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G&L L2500 tribute vs. Yamaha bb735a

fretlessbass

fretlessbass

Supporting Member
Dec 3, 2010
496
1,393
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Tucson, AZ
#1
Hi everyone,
I'm planning on picking up a second 5-string in 2019, since a lot of my gigs want that B string.
My main two basses are 4 string both G&L tributes; I have a Mercalli 5, but I want the second one w/ active/passive modes.
Probably no more than $800: The days of expensive basses are behind me...
Anyway, the Yamaha keeps coming up; I like what I've read and heard in videos, so I've opened to considering it.
No chance of trying either one in local stores, so I'm reaching out to my new friends here at TB.
BTW: I prefer 19mm spacing; I'm assuming these are both around 18...
I play a very wide variety of music, although nothing very heavy...
Does anyone have experience with both basses, by any chance?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
#2
I think you assume wrong. Yammies generally are wide spaced as in about 19mm (I'm not sure of actual spacing on that model) and the Tribby L2500 is about 16mm. I have three main axes: one fretted Tribute L2500 and fretted-fretless pair of USA L2500. I positively love them! But Yammies are really great basses too! The reason I don't own any is because I much prefer 15mm-16mm spacing. You Might go the other way if 16mm is too narrow for you.

PS. What the hell is the matter with people? They want you to spend $800 for a bass but apparently the idea is to hang it on the wall rather than play it. Information? Forget it. Just shut up and send your money. If you want to know Yamaha string spacing no problem, just buy the bass and get a ruler! Hey it's the 45 degrees the strings take at the bridge that really matters! Of a page of places selling the bb735a online (including the Yamaha website) there were NONE listing the string spacing. Go figure.

As for the basses themselves they are both awesome though a bit different. The Yammie is a really killer active/passive PJ5. Hey, I love a PJ5 (and own a highly modded Squier PJ5) if you want to be able to dial in a P-bass vibe and yet still have some tonal flexibility available. On the other hand you are already familiar with Leo's vision of the Swiss Army Bass so you won't have the problem of wrapping your head around the unconventional controls. You also already know how awesome they are. The only thing more awesome is to find a used USA L2500 at near the new price of a Tribute, but differences are not large.

My opinion is that with EITHER of these basses there will be zero need to look back to the days of more expensive basses. Except for exotic coffee table looks, either of these choices will give you all the 5 string bass you could ever need!
 
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#6
fretlessbass said:
I play a very wide variety of music, although nothing very heavy...
Click to expand...

I have an L 2500 (and an M 2500) and I would suggest taking the time to understand the preamp on the L and it's own unique sound. There's nothing else like it really as I understand it. Bass and Treble only, no mid control, although the L is very mid present in it's voicing. Very hot pickups. The tone pots are passive I think, I forgot how it all works but make sure you find out how the L is different from a more traditional active preamp set up and it's own unique voicing because it is different from most other basses.

I've had one for years and it's a great instrument, but it's a unique instrument. If my other basses had to go, I'd keep the L. Big and "ballsey" a real beast, and can give a real raw kind of sound which is great for cutting through. Passive is tamed down quite a bit. The treble switch is something else!
 
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#9
eastcoasteddie said:
G&L 5-string spacing is the same as EBMM - 17.5mm
Tributes are also 17.5mm as they use the same bridge as USA models.
Click to expand...

My bad! I used the measured spacing at the bridge pickup and not at the bridge. I am pretty sure they all use the same bridge.

Actual measured spacing between strings at bridge on my basses (gets narrower as you go toward nut, natch. )

Tribute L2500 : 17.1 mm
USA Fretted L2500 : 17.3 mm (Actual string spacing measured at neck pickup: 16.1 mm)
USA Fretless L2500 : 17.35 mm
(Measurement error probably some fraction of a mm)

I hope this helps.

For what it's worth my Squire PJ 5 has a spacing of 19mm at bridge. And my OLP 'Ray copy (I don't own a real ray) is 15.8 mm at bridge.
 
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#11
bassbenj said:
My bad! I used the measured spacing at the bridge pickup and not at the bridge. I am pretty sure they all use the same bridge.

Actual measured spacing between strings at bridge on my basses (gets narrower as you go toward nut, natch. )

Tribute L2500 : 17.1 mm
USA Fretted L2500 : 17.3 mm (Actual string spacing measured at neck pickup: 16.1 mm)
USA Fretless L2500 : 17.35 mm
(Measurement error probably some fraction of a mm)

I hope this helps.

For what it's worth my Squire PJ 5 has a spacing of 19mm at bridge. And my OLP 'Ray copy (I don't own a real ray) is 15.8 mm at bridge.
Click to expand...

Which Squier is that? I never knew they made a PJ 5...? Or was it originally the P5 and you added the bridge pickup?

My Squier Affinity and VM J 5’s have 18.4mm spacing (it is usually rounded to 18mm) I tried installing a 19mm bridge on the VM and it put the B and G strings right on the edges of the fretboard.
 
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#13
klokker said:
I have an L 2500 (and an M 2500) and I would suggest taking the time to understand the preamp on the L and it's own unique sound. There's nothing else like it really as I understand it. Bass and Treble only, no mid control, although the L is very mid present in it's voicing. Very hot pickups. The tone pots are passive I think, I forgot how it all works but make sure you find out how the L is different from a more traditional active preamp set up and it's own unique voicing because it is different from most other basses.

I've had one for years and it's a great instrument, but it's a unique instrument. If my other basses had to go, I'd keep the L. Big and "ballsey" a real beast, and can give a real raw kind of sound which is great for cutting through. Passive is tamed down quite a bit. The treble switch is something else!
Click to expand...
 
#14
Hi klokker,
Thanks for your reply; I neglected to mention that one of my G&l tributes is an l2000...owned it for years; my all-time favorite bass...love everything about it...the tone options are just amazing! my chief concern was about the spacing....but I also know that yamaha makes fine basses, so I figured I should check in with folks here; TB has helped me make several satisfying choices!
 
#15
Chuck M said:
The L 2500 is a fantastic bass....once you understand the preamp. The fairly tight string spacing is one of the things I love about the L or M 2500. They remind me of a very responsive sports car. So easy to get around on and the B strings are wonderful. I vote for the G&L.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply Chuck....I totally love my L 2000 so it will be hard to consider alternatives!
 
#16
I guess it all depends on what you prefer. I had an Ibanez BB 5 string which was 19mm. For me the issue was the sheer width of the neck. I just didn't feel comfortable.
The reason I bought it was that I'd always played P's and one J, so I was used to 19mm. It only set me back $275. I sold it and got all my money back, plus a few $$.
I bought a USA L-2500 used and I got used to it pretty quickly. It was the right choice for me. Awesome basses.
Haven't played the Yamaha so I can't help you there.
Good luck!
 
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#17
Both wonderful axes.

I'd chalk up that the G+L would be more aggressive sounding if Q'd up that way with those wide-aperture humbuckers and the ash/maple wood recipe. Don't get me wrong, suitable for anything, but pushed with aggressive EQ and snarky strings, it will cut through when provoked.

The Yamaha would offer a bit more familiarity IF you are more oriented towards traditional Fender-ish tones with that pickup layout. Certainly can be a bright axe if pushed, but it would tend to be just the least bit cooler or smoother to some ears vs. the G+L.

Of course they look different, and that's important, but honestly you'd be very hard pressed to go wrong with either one, provided they BOTH feel good to you. Weight, neck profile, string spacing, etc., will differ. These things may decide this for you right quick.

These (like the EBMM Sterlings) are tremendous-value alternatives where you pay little if any penalty in the real world if you can't afford their more expensive American or MIJ big brothers.

Best of Luck !
 
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#18
I had a Tribute L2500. Wonderful instrument, comfortable neck, versatile tones. If you need that grade of different sounds go for it. Personally I just sold it because of that huge versatility. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, and it was the reason I bought it, after reading tones of good reviews here on TB. But in time I found it was not for me. I ended up using 2 of the dozens of sounds you can get from it. I thought it would be happier in other hands than mine.
About Yammies, I never tried the last generation but I own a BB425x and a BB714BS, and I love them. Love the necks, love very distinctive sound of the pickups (the Yamaha P is majestic), love everything. If I were in your situation, since you already own 2 G&Ls I would go for something different.
 
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#20
I too like 19-20mm spacing, and found G&L 2500 too uncomfortable to play. Sounds were varied and interesting, but all seemed like a compromise. I think the single coil mod would work really well, and I wonder if it was just bad setup (pickups too high).

Never played that Yamaha, and don’t know its string spacing, but I’ve played other BBs (4 string), and they are killer PJs. If I was buying sight unseen, I’d probably choose Yamaha between the two, but both have a solid reputation.

But what I’d really consider before either is a Lakland 55-01. Love Lakland necks, and they have 19mm spacing + 35” scale. While I’m not impressed with stock electronics, there are good aftermarket options for those pickup sizes. Some say the weak spot is actually the preamp, but I prefer passive anyway.
 
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