Well done! Clearly the JB and JB-2 are much more similar than the SB-2.
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G&L JB vs JB-2
- Thread starter SJan3
- Start date
Well done! Clearly the JB and JB-2 are much more similar than the SB-2.
Well, they do have the same pickups and wiring circuit,compared to the mfds in the sb2.
The jb2 sounded more focused than the jb to me.
Yup G&L knocked it out of the park with their bridge, have you ever seen a G&L with an after market bridge I say NO. Fender lost the race in that aspect, although I do like the threaded saddle simple bridge of the vintage Fenders..
I have an American JB and it's a great instrument. I also have a 2004 Fender Geddy Lee Jazz and it brings a bit more of an aggressive edge.
The only 3 basses I play any more are these two Jazzes and my G&L LB-100 (just like @woodyng2 's !
LB-100)
The only 3 basses I play any more are these two Jazzes and my G&L LB-100 (just like @woodyng2 's !
LB-100)
I did have two Tribute JB-2’s and now have a Tribute JB. I really liked my sonic blue JB-2 and used it in my band over more expensive basses. Bought the JB and then kind of foolishly sold the JB-2. Looking at it objectively now, I prefer the smaller body and satin feel of the neck of the JB-2. I will buy another. I think they play and sound great and have quite an understated, elegant look about them that I like. Picture taken during the short period I had both.
I bought my JB-2 used from GC. It was way up high hanging on the third row for a while and I asked them to take it down. I fell in love with it immediately. I'd go back weekly to play it in between work meetings and was surprised it was still hanging around. I eventually bought it for myself as a "Christmas present". I have other basses, but my band always asks were the JB-2 is when I bring another bass. Its very comfortable, I love the tones I can get out of it and it has plenty of kick when I need it. I've never owned a Fender, a Music Man or anything else from a "major" brand other than a couple of Aria Pro IIs in the 80's. This bass fit me right. That's the criteria to buy with if you are looking for an instrument you will play.
Yes, quite right about the focus, and the individual notes were more articulated. And the JB-2 had a fuller-bodied, more P-bassish quality to its sound then the JB which was appropriately thin and nasal at times. Two quite different instruments. To may taste, it's the JB-2 in a walk. Here's my JB-2 Tribute. Sunburst is only on the front. A JB will not sit right in that simple stand due to the angled body; this one, very nicely.
Another sunburst beauty!
My US JB2 also only has the front burst,the sides and back are black.
No solid info, but I vaguely recall reading that when designing the JB, G&L found that going to the 20 fret neck and four-bolt neck attachment made it sound more like a traditional J-bass. Could be, but maybe it was more about cosmetics and wanting normal J-bass pickguards to fit, which they do.
Regardless, I love my JB. It's my favorite four-string bass for the stage.
I wonder if the basses in Ivan's video were new with new / same strings?
The first time I listen to the SB-2 (finger style, both pups on), it's clear that there is this huge Fender "Gank" that also sounds distorted (to me).
Like maybe a big bump at 800 - 1K ish and not crystal clear.
The second time I hear it me thinks, while non-conventional, maybe it would sit in the mix like a big rock dog should.
Thoughts?
Also, is that a good photo of the color for a blue JB2; I was afraid it would be too baby blue but that one looks awesome
The first time I listen to the SB-2 (finger style, both pups on), it's clear that there is this huge Fender "Gank" that also sounds distorted (to me).
Like maybe a big bump at 800 - 1K ish and not crystal clear.
The second time I hear it me thinks, while non-conventional, maybe it would sit in the mix like a big rock dog should.
Thoughts?
Also, is that a good photo of the color for a blue JB2; I was afraid it would be too baby blue but that one looks awesome
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,743
- 11,118
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
They were all new coming directly from G&L Germany. All strung with D’addario nickel
IvanBassist
Commercial User
- Jun 8, 2008
- 3,743
- 11,118
- Disclosures
- Content Manager at Darkglass Electronics, Dingwall Guitars Artist
The JB2 Tribute was frequently discounted for an amazing price in some stores around here (online section, if that matters) compared to the JB. Admittedly, I'm a bit partial to the JB design, but by no means think the 2 looks bad, at all.
My only bug when hypothetically considering going for one, was that the pickups are the same size, IIRC, so pickup swaps might not be as straightforward. Am I wrong? Does the US model feature direct replacement sizes instead?
My only bug when hypothetically considering going for one, was that the pickups are the same size, IIRC, so pickup swaps might not be as straightforward. Am I wrong? Does the US model feature direct replacement sizes instead?
The pickups are the same size in the Tribute JB-2. I replaced the pickups in mine with two same-sized "Classic Bass" Bartolinis (see below). Not everyone has been inclined to do so, but there was a period at least when the pickups in the Tribute JB-2's were not nearly the same as in their US cousins. Mine were thin and a bit brittle-sounding—not at all the sound in Ivan's video. The new Barts sound terrific, especially after I added a second .047 µF capacitor to get greater available warmth from the tone control.
To fix this you just do like the Fender style Basses with no microtilt, you use a shim.
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