G&L L2000 or M2000

[tastybasslines]

One more thing. On stage it is much easier to adjust your tone with the M.

 

[Josh Grainge]

@JGrainge: Nah,not MIA, its just a Tribute series but I'm pretty impressed with it so far. I'm taking it to a loud, blues-rock jam we host tonite. Gona put her thru her paces with GB 12.2+2x112AV cabs, should be fun. Gona leave any pedals at home to see how she runs un-effected.
AND Many here, have or have had, many more basses than I. But yeah, I do like to try out lots of different gear, its fun for me. If I find I'm no longer needing/using that gear; Onward n Upward. Except for some nice pieces. But I never say never.

And TalkBass classifieds selling/ trading is a great place to do that. peace, e.

How did it go last night? Did it handle nicely?
I have heard of players with exstensive collections, but I haven't spoken to one haha

 

[Josh Grainge]

One more thing. On stage it is much easier to adjust your tone with the M.

Yeah I would expect that, the last thing you would want to do is start fiddling with a bunch of switches

 

[decay]

You might be better off keeping your eye open for a used USA L2000 with the neck width you want. The US L/M2000s come in 1 3/4", 1 5/8", and 1 1/2" versions.
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Is there an option to order only a neck from G&L? If so, are these compatible with the Tribute series' body?

 

[ErnieD]

How did it go last night? Did it handle nicely?
I have heard of players with exstensive collections, but I haven't spoken to one haha

It went pretty darn great. Last week I took my Squire VMJ-V to the jam and of course that bass was very easy to dial on the fly and it just sounds huge thru my GK-MB800. Last nite the M2000 was so much fun to play. I could just dial the Mid, Tone, Bass or Blend knobs abit either way and get different tones. Very easy and quick to do this on the fly. I struggled at times because I always use 5 string basses so I was missing that low B. Not so much for the low notes but for the ease of playing up the neck as I'm used to doing.

But I'm liking the ease of playing a 4 with smaller neck, really sped up my playing. As just a 3 pc blues rock, I have to do a lot to fill in the gaps when gitard goes solo. I'm gona try the M2000 with my blues-R&B-Soul band next weekend. But I'll have a 5er nearby as I do get a lot of use of the low B in that band. Maybe I should look into a D-tuner for the M?

So far very pleased with the M2000 and I'm enjoying playing a 4 again after many years with 5ers. This G&L M2000 sounds great with a lot of different tones that are easy to dial in; for me. peace, e.

 

[ErnieD]

I also need to add that this is my experience with the M2000. I really liked my US L-2500 while I owned it and would not hesitate to recommend a L2000/2500 to anyone. While tuning my M at home before my gig last nite, I had no signal to my tuner. The kid I traded my Brute to said the two 9V batts in this M were pretty new; well I've learned people always say that. So luckily I had a fresh pack of two 9V batteries in house. I loaded them up and I was back in business. Good thing I found this at home and not at gig. I would've had the extra batts in my gig bag but would've had to stop to reload.

This would never be a problem with the L series as you can go full passive. As a matter of fact I preferred my L2500 in passive mode most times in the country/blues rock bands I was in then. I feel this M has quite abit more modern tone than I recall my L2500 having. Or its prolly just the way I had my L dialed in. Which is cool that you can have that option with the L series.

As per Ed Frielands' vids you can get both L vs M series to sound close. So depending on what tone(s) you need more, I'd let that be the deciding factor on either the L or M series as my first G&L purchase.....then of course buy the other model soon thereafter. peace y'all, e.

 

[panamonte]

This isn't mine - my L2000 definitely isn't for sale! But as you're in the UK, this is an absolute steal. They're great basses and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

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[Doctor Hugocat]

So reporting back from my first play of an L-2000 Tribute today..... Generally I like it a lot. It took me a while to work out the controls: I was confused between the active/passive switch and the pickup selector! The guy in the store didn't know so I googled it

It truly has a wonderful range of tones and really growls! Even passive, its impressive. I found the controls easy to manage once Id worked them out!

Dislikes? The neck feels a bit too big for me, too wide and deep: but i like skinny necks. Id also like a pickup pan control......and it feels heavy, though apparently its less than 10lbs. i still want to try the M-2000 though!

 

[VerryBerry]

Dislikes? The neck feels a bit too big for me, too wide and deep: but i like skinny necks. Id also like a pickup pan control......and it feels heavy, though apparently its less than 10lbs. i still want to try the M-2000 though!

For comparison my L2000 Tribute is 8.6 lbs. on a digital scale. For me, the key is good balance and it certainly has that. There is variation between same-model basses for sure, but the M2000 I tried out in the same store I bought my L from, was heavier. I like the passive/active options of the L2000 and the weight difference between the two in the store sealed the deal. YMMV and all that.

 

[Cube Bass]

While searching for my "adult" bass for few months now I end up repeatedly seriously thinking about L2000 Tribute. I`m afraid a little of that huge neck some of users mentioned, but I have quite big hands so it hopefuly will not be an issue. That "try before buy" advice is golden so far as you have that option, but I don`t - with either of brands/models I`m considering (for information, the others from my short list are: that new Fender MiM active P-Bass made from Okoume wood, Human Base Roxy B4, Ibanez SR750 with Nordstrand designed pups and from passive realm PRS Kestrel and Gibson EB Bass 2014 - I know, completely different animals.. ). But the only one I can put hands on is Kestrel and if I had half day of free time to travel than the L2000 - but only the US version with different neck and price tag two times higher than Tribute...

So as I found this fresh thread, I`d like to get as many information to decide whether to try buy one online and which combination of woods.

Did anybody here compared the black version which is made from basswood (I associate this with mellower sound) and the others made from swamp ash? Does the sound expression of those different woods on same model/body shape/electronics differ? I even found one swamp ash with flamed maple top available - but there is no mention on G&L sites.. (Maybe some older stock..) And what about the maple fingerboard on that blue one? Is it only visual aesthetics or is this one option even more agressive and good player`s technique sensitive?

And speaking of woods, what about the overall quality of it compared with contamporary US made pieces? I`m wondering what can make the price to shrink at a half for a Tribute - if pickups, electronics and probably even hardware is the same as on US instruments.. On a paper the only differences I found on US basses are the neck options, the neck construction and neck setup via PLEK technology. The last one I know is very expensive thing but does it make so big part of the price difference?

The other minor thing that maybe influence the price - do actually marketed G&L basses include gigbags? I know, it is just few bucks (or EUR in my case), but everything counts.. On some older user reviews is "nice gigbag" often mentioned but there is no proud statement "gigbag included" on any online shop offer I was exploring at this time.. Anybody who bought L2000 lately - is it or is it not included?

Hopefuly I did not overwhelm you, quite the reverse, my questions and following discussion will lead to some relevant information. Thanks for any thoughts and opinions.

Hough! QB

 

[Josh Grainge]

Is there an option to order only a neck from G&L? If so, are these compatible with the Tribute series' body?

I looked on their website and found that they do sell necks, but from what I could see, only guitar necks

 

[Josh Grainge]

It went pretty darn great. Last week I took my Squire VMJ-V to the jam and of course that bass was very easy to dial on the fly and it just sounds huge thru my GK-MB800. Last nite the M2000 was so much fun to play. I could just dial the Mid, Tone, Bass or Blend knobs abit either way and get different tones. Very easy and quick to do this on the fly. I struggled at times because I always use 5 string basses so I was missing that low B. Not so much for the low notes but for the ease of playing up the neck as I'm used to doing.

But I'm liking the ease of playing a 4 with smaller neck, really sped up my playing. As just a 3 pc blues rock, I have to do a lot to fill in the gaps when gitard goes solo. I'm gona try the M2000 with my blues-R&B-Soul band next weekend. But I'll have a 5er nearby as I do get a lot of use of the low B in that band. Maybe I should look into a D-tuner for the M?

So far very pleased with the M2000 and I'm enjoying playing a 4 again after many years with 5ers. This G&L M2000 sounds great with a lot of different tones that are easy to dial in; for me. peace, e.

Once again it's nice to hear good about the M2000, It's also good to hear that the gig went well with the M2000
A d tuner could be a good idea if it matched the other tuners

 

[Josh Grainge]

I also need to add that this is my experience with the M2000. I really liked my US L-2500 while I owned it and would not hesitate to recommend a L2000/2500 to anyone. While tuning my M at home before my gig last nite, I had no signal to my tuner. The kid I traded my Brute to said the two 9V batts in this M were pretty new; well I've learned people always say that. So luckily I had a fresh pack of two 9V batteries in house. I loaded them up and I was back in business. Good thing I found this at home and not at gig. I would've had the extra batts in my gig bag but would've had to stop to reload.

This would never be a problem with the L series as you can go full passive. As a matter of fact I preferred my L2500 in passive mode most times in the country/blues rock bands I was in then. I feel this M has quite abit more modern tone than I recall my L2500 having. Or its prolly just the way I had my L dialed in. Which is cool that you can have that option with the L series.

As per Ed Frielands' vids you can get both L vs M series to sound close. So depending on what tone(s) you need more, I'd let that be the deciding factor on either the L or M series as my first G&L purchase.....then of course buy the other model soon thereafter. peace y'all, e.

That is the issue with the M2000 in my opinion. I don't think much could be worse than finding a dead battery when you need it most. At least with the L it's problem solved with the flick of a switch

 

[Josh Grainge]

This isn't mine - my L2000 definitely isn't for sale! But as you're in the UK, this is an absolute steal. They're great basses and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Invalid Link Removed

Thanks, I did see that the other day and thought about it

 

[Josh Grainge]

So reporting back from my first play of an L-2000 Tribute today..... Generally I like it a lot. It took me a while to work out the controls: I was confused between the active/passive switch and the pickup selector! The guy in the store didn't know so I googled it

It truly has a wonderful range of tones and really growls! Even passive, its impressive. I found the controls easy to manage once Id worked them out!

Dislikes? The neck feels a bit too big for me, too wide and deep: but i like skinny necks. Id also like a pickup pan control......and it feels heavy, though apparently its less than 10lbs. i still want to try the M-2000 though!

I really want to try them but I don't know anyone who owns one or a local dealer

 

[Josh Grainge]

For comparison my L2000 Tribute is 8.6 lbs. on a digital scale. For me, the key is good balance and it certainly has that. There is variation between same-model basses for sure, but the M2000 I tried out in the same store I bought my L from, was heavier. I like the passive/active options of the L2000 and the weight difference between the two in the store sealed the deal. YMMV and all that.

I'm quite surprised that they way differently actually, I would have expected them to way very similar amounts

 

[VerryBerry]

I'm quite surprised that they way differently actually, I would have expected them to way very similar amounts

Unfortunately I could not weigh the one in the store. Would have been nice to have a weight to compare the two, but it was perceptively heavier. That's all I could go by.

 

[Alex Ikhelis]

Great thread, I know it's 3.5y old but very insightful I am an intermediate player who owns M2000 Tribute and pretty happy with the choice.

Josh Griange, which one did you go with at the end?

ErnieD, how did M2000 do with the blues-R&B-Soul and what are your latest experiences to share? Do you still play G&L M2K or L2K?

 

[joebar]

I’ve owned both.
I sold the L and kept the M.
Just finished recording an album with an M,P and a J; the engineer loved the M the most.
I tamed it a bit with some old GHS pressure wounds- a really nice combination.
The L is very aggressive and noisy at times with the electronics.

 

[knight of ni]

I’ve owned both.
I sold the L and kept the M.

Just to mention I added a parallel/series switch to my M and it's really useful, less power, less lows and low-mids but more 'finesse', quite an interesting addition. Very easy mod.