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G&L L-2000 for reggae/dub

S

Skjold

Dec 26, 2010
14
0
#1
Hi all,

I'm a long time guitar player, and I'm thinking about picking up a bass (I briefly owned a P-bass that I played with flatwounds). I was wondering what you guys think of the G&L L-2000 for reggae/dub stuff.

I'm tempted by this bass because it seems to have so many tonal options, and since guitar is my main instrument, it seems like it could be a good choice for someone that will be limited to one bass. That said, I am mainly after good, deep, passive bass tones.

I'm not so much into slap stuff. I'm more into fingerstyle 70s funk, reggae/dub/dancehall, jazz funk, hip hop, etc.

Thanks for your help.
 
#2
I can't comment on the G&L 2000 (although I have hear decent things about it). However, I will say that, for hip hop, dub, dancehall etc. I have found a 5 string very useful.

I play with a Hip Hop group, and also dubstep with another group, and I use an ESP LTD B-205. It has a great range of sounds (due to the 3 band EQ) and paired with a Zoom B3 gives me everything I need for these styles.
 
#4
having tried an L2500 I'd say it can do that and more - as mentioned, they are really versatile instrments, and they have the all-important (for dub) neck pickup...

the electronics are almost overkill - my preference for that sound would be to run it passive, but YMMV.

incidentally, most old school or "traditional" dub lines are voiced well within the range of a 4-stringer. tho i guess a 5-er would allow you to play them further up the neck for extra boominess.
 
#5
G&L make fine basses.
You don't need a 5 string for reggae. Family Man Barrett...used a Fender Jazz much of the time.
fams.jpg
 
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#7
knumbskull said:
the electronics are almost overkill - my preference for that sound would be to run it passive, but YMMV.
Click to expand...

I played a lot of Reggae/Dub in college, and I always used my passive four-string Fender Jazz with flat wound strings. I found that the passive pickups were perfect for the sound I was aiming to achieve. I simply zeroed the tone knob and used the neck pickup exclusively.

Additionally, if you play closer to the neck/over the neck, you can get a wonderful, Reggae tone. I've noticed that the response when plucking in this "zone" falls ever so slightly behind the beat (even if your internal metronome is spot on). This is perfect for the "feel" of Reggae/Dub music.

Best of luck,
~Nick "Klaus" G.
 
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#10
Nick von Nick said:
I played a lot of Reggae/Dub in college, and I always used my passive four-string Fender Jazz with flat wound strings. I found that the passive pickups were perfect for the sound I was aiming to achieve. I simply zeroed the tone knob and used the neck pickup exclusively.

Additionally, if you play closer to the neck/over the neck, you can get a wonderful, Reggae tone. I've noticed that the response when plucking in this "zone" falls ever so slightly behind the beat (even if your internal metronome is spot on). This is perfect for the "feel" of Reggae/Dub music.

Best of luck,
~Nick "Klaus" G.
Click to expand...


This^ Good Reggae tone is in the technique, and knowing how your bass responds to your touch. Turn your amp up louder, then pluck softly around the neck joint, roll tone off, but not so much to make it mud, and feel de riddims :)

That being said, an L2k on neck/passive/series with a bit of treble rolled off is a beast for reggae.
 
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#15
Want to save a few bucks? Try out a Tribute M2000. It's more straightforward than the L2000 and eliminates the confusing swithing options which you'd probably never use for dub or reggae. You'd probably stay in series mode the whole time anyway. This also has a blend instead of a 3 way switch and has their new 18V preamp. I think it will be smoother/thicker than the brighter/growlier L2000. And the biggest thing...MF has them on sale for $499!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass...-electric-bass?rNtt=g&l tribute m2000&index=2
 
#16
That G&L L-2000 is a good bass. Most any bass works fine for reggae and dub. While the great roots reggae players used 4-strings, you will hear a lot of 5-strings in modern reggae and island styles. Check out Eli Mac, J Boog, SoJa, or FiJi. Also, the big totally "tubby" tone is not the only way to roll, and effects, especially envelope followers appear now and then.

Don't feel bound to "fingers over the fingerboard, flat wounds, and the bridge pickup off." IME, it is a recipe for not being heard. I am not saying bright zingy tone is the thing, but low mids and upper mids have their role to keep the pitch clean. After all, the bass and the lead singer are the principle lines in reggae. A high pass filter can really tighten up things and strain out the mud and wobble in some rooms.

You will need a great amp. I hope you have not been too naughty, so Santa can help out. :woot:
 
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#17
Another question for you guys.

Since I'm in Japan, I'm planning on getting one of the made in Japan tributes (used). They sell them as Premium Tributes over here.

Anyway, I came across a used tribute from the 1990s that is prior to the "premium" branding. It just says Made In Japan, Slim Neck (or something like that) on the headstock.

My question is: Has anything other than the branding changed since the 1990s? Just wondering if I should give this one a try or wait for a more recent premium to pop up.

FWIW, it seems to be in really good condition, frets are not worn, truss rod, and neck are fine. It's being sold by a reputable dealer and is priced fairly (slightly cheaper than the usual asking price).

Edit: It says Tribute Custom on the headstock. Also, it has the Japanese wiring, which includes the coil tap.
 
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