I have a G& L 2500 Tribute and really love the tone/payability/etc. It is the best sounding bass I have owned including a CBS era P-bass. Unfortunately I don't love the B string. This is my first 5 string. I have tried different strings, but it just doesn't work for me and I have not worked it into my paying (other than as a thumbrest). I am considering trading it in for a L-2000 or a JB-2. I'm interested in hearing from guys who have gone back from 5 to 4 and any who can compare the JB-2 to the L-2500 or L-2000.
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Going Back to 4?
- Thread starter wilberthenry
- Start date
If you haven't worked it into your playing, the only thing you'll miss is the convenient thumbrest...
+1
I use both 4 and 5 string basses depending on the set (or my mood) but yeah if you're not using it then why bother. I have an L-2000 with a jazz neck (#8 I think) and it rocks. Sounds like the L-2500 minus the B string.
I went that route twice I had a Stingray5 which was my main bass for a few years then back to a 4 string then I picked a real nice USA L-2500 which was real nice . I think the problem I had was the I did not like the close string spacing . I thought about going to a bass with a wider neck but I have short fingers and for the music I play I don't feel the need for a 5 string . But what ever works for you .
The new Fender 5 strings (both P and J basses) are a little wider, and a little less expensive too, less than a US L-2500 but seem just as well made these days.
I've previously owned and played out Tribute L2000's, L2500's, and currently use an L 2500 (USA) as my main gigging bass.
As far as differences, besides a thinner neck and slightly wider string spacing, the Tribute L2000 and L2500 sound exactly the same (may be a difference if you go from rosewood to maple or versa-vice fingerboards) - mine were both maple.
The MFD pickups are prob my favorite.
If the B is the problem, why not try E-C tuning, before giving up on the bass, if you don't like that either, you loose nothing but some time, and the price of some strings.
There was a time when I was playing in a band where I found playing a 5 was useful . If I ever got my self back in to a musical situation where I felt I need a 5 of even 6 I would look for some thing a little wider and thinner but at present I play sort of roots music
