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Another vote for the G&L (Tribute or American) L2500/L2000. Most versatile bass I've ever owned.
The only thing it doesn't have is retractable frets. Wait, I should draw that up and patent it. Oh, and yeah, no coil tapping, but that is significantly overrated, IMO.
Edit: cancel my patent comment, somebody beat me to it. Retractable Frets!!!
The only thing it doesn't have is retractable frets. Wait, I should draw that up and patent it. Oh, and yeah, no coil tapping, but that is significantly overrated, IMO.
Edit: cancel my patent comment, somebody beat me to it. Retractable Frets!!!
The older Ibanez ATK 300's are pretty versatile. Not "the best" for some I'm sure. But they will def get you more than a few tones as well as having it's very own. Also a good Fender Jazz is pretty versatile. More so than I thought till I got a CIJ Geddy sig with Dimarzio Model J's in it. It's a pretty amazing bass.
I
I can't see how something that has just one knob can be classed as "Versatile".
From 1:40:
I can't see how something that has just one knob can be classed as "Versatile".
I started with guitars and now bass. Honestly, I think a Precision Bass with roundwound strings is all you need. IMHO, you can go from Rock to Motown to anything with just a few adjustments(treble up, midway, no treble/play closer to bridge, play closer to neck, with or without foam, etc.). Hit up Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace where you can get a used Squier for $100 or a used MIM for $400 or a used MIA for $800 or less.
If you are handy, here's a mod I did on an beater Squier (my total cost was $175, that includes the bass): cheap bass to make a beater bass to haul around on certain gigs
If handy is not your thing and you want new, you can't beat these:
cheap bass to make a beater bass to haul around on certain gigs
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
Invalid Link Removed
Closer to a hot PJ, another consideration is a used 80s/90s Peavey Foundation with Super Ferrite pups, but keep that to yourself, don't want the secret to get out
If you are handy, here's a mod I did on an beater Squier (my total cost was $175, that includes the bass): cheap bass to make a beater bass to haul around on certain gigs
If handy is not your thing and you want new, you can't beat these:
cheap bass to make a beater bass to haul around on certain gigs
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-standard-telecaster-precision-bass-limited-edition
Invalid Link Removed
Closer to a hot PJ, another consideration is a used 80s/90s Peavey Foundation with Super Ferrite pups, but keep that to yourself, don't want the secret to get out
"You're not versatile!"
While I posted that video tongue-in-cheek, and while I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of Joe Dart/that particular bass, I personally found that section of the video above pretty funny. I do think it does a good job of showing just how much variation you can get from different techniques keeping all else constant.
Add me to the G&L L2000/L2500 suggestion list. I think they tame down very well once you embrace the concept that the volume and tone controls don't always have to be run wide open.
On the other hand, although a p-bass may have a limited sonic palette, it fits into just about any style of music. Plus, if you change the locations where you pluck the strings, it can have a surprising range of tone. Make it a P+J, et voila!
On the other hand, although a p-bass may have a limited sonic palette, it fits into just about any style of music. Plus, if you change the locations where you pluck the strings, it can have a surprising range of tone. Make it a P+J, et voila!
While you CAN play any style with ALMOST any bass, I do think that there are some basses that just aren't going to slap sharp enough while thumpin deep enough to really get the funk on.
Pretty sure it does. The M series doesnt have passive options
I'd go for a bass that does both active and passive with humbuckers. I'd rule out P, PJ, J because if other basses can sound reasonably like these, Fender (or clones) basses typically sound like... Fenders. That's their signature. Ibanez is a reasonable suggestion. I prefer Yamaha, a TRBX505 would do. G&L L2500 is an unusual bass with lots of possibilities, sure, but really specific IMO (I own an M2500 which I love so nothing against G&L).
Yes, nor the series/parallel toggle. But the L does not really sound like an active bass, it sounds passive all the way with some sort of active EQ.
G&L L2000 Tribute.
Not sure if I'm the first to say it, but I certainly won't be the last.
When it comes to versatility, this is the answer. The Tribute quality is right up there with the USA-made L2000s, which you can find used for about the same price, and the MFD pickups are perhaps the best stock pickups made.
You won't find a more potent bass.
Thanks for posting this. I was playing one of these a while ago with no manual and couldn’t figure out what was what....
