Spector, G&L, or EBMM

[PapaBearBass]

 

[PapaBearBass]

Not a 5er but I do have an L2000 Tribute. It’s beast. Super versatile - gives you lots of options while still retaining its own unique sound. Not as “refined” as my Ethos but definitely has a “muscle car” vibe.

 

[PapaBearBass]

Also - my ethos 5 has Aguilar pickups. A lot smoother than EMGs. I would agree very smooth playing neck for a 5. Grandson approved

 

[PapaBearBass]

This may help …

 

[PapaBearBass]

I've had a couple L2500s. A Trib and a USA. Those MFDs are definitely an acquired taste. You might love 'em - many do. But they are quite aggressive. I always ran them passive, parallel, and then ended up with flats on the last one, and man it did sound bad-ass. Series was always too wooly for recording for me. They're probably not the bass you want if you like to just dime everything though!
I will say that the L2500/L2000 body shape to me is one of the most ergonomic, well designed ever--super comfy. If I were to get another I'd look at the 750 series for the wider string spacing.

I totally agree. The MFD pick ups are their own thing… UBER powerful, very defined and very the configurations give you a lot of versatility. The best way I could say it is “almost like a lot of things but not quite… always close but always its own thing”

 

[mmon77]

They are all quite different, but if you have that wide a range of basses that you're considering, I would go with the L-2500. They are the "a little of everything, but master of nothing" bass in my eyes. The B string is great, and I don't know if a more versatile bass exists.

I don't have one, but I know that one is in my future at some point.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

It just simply doesn't get more versatile than an L-2500. It may not be the best at any of the sounds, but it'll get you a ton of super musical sounds that are mostly very useful (I, personally, don't like the preamp in them so I would always run it passive). If you get one with the three way parallel/series/single-coil option then there's no bass tone tkh won't be able to passably achieve with It.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

G&L have a B Stock page on their website, they usually have a L2500 or two on there. I picked mine up for a really nice price, Tobacco Sunburst, Okume body and a maple neck with Ebony fretboard, came from them with the K Mod, converted the Series/Parallel switch to three way Series/Single coil/Parallel so it’s got the Jazz bass thing and the single coil P Bass thing when on the neck pickup.
Right now they have a tribute and a couple of L2500 750s with the wider string spacing
G&L Musical Instruments - Clearance Basses

 

[BaltBass5]

Do you care about weight? Because if you do then the Spector RST is the obvious choice.

 

[Barticus]

the most insanely comfortable 5 strings I've played.

Spector.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I've been going back and forth on this decision for months. I need a B string. Thought about maybe seting up a 4 for BEAD, but I've settled on the 5'er because oddly, my technique seems way better on the larger neck (the smaller the neck, the tighter I tend to grip), go figure.

This will be my main bass. I want something versatile, dual humbuckers, and comfortable. Prefer lighter weight, but up to around 9.5lbs is fine. I like narrower string spacing, and thicker neck profiles (doesn't have to be huge, but I hate flat necks). All these choices offer that I think. My favorite tone is a P bass, which obviously is not an option here...just want something that can sort of cop that warm tone while also offering a lot more (I have a P, but I want something that will allow me to just use one bass if possible).

My big issue here is lack of availability. I have tried the Music Man and like it, but they are pretty pricey and I haven't seen a used one locally.

I have tried 2 Spectors now; I can't try these specific models (Ethos/Euro), but the ones I did try were the most insanely comfortable 5 strings I've played. I don't care for the aggressiveness of the EMG's in most Spector's, but the demos of these 2 with the Aguilars sound really good to me (I actually prefer the look and sound of the Ethos which is the cheapest option here as well).

Finally, the G&L just ticks a lot of boxes, but I've never tried one, and maybe never will unless I just bite the bullet and buy one. They sound pretty aggressive in most demos I hear though...even when dialed back there is sort of an undertone I'm hearing that I don't love...tough to really tell from youtube alone. I've seen a few L2500's for sale locally; it might be the easiest to get used/at a good price right now.

I'm totally overthinking this (like I always do). I'd probably be happy with any of them really. It's the last purchase I can make for quite a while though and I really want to get it right.

You probably will be happy with any of them. Without going too far on line, I’l wager at the end of the day, they all will sound like an electric bass.

I haven’t been around a Spectors in the wild, but have been around G&L and EBMM. The gain on these is incredible. Tone wise I prefer the EBMM. It can go from a very sophisticated smooth butter, to a dead punch in the gut, biting the head of a nail with a few twists of the knobs. To me, G&Ls sounds like a high gain version of a Fender but with a beefier bridge.

 

[scuzzy]

if you love the spector ergonomics, want light weight, and don't necessarily want the NS inherent growl, get the euro RST. They have 5er's in the 7lb range. The pickups can be much more easily tamed, and they feel like a spector. I want one really bad. For your description, that would be my pick.

You can have a really great 34" scale B string, but the Spector B's at 35" are thunderous.

 

[BobKos]

If you like the EBMM then I would say at least check out a Sterling by EBMM 5 string Sub Series Stingray HH. Not a cork sniffer grade instrument but I bought one on a whim and it is actually a really good bass! I paid sub $300 scratch & dent from Musician's Friend for it. Does all the 5 string work I need and the HH setup is very flexible. If I wanted to make it fancier I could plow $$$$ into electronics and hardware etc, etc but it really doesn't need it. FWIW I don't NEED to buy $300 basses but I'm glad I bought this one. Keeper.

 

[Bassdirty]

I’m sure you know how I voted.

SPECTOR !?!! Heck Yeah!!!




T$

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

SPECTOR !?!! Heck Yeah!!!




T$

Well, that would be my 2nd choice.

 

[MtManiac]

My vote is Stingray Special, specifically HH.

My Special is easily the nicest bass I’ve ever owned in 41 years. Roasted maple neck with oil rubbed finish, ebony board, two massive sounding humbuckers, a powerful preamp, and a sparkle finish. They just announced new finishes that look amazing. I bought mine used on Kijiji for CAD$2700 last year, with the OHSC. The TB Classifieds often has them also.

I don’t like the body shape or headstock shape of the L2500, or most of the finish options I’ve seen. They just look like an “also ran” to me, not a winner. The passive switch is a feature in their favour however. I’ve looked at them a lot and just can’t bring myself to commit to one, and these are my honest reasons why. There are very few dealers in Canada and zero anywhere near me unless I want to drive 14 hours and take my chances with whatever is in stock.

Spector are, unless I’m wrong, all 35” scale for 5-strings. Some may argue that makes a difference, but the only difference it makes to me is a slightly longer fretboard, which I don’t want.

Fwiw, I also own two MIA Fender P5’s, and they are my main go-to basses, plus the Special and a Charvel PJ5. The Charvel is an outstanding value. For what our band is doing, P bass fits almost everything. For higher paying gigs and bigger stages I bring three and swap them out at set breaks - usually it’s the two P5’s, with the third being either the Special or the Charvel, spending on my mood for the evening. The Special HH on neck pickup does a very acceptable P-ish tone, but you also get a boatload of other options too.

 

[Basehead]

My experience...

One thing I don't love about most of the EBMM 5 strings (including my Sterling 5) is how close the G string sits to the edge of the fretboard. If you never use it, not an issue. If you do, it's something to consider...

I own a G&L L-2500 (series 750) and it is a killer bass! For me, best sounds out of it are in passive mode. Those MDF pickups are no joke. Pretty versatile as well. I did have to shield my NEW L-2500 as the ground hum was distracting....

I own an older USA Spector 4 string. The EMGs are an acquired taste, but with EQ and technique, can be tamed. I would love a 5 string, perhaps someday in the future. 35" scale on the 5s are something else to consider (not an issue for me)....

I'll just throw this into the mix - I'd be looking at a used Mike Lull PJ 5. 35" scale (the BEST B string I own, beating my Fodera), super versatile, sounds amazing, and feels/plays amazing. I have more band leaders request I show up with the Lull more than any other bass I own....

My 2¢

 

[badinage]

I'd loan you a G&L USA 2500 to try out if you weren't 3000 miles away.

I think L2500s are great basses, mine just aren't getting much play lately as I'm on a passive kick for the last couple of years... so my main fives for now are a Yamaha BBP35 and a Fender AmPro II JazzV in roasted pine, (both of which I like a lot). Beyond that I can't help much other than to say my L2500s are 2012 and 2016 and they both weigh just slightly over 10lbs (I thought all L2500s were in that range). I have no trouble getting a sound I really like out of them and the necks feel great to me at about 20mm depth at the first fret. (Although these days I prefer a string spacing of 18mm at the bridge, maybe 18.5). FWIW, IME the Tribute versions tend to have slightly "chunkier" necks. Good Luck, Happy Hunting!

 

[CascadeBass]

Spector Spector Spector

 

[Bright Midnight]

I've been going back and forth on this decision for months. I need a B string. Thought about maybe seting up a 4 for BEAD, but I've settled on the 5'er because oddly, my technique seems way better on the larger neck (the smaller the neck, the tighter I tend to grip), go figure.

This will be my main bass. I want something versatile, dual humbuckers, and comfortable. Prefer lighter weight, but up to around 9.5lbs is fine. I like narrower string spacing, and thicker neck profiles (doesn't have to be huge, but I hate flat necks). All these choices offer that I think. My favorite tone is a P bass, which obviously is not an option here...just want something that can sort of cop that warm tone while also offering a lot more (I have a P, but I want something that will allow me to just use one bass if possible).

My big issue here is lack of availability. I have tried the Music Man and like it, but they are pretty pricey and I haven't seen a used one locally.

I have tried 2 Spectors now; I can't try these specific models (Ethos/Euro), but the ones I did try were the most insanely comfortable 5 strings I've played. I don't care for the aggressiveness of the EMG's in most Spector's, but the demos of these 2 with the Aguilars sound really good to me (I actually prefer the look and sound of the Ethos which is the cheapest option here as well).

Finally, the G&L just ticks a lot of boxes, but I've never tried one, and maybe never will unless I just bite the bullet and buy one. They sound pretty aggressive in most demos I hear though...even when dialed back there is sort of an undertone I'm hearing that I don't love...tough to really tell from youtube alone. I've seen a few L2500's for sale locally; it might be the easiest to get used/at a good price right now.

I'm totally overthinking this (like I always do). I'd probably be happy with any of them really. It's the last purchase I can make for quite a while though and I really want to get it right.

The G&L L2500 will sound big and aggressive, BUT, I had the K-Mod on mine, allowing for single coil switching, and with the preamp off (passive) and the treble rolled off a bit, you've got a very round and warm sounding P-like sound. Without the K-Mod I was at first disappointed with mine, but add that mod, and you've got a versatile beast!