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G&L SB-2

jefff100

jefff100

Supporting Member
Jan 23, 2010
3,938
13,623
Jersey Pine Barrens
#1
A week or so ago I came across a G&L SB-2. I really dug the fat raspy tone out of the P-style pickup, really had no idea about the unusual preamp configuration in that bass until i started doing some research.

As much as I liked the tone, I was reluctant to buy becase I really didnt care for the neck. profile of G&L necks seems to be thick and chunky and it was finished in a high gloss.

So what is it thats unique about the SB-2 pickups and preamp...what would it take to replicate this in perhaps a custom build such as what I could do with Warmouth body & neck parts, and pickups / preamp from wherever.
 
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#5
If you do get an SB-2 I urge you not to change the two pickup system until you have lived with the bass a long time. I bought my SB-2 about 10 years ago and thought about making the controls more like an off the shelf Fender but I was too lazy to get around to doing it. I'm glad I didn't, the bass is perfect the way it is.
 
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#6
You can order the g&l p-style pickup from any g&l dealer. You can also get the bridge pickup from a dealer but it doesn't fit in a standard j route so you might want to consider a different j pickup instead if you want two have a 2 pickup bass. I have a pj bass with a g&l p in it and it is one of my favorite basses. The sb-2 just uses two volume controls, but mine is volume/volume/tone and it still gets pretty close to my old sb-2
 
#7
Thanks all for your replies. It was definitly a USA made SB=2. Not a tribute. its a used bass at the GC in WinterPark (Just south of Orlando) FL. If you check CG's used website its item # 107510194.

I totally dug the tone, and yeah, its a hot pup for a passive that's for sure. I didnt know about the VV knob thing until I got back to the hotel that night and started reading about the bass online. I just thought it was a volume and a tone, with both pups full on.

Anyway, if i do buy one I would not change the pups....might have to do some sheliding but woudlnt change them. I can degloss the neck no problem but the profile really wasnt for me.

I havent played that many G&L basses, as there really isnt a G&L dealer near me. Bass Specialties down in Bensalem, PA is about 60 miles away but not on the way to anything for me; so it would have to be a road trip to check something out.

Here and there I've played G&L's that I've come across used at different shops and they always seem to have had thicker necks to me. I didn't know that G&L makes different neck options.

buying the pups outright might be an interesting option however....could do allot that way. Perhaps a trip down to Bass Specialties is in order!
 
#8
Just FYI, Bass Specialties is moving entirely on line in the next couple of months, so if you want to try some G&L basses there, go soon. I was there Saturday, and he may have had a Tribute SB-2, but I don't recall, and I'm fairly certain he did not have a U.S. version. He had a few G&L's though, including a really lightweight orange/rosewood L-1500, which is not something you see every day, and was pretty rad IMO. IIRC, he also had a JB, M-2000, L-2500, L-2000, and I think a couple of Tributes including a JB-2.

There are a couple other G&L dealers in the Philadelphia metro area, but they would probably be a longer drive, and they typically don't stock that many G&L basses. They've always had some when I've visited though, and might be worth the trip: West Chester Music, Roxy Guitar, and Cintioli's. I haven't been to Cintioli's in years; I'm assuming they still carry G&L. Roxy typically has a large selection of G&L guitars, which is cool because you can check out some finishes to help plan your build! :D

As for necks, you've probably learned the SB-2 comes standard with the #8, which has Jazz nut width and 12" fretboard radius, but it has a thicker rear profile than a typical Fender Jazz neck. And some #8 necks are thicker than others; my 2007 SB-2's neck is thicker than my 2010 JB's, which is more like a Fender, but still a little thicker. The G&L #8 is my favorite neck, and as a result I don't play my Fenders that much anymore.
 
#12
jefff100 said:
I can degloss the neck no problem but the profile really wasnt for me.

Here and there I've played G&L's that I've come across used at different shops and they always seem to have had thicker necks to me. I didn't know that G&L makes different neck options.
Click to expand...

I'll go out on a limb here and stake a guess that the neck you played was a larger P-bass profile that is available on the US SB-2's. I'm not fond of that larger profile either, or gloss for that matter.

The #8 profile neck is quite similar to a jazz bass with a 1-1/2 width nut and is fairly slim. My import SB-2 has this slimmer neck with a very comfortable satin finish. My US JB is similar too. It sounds like you have very similar neck preferences to mine and you can certainly find an SB-2 that will likely make you very happy.
 
#15
Nedmundo said:
He had a few G&L's though, including a really lightweight orange/rosewood L-1500, which is not something you see every day, and was pretty rad IMO.
Click to expand...

That L-1500 is sweeeeeeet. Holy Mole Sauce!

I don't need another L-1500, but looking at the beauty makes me wish I did. I wish G&L would make an M-1500. Maybe then I'd finally end up with a tangerine metallic bass. Sorry to derail...
 
#16
jefff100 said:
Foohead - love your sig line.

I have an '83 R65 and a big boxer 6 GL1800.

the old airhead is so smooth when the carbs are balanced right and the wing is like a 2 wheeled barcalounger at 90 mph.
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Oh ya, I love those old air heads! Nothing sounds better than a nicely balanced air head...or when it's at about 4500ish rpm. Very cool indeed! I have a 1980 R100RT and a 1993 R1100RS...fun toys!
 
#17
Well I have been on vacation this week so Thursday we drove down to DE to visit Mom for the day and take her out for a nice afternoon lunch / dinner.

On the way down I came down the PA side and stopped off at Bass Specialties. Sad to see a shop closing up like that but Glenn just cant make it work to offer the kind of personalized service he did, and stay competiive with the likes of Amazon, Muscian's Friend Et. Al.; all the while pay the rent on that storefront.

He did have an SB-2 tribute model, but what really was more appealing to me at the time was a US made L2000. Nice sunburst finish and clean neck sans fret markers. I was afraid to plug it in becase I didnt want to fall too far in love.

I'm considering putting one of my Gibsons (an ES-335) up on the auction block however.....would clear the needed closet space and fund the kitty. I don't play guitar much these days...
 
#20
The L2000 is definitely different than a Stingray- I think of it more like a "Fender on steroids" than a Musicman-type sound. Even in Active mode the L2000 sounds more vintage than the modern type tones I associate with a Stingray (the L2000 is more more ballsy in the low midrange vs the slightly scooped and extended nature of the Stingray). The SB-2 is also "Fender on steroids", but more articulate and ballsier/grindy in the high midrange, and clearer overall than the L2000 (though it also has a huge punch in the low-end compared to a Fender P). The L2000 is much larger in the low midrange and warmer/rounder overall- it can grind, but not the same as the SB-2 (more growly than grindy). They are both really good at different things!
 
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