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Ibanez SR506 ....or... G&L Tribute L2500
- Thread starter Kenova
- Start date
I would, but I may be in the minority here. I've never been a big fan of G&L and I love the Ibanez SR500 series. The SR505 was one of the best five strings I've owned and the sixer is high on my list of future purchases. I love me some Bartolinis.
All what I am looking for is a LOT of growl and mid focused bass with rounded but not crystal clear highs!!!
L-2500. Having gigged and recorded an SR-505 extensively and owned an L-2000 for a number of years, those terms best describe the G&L IMO and IME.
Ill keep my tribby for sr, but if you like the thinny neck and tider string spacing then go for it
Dude, I dont know either welll,e xcept my former teach had a G&L I played, but uh,
I **think** that DEFINES the G&L sound. Now, his was the real deal , so YMMV with a trib.
Hmmmm, I didnt read thru all the posts b4 I commented, but... that is an unepected result.
Maybe its the language definition over what your head is eharing, or the expression of it. Bummer. To my ears the MusicMan;s are uber middy, and I beleive the G&L does that as well, but more refined.
what strings are you using?
and to answer your question: no, i would not trade an l2500 tribute for an ibanez. not in a million years!
are you up for trying a new set of strings?
if so, i would try Dunlop Nickels. The Dunlops have a mid focus to them that sounds great. GHS boomers have always had a "scooped" sound to me.
the quickest way to change the sound of your bass is a different/new set of strings.
Kenova said:
I would keep the G&L. Ibanez are pretty clear and clean sounding basses. If you want tons of mid growl then a Stingray or Warwick Corvette will do the trick nicely.
- Jul 20, 2005
- 881
- 76
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Samuel Shen Basses, NS Design, D'Addario Strings
Well,
If you want lots of midrange growl, I would first suggest a Fender Jazz. ;-)
I have an SR 506. I can get a growling mids sound out of it, and I can get rounded highs or crystal clear highs. I can get a midfocused bass. I like the midrange-y-ness of this bass. G&L has more tonal options, but they are not famous for their midrange EQ (when compared to, say...Fender). Still, the G&L is a great axe that can dial in most sounds.
If you own the G&L, I'd have a hard time recommending you trade it if you could pick up a 506 used for cheap like I did. If you are really gassing for a sixer, it's not a bad trade at all. I really like my 506 and don't foresee getting a different sixer.
FWIW, I a/b'ed a 506 with a 706. The 706 was a great bass, but I liked the warmth and body of the 506 sound more.
If you want lots of midrange growl, I would first suggest a Fender Jazz. ;-)
I have an SR 506. I can get a growling mids sound out of it, and I can get rounded highs or crystal clear highs. I can get a midfocused bass. I like the midrange-y-ness of this bass. G&L has more tonal options, but they are not famous for their midrange EQ (when compared to, say...Fender). Still, the G&L is a great axe that can dial in most sounds.
If you own the G&L, I'd have a hard time recommending you trade it if you could pick up a 506 used for cheap like I did. If you are really gassing for a sixer, it's not a bad trade at all. I really like my 506 and don't foresee getting a different sixer.
FWIW, I a/b'ed a 506 with a 706. The 706 was a great bass, but I liked the warmth and body of the 506 sound more.
THNX man I think you have understand me most of all!!! G&L don´t have such WARMTH and STRONG midrange, it is very agressive bass, great for slap (ash/maple), but for me lacks in that fingerstyle, low midrange, rounded low end, it is like Jazz+P on steroids for me!
I think SR have more warmth (mahagony+bartolini) and more midrange!
Is that correct?
- Jul 20, 2005
- 881
- 76
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Samuel Shen Basses, NS Design, D'Addario Strings
You are right, bit I dont want that Jaco high mid growl, jazz bass is pretty tight and somewhat thin sounding (single coils/bridge pup). I want Low mid growl and huge low end.
- Jul 20, 2005
- 881
- 76
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Samuel Shen Basses, NS Design, D'Addario Strings
If you want Jaco, get a Fender. LOL
If you want an affordable six string bass with big low end and low mid growl, the 506 is definitely worthy of checking out. I love Barts w/ the 3 band EQ. I can pan between neck and bridge pickups, and I have a boost/cut control for lows, mids, and highs. I run my p/u's in the middle/even, bass control between 8-10 (depending on stage/venue), mids around 7-8, and highs around 5 (no boost, no cut). I get an authoritative, ballsy, solid bass sound with a really nice mid feel without it being overbearing or twangy. Rich, full, plenty of bottom but with plenty of projection. The high C is very clear, and the low B is as good as any 35" scale bass - very strong. (Good setup helps.)
This bass is very versatile for being so affordable. I can play country, baby boomer music, light rock/easy listening/restaurant gig stuff, jazz, swing, polka music.... you name it. I don't slap too often, but I can dial that in, too. I like this bass more and more every time I play it. Perfect bass for praise and worship music also. Don't do a ton of soloing either, but you can find the clarity and projection necessary for that. This isn't a $4K bass, but it is an exceptional value, IMO, for the money. Enough so that I don't need to look at a high end sixer.
Until I bought this bass, I admired Ibanez from a distance. I wanted a sixer, and this one came along for a very reasonable price. I knew Ibanez made a good product. So... I ran down to Guitar Center and tried a 506 and 706 (among others, lol). It was more than worth what I paid for it, and I've enjoyed it ever since. I have a new opinion of Ibanez basses. I still love my Fenders, but the 506 is a great axe.
And, of course, it's always best to try before you buy if you can.
If you want an affordable six string bass with big low end and low mid growl, the 506 is definitely worthy of checking out. I love Barts w/ the 3 band EQ. I can pan between neck and bridge pickups, and I have a boost/cut control for lows, mids, and highs. I run my p/u's in the middle/even, bass control between 8-10 (depending on stage/venue), mids around 7-8, and highs around 5 (no boost, no cut). I get an authoritative, ballsy, solid bass sound with a really nice mid feel without it being overbearing or twangy. Rich, full, plenty of bottom but with plenty of projection. The high C is very clear, and the low B is as good as any 35" scale bass - very strong. (Good setup helps.)
This bass is very versatile for being so affordable. I can play country, baby boomer music, light rock/easy listening/restaurant gig stuff, jazz, swing, polka music.... you name it. I don't slap too often, but I can dial that in, too. I like this bass more and more every time I play it. Perfect bass for praise and worship music also. Don't do a ton of soloing either, but you can find the clarity and projection necessary for that. This isn't a $4K bass, but it is an exceptional value, IMO, for the money. Enough so that I don't need to look at a high end sixer.
Until I bought this bass, I admired Ibanez from a distance. I wanted a sixer, and this one came along for a very reasonable price. I knew Ibanez made a good product. So... I ran down to Guitar Center and tried a 506 and 706 (among others, lol). It was more than worth what I paid for it, and I've enjoyed it ever since. I have a new opinion of Ibanez basses. I still love my Fenders, but the 506 is a great axe.
And, of course, it's always best to try before you buy if you can.
I own a SR 506 and i think it is a very different bass than a G&L, its a very good bass for the money and it can do the midrange thing.
If you're not happy with the G&L give the Ibanez a try, it might be what you are looking for.
Thnx people for the input, I see that you understand me! But people always think about brands and have some prejudices towards some of it. Generaly speaking people thinks that Ibanez is ****, and G&L is awsome bass (Leo Fender) IMHO, but they dont´t think about tone when they buying, and that is really shame... I might try Ibanez SR series!!!
