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G&L Love

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by edfriedland, Jul 9, 2013.

Page 1 of 19

Jul 9, 2013 #1

edfriedland

Sep 14, 2003

Tucson, AZ

About 8 months ago, I got it in my head that I wanted an L2500. I've only had one G&L my entire musical life, a Tribute L2000, and although it's long gone... I remembered certain qualities that I thought would be awesome to have in a 5 string.

I remember when G&L first came around, I tried a few early models, but never quite got what the switches did. (It was '81, I didn't know series from parallel), and they were heavy. So... I basically ignored Leo's finest work for 30 years.

I picked up a used L2.5 in the TB classifieds for a very reasonable price, but the neck was sadly not up my standards. A new factory neck set everything straight, and now the bass has been on every gig since it's arrival. I'm having so much fun with this bass, it can cover anything I need. It's like having 3 basses in one (maybe more). I just had to develop some discipline to set it and forget it!

The low B is authoritative. Not something I take for granted with 34" scale. I've been playing my Lull 5s mostly and the 35" scale is addicting... but the L2.5 holds it own. It's not the same tone quality as 35", but it's equally useful. The narrower string spacing didn't take long to adjust to, in fact... it's easier for me. I lucked out because this bass only weighs 9lbs, they do exist!

Right after the L2.5 came back, I got an MJ-4 in to review for Bass Player. Again... knocked out! Man, the purity of the note... the way the vibrations travel through the body... the feel of the neck, the electronics... it's simply awesome. So... I'm getting REAL interested in the rest of their instruments now.

This has all led to me working out an arrangement with G&L to demo their instruments. The Bass Whisperer thing has pretty much been on hold for a while. I got too busy to spend all the hours making videos, and frankly... I lost interest in it. But these basses are making me real excited to get back into production mode! I'm doing some rearranging in my studio, so as soon as that is done, you'll start seeing the videos surface on YT.

FYI - in the beginning I was shooting video for whatever Guitar World, or Bass Guitar mag (RIP) sent me. It wasn't usually my choice, and I had to demo a lot of things that I felt ambivalent about. If anything truly sucked, I wouldn't do it, but a lot of those videos are of items that I would never personally use. A few years ago, I decided that I would only do video with instruments and gear that I have a personal interest in. The hassle, the time spent, the eye strain from editing... It has to be for a better reason than just getting paid. So... now that I've finally woken up to how awesome G&L basses are... vids will be coming out with some regularity.

It's funny... lots of people have been into G&L for years, and I'm just now "discovering" them. But it's a gas! Or make that GAS! I've always been a Fender guy... fancy boutique stuff is nice and all, but in my collection, I have ONE Smith 6, the rest of them are all bolt-on maple necks... painted bodies, Ps, Js, Lulls, MusicMans, Gibsons... with a few Eastwoods thrown in for the quirky factor. The G&L is TOTALLY within the parameters of what I like... and yet it took me 30 years to give them another shot! What a waste of time, I could have been playing them all along!

Now, I just have to convince these guys to make 5 string versions of EVERYTHING they've got. Waddya say? If everyone on TB sent them a note asking for an ASAT 5, or a JB 5, an MJ5... an SB2.5! Maybe they'll get the message. It seems unfair that the 4+1 crowd only gets two models to pick from! Let's show them that we're ready for it!

Okay, enough rabble rousing. I just wanted to post about this here... I've been blabbing about it for weeks on my Bass Whisperer FB page, and figured it was time to spread some of my excitement for these newly found treasure over here.

Murch, Soundchaser11460, RedVee and 15 others like this.
Jul 9, 2013 #2

DwaynieAD

Nov 20, 2010

Mechanicsburg, PA

edfriedland said: ↑

About 8 months ago, I got it in my head that I wanted an L2500. I've only had one G&L my entire musical life, a Tribute L2000, and although it's long gone... I remembered certain qualities that I thought would be awesome to have in a 5 string.

I remember when G&L first came around, I tried a few early models, but never quite got what the switches did. (It was '81, I didn't know series from parallel), and they were heavy. So... I basically ignored Leo's finest work for 30 years.

I picked up a used L2.5 in the TB classifieds for a very reasonable price, but the neck was sadly not up my standards. A new factory neck set everything straight, and now the bass has been on every gig since it's arrival. I'm having so much fun with this bass, it can cover anything I need. It's like having 3 basses in one (maybe more). I just had to develop some discipline to set it and forget it!

The low B is authoritative. Not something I take for granted with 34" scale. I've been playing my Lull 5s mostly and the 35" scale is addicting... but the L2.5 holds it own. It's not the same tone quality as 35", but it's equally useful. The narrower string spacing didn't take long to adjust to, in fact... it's easier for me. I lucked out because this bass only weighs 9lbs, they do exist!

Right after the L2.5 came back, I got an MJ-4 in to review for Bass Player. Again... knocked out! Man, the purity of the note... the way the vibrations travel through the body... the feel of the neck, the electronics... it's simply awesome. So... I'm getting REAL interested in the rest of their instruments now.

This has all led to me working out an arrangement with G&L to demo their instruments. The Bass Whisperer thing has pretty much been on hold for a while. I got too busy to spend all the hours making videos, and frankly... I lost interest in it. But these basses are making me real excited to get back into production mode! I'm doing some rearranging in my studio, so as soon as that is done, you'll start seeing the videos surface on YT.

FYI - in the beginning I was shooting video for whatever Guitar World, or Bass Guitar mag (RIP) sent me. It wasn't usually my choice, and I had to demo a lot of things that I felt ambivalent about. If anything truly sucked, I wouldn't do it, but a lot of those videos are of items that I would never personally use. A few years ago, I decided that I would only do video with instruments and gear that I have a personal interest in. The hassle, the time spent, the eye strain from editing... It has to be for a better reason than just getting paid. So... now that I've finally woken up to how awesome G&L basses are... vids will be coming out with some regularity.

It's funny... lots of people have been into G&L for years, and I'm just now "discovering" them. But it's a gas! Or make that GAS! I've always been a Fender guy... fancy boutique stuff is nice and all, but in my collection, I have ONE Smith 6, the rest of them are all bolt-on maple necks... painted bodies, Ps, Js, Lulls, MusicMans, Gibsons... with a few Eastwoods thrown in for the quirky factor. The G&L is TOTALLY within the parameters of what I like... and yet it took me 30 years to give them another shot! What a waste of time, I could have been playing them all along!

Now, I just have to convince these guys to make 5 string versions of EVERYTHING they've got. Waddya say? If everyone on TB sent them a note asking for an ASAT 5, or a JB 5, an MJ5... an SB2.5! Maybe they'll get the message. It seems unfair that the 4+1 crowd only gets two models to pick from! Let's show them that we're ready for it!

Okay, enough rabble rousing. I just wanted to post about this here... I've been blabbing about it for weeks on my Bass Whisperer FB page, and figured it was time to spread some of my excitement for these newly found treasure over here.
Click to expand...

until I got to the last paragraph I was about to say "the Bass Whisperer has been raving about the L2500 for weeks" lol.

odarellmc likes this.
Jul 9, 2013 #3

NWB

Apr 30, 2008

Kirkland, WA

Very cool Ed!

It was your review of the JB that pushed me in that direction when I wanted a new jazz bass. Got one in red and I'm loving it!

After setting it up to my liking with very low action, it nearly plays itself and has that growly jazz tone that I love so much.

I also have an M2500 (my first 5 after 30 years of playing) and an SB-2. You could say I've got the G&L bug too!
Jul 9, 2013 #4

John Freeman Supporting Member

Jul 29, 2009

Happy Valley, PA

Ed - How does the neck on the L2500 compare to a modern 5 string EBMM?
Jul 9, 2013 #5

madbassplaya

Dec 28, 2007

I guess we can cut Ed some slack (no pics no bass) since he did post pics on his FB site. I wish G&L would change the headstock shape of their 5ers. It looks NOTHING like their 4 inline, which I love the look of.
Jul 9, 2013 #6

Bassmunnky

Jul 3, 2004

New York and Philadelphia

Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars

Great post for a great company...Leo lives on is so many ways.

Ed, I'm curious as to how the spacing compares to the Sting Ray 5. I love that spacing. As I remember..from Waaaaay back when I tried the L2500...the spacing at the nut was a bit more narrow...and the neck more chunky from front to back...I love the chunk.

Glad to hear you'll be in video business again. Thanks again for the post.

MK
Jul 9, 2013 #7

StuartV Finally figuring out what I really like Supporting Member

Jul 27, 2006

Manassas, VA

Awesome! I love my L-2500 AND my SB-2. I'll be looking forward to seeing reviews from you of both!

Will you be including the K option (Single Coil mode) in your review of the 2500? Does your 2500 have that option?
Jul 9, 2013 #8

BrianMarc

Nov 30, 2011

I wanted a G&L JB-2 very bad. I finally got a used Tribute model with a gig bag, and can say that it is the bass I have always wanted....
Jul 9, 2013 #9

zachoff

Apr 16, 2003

Boulder Suburbia, Colorado

I love both my L-2000 and my SB-2. The SB-2 gets the most play these days but when I'm looking for some brutally thunderous cutting tone I'll plug in the L-2000 & crank it. I'll be a customer forever.
Jul 9, 2013 #10

lowfreqgeek

Mar 15, 2010

Tijeras, NM

Bassmunnky said: ↑

Great post for a great company...Leo lives on is so many ways.

Ed, I'm curious as to how the spacing compares to the Sting Ray 5. I love that spacing. As I remember..from Waaaaay back when I tried the L2500...the spacing at the nut was a bit more narrow...and the neck more chunky from front to back...I love the chunk.

Glad to hear you'll be in video business again. Thanks again for the post.

MK
Click to expand...

The nuts are the same (1.75"), but the bridge spacing on the G&L is 17mm (.669") and the MusicMan is 17.46mm (.6785"). Not really enough difference between the two to notice in practice.

In the past, the G&L neck profiles were all cut by hand, so they varied. My fretted ('99-'01?) was pretty chunky, but very comfortable; my fretless ('03?) is VERY thin - thinner than my fretless SR5. I don't know about now, though. They may be more consistent with CNC rough cutting.
Jul 9, 2013 #11

edfriedland

Sep 14, 2003

Tucson, AZ

Yeah, string spacing is 17mm at the bridge, a little tighter than MM, but I've adjusted easily. The overall neck profile is a bit chunkier than the MM, but not uncomfortably. It's a little rounder too.

I'd like to see them offer an 18mm option... but that would require tooling up for a new bridge. I'd be more than happy with 5 string versions of their basses with the current neck.
Jul 9, 2013 #12

Bassmunnky

Jul 3, 2004

New York and Philadelphia

Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars

Love to see a Passive LB100 5...

justbass57 and friendlybass like this.
Jul 9, 2013 #13

dcarwin

Feb 11, 2013

415

There goes the neighborhood.
Jul 9, 2013 #14

David Grunigen

Apr 20, 2012

Spokane, Wa.

I recently picked up a Lull M5, which I love, and ordered a M2500. I expect the spacing to be tighter, how much thicker front to back is the neck at the first fret?
Jul 9, 2013 #15

CraigTB

Feb 16, 2012

I love my Tribute L-2500. Favorite bass I own these days. Great feel and so much fun with all those tones!

I would love to see more 5 string offerings from them. If they put out a five string SB-2, I'd buy it tomorrow.

And while we're making wishes, I'd love to see some more finishes too. Where's the mocha or walnut? They've been teasing me with that Whiskey finish for years but it's still only available on guitars.

Looking forward to the new demos, Ed, thanks for the heads up!
Jul 9, 2013 #16

jfh2424

Jan 10, 2009

Montreal, Quebec Canada

Welcome to the dark side, Mr Friedland. G&L offer something special and they are addictive.

Can't wait to see the demos.

John

audreycashin likes this.
Jul 9, 2013 #17

peledog

Jul 9, 2010

San Diego, CA

Looking forward to new vids!
Jul 9, 2013 #18

yowsa52

Feb 14, 2006

cliff oliver san antonio tx

Having used my M series with three different soundmen all have said normally they have to boost the lows on other basses. On the M bass they had to cut the lows and this is running flat EQ with a little bit of blend knob on the neck pickup for the stage sound.

My feeling is that the M is a smoother sound but with plenty of the G&L articulation. A more modern sound. For soloing just pluck the strings a little harder. There is plenty of "headroom" in that 18 volt preamp for the task.

In my opinion I can reproduce on stage the best bass sound I have heard in studio produced basses, if not better.

G&L basses are for mature players.

Soundchaser11460 likes this.
Jul 9, 2013 #19

BrentSimons

Mar 4, 2004

Vergennes,VT USA

Ed that is awesome!
I have a custom G&L L2000 in clear red which has to be one of the best basses I've ever played. It has what they call their special K wiring which allows you to have a single coil option in addition to the parallel and series. Mine has their # 8 "jazz style" neck as well. They are very underrated beasts but like you said they can really cover a lot of ground. Nice to hear from you!
Take Care,
Brent
Jul 9, 2013 #20

NWB

Apr 30, 2008

Kirkland, WA

CraigTB said: ↑

And while we're making wishes, I'd love to see some more finishes too. Where's the mocha or walnut? They've been teasing me with that Whiskey finish for years but it's still only available on guitars.
Click to expand...

Well, there's the Savannah Collection:

http://www.glguitars.com/news/SavannahCollection.asp

And the new Black Ice Series.

So, they do offer new finishes.

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