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Why aren't G&L basses more popular?
- Thread starter Zerstorte Zelle
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Chef
In Memoriam
It's early for me to start worrying about upgrading... but I have always liked the sound of the G & L basses. I may seiously consider one when the time comes.
I'd never heard of a G&L until I walked in a local shop I'd not previously visited and and saw one. It was a green burst L2500 that caught my eye. After playing it for about an hour in the shop to figure out what everything did, I was so impressed I went back and ordered a blueburst one a few weeks later.
My L2500 is meaner than any other bass i own and will cut through any mix. Its definately a great versatile bass very few folk know anything about. Most of my friends just call it 'that blue bass that sounds great'.
My L2500 is meaner than any other bass i own and will cut through any mix. Its definately a great versatile bass very few folk know anything about. Most of my friends just call it 'that blue bass that sounds great'.
- Jan 8, 2010
- 245
- 0
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, D'addario Strings
Chef
In Memoriam
The other two I have right now:
I miss this one alot...shoulda never flipped it:
I wonder if this is my trans orange L2500. If so, it has a wicked snarl totally unlike any of my other L2500s. Any seller's remorse is completely understood!
Chef
In Memoriam
Chef
In Memoriam
But:
OK; here's some BABP LE2500K thoughts:
Fit and finish are excellent.
The new style trussrod works it's stuff super easy.
The frets are much narrower than on my older G&L stuff; equivalent to what Fender would call vintage wire. I like it.
Single coil is kewl, and should just be standard.
Dual parallel is more scooped than I remember, and very MusicMan-ish to my ear.
Series is just huge, with a lot of highs knocked off.
Preamp not needed, really; though in series mode you can get some highs back with it.
Haven't messed with preamp+treble boost.
Though treble and bass are both passive/cut only, I've always found it better to think of treble as cut only, and bass as active, and work from center with that control. I often run at less than half. In series mode, you can nearly shut the bass control and have plenty of beef.
It's a crazy looking piece of ash, and has lots of stuff going on in it photos wouldn't catch. The rodewood looks almost "candy cane" striped, but I didn't shoot a closeup.
Weight is 9lbs 9oz, and it's supremely well balanced. A good weight for me, and not "crazy heavy" like some ash G&L's are. I had one that was over 12lbs (but not for long!).
The "look Ma, no dots" fingerboard goes with the blackburst, I think. It does have side dots that are plenty visible.
OK; here's some BABP LE2500K thoughts:
Fit and finish are excellent.
The new style trussrod works it's stuff super easy.
The frets are much narrower than on my older G&L stuff; equivalent to what Fender would call vintage wire. I like it.
Single coil is kewl, and should just be standard.
Dual parallel is more scooped than I remember, and very MusicMan-ish to my ear.
Series is just huge, with a lot of highs knocked off.
Preamp not needed, really; though in series mode you can get some highs back with it.
Haven't messed with preamp+treble boost.
Though treble and bass are both passive/cut only, I've always found it better to think of treble as cut only, and bass as active, and work from center with that control. I often run at less than half. In series mode, you can nearly shut the bass control and have plenty of beef.
It's a crazy looking piece of ash, and has lots of stuff going on in it photos wouldn't catch. The rodewood looks almost "candy cane" striped, but I didn't shoot a closeup.
Weight is 9lbs 9oz, and it's supremely well balanced. A good weight for me, and not "crazy heavy" like some ash G&L's are. I had one that was over 12lbs (but not for long!).
The "look Ma, no dots" fingerboard goes with the blackburst, I think. It does have side dots that are plenty visible.
But:
OK; here's some BABP LE2500K thoughts:
Fit and finish are excellent.
The new style trussrod works it's stuff super easy.
The frets are much narrower than on my older G&L stuff; equivalent to what Fender would call vintage wire. I like it.
Single coil is kewl, and should just be standard.
Dual parallel is more scooped than I remember, and very MusicMan-ish to my ear.
Series is just huge, with a lot of highs knocked off.
Preamp not needed, really; though in series mode you can get some highs back with it.
Haven't messed with preamp+treble boost.
Though treble and bass are both passive/cut only, I've always found it better to think of treble as cut only, and bass as active, and work from center with that control. I often run at less than half. In series mode, you can nearly shut the bass control and have plenty of beef.
It's a crazy looking piece of ash, and has lots of stuff going on in it photos wouldn't catch. The rodewood looks almost "candy cane" striped, but I didn't shoot a closeup.
Weight is 9lbs 9oz, and it's supremely well balanced. A good weight for me, and not "crazy heavy" like some ash G&L's are. I had one that was over 12lbs (but not for long!).
The "look Ma, no dots" fingerboard goes with the blackburst, I think. It does have side dots that are plenty visible.
That is beautiful!
Jah!
My gig for this weekend got cancelled: booo!
Field testing will be too long of a wait for me to be happy about
It would be interesting to hear your opinion of the BABP LE vs the snarling orange monster, tone-wise. I have two BABP LEs and both are much tamer. Still plenty of MFD goodness but smoother and less in-your-face.
Chef
In Memoriam
IIRC there were only two fretted RW BABP LEs built and 8 total. Definitely a rare G&L and perhaps the rarest of L2500s.
TNP
Chef
In Memoriam
That's my understanding - two fretted RW. I have the other one. It's a lot smoother and tamer than the snarling orange monster which is indeed your old bass, it turns out.
Chef
In Memoriam
Everything is...I haven't tried the move from nickel to stainless on the BABP-LE yet, but I will.
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