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Why so many more StingRays/Sterlings than G&Ls?
- Thread starter jaywa
- Start date
When I had my G&L I hated it, I had it about a week and sold it. It sounded bad and I didn't like the body at all. I was sure the pickup was going to blow me away in tone but no way it can out preform my Stingray.
Hmmm. I could almost make the same post about the Stingray I had.
I had a Sterling and it definitely did not have anything more to offer than any of my G&L's. Kinda looked like a toilet seat too
OP back again, with some context. My dilemma is that I am going to be looking for a bass to complement (and on certain gigs replace) my 78 P. I want something that will cover all the ground my P-Bass does, yet have the extra zing and balls that come from the post Fender active humbucker designs.
I very briefly owned an L-2000 that I bought used. I loved the tone, but it had playability issues (neck/frets) that caused me to return it and I have been a little spooked on the brand ever since. Also, StingRays are so damn sexy and G&L's... well.... they're just kind of there. My head tells me the G&L may be the more practical bass for me (and can probably be had used for much cheaper), but the side of me that keys into aesthetics (and wants to impress people) is really pining for a Ray (preferably foam-mute era and a 2-band). Not much "wow factor" when you pull a G&L out of the case, sorry to say.
I very briefly owned an L-2000 that I bought used. I loved the tone, but it had playability issues (neck/frets) that caused me to return it and I have been a little spooked on the brand ever since. Also, StingRays are so damn sexy and G&L's... well.... they're just kind of there. My head tells me the G&L may be the more practical bass for me (and can probably be had used for much cheaper), but the side of me that keys into aesthetics (and wants to impress people) is really pining for a Ray (preferably foam-mute era and a 2-band). Not much "wow factor" when you pull a G&L out of the case, sorry to say.
I don't know what kind of playability issues you had, but every L2000 I have ever had was an awesome player.
The L-2000 I briefly owned I bought from Dan Lakin when I lived in Chicago. The action just would not set up right. We had his set-up guy give it two or three passes, I played it on one gig (IIRC) and it just did not feel right. So Dan graciously took it back. He said himself he could see/feel the issue but no one really knew what to do about it. Guess it was just a lemon.
I won't play anything that looks like a Fender. And, oddly, I am not alone. I do have a MM - but it is a Bongo 5 string in the Desert Gold. Nice bass - except the neck gets too narrow at the nut. (I tried mentioning that on the MM forum and got boo-hissed. I guess the 1/3 of bass players that like naroow necks congregate to MM and like basses. I guess I should have gotten my Bongo as a 4 stringer.)
Personally - I don't need the pick guard - especially if the wood is nice. But - one can always bolt one on if they wish. Some of the Bongo guys have removed theirs.
I tried a G&L once - very powerful output. But - it was bolt on and looked like a Fender.
Personally - I don't need the pick guard - especially if the wood is nice. But - one can always bolt one on if they wish. Some of the Bongo guys have removed theirs.
I tried a G&L once - very powerful output. But - it was bolt on and looked like a Fender.
The StingRay has a signature sound and the G&L doesn't. Leo went for tone with the former, and versatility with the latter...but versatility, for a lot of bass players (including me) translates to "generic sounding."
I had an L2K. I don't think I'll ever get another G&L, but if I find a Ray 5 for the right price I'll buy it.
I had an L2K. I don't think I'll ever get another G&L, but if I find a Ray 5 for the right price I'll buy it.
I have both. I like both. If you want a P bass sound with a little more ummph then find an L1000. If you want edgy P bass then look at the SB-2 (Listen to the Irons Maidens, Wanda plays the SB-2). The L2K with the neck pickup soloed will get the P tone also. For the Stingray, the single pickup SR won't really get you the P tone but I played the HH model yesterday and I think you could get a pretty good P bass tone with that.
I think both G&L and MM basses are great and well built. G&L gives you the option of choosing a neck (P bass or J bass width) and choosing the radius. MM you pretty much get what give you on a particular instrument. The truss rod adjustment wheel on the MM is the best though. I really wish all instruments would adopt that wheel.
I think both G&L and MM basses are great and well built. G&L gives you the option of choosing a neck (P bass or J bass width) and choosing the radius. MM you pretty much get what give you on a particular instrument. The truss rod adjustment wheel on the MM is the best though. I really wish all instruments would adopt that wheel.
Hmmm Generic? Don't think so. My G&ls have a unique sound and can be made to fit any genre. Excels at "my bass wants to kill your mama" tone.
Once you grok the controls you can fully explore it. Diming everything doesn't work on a G&L or an EBMM.
I have more issues with Lakland and many of the boutique basses control wise.
Totally lost on a 25th anniversary MM.
Jim
Once you grok the controls you can fully explore it. Diming everything doesn't work on a G&L or an EBMM.
I have more issues with Lakland and many of the boutique basses control wise.
Totally lost on a 25th anniversary MM.
Jim
I don't understand all this "ugly" talk about G&L. I find nothing ugly about this...
Maybe it's just me.
Maybe it's just me.
Regarding someone's post about accessibility and marketing, that's a major reason why I own a Stingray and not a USA G&L.
At the time, when I had money to spend at will, I could play any number of Stingrays at the 3 local GC's. Then I could buy a used one here, which I did and got a super deal on!
Meanwhile, only 1 mom and pop shop carried G&L and they were out of my price range, new. They didn't show up in the classifieds nearly as often as Stingrays. I had a plethora of used Stingrays to choose from at very good prices and barely any used G&L's to choose from. So for my monies worth and availability the Stingray was a no brainer, all other things being equal to me. If a USA L-1000 or L-2000 would've shown up in the classifieds or at the local shop, I'd probably have bought it! When I was ready to buy, the Stingray was available at an awesome used price and the G&L was not. Simple as that.
That said, I really enjoy my recently acquired used Tribute L-2500. If I was still able to spend money as freely as I could a year ago, I'd probably buy a USA version if one ever popped up used.
At the time, when I had money to spend at will, I could play any number of Stingrays at the 3 local GC's. Then I could buy a used one here, which I did and got a super deal on!
Meanwhile, only 1 mom and pop shop carried G&L and they were out of my price range, new. They didn't show up in the classifieds nearly as often as Stingrays. I had a plethora of used Stingrays to choose from at very good prices and barely any used G&L's to choose from. So for my monies worth and availability the Stingray was a no brainer, all other things being equal to me. If a USA L-1000 or L-2000 would've shown up in the classifieds or at the local shop, I'd probably have bought it! When I was ready to buy, the Stingray was available at an awesome used price and the G&L was not. Simple as that.
That said, I really enjoy my recently acquired used Tribute L-2500. If I was still able to spend money as freely as I could a year ago, I'd probably buy a USA version if one ever popped up used.
edmidlifecrisis
Registered mediocre bass player
About six months ago I was in a local music store and a youngish guy came in with a G&L Tele clone to try out some amps. I heard this amazing sound across a noisy store and came over to investigate. He was a killer player and the guitar had an absolutely killer sound. He said it was an awesome guitar, and he clearly was a pro or near pro. I've never played a G&L bass but another nearby shop (Wolfe Guitars in Jupiter, FL) is an authorized G&L Dealer and they always have a bunch of guitars and basses. Might go check some out soon now!!
BTW I am not impressed with the looks of the G&L basses either.
BTW I am not impressed with the looks of the G&L basses either.
Then you want a G&L L-2000. The Stingray won't fit this bill.
You really want to spend $2000 and up for a vintage MM??
