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I can‘t find either one to try with in a 300 mile radius. Probably the closest store would be in Nashville bout 5 hours away.
@picnic01 is making a very valid point. I sold off my StingRay5 Special HH. I didn’t really care for the neck pickup offerings. My StingRay5 Special H is bass perfection to me.
The G&L L2500 is a great bass .
You didn’t mention anything you didn’t like about it.
I’d say adding the single H Ray would be the way to go.
Another option would be G&L Kiloton .
The G&L L2500 is a great bass .
You didn’t mention anything you didn’t like about it.
I’d say adding the single H Ray would be the way to go.
Another option would be G&L Kiloton .
I have the American built versions of both of those and would hate to sell either. They are very similar on paper but are two totally different animals in practice. Interestingly enough, both should be Swiss Army knives with tone selection given the design but I usually stick to a single voicing choice with both (L2500 neck/parallel/passive, SR5HH bridge/both coils parallel/slight bass bump).
The necks and string space are super close on paper but I really prefer the L2500, especially where the G string sits on the neck. However, I love the finish of the SR5HH neck more (roasted maple and oil vs satin). Additionally, the body contours are pretty different. I find the SR body much more comfortable, especially the top forearm rest/bout. On the American models the neck heels are totally different as well, with the SR5 winning by a landslide.
Most importantly, the pickup positions are VERY different (as well as the preamps and pickups) and one will not give you the tones of the other.
I LOVE both and hope to keep them for the long haul.
IMO, buy both.
The necks and string space are super close on paper but I really prefer the L2500, especially where the G string sits on the neck. However, I love the finish of the SR5HH neck more (roasted maple and oil vs satin). Additionally, the body contours are pretty different. I find the SR body much more comfortable, especially the top forearm rest/bout. On the American models the neck heels are totally different as well, with the SR5 winning by a landslide.
Most importantly, the pickup positions are VERY different (as well as the preamps and pickups) and one will not give you the tones of the other.
I LOVE both and hope to keep them for the long haul.
IMO, buy both.
I’m not sure either of these statements are true. The L2500 is pricier to begin with and versatility is pretty subjective.
I'm not an expert at the MusicMan / Sterling / Sub product lines, so I can't speak definitively. However, the closest variant price-wise to the L2500 Tribute is the Sterling Ray35HH.
https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray34?variant=32171762122867
This model is pretty close to the L2500 price wise, a bit more expensive though.
One of the obvious differences is that the bass and treble controls are designed to be cut only controls whereas the Stingray has full active controls. However, the MFD pickups on the G&L sound awesome and deliver a wide range of tones and solid output.
https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray34?variant=32171762122867
This model is pretty close to the L2500 price wise, a bit more expensive though.
One of the obvious differences is that the bass and treble controls are designed to be cut only controls whereas the Stingray has full active controls. However, the MFD pickups on the G&L sound awesome and deliver a wide range of tones and solid output.
I own a G&L ASAT and an EB Stingray HH....Yes, the G&L in parrallel mode with treble boost (highs rolled to taste) can get very Rayish including that Ray sizzle.....BUT, side by side, they are both very different animals.....getting Rayish and Ray are two different colors......only you can answer how important that difference is
I am a Stingray fan all the way. The L-2500 sounds nothing like a Ray to my ears. Getting both would be nice change of pace. I think an MTD Kingston Super 5 would work too.
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Do you have a nearby Guitar Center? You can order it delivered to the store, try it there, and return it there and then if you don't like it. (I recently got a Ray4 HH and it was pretty much 4 days from order to bass in hand).
I would not. While the G&L array of tones is cool, you dont necessarily need to use all of it. For bassier tone switch to active, series, and dime the bass knob.
Yeah, this is a better comparison than the SUB series. I have a sterling with roasted neck and it is really nice.
I haven't tried any of the newer Ray models, but the Ray 34 Sterling I had several years ago had a faulty neck, becoming so warped that even the repair guys at Elderly Instruments couldn't make it right. Ended up calling the maker who sent me a replacement neck. I was surprised at the level of customer service, given the modest price of the instrument...
@OP
They're different basses with different tones. I love the L series, while it can close to a stingray type of sound, it's never going to sound just like a stingray.
If you want the stingray sound, get a stingray.
They're different basses with different tones. I love the L series, while it can close to a stingray type of sound, it's never going to sound just like a stingray.
If you want the stingray sound, get a stingray.
Hi!
I've been reading your comments all day at work. Thanks for all the input.
A few points in answer:
-I absolutely love my G&L L2500! You could tell me it will be my last ever bass for the rest of my life and I'd think I am completely blessed. I also currently play a 4-string P bass and, between the two, I have every tonal need covered.
-This said, I do like the distinctive Ray tone! Plus, I was especially impressed by our friend LowEndLobster's reviews of the Ray 5 that made me think: "These basses sound pretty awesome, and at that price, why the hell not?"
-My original idea was: I don't necessarily need two 5-string basses, so how about I get a Ray5, play it for a while alongside the L2500 and see if I prefer one, then sell the other. Or maybe keep both... But at least, have a chance to properly compare.
-I'm very tempted to grab one. I almost pressed the "proceed to checkout" button a couple times already. Your feedback is helping my decision process a lot. Thanks!
PS
-Some have wondered how I can find the Ray "bassier" than the L2500. The L2500's MFD pups are the hottest and fullest that I've ever come across! I bought this bass almost only for them! But the Ray has both an active preamp with bass frequency boost, plus a pup much closer to the neck: so it's "bassier" in that sense.
PPS
Some say that if I like the Ray tone, then I should get a traditional single pup one, and not a HH. Personally, I don't see why I couldn't get a classic Ray sound dialing only the bridge pup on a HH. And then, I get a whole other array of tones with the neck pup on top of it. In the optics that I could eventually decide to keep a bass and sell the other, I'd rather have a double pup to cover more tonal ground, such as I can presently with the L2500.
I've been reading your comments all day at work. Thanks for all the input.
A few points in answer:
-I absolutely love my G&L L2500! You could tell me it will be my last ever bass for the rest of my life and I'd think I am completely blessed. I also currently play a 4-string P bass and, between the two, I have every tonal need covered.
-This said, I do like the distinctive Ray tone! Plus, I was especially impressed by our friend LowEndLobster's reviews of the Ray 5 that made me think: "These basses sound pretty awesome, and at that price, why the hell not?"
-My original idea was: I don't necessarily need two 5-string basses, so how about I get a Ray5, play it for a while alongside the L2500 and see if I prefer one, then sell the other. Or maybe keep both... But at least, have a chance to properly compare.
-I'm very tempted to grab one. I almost pressed the "proceed to checkout" button a couple times already. Your feedback is helping my decision process a lot. Thanks!
PS
-Some have wondered how I can find the Ray "bassier" than the L2500. The L2500's MFD pups are the hottest and fullest that I've ever come across! I bought this bass almost only for them! But the Ray has both an active preamp with bass frequency boost, plus a pup much closer to the neck: so it's "bassier" in that sense.
PPS
Some say that if I like the Ray tone, then I should get a traditional single pup one, and not a HH. Personally, I don't see why I couldn't get a classic Ray sound dialing only the bridge pup on a HH. And then, I get a whole other array of tones with the neck pup on top of it. In the optics that I could eventually decide to keep a bass and sell the other, I'd rather have a double pup to cover more tonal ground, such as I can presently with the L2500.
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call me crazy, but I'm of the conspiracy that the single H rays sound different (and IMO, better) than the HH rays. And that's of every build I've heard... special, classic, whatever. Here are my two gigging rays below. IMO the HH is more about tonal preference than having variety available. You either have more mids, treble, or bass. It's always going to sound like that instrument regardless. If I want tonal variety I bring a different bass.
No doubt the Triby L2500 are fine asian made instrument, better QC and part use than current MIM Fender player.
If you need sterling bass that has close level to your L2500, just forget the Ray5HH, you should give a look on Roasted maple neck Sterling Ray35 !
If you need sterling bass that has close level to your L2500, just forget the Ray5HH, you should give a look on Roasted maple neck Sterling Ray35 !
So I took the dive: I ordered it yesterday. 
Bummer though: got an email this morning informing me they're back order after all...
In any case, I know a Ray35 would be a much better instrument. Except I'm not into investing these days. This is a nice shiny toy I just bought myself, and I can afford it immediately. If I like it enough, there'll be other occasions to upgrade in the future.
Bummer though: got an email this morning informing me they're back order after all...
In any case, I know a Ray35 would be a much better instrument. Except I'm not into investing these days. This is a nice shiny toy I just bought myself, and I can afford it immediately. If I like it enough, there'll be other occasions to upgrade in the future.
