Pro users

Discussion in 'G&L Bass Forum' started by bassybass, Jun 28, 2008.

  1. bassybass

    bassybass Guest

    Mar 29, 2008
    As I dig in to the G&L world to see what they're all about (haven't played many), I have to ask, who are the "pro users" of note that are using these basses these days? What new albums can I hear one on? Not that it's REALLY a factor in a purchasing decision, but still---for example, do these babies show up in the A-list session world of today? (a world which I also understand is very trend and image-driven of course (i.e. everything that's crazy overpriced vintage Fender, Gibson, etc. is "cool" and "vibey") , but you know what I mean. . . ). Just curious.
     
  2. I am not sure about now, but when Craig Montoya was with Everclear he used G&L's. I think any of their albums he is on will have them.
     
  3. rootshock

    rootshock

    Feb 17, 2008
    Chicagoland
    Liam Wilson from The Dillinger Escape Plan uses an L-2000. I'm not really into TDEP or mathcore, but I see the ad every month in BassPlayer :)

    Chopper Anderson from Reba McEntire (L-2000 & L-2500)

    Garry Beers from INXS (LB-100 & L-2500)

    Kevin "Brandino" Brandon (L-2000, L-2500 & JB-2) Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Mary J Blige, Justin Timberlake, Joss Stone, Luther Vandross, Jamiroquai, Outkast, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Tommy Dorsey, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Smith, Ray Charles, Barry White, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, Snoop Dogg, Al Jaureau, Waylon Jennings, Seals & Crofts, George Duke, Joe Sample, and as a LA session bassist

    (That's pure "A List" baby, need I say more ??)


    Seriously, go buy a G&L


    :bassist:


    http://www.glguitars.com/artists/index.asp
     
  4. Well........I hope that your criteria for purchasing an instrument is not based on who else is playing them, although I am sure that most people who go into GC are looking for those signature models or those absolute standards that everyone sees on TV. I know I when I whip out my l2k or my l2500 there are lots of people in the audience that say ..." ohhh nice..G&L" of course there are a lot of people who ask me why my guitar only has 4 strings as opposed to my gui**** who has 6 strings.

    :)
     
  5. Spiritfield

    Spiritfield

    Mar 2, 2004
    Jawja
    Here's a few more... some are using guitars, some basses: Tim Mcgraw band, Aerosmith, Goldfinger, Thrice, Angel Dust, Allman Brothers, Elton John band, Collective Soul, Staind, 30 Seconds to Mars, Black Label Society, the Butthole Surfers, Corrosion of Conformity, Matisyahu, Alice In Chains etc. etc.
     
  6. rathervague

    rathervague

    Oct 13, 2004
    One of my favorite bands...
     
  7. bassybass

    bassybass Guest

    Mar 29, 2008
    Yes, you're right--I wouldn't base a decision like that simply on the "star factor"---the instrument has to feel/sound right for me. I was just curious as they're not as visible as Fenders(of course) or lakies, sadowskys, etc. etc., (but yet they have this great rep and clearly loyal user/fan base) as to what recent recordings I could hear them on.
    I just read that Mike Porcaro used an L2500 on the latest Toto album (maybe a few years old now)---I'm not really a Toto fan, but that kind of high-end studio production I'd be curious to hear with an L-series laying it down. I was also just told by a pal that Brandino used one on Outkast's "Polaroid Picture"----that's a pretty darn big hit as an example of one is use(and in great hands too)!
     
  8. Spiritfield

    Spiritfield

    Mar 2, 2004
    Jawja
    G&L just doesn't spend the marketing $$ the others do. You have to be "clued in" by someone in the know to try these things out rather than seeing ads for the umpteenth "Signature Model" other manufacturers churn out. Despite G&L's history and the fact they've been around 28 years, G&L is still a relativley small instrument company. Understand though that "large" doesn't necessarily mean "better".
     
  9. KsPiNeSh

    KsPiNeSh

    Mar 28, 2008
    Kansas City
    +1

    I had no idea they existed until I started reading about them here. Now, my L2000 has replaced my Warwick as my primary, something I wasn't sure would ever be possible. They are friggin' sweet instruments.
     
  10. idoru

    idoru

    Dec 18, 2005
    Brisbane, Australia
    If I didn't own a Thumb, I think I'd have said the same by now :)

    c-
     
  11. lmfreeman9

    lmfreeman9

    Sep 1, 2007
    Arizona
    If I had unlimited $, I'd probably play vintage Fenders. Vintage G&L's IMHO are the next best thing and were produced on Leo's watch. Eventually, the market will discover this.
     
  12. Chef

    Chef In Memoriam

    May 23, 2004
    Columbia MO
    Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
    shhhh
     
  13. PluckyThump

    PluckyThump

    Jan 4, 2008
    The Hammer
    Staind

     
  14. Mesa

    Mesa

    Mar 20, 2008
    Holly Springs NC
    A couple of other randoms that may not be in the G&L list:

    I saw Heart on the tube doing a show featuring the Steamboat Annie album in its entirety. The bass player was playing an L2K through Ampeg

    Also, the first bassist for kiddie band the Laurie Berkner Band played an L2K as well. I think he's actually Laurie's husband, and I don't believe he's in her band anymore. Can be seen/heard daily on Noggin.
     
  15. loendmaestro

    loendmaestro

    Jan 15, 2004
    Vienna VA
    I just saw an old Satchel video (another of Shawn Smith's bands - if you haven't heard of them don't worry....not many people have!) And their first bass player Cory Kane was playing a butterscotch ASAT.

    Though I don't know if you'd call him a pro - he probably has a day job now!
     
  16. MikeBass

    MikeBass Supporting Member

    Nov 4, 2003
    Royal, Oak, MI.
    Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
    I always knew about them, but for some reason never gave them much of a look.
    And all the L2K switches and knobs confused me until a buddy showed me what was up.
    Very simple actually.

    Now, my L2K QUICKLY jumped to the front of the pack as my main 4 string, and really, my go to bass right now.

    I did the whole swap the series/parallel switch for the 3 way for outer coils/ original parallel/inner coils mod.
    I HIGHLY recommend it.

    Funny, L2K's sound a lot like Smiths in a lot of ways........
    You can hear my L2K on my myspace page on the song "Crazy" (board recording- not the best guitar player, but there it is none-the-less)

    Thats it in the pictures as well- the green burst one.
     
  17. pbass2

    pbass2 Supporting Member

    Jan 25, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Hmmm . .. I wonder if I'd like that mod on my L2500. If anything, the one thing I don't care for is sometimes the bass can be a bit "blurry" or too "wooly" because it's so big sounding(but sometimes that massiveness is just what the doctor ordered). Does this mod result in a more focused sound?
     
  18. MikeBass

    MikeBass Supporting Member

    Nov 4, 2003
    Royal, Oak, MI.
    Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
    Sorta.
    With the outer coils picked, it does a active-y PJ type of tone- it's the only way I can describe it really.

    The inner coils actually sound the "thinnest" of the settings. I don't mean they sound thin, just not as huge as the others.
    Then with the 3-way pick-up selector combined with the switch.
    Pick the outer coils, then throw the p-up selector to the front and it's in front J p-up/P Bass land.
    From there it's a TON of combinations.

    It's a great mod.

    I think Leo left it like that on purpose. The amount of mods you can do with just moving around wires on the stock switches in nutty, let alone drop different switches in there.
     
  19. Jimtoonz

    Jimtoonz

    Aug 26, 2007
    Nashville, TN
    Mike,

    I am considering that mod for my L-2500 as well. Did you follow the instructions from DavePlaysBass in doing your mod?

    BTW, I gave a listen to "Crazy". Nice job! It's great to hear "Greenzo" in such capable hands.