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Thoughts on the G&L SB Basses?

baddarryl

baddarryl

Oct 26, 2008
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Cape Fear!
#1
HI all. Am really thinking about an Sb1 with the split MFD. I am wondering, I keep reading positive things about this and have loved every G&L I have ever picked up, but is there a reason these are at the bottom level of G&L's price wise? I see nice ones for $700+ all over. In fact I just regrettably passed on a nice one on Ebay that went for $500 the other night. What is your opinion of them especially in regard to other G&L's. I love the vibe of the older SB1's in that P bass family.
 
#4
I had a Tribute SB-2 that I bypassed the bridge pickup and had a vol/tone wired per SB-1 spec. It was a beautiful thing. Let it go and want it back. An SB-1 is on my list to own one day. If you’re expecting a P, you might be let down. But if you’re expecting that huge MFD goodness, it has that in spades.
 
#5
I spent a bit of time with an SB-1 at a shop this summer, and it was absolutely fabulous. It can go from hot and hi-fi to more of a classic P-bass tone; the volume and tone controls are very responsive and interactive with the MFD pickup. Go for it!
 
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#6
Don't know why used G&L basses are underpriced, but I'm glad they are.
Probably never would've bought this otherwise.

Don't listen to opinions…listen to the bass.
20170820_104827.jpg
 
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#9
I just got a brand new American SB-2:

NBD - G&L American SB-2

There is not substitute for quality, PLEK'ed and dressed fretboard. I thought the Fender American Pro Jazz I played at GC a couple of months ago played well. This SB2 is a balls out machine with a lot more variable tone than one would think sans a tone control.
My next bass WILL be an L-2000 (from everything I've read) but, please don't tell my wife :rollno:.
 
#10
I've had 3 G&Ls, 1 SB-2 (P/J) and 2 L2000's. I have nothing but love for all G&L basses. But, the SB-2 is the one I still own and on the short list of basses I'll never sell.
 
#11
I have a US Sb2. That split mfd pickup is just phenomenal.

I like my Lakland DJ4 neck a bit more than the G&L #8, but that's just personal preference.

The Sb2 can get so many different tones with just the stock VV setup as well. It's mind boggling.

G&L quality is top notch.

Oh, and did I mention the split p mfd?

You're not crazy. G&l's are priced well. The brand is not quite as well known as EBMM and Fender. Particularly on the guitar side. Bassists tend to dig g&l more IME.
 
#13
baddarryl said:
Ok does the SB2 use the same MFD as the SB1 so you can duplicate that sound of the SB1 in addition obviously to others? I am pretty much a one tone guy. I find it and set it.
Click to expand...

The split pickup is the same between the SB-1 and SB-2. The SB-1 has a tone control; a stock SB-2 does not, so there isn’t a way to roll the tone back, if that’s where you find your one tone.
 
#14
I have an SB-1. I love it. It can be the penultimate P-Bass, yet is kind of totally unlike a P-Bass.
I think I know why people underestimate it.
1. The body in photos looks too curvy amd skinny - like an exaggerated version of tradition P. But in reality one can barely tell the difference (in my opinion) especially on stage.
2. the Hot HOT pickups. They take a minute to get used to because the volume control heavily influences the sound. When the volume is all the way up the tone is harsh: it's hot but also sort of too trebley and too much high mids (for me). But then turn it down a quarter and it mellows out, the highs roll off a bit and you get a powerful, very full spectrum modern P sound. Turn it down a bit more and it becomes even a bit more mellow and more classic thumpy P sounding.

Which is great and people love that about it. But if you're not used to it it is a bit weird and (to me) felt sort of counter intuitive. And that's the SB-1 with only 1 pickup! When I tried my friend's SB-2 (before I had my Sb-1) I hated it. It was harsh and loud and looked weird. If I had spent more than 10 minutes with it I may have ended up loving it.

So (I think) those 2 things with the fact that they're not Fenders and so have worse resales keep the prices low. Good for me!
 
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#17
Keep in mind that prices of the American made G&Ls can vary a lot within the same model based on options, and used they generally go for about $800 + or -. Imported versions, i.e. Tributes, go for about $700 new and around $4-500 used.

Newer American made SBs are the typical P, P/J configuration while older models have what look like single coil MFDs. On the newer ones (as you've described) the SB-1 is a killer P-bass with volume/tone. SB2s typically have a pair of volume controls and no tone; many consider the bridge pickup to be more a part of the tone circuit rather than as a stand alone design (naturally opinions vary)-- and some are delivered with a factory tone control option.

What makes the SB different than the LB? SBs have the MFD pickups and narrower bodies than the LB. Tone wise, I find the SB can nail the LB (or traditional P-bass) tones, while giving you even more tonal flexibility than the traditional split-coil pickup.

Outside the details, the SB is a fantastic P-bass, featuring the same level of excellent quality as others in the G&L line. When looking to buy any G&L be sure to consider the type of neck you like (wide, narrow, quarter sawn, flat sawn, etc.), and go from there.

Happy hunting!

P.S. if weight is a concern, keep an eye out for "Empress wood." It can be found as an option on newer basses ;)
 
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