Mustang vs. Geddy Lee vs. L2000

[parksung]

This may be a silly question, but how would you describe the differences in sound of these basses in very general terms?

I have a Geddy Lee and love the neck but for a small person, it's a monster size. Friends have recommended the Mustang and L2000 but these are hard to find in shops and are usually special order with a commitment to buy. Before I start really considering other basses, I'd like to get a general idea what opinions are of these basses.

 

[Kyon`]

If the geddy neck is to much for you, the G&L won't be any better. The l2000 stock neck is even thicker.

 

[parksung]

If the geddy neck is to much for you, the G&L won't be any better. The l2000 stock neck is even thicker.

sorry, it wasn't clear in my original post, i love the neck on my Geddy Lee but the body is huge for me

 

[ia02]

The mustang is great, especially for small handed folks like myself. It has a very similar tone to a P but a bit of a hotter tone, at least when I compare my American P and my Mustang. Playability was great right out of the box.

The Mustang's shortcomings are in the hardware. In my opinion the tuners, nut, pots and output jack need to go.

The pots are easy, full size CTS pots drop right in. A Switchcraft output jack fixes the cheap stock junk. The nut on my bass needed to go, but this was probably because the previous owner cut the slots too low and wide. New bone nut fixed the issues. I also replaced my tuners with hipshot ultralights, but this was not a direct swap, it required some modification.

That being said I think the Mustang is a great bass, especially if you buy used. It has become my main gigging bass, the P just sits.

 

[tjh]

... if you have not played a short scale bass, that would be the place to start ... you wont find many Mustangs hanging on shop walls to try, but you will find short scale Squiers ... play one of them and see if the size, shape, and the short scale suits you better, and then imagine it with the fit and finish of the GL or better ... that would be the Mustang ... JMHO

 

[Surfside]

FWIW Nordstrand is also offering replacement pups for the Mustang now. I plan to get some and try them out soon.

 

[EagleMoon]

If it were me, I'd buy a dinky J bass body from Warmoth and transfer everything over onto that. Then put my Geddy body somewhere safe in case I ever wanted to sell it, I could reassemble it with no problem.

I agree about full size jazz bodies. I could never get along with them either. It's like playing a coffee table.

 

[Fat.Mike]

You piqued my curiosity, as I own a AMSTD J and an American L2K...

Rear strap button to strap button:

The upper horn on a J is 1" (approx.) longer.
The lower horn on a J is 1 3/4" longer and the cutaway seems much deeper on the 2k.
The lower curve on both bodies is about the same.
The upper body curve on the 2k is way shallower, by a good inch or so.

Here's a pic that doesn't show the difference as well as in person. 2k on j. Maybe they'll make a baby...

On another note, as all good parents do, I love them both; Don't make me choose.

Regards to ya bass bro.

Mike

 

[mmbongo]

You might like a Warwick Thumb. Tiny neck, tiny body. HUUUGGGEEEE sound.