NBD- G&L underdog M2500- just in time for quarantine

[Michael Bauer]

I like both the L2000 and M2000 but in different ways. One way I would put it is perhaps the L2000 can get closer in tone to the Stingray, the M2000 is closer to the P-Bass. Just my opinion of course, I have a US SUB Ray and had a Sterling Ray34, the L2000 has that similar kind of aggressiveness to it, you can tone it down of course to some extent, but not quite like the M2000. The L2000 has no mid EQ, the M2000 has the bass/mid/treble EQ.

The L2000/2500 control scheme
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The M2000/2500 controls
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Well, I am a P-bass guy to the bone, so perhaps that explains in part why I preferred the sound of the M. I have a Stingray Special, which I really like, but I grew up with the sound of the P, and that is home plate for me. This whole thread has me curious to try a G&L...after the plague ends!

 

[Doug Parent]

The M Series can do a "P" with the neck pickup only, some mid boost to taste. I used that bass in an oldies band and got a nice fat old school thump. A Real P probably sounds a little "wider" but the M pickup has some detail up top thats not too much and the lows are controlled and defined. Both pickups on, mid cut and it's a wicked slap machine. Will never sell mine, even if they come out with a 19mm version. (Which I will gladly pay full retail for.)

 

[FeltTipPen]

If you want to try the M2000 but don't want to spend too much money, there used to be the Tribute version of the M2000/2500 but from what I can see on the G&L website, the M2000 is no longer available as a Tribute version only the US is still around. You can find them used and the standard neck on the Tribute M2000 GTS the one I have is 1.625 (the Tribute L2000 is 1.75). It's also pretty light.
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Good to know! I'd probably stick to the M2500 but could try a M2000 (if that was what I could find) to get to know the tone. Thanks!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

When I got my L2500 in ‘97, I have been playing active basses for 4 years and didn’t quite understand how the L2500’s preamp worked (cut-only vs. Boost/cut). I had the preamp replaced with a 2-band from Rudy Pensa and used it that way for 20 years.
I have reinstalled the original preamp a couple years ago, but toyed with installing an OBP-3 before that, which would have made it a cross between the L and M series...
There is a member that has installed an Audere (I think) into his L2500 and likes the results enough to not be considering swapping back.

 

[bassbenj]

I didn't know they made L2500 with OMG mode. I played a vintage G&L L1000 in a shop and it sounded great, though the OMG mode was pretty noisy. I'd love to try a kiloton too.

Actually I don't think they do anymore. I modded it myself with push-pull on treble knob. I don't know about "noisy" since it's really just caps across a pickup to roll off highs which gives the apparent effect of boosting bass. It's all passive. It's awfully bass heavy so I don't use it much. And Yes trying (and/or owning) ALL G&L basses is a good thing! I have acquired a bargain EMG BAss-Treble-Mids EQ set that I want to try in my Tribute L2500 to give a kind of M2500. I think the pickups are different between the L2500 and M2500 but should be an interesting experiment.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

My L2500 came wired as Parallel/Series Split Coil, which is OMG. The problem with noise was that the OMG split coil was wired to use both pickups’ South Coils. Since each pickups sort of acted like a single coil, using two south coils did not hum-cancel and doubled the noise. An easy fix was to swap for the North coil of either pickup.
I actually modified mine with a 4th toggle to switch between inner and outer coils when using both pickups in OMG mode.

 

[dabbler]

I like both the L2000 and M2000 but in different ways. One way I would put it is perhaps the L2000 can get closer in tone to the Stingray, the M2000 is closer to the P-Bass. Just my opinion of course, I have a US SUB Ray and had a Sterling Ray34, the L2000 has that similar kind of aggressiveness to it, you can tone it down of course to some extent, but not quite like the M2000. The L2000 has no mid EQ, the M2000 has the bass/mid/treble EQ.

The L2000/2500 control scheme
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The M2000/2500 controls
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But don't forget that the L can go passive, AND the tone controls work in passive mode beCAUSE they are passive tone controls! I LOVE that about the L. Sure, a 3 band tone stack gives you some flexibility (boost and cut in 3 bands), and i love that too. Probably why I have both!

 

[dave64o]

My L2500 came wired as Parallel/Series Split Coil, which is OMG. The problem with noise was that the OMG split coil was wired to use both pickups’ South Coils. Since each pickups sort of acted like a single coil, using two south coils did not hum-cancel and doubled the noise. An easy fix was to swap for the North coil of either pickup.
I actually modified mine with a 4th toggle to switch between inner and outer coils when using both pickups in OMG mode.

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That binding is such a nice touch! And a non-reversible mod can be risky, but that 4th switch for multiple single coil options is genius.

Not sure the single / parallel / single coil mod is called the OMG option, though. I thought that’s the K-mod (my L has the K-mod).

 

[Maxdusty]

But don't forget that the L can go passive, AND the tone controls work in passive mode beCAUSE they are passive tone controls! I LOVE that about the L. Sure, a 3 band tone stack gives you some flexibility (boost and cut in 3 bands), and i love that too. Probably why I have both!

I had both but sold my Tribute L2000 because I want to get a US L2000 with a thinner neck and lighter in weight. Oh, trust me, I'm sold on the L2000 too...

 

[eastcoasteddie]

That binding is such a nice touch! And a non-reversible mod can be risky, but that 4th switch for multiple single coil options is genius.

Not sure the single / parallel / single coil mod is called the OMG option, though. I thought that’s the K-mod (my L has the K-mod).

Single coil is K-mod. Series split coil, or more accurately, Series Humbucking with Coil Tap, was G&L’s terminology for OMG. The pickup is wired in series, and the .1mF cap is wired into the “split-coil” circuit. After all is said and done, you have both coils working in Series, but only one coil’s high(er) frequencies to sound enough like single coil, but with big bottom and more midrange.

here is the catalog page for that year (1997), you can read the description:

Also, I don’t really mind that irreversible mod, I won’t be selling this bass, even if I’m living in a van down by the river.
another reversible mod I made was a push/pull volume pot that gives straight Series. I don’t use it much, as I don’t like it as much as OMG.

 

[Nedmundo]

I particularly like the 17mm string spacing with the 1¾” nut on these G&L 5s. Perfect for me, as is the neck profile. I have a couple really nice Fender 5s, and now that I’m playing the G&L they feel clunky and awkward to me.

Exactly the same experience here. My first five was a 2008 Fender MIA Jazz V, and it was an excellent bass. But it didn't last long after I got my M-2500, because I strongly prefer the G&L's narrower nut, narrower spacing, and flatter fretboard. It also set up with lower action, even though the Fender had gotten the Plek treatment. For me, the M just blew away the Fender for playability.

I love five-string J-basses though, so last year I bought a used G&L JB-5. It's much better than the Fender IMO, but I wish it had the optional 12" radius fretboard instead of the standard 9.5". My other G&L basses have 12" and have taught me that I like flat fretboards. In fact, I'd like to go even flatter than 12". The JB-5 does have nicely rounded fretboard edges, and in that respect feels better than my other G&Ls. Overall, it's an excellent neck design.

 

[FeltTipPen]

A G&L fretless is next on my GAS list

I know I'm not helping the GAS but it's one of my best purchases ever!

 

[FeltTipPen]

I had both but sold my Tribute L2000 because I want to get a US L2000 with a thinner neck and lighter in weight. Oh, trust me, I'm sold on the L2000 too...

My first foray into G&L was a Tribute L2000 but sold it right away because the neck profile was not comfortable and it was a bit heavy. My L-2500 neck profile and weight (Empress) are perfect

 

[Maxdusty]

My first foray into G&L was a Tribute L2000 but sold it right away because the neck profile was not comfortable and it was a bit heavy. My L-2500 neck profile and weight (Empress) are perfect

Exactly the reason why I'm going to go with a US one so I can select the wood/neck on it. Come to think of it, my Tribute L2000 was a bit on the heavy side too. My Trib L2000 looked a little on the plain side, I would have opted for one with a little more color, or a transparent finish with binding.

The weird thing is the Tribute M2000 GTS is pretty much out of the box exactly how I would customized it. It's lighter in weight (while not as light as one with an Empress body, still much lighter than the L2000 Trib) , got a slimmer neck and even has binding on it and a carved front all of which I probably would have opted for.

 

[gregmon79]

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I posted this in the G&L club but couldn't help but share my joy in it's own thread. I picked up this 2012 M2500 in mint condition a couple days ago.

I have been on the quest the past few years to find the right bass and I think I finally got it! I have never fallen this in love with a bass right away since I had my Stambaugh. A ton of usable tones and the EQ is very natural and musical. The bass feels very boutique, the neck is super comfy and I love the gloss. Intonation is some of the best I have a had on the B string, which I was concerned about with the string through body. I love the adjustable pole pieces as it really helped me get the sound I wanted (I raised the G string poles a good amount for a fuller sound). I can't stop playing this thing, it sounds so good! And I expected it to be heavy but it is fairly light (lighter than my Bongo at least, I'm guessing 9lbs). Also really well balanced.

A long backstory on my quest- From 2001-2009 I played a G&L L2000 as my main bass. I loved the sound (especially live) but got tired of all the knob tweaking and was looking for something different. I then feel in love with a custom Stambaugh Jazz bass at a consignment shop and sold the L2000. I played the Stambaugh as my #1 from 2009-2017. I have never been a multi bass guy really, but I usually had one or two other basses to use occasionally.

Anyway in 2017 I was into playing a lot of stuff when I needed to down tune (mostly modern R&B/soul stuff). The Stambaugh had a detuner but honestly it was kind of annoying to have to switch tunings. I had tried 5 strings a few times but never got into it. Then I played a MTD Kingston Heir 5 and really loved the sound and feel, especially of the bridge pickup. I think the 19mm spacing made transitioning to 5 string easier. I played it as my main for a year and even bought a couple MTD Kingston 5er fretless as well. But the reality was that the neck was too wide for me to play as comfortably as I'd like. So now that I was very used to 5s I went in the other direction string spacing wise and got an Ibanez SR1405. Also a really nice bass but I was never totally happy with the sound of the bridge pickup. I realized that I really like a humbucker at the bridge. I wanted some of that L2000 sound back!

So about 6 weeks ago I got a great deal on a used Bongo 5 HHp (under a grand). Truly an amazing bass and one of the best sounding in my opinion. But I got to be honest I think it is pretty ugly and not very comfortable to play resting on my lap. Plus I felt like the EQ was so sensitive that it could go from sounding amazing to sounding not so good very easily. I didn't find the EQ that easy to use. The bridge pickup sounds amazing, and I love both pickups on for maybe the best slap tone I have every got, but panning towards the neck was usually too boomy. I just found it kind of finicky. Some days I loved it and others I was a little more questionable if it was "the one".

I was contemplating a M2500 for the last year as the next bass to try but never was able to try one in person. So I just decided to order a used one from Guitar Center and check it out, I could always return it. I am so impressed with it! Honestly seems like it has never been played, the condition is that mint. I really think it is the one for the foreseeable future. Let's see how I feel in a few months of course. If I am still digging it then I will probably try and get a fretless M2500.

Happy to be back with G&L! Now I want to try all their other models too.

I'm still keeping the Bongo for now though!

Pretty neat!! I just got an L2000 Tribute last week too and I love it!!! Out of the box (used off the wall from a GC), I was very nervous. It was set up terribly. But I sat down with it this whole last week tweaking and setting it up and its an amazing bass now. Plays great, sounds great, feels great. I've wanted one of these basses for years and I finally got one and I couldn't be happier with it.

Actually....I want to do that K mod. Then I think I couldn't be happier

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Pretty neat!! I just got an L2000 Tribute last week too and I love it!!! Out of the box (used off the wall from a GC), I was very nervous. It was set up terribly. But I sat down with it this whole last week tweaking and setting it up and its an amazing bass now. Plays great, sounds great, feels great. I've wanted one of these basses for years and I finally got one and I couldn't be happier with it.

Actually....I want to do that K mod. Then I think I couldn't be happier

That's great, I consistently hear good things about the Tributes