My Tribby L-2500 has 6mm split shaft pots.

 

[plankspanker13]

Just curious as to what the opinions are on the G&L Tribute LB100's and the JB's? What are the quality controls like, setups and how are the necks?

My Tribby JB-2 was what got me started with G&L, back in 2007. Quality was very good, considering it was made in Indonesia. Squier products from that country over the next several years were equally good.

These days, most of my G&Ls are genuine Yankees, but I did snag a Tribby LB-100 two years ago, and found it good. It lives with the daughter, as I just could not bond with the chunky neck. If I got a call to do a heavy rawk gig, I would get it back just for that purpose, although my new MIM Fender Player Jazz with a hi-mass bridge and an old set of Quarter Pounders in it might also suffice for such a gig.

 

[jcburn]

I had been whinging earlier in this thread, wanting to find a string with less zing and top end than strings I've typically been using (d'Addario XLs, DR Fat Beams, EB Slinkies), but flats are too much the other way.
So.....
Tried Sunbeams - still too bright, really didn't hear much of a difference between these and Fatbeams to be honest.
So on a whim I tried D'Addario NYXLs. Interesting string. A little bit expensive, and not quite what I want to achieve but the top end is definitely a little more subdued than standard XLs or DR Sunbeams, with slightly more girth in the mids and low mids to my ears. Pairs well with both pickups\ parallel mode on my L2000.
Over next few weeks I'm gonna try to get a hold of both some D'Addario half rounds and some GHS Pressurewounds..... I feel one of these will get the job done.
Just thought I'd report.