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Help me not buy a bass

I have the American Pro II P Bass and the Fender Elite Series PJ. If you put the Elite series PJ in passive and solo the P Pickup it sounds like a regular precision bass. Plus you have all the tonal flexibility the the J pickup offers when needed. If the P pickup is solo’d I don’t think the J pickup detracts from the P sound at all…my dogs agree.
 
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I have a G&L L2000 that I adore. I've never owned a Precision or PJ. Everyone talks about how great the Precision sounds.

The L2000 has tons of flexibility, and all the buttons and knobs don't bother me.

I'm starting the think maybe I should get a Precision or a PJ (or a non-Fender version) so I can see what the fuss is about. Or, maybe you all can help.

Can someone who owns both help be dial in a P-Bass sound with the G&L? Say, a P-Bass with the tone knob all the way open, halfway, and all the way down? Is that possible?

OP: good thread title, and good opening post. For your request, I offer the following: "Buy a bass for me, rather than yourself". :) But in the spirit of the post, not the title, I offer this: "Consider a Tom Clement fretless P".

:) Have a nice day.

YMMV, carrots, tort pickguard, and best bass for metal, etc etc.
 
I have a G&L L2000 that I adore. I've never owned a Precision or PJ. Everyone talks about how great the Precision sounds.

The L2000 has tons of flexibility, and all the buttons and knobs don't bother me.

I'm starting the think maybe I should get a Precision or a PJ (or a non-Fender version) so I can see what the fuss is about. Or, maybe you all can help.

Can someone who owns both help be dial in a P-Bass sound with the G&L? Say, a P-Bass with the tone knob all the way open, halfway, and all the way down? Is that possible?
The L2000 (and all the original sounding G&L basses that are not direct Jazz and Precision copies) is a versatile bass but somehow didn't nail a Precision, Jazz or StingRay right on the head when I tried one because the two pickups are not a standard split P pickups in the standard split P location.
But that's only a problem if it is bought/used to mimic those basses. :)
If you have it because you like the way it sounds, then it's a great bass.
That Peavey Foundation you also have sounds great but is unique to itself, they get stacked against Jazz basses all the time and they don't sound like a Jazz bass, much more rude and ballsy and awesome IMO.
If you want a Precision sound then a "standard split P pickup" bass from many brands will do the trick (I tend to favor Peavey Fury and Yamaha BB Series).
If you like G&L necks, their Tribute LB-100 would probably be a great P Bass for you.
I think PJ basses are fine but don't think of them as a P bass.
I think a proper P Bass has one passive split P pickup in the correct spot, and a volume and tone knob....done.
 
Hi,
I aslo have a GL 1505 with Flat and GL 2000 with RW. Jazz deluxe RW, Guild Starfire with Flat, Fender Aerodyne with Flat and a old Fretless.

For a P sound, depending if you are looking for a more vintage sound. You can have your GL 2000 with flat to have that P sound. But, personnaly I would try other style like a hollow body or a Jazz. Having a P bass is good. But, you already have the G&L 2000 that can emulate the P Bass sound. And finaly, if you really need to buy a new bass. Get a PJ or J to add to your arsenal.
 
Jealous of TDR1138 and Philbassment. I only have one G&L, but it's an L-2000 Signature Series that was built the week Leo passed. It's a completely unique build - headstock logos, color - and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Also have an Ibanez EX and a Taylor GS Koa mini-e. Each has their own uses, and the only way I'm parting with any of them is to hand-down to my 17yo son (who's amassing a collection of guitars on his own!). My daughter gets my Alvarez Fusion AE. :D
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I have a G&L L2000 that I adore. I've never owned a Precision or PJ. Everyone talks about how great the Precision sounds.

The L2000 has tons of flexibility, and all the buttons and knobs don't bother me.

I'm starting the think maybe I should get a Precision or a PJ (or a non-Fender version) so I can see what the fuss is about. Or, maybe you all can help.

Can someone who owns both help be dial in a P-Bass sound with the G&L? Say, a P-Bass with the tone knob all the way open, halfway, and all the way down? Is that possible?
 
I had a 1975 P bass for 25 years and loved it. I finally decided to buy a new bass and asked several music stores, fellow bassist and others about a similar replacement. After 3 months of evaluating and trying new/used basses, I wound up with the G&L SB2. I've had mine a few years now and I'm very pleased. It's a work horse with a great sound that gives me a similar sound of my Pbass on steroids.
 
Hi then, unless you really need to buy something new. Your good with your G&L 2000 on passive and roll off a little the highs. Sorry for my english I'm from Montréal. Try a Jazz or P with flat (James Jermerson) for your blues/rock you have a perfect bass. But, again try something different. Everyone, before you throw me rocks, I love P Bass and I think everyone should have one. That split coail on passive is a must.
 
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I don't have a P Bass but based on this thread, looks like I'm going shopping. Yes I like 'em, played 'em. I do have the L2000 and a Fretless Jazz and can say they are totally different and great in their own ways. No way the L2000 can duplicate a traditional Fender P or J.
 
I had only one bass guitar for 20 years. (I play a lot of Double bass too) . And I play a lot. I could recently justify expanding my collection (more funds, more bass guitar gigs)

My most recent addition was a very nice P bass. I use it the least of my 4 basses. It takes EQ to handle that big bottom . Nobody ever seems to talk about that . I also feel like my other basses are more “original” since everyone seems to play P these days. That said , I’m really glad I learned what the P sound is all about and I’ve already enjoyed playing it a lot in some specific situations.

So I would say give it a try if that’s what you’re feeling. But the P way is not the only way. The J way is also fantastic, as one example. Your current bass sounds really nice and versatile so you might find you use that a lot anyways even with the P in the arsenal. Or maybe you’ll be a P person- one way to find out. Just make sure you don’t have more instruments than you can realistically give some playing time too lol