Surprised by my G&l L-2500....

[Selta]

The fact that you take offense at anyone speaking a negative opinion about your preferred brand just shows blind fanboyism,

I don't play G&L basses at all any longer (note my signature). However, as commonly happens, is people pick one up in a store, strum it for 5 minutes, put it back, then come on here and say how "bad" they are or how much they "dislike" them ("it" and "them" in this case being basically any instrument). Sure, there's fanbois, I'm sure I can be called one of EBMM products. But, I use these day in and day out on gigs. The guy that picked up one in GC with dead strings, a questionable setup, and who know what else going on, likely should refrain from posting non-sense. If you have a good, valid reason for disliking something, very cool, express that. Had a bad customer experience? Cool, let us know. Picked one up at GC and didn't give it a fair chance? Weellll... sorry, your opinion, IMO, doesn't hold any weight.

 

[john_g]

I always wanted to get a G&L but there are no shops around me that carry them. A good deal on a used L2500 Tribute came up here in the classifieds so I bought it without ever playing one. I quickly became a fan. Playing in a cover band, the versatility is awesome.

I will probably always hang onto that L2500 Tribby because I think I got a really good one, but have been thinking about getting a US L2500. They are great basses and very underrated...which is good for us since the prices are low! =)

 

[woodsideh]

My current main player is a L2500 Tribute. I have had it for 3 years or so and really didn't play it that much (1. because I was slow to move from 4 to 5 string and 2. because I really didn't like the B string). I landed a modern country gig a few months back and had to start using a 5 string. Someone on this forum told me the best strings for a this guitar are DR Sunbeams. Let me tell you these strings are perfect. The tension and tone are just right for me. I have owned USA and Tribute G&L's and really can't tell much difference between them. I did change the tuners on the L2500 to Hipshots like the USA but the electronics from what I understand are the same.

 

[chadhargis]

I thought you might chime in Chad! Good to hear from you. You are understating your love of G&L's. I think I remember you saying something like "I just want to bow down in front of it every time I play it" or something like that. Considering that I paid $900 for this used off of Ebay, it is an amazing bass for it's price. The neck in particular is what I am impressed with. The fastest five string neck that I have ever played, and I have played nothing but 5 strings basses for the last 10 years. For some reason I can't get the action on the G string quite where I would like it, but since I have been playing so much upright lately my hands are getting a lot stronger and I don't need as low of action as I used to!
I would love it more with the single coil option instead of the parallel/series option but that is Ok. You can't have everything! I am going to put some Rotosounds on it and see how those work, although I was really pleased with the nickel Slinkys.

Yeah...I think I did bow down to it a few times.

I was really sad to let it go (and sold it for $900...what is it with G&L's and $900??). As you know, my mammoth sasquatch hands can handle any 5 string neck made, the bigger the better to me.

Funny thing happened when I stopped switching back and forth between basses and started playing my Lakie exclusively, my playing has sharply improved. It's allowed me to get comfortable with one bass. I do grab one of my 4 bangers every now and then just to noodle on, but mostly I spend quality time with the Lakie. I've discovered that I can use the EQ to get just about any tone out of it I want but there is not bass out there tha can cop the huge tone of the MFD pickups. Just something about how huge and fat they sound. I loved them.

One of the groups I'm playing with is doing all cover tunes and I've been tasked with learning a lot of songs from your era. I started learning Interstate Love Song by STP last night. A surprisingly easy song to play, but the bassist vamps all over the place. Very John Paul Jonesish. Band-in-a-box chord wizard makes learning tunes SO easy. It's like cheating.

The other group I'm playing with performs all original tunes, so I get to make up whatever bass line I want. Now that's fun! Especially when the guy who wrote the song tells me, "Man, that's cool..keep playing that".

 

[engedi1]

Hey Chad. Sorry to hear you had to sell your G&L, but your lakkie is very very versatile and can handle anything. I am glad to hear you are playing with two groups. That is probably really why your playing is improving sharply, since you now have a practical application for all those lessons. Of course, really learning to play one bass is a good point. You will notice that most of the greats (jaco, jamerson, etc) used one instrument for their whole careers, and this is not just limited to bass players. Great musicians have a way of making their instrument do what they need since they have mastered it. Sorry for the OT, but this is my thread! Back to G&L Love.

Regarding the unique G&l tone, I think it is a impedance thing from the pickups, not just an eq thing. Of course, impedance has an effect on EQ, but the ultrahot MFD pickups must be lower Z than normal. I am in dangerous ground here of not knowing what I am talking about, but the pickups, plus the preamp give these basses their magic. Add a hand-shaped neck and a light alder body and you have a pretty cool bass!

 

[dedpool1052]

i got an '81 L-1000 back in feb, and it's got something special goin' on. i've always wanted a vintage fender but the prices are too dang high for me. besides, having a g&l from the early days when Leo just started the company is pretty darn cool. somewhere down the line i'll get another g&l (or two or three). an L-2500 is sounding better and better.

 

[Eublet]

I never understood G&L's either. Then one day years back there was an L2500 Tribute in a small mom and pop shop that I picked up for a while during a lunch break. Played it for 30-45 minutes and for some reason it sounded great. I bought it on the spot just to gig it and see how it managed. I have to say that it was one of the most satisfying basses I've ever owned, and folks who hear me play all the time with many different basses would tell me that the bass sounded killer. That aggressive character that sounds a bit over the top solo translates to a punchy presence in a mix. It was absolutely fantastic. I sold it because of GAS after a year or so, and have regretted it ever since.

I had tried G&L basses many times in stores before this experience, but it took owning one and gigging with it to really appreciate the bass. It is one of the best sounding basses money can buy for folks who want to sound good in a band and not in their bedroom. Just my 2 cents.

 

[kraigo]

I've had a lot of G&L's - four or five of them, I think. I ultimately sold my L-2500 because I simply couldn't get used to the 17mm string spacing. I'd like to get an L-2000. Maybe someday.

KO

 

[Fischman]

Tribute, blueburst.

Picked it up used (ebay) for a mere $325. Serial number indicates it's only a year old so I believe the seller when he says he's had it all of 5 months.

I receive the thin UPS, whip it out of the gig bag and can't even tell it's been used--truly like new.

Plug it into my crappy little 10W Acoustic practice amp and it sounds wonderful. Playability is unbelievable, love the finish on the neck.

Taking it to my first jam session tonight--session leader has a sweet wounding 65W Roland I can use. Can't wait.

So far, I'm feeling pretty lucky.

 

[chunkstyle]

My L-2000 eats meter maids for breakfast. I totally understand it.

 

[sad_katz]

I will say - from experience - that the real beauty of a G&L's tone comes out in a gig, NOT in a shop. Especially when you are unfamiliar with the tone controls and how the bass/treble controls work. You really do have to put it into the real world to "get it".

+1 on this.

My first owned bass is the G&L T-L2500. It was more of an impulse buy and thinking "hey its got switches and all, must've sound cool". A couple of months of bedroom practices later I *hated* how the G&L sounds. Deafening low end and ever-present zingy-ness. I'm on headphones and just can't seem to get a tone that I like.

Until, of course, I took it on a gig. The L2500 sounds *awesome* in a mix. Both drummer and guitarist are damn loud yet the L2500 doesn't get lost in the mix. The huge low end kept rocking the stage and that brightness ensured the sound cuts thru.

Needless to say the L2500 will not leave my stables any time soon, if ever

 

[engedi1]

+1 on this.

Deafening low end and ever-present zingy-ness. I'm on headphones and just can't seem to get a tone that I like.

While I agree completely that the G&L does indeed sit really well in mixes, I have not found that mine produces deafening low end. Of course, the amp one is using makes a huge difference. Unlike many active basses, theses basses have no boost function, only a cut function, so the low end boomy potential is much less than a bass with a low boost. However, the basses do seem to have a low-mid emphasis as part of their basic tone. Through my amp, which has more of a "vintage" approach to low end, this comes through as a huge meaty tone, that is thick and juicy, yet clean and distinct. Very pleasing to the ear.

 

[sad_katz]

While I agree completely that the G&L does indeed sit really well in mixes, I have not found that mine produces deafening low end. Of course, the amp one is using makes a huge difference. Unlike many active basses, theses basses have no boost function, only a cut function, so the low end boomy potential is much less than a bass with a low boost. However, the basses do seem to have a low-mid emphasis as part of their basic tone. Through my amp, which has more of a "vintage" approach to low end, this comes through as a huge meaty tone, that is thick and juicy, yet clean and distinct. Very pleasing to the ear.

My bad, I meant deafening low-mids especially in series mode.

Still, the L2500 has plenty of booty for a bass-cut only bass.

On an unrelated note, somehow cutting my bass also cuts my volume. When the knob is all the way off, volume is gone altogether. Faulty pots?

 

[theduke1]

I've been playing G&L since 1985 I now have a 06 G&L2500 usa maple board. I had the coil tap done at my local G&L dealer also just purchased a usa G&L 2500 fretless in Green and Black swirl with a ebony fretboard. Not sure of the year as it has a 4+1 headstock and adjustable pole pcs.
They are my first choice !

 

[engedi1]

Sad Katz. You are right about series mode. I don't like the tone in series mode, it is a little overpowering. I run mine in parallel, usually in active mode, and will only cut treble if the song doesn't want a grindy tone, and put the treble back on when the tune calls for a brighter tone. I doubt your pots are faulty, if you cut bass on your amp, or on any eq device, you will lose volume. I think the G&L eq will also cut low mids, which will suck the volume out of your tone.
Theduke: how did you like the coil tap? I would love to have a single coil mode to get jazz bass tones. Of course, the G&l jazz bass is also a killin bass for the money, I have been so impressed, especially with the new ones that look like Fenders. They feel as good as a Sadowsky or Lakland.

 

[domestique]

Love G&L. I've had a T-L2000 for over 9 years now. I have since moved on to 5 strings and Dingwalls..... but I will always keep my Tribby 4-string. Whenever I play it a smile comes across my face.... simplier times.

Whenever anyone asks what bass to buy I always chime in with a Tribby G&L or used USA version.... The amount of different sounds that can be produced is outstanding.

IMHO, I think they get less love because they are not as "flashy" as a P or J bass with colored pickguards or as iconic as a EBMM.

 

[LaBassGuy]

I tried a G&L once and the neck was very chunky. There's no way I could play that with my small hands.

 

[bassbenj]

I had also acquired a G&L l-2500 USA Fretless for a jazz group I was in. This group is no longer together, and I had this bass fretted, as I never really loved it a fretless. I had only had flatwound strings on it, which were pretty good for some Americana gigs.
Then, for my gig last weekend , which is a country/rock band in a smoky honky tone, I put on some old Slinkys I had lying around and was totally BLOWN AWAY! Huge, ballsy, aggressive tone with much cleaner low end than I have been used to. I had never heard this bass with rounds, and was amazed at what a great rock n roll tone it gets.

You have discovered some of the G&L L-2500 secrets! (I own three including the one Chadhargis sold!) First and foremost is STRINGS. G&Ls don't do well with flats and they come from the factory with uber-bright SIT strings. Neither show this bass off very well. My fretless uses D'Addario half-rounds and Chad shipped his with plain old dunlop nickles. I was amazed. Those strings just spoke with such great tone! I often use d'addario nickel XLs on there too. On these GnL basses strings matter!

And another "secret" is that these basses need to be lived with to get to understand what all the controls do. I think so many of the "I tried one once but hated it" crowd just never take the time to understand how to get the tone out of all settings. A few minutes at GC won't do it. Especially if you are a knobophobe whose idea of a perfect bass is a P-bass with the tone circuit removed and the volume control duct-taped down.

Me, I like to be in control of my tone and the G&L L-2X00 basses let you do just that. And once you get the tone you want the only word I can think of that describes what you get is "authority". That bass then tells everyone what to do and they'd better do it OR ELSE! This is why my G&Ls have become my go-to 5ers.

 

[P. Aaron]

Played one once in a store. It felt great and sounded fine. Ended up going for a Preciion V which I really like a lot. I should try another G & L 5'er now that I have some perspective. They seem to be solidly built.

One thing I really like about the Precision is the wider neck.

 

[Reaper Man]

bassben- mine came with Daddarios- i think they stopped using SIT a couple of years ago


as for that, I own 2- an 86 SB-1 that I absolutely love (bought from here) and my tribute L2000. They are my "gig" basses- until I get a lakland and try that out, then I'll probably have 3 "gig" basses. I will say the only 2500 I played I didn't like, but every bass is different and it didn't stop me from trying the L2000

as for strings- I have fat beams on the L2000, I dig them. Sunbeams are on my list as well