I think the L2500 is the best bang for your buck for players who play multiple genres. I played a tribute version for a few years before I fell in love with a stingray special. Now my son has it and I can attest to its durability because he travels a lot with it and it has held up just fine these last few years.
I love this bass, but have yet to get the Stingray tone from it, but I haven’t used the active switch much. One hint - to get more tones and especially P-bass tone, don’t run the tone or volume knobs all the up or down like that. Run bass at 6-8 and treble at 4 and see what that gets you. Also, lower the neck pickup a bit. The volume knob also helps - run the bass at 7 on volume, and you get much more smoothness, then have that extra punch available when you want to add emphasis.
At 2:10 you swiftly gloss over the pole piece adjustability. I own multiple G&L basses with those same pickups and I *emplore* you to please experiment with the pole piece adjustment for a good while. You can really adjust the timbre of each string's sound to your liking. The lower the pole piece, the fatter, more round the sound becomes. The higher the pole piece, the brighter and more mid-focused the sound. With a fair increase in highs as well. If anything, THIS is the definitive stroke of genius here. I notice this phenomenon with pretty much every single bass I've ever played, where the timbre of the notes varies wildly between one string fretted on the 5th fret, and the next string played open. These MFD pickups allow you to pretty much extinguish this problem. On my L-2500 I raise the pole pieces of the low B, E, A and G strings in a linearly decreasing fashion, where the G string pole pieces are just ever so slightly raised from the neutral position and the G string pole pieces stay tucked in as low as they go. Then I tighten the screws that hold the pickup on the B-string side a bit closer to the body so as to keep the pole piece to pickup distance as it originally was. Doing this gives the instrument a very homogenous and hefty tone. And if the highs get too overpowering there's always the passive tone knob.
I'm a l-1000 owner and absolutely love! The adjustable pole pieces. If I'm playing something heavy with a pick I move the D and G string pickups back so they don't pickup so much treble/clicking to even out the tone. I had to explain so many times that it's not an active bass but to treat it like one because of the enormous signal these pickups produce. I fell in love with mine and wouldn't ever swap it. Get another type, yes. But never swap.
The amount of ground that this bass (and the L-1000 that Lowend Lobster demoed) can cover is insane. The bridge pickup does the Stingray thing without being too trebly or clicky. The adjustable pole pieces really can help dial in a proper P-bass or J-Bass tone. And any L-2000 i’ve ever played was built like a tank. Leo Fender nailed it with this one.
The L1000, if I recall correctly, doen't have the snap the Stingray does, but it's because of where the single pickup is placed. The L2X00 ones get right there though. And you are exactly right on the adjustable pole pieces ... by moving them up and down you can cover the more subtler differences over the life of the P and J bass productions. All that and the G&Ls also have their own sound. They also have the best bass bridge I've ever played. It's just rock solid.
i just bought this bass for my dad for christmas i cant wait to hear how it plays im a guitarist but i dont mind messn around on bass once n a while but i couldnt get my dad some 600 dollar pos u know! lol but he had a g&l rampage guitar back in the day so its kind of also a reminiscence of that and watching this video alone made me want to purchase this base i cant wait thank you so much!
I'm wondering if the U Toob cranked the input too high. It just sounds like a hot signal to me. My USA L2000 (1984) doesn't have a baked-in fuzz and can get clean.
Good to know because, yeah, I was like “me no like” due to the fact that every setting sounding fuzzed up. I want my Motown actually smooth, not buzzed like a rough shave. So, what I hear you saying is that this bass can/does sound smoother irl than this video would suggest?
AAAAH I´ve been waiting for someone to do this review with an actual comparison to the trinity basses for ages, thanks Ampman, now I need one, my wallet sends his regards... Loved the Chancellor setting, I can´t afford a Wal bass, but this... this is perfect. G&L is so underrated. Called mom. thanks.
Great video, I feel like G&L basses are recently getting the attention that they have deserved for a long time. Have had a L2500 tribute as my only bass for almost 10 years - if you're only gonna have one bass, it's a pretty good one to have.
Great video! One key thing to note, if you really want to nail the classic Fender tones and make the L2K even more versatile, you need the "K-Mod" which replaces that middle 2-position switch with a 3-position switch that enables split-coil. This mod is available from the factory (US made basses), but is easy enough to do on your own ;) With this mod, it is easily the best sounding P-bass I've played in 30-years! Also, backing off the volume a bit adds another color that most basses don't~
@@ampthebassplayer I think you may need to get split coil pickups from G&L. I'm not sure that all of their pickups are wired to run in single coil. If they are, I know what I'm doing to my bass tonight! (G&L USA L-2500, with a custom wide spaced neck).
I’ve bought an L-2000 Bass now AMP. I absolutely love it. I have 4 MusicMan USA Basses and also a G&L L-1000. The L-2000 is my favourite and the best out of them. One Bass to rule them all. 🎆
❤ This! I've had an L2 Tribute for a little over two years, and am just now finding out how the electronics work. I'm going to be referring to this vid a lot; trying these sounds on my own.
I recently acquired my third G&L.They are all Leo era.The latest is an SB-2 first edition with 2 jazz pickups from early’84.It’s fairly hard to find one for sale but if you ever do grab it.
I used to have an early 80s L2000. I thought the controls were too busy, but sweet spots were incredible. It really spoke. Anyway, sold it 35yrs ago because I was poor and needed $. On the phone as we speak closing a deal on a late 80s version. Greatest unknown American made Leo Fender design.
Great demo, thank you. The innovation in the electrics here is fascinating. On first look it didn't seem to make sense, but the side-by-side comparison of the P, J and StingRay with the L-2500 was illuminating. Can't wait to try mine out at volume when it gets here. And, yeah, 'bass without a B' is a keeper...
I play an L2500 in the same exact finish. No one should expect a replica of every classic bass. Hell, every jazz sounds different to me. Although, it is the absolute perfect bass to have sit in your lap as you play riffs in every possible genre.
I've owned two of these for the past 16 years, one fretted, one fretless, gigged them a LOT, the only mod made was replacing the deep panel jack with tele-style jacks. I have other basses but these are the go-to.
I love the L series basses. I don't even try to emulate other basses most of the time, I like it for its own full highly dynamic sound. But it's one of the few basses where I'd feel comfortable playing everything from motown to death metal on the same bass.
I own one and it’s my go to bass for what I do. All I would ask of any reviewer is that when you showcase the rear pickup, play over the rear pickup. Other than that great video.
I have a G&L L2500, definitely I dont regret to get it, even when I play black metal I discover so agressive sounds from it, good video brother dont hesitate to upload them cheers from Chile 🤘🤘🍺
You should check out a G&L Kiloton (great bass with a terrible name...). I have a USA 4-string Kiloton, it's basically the Leo trinity in one bass. Precision Body, Jazz Neck, Stingray Pickup but passive. You can get "close" to the trinity sounds but the Kiloton has it's own thing going on, more modern. There is a switch for Series, Parallel, and Split, a Volume knob and Tone Knob. I almost always run it in parallel and never touch the Tone knob. The pickup is hot, very high output for a passive. I never got along with any Fender bass, always sold them but the G&L is a keeper very underrated brand.
On an L-2xxx, you more often than not shouldn't have ANY pot wide open (volume, bass, and treble). My baseline setting is all pots at around 70%-75% of their full range, and that is what gets you closer to the previous Fender bass tones. In fact, with any G&L guitar with MFD pickups, your volume control should never be past 3/4 turn unless you are looking to blast your preamp. With most guitars/basses, you pretty much dime every knob to get your sound. With G&L stuff (with MFD pickups and the PTB system), you almost never have any knob turned all the way up.
I bought an American Professional P-bass thinking it would be the holy grail and sold it after less than a year. I decided to try out a few G&L products and have been absolutely blown away. I picked up a Kiloton but would love to add the L2000 to the mix.
I have the M2500 G&L and it’s a bulldozer😈 Just bought a Fender precision professional V5 string and it doesn’t even compare… although a decent bass the G&L just blows that Fender away.
You can also order the L2k's with a "k-mod." This converts the middle toggle to a three way selector and adds "single-coil mode" to the middle toggle. Really brings it to the next level in terms of versatility! The L1k has a similar toggle, but adds a true bass-boost the the Series mode, which they call "OMG." Worth checking out for sure.
Flats on your Yamaha, eh? There's a good chance you'll like that ;) I spent much of 2021 experimenting with flats. There are a lot to choose from! My favorites (on a Stingray 4HH) were Ernie Ball Group III. To me they sound like a worn-in set of nickel rounds, and feel wonderful! Gauge seems to play more of a factor than it does with rounds (both in tension and tone). For me, 45-100(ish) was a nice balance. Looking forward to hearing your experience with flats turns out.
I had a USA L2500 for a while and it’s was a tone monster for sure. But weighing over 12 lbs made it a play at home only instrument. No way someone my age could do a 3 hour gig with it 😄
Good to know. And I guess the Tribute series (which is all I could possibly afford) would be even heftier. My Tribute Doheny is a killer guitar, but it’s heavy AF.
The most versatile Bass that Fender made was the American Dimension Deluxe HH. HANDS DOWN. I own all the afore mentioned Basses ( including the G&L SB2, L2000, JB2) and love them all, but the Dimension is the one Bass for all occasions .
I have had an L-2000 for 30+ years and have loved it except for the damn battery cover. I don't understand why they would put the battery in its own compartment and no easily removable cover. More than that, it drains the battery in about 2 weeks, even if it is off and just collecting dust. That said, I just don't use active very often. I am also not terribly enamored with the weight, but all in all I love the damn thing.
I have L2000 and L2500 (tribute) and also have the fender jazz aerodyne and 1957 fender pbass replica. My fav is G&L for same reasons you mentioned in this vid. Thank you for this awesome vid!
I tried this bass today (made in Indonesia model) absolutely fantastic build quality. At least as good as the fender American pro P bass I tried yesterday. Played even better than that. Pick ups are a bit too complicated at the first try, but very powerful... and price for used one is around 400 bucks. 🤯
if I'd seen that original video, I'd've said 'wait, what? no G&L?' I bought a 1982 L1000 (single pickup) about twenty years ago. they let me try it in the shop, & when they heard it, they came out with a fresh battery in case the pre-amp died. there was no pre-amp, that's just how loud these things are, & how versatile. I think the passive bass control threw them too. you can't, it's true, quite get that wallpaper-peeling ping that the stingray does, or quite the same distinctive clank as a precision, & there's no mellow sweetspot on my fretless G&L like there is on my jazzers. it does another thing though- it's as if leo set out to make something to take on the thunderbird. the three-way toggle on the L1000 should be labelled 'loud/louder/are you mad?' that said, if you're careful with it, it will do almost everything you need & be its own thing at the same time. remember, this was the instrument range that leo himself was the happiest with.
Every piece of literature I've found and videos I've watched on the L2500 controls label the knobs as Bass/Treble cut, which makes sense for passive mode.
The magic of the L series is cutting back some on the controls. Full out it is a monster but dialing things back it shows it's true colors. That and actually tweaking the pickup heights changes it also. Sort of like the subtle changes when rolling back one pickup or the other on a Jazz. Geddy Lee Wal era is both pickups, series, treble to taste but the bass rolled way back. Of course you need to hit the strings like Geddy though. ;) Second the K mod to be done. Gets closer to the J sound. I find the low F is just magic on the L series.
I remember hearing someone say it could sound like a P, J and Ray. So I got a tribute L2000. I don't think it does, it's actually it's own thing. Which is good. I feel bad for not knowing about G&L until a few years ago. Very overlooked brand with lots of badass guitars and basses.
What that bass seems to lack, IMHO, is the trebley side that both a J bass and a Stingray have; and the J bass's scooped mids. A mid cut knob would fix that though.
I owned one of these for several years, but it was just too heavy for gigging all the time with. but it had the absolute loveliest tones I ever got out of any bass I had.
Does a cut only EQ make this an anti-Sadowsky? Very seriously considering the Tribute version of this for my next 5 string purchase, purely because of the versatility.
I almost never go 100% with the volume, treble, or bass knobs with my L2000. To get more mids, I drop the treble and bass a little, and boost the volume. However, the sheer weight and density of the tone of this bass packs a good solid mid response anyway. I bought my L2000 because my Jazz was getting lost in the mix of my 70s, 80s rock cover band. The L2000 would never fail to get the ladies on the dance floor. Running through an Ampeg SVT, it shook the walls!
Yep! Still have it. It doesn't get played much lately because I have a better version of it now. Hard to choose between the two, but I do absolutely love the tonal flexibility of the G&L. If I could only have one, I'd probably stick with the L2000, but the Stingray is awesome in it's own way.
nah not even close to a p or jb. It does sound like a stingray though, albeit due to the alnico 5s humbuckers and exact similar pickup placement. Now, if it had a coil split, that would maybe get it closer to those sounds.
This bass is the tribute right? I am eyeing one for sure since the Yamaha BB 5 string is on back order on MF and I have consistently came back to this and the MTD super bass 5. Does this come with a gig bag? Thank you for the review, very informative. Also appreciate your views on squiers, I love mine.
@@ampthebassplayer thanks brother, I appreciate you. I had to be sure, you were very informative and I appreciate all the tone samples you provided as well as nailing that B. The price and extreme versatility kinda make it a no brainer, excited to add it to my arsenal later. I currently use a cort curbow 5 regularly.
Can anyone tell me what the string spacings are on the L2500? I've heard that they're rather tight, but I've never been able to play one. And more specifically, the string spacings on the Tribute model, as that's the only one I'd be able to afford.... Help??
The Tribute has a fairly tight spacing at 17mm. If that’s a genuine concern, then I would recommend saving up for the American L2500 with 19mm spacing. Some things are just worth paying for.
I play a G&L L2000, several Fender P basses and J basses (G&L jazz basses too). All sound great. The L2000 sounds different from the others...more like a Music Man Stingray, but better as it is much less "tinny".
Nope. I found the sounds (tones?) to be different and more distinctive on each of the Fender Trilogy basses vs the L-2500. Especially the P, which has a unique sound that I happen to be in love with at the moment. (And I grew up playing Jazzes!) There's just such a sweet sound that comes out of a P that I can't even capture on my P-Deluxe, why? Is having a bridge pu somehow bump the neck pu slightly out of place or is it an active/passive thing? Tell me, dammit - otherwise, I have to go buy a new P. Also, how do you like your Squire P, better/worse than a Mexican Fender? Mexican better/worse than an American? Help me, I'm drowning in possibilities...(hell, buy 'em all!)
The power of the L-2000 (and the L-2500) I think lies less in the sound and more in the language of the controls. The common theme of all of Leo Fender's bass designs is that they all have limitations, and never more than four rotary controls (as far as I know, even the Stingray had only a two-band EQ during his lifetime, making the only one with four controls the original stacked-knob Jazz Basses) and I believe that's why his designs endured and why bass players are so personally invested in and romanticize their favorite. The genius of each design was making something versatile enough to have obvious changes while being limited enough to keep from straying too far from a present, full, and audible electric bass sound. Thus, each player effectively adopted a language that best suited them for precisely and quickly achieving subtly different timbres. Personally, my favorite sound on this bass was both pickups in series, active mode, EQ flat. Had a nice middle ground between the articulation of a Jazz and the punch of a Stingray with something completely different going on too. Love the 3+2 headstock on the L-2500, too.
OH OH .... I play flats, and I am on the market for a 5 ... and you have both sides of my hearts / balance ... Yamaha BB735 or G&L L2500 ? ... if you have a minute to comment ? Woudl be great. thanks for your work and cracking jokes.
I thought for sure I would sell the Yamaha once I got the G&L, but they’re both great in their own ways. What I will say is the G&L does not do the classic/vintage tones very well, and the Yamaha does so if you’re going for the flats sound, my vote would be for the BB735a or even the BB435 since it’s basically the same thing but without the active preamp. I don’t think the active EQ is all that necessary for that kind of bass but YMMV.
Thank you - very much - you just confirm my half established semi decision 😂 thx again - I am about to order bb 435 and a set of la Bella flats through body.. I had the chance to try a lot of flatwound set and the la Bella keep on coming back as the most inspiring . 🎉 Keep on the great work.
![Have I made a mistake?! | G&L Tribute L2000 Bass [Review/Demo]](/img/n.gif)
The 'what is Bass without a B' pun honestly made my morning
So many entendres!
'Bass' without a 'B' is just 'ass'. You gotta have that 'B'!
I Love It!
It’s more than close enough that in a band context, live setting, no one will care. And those that do care don’t need to.
I think the L2500 is the best bang for your buck for players who play multiple genres. I played a tribute version for a few years before I fell in love with a stingray special. Now my son has it and I can attest to its durability because he travels a lot with it and it has held up just fine these last few years.
I love this bass, but have yet to get the Stingray tone from it, but I haven’t used the active switch much. One hint - to get more tones and especially P-bass tone, don’t run the tone or volume knobs all the up or down like that. Run bass at 6-8 and treble at 4 and see what that gets you. Also, lower the neck pickup a bit. The volume knob also helps - run the bass at 7 on volume, and you get much more smoothness, then have that extra punch available when you want to add emphasis.
I first played a G&L in the late 80's. Always loved them but never owned one. Finally got a L2000 recently and absolutely love it!
I just picked up a L2000. I watched your post and found it helpful.
Since, I’ve watched a bunch more posts.
Yours has been the best. 👍🎸
Thank you so much!
At 2:10 you swiftly gloss over the pole piece adjustability.
I own multiple G&L basses with those same pickups and I *emplore* you to please experiment with the pole piece adjustment for a good while.
You can really adjust the timbre of each string's sound to your liking.
The lower the pole piece, the fatter, more round the sound becomes.
The higher the pole piece, the brighter and more mid-focused the sound. With a fair increase in highs as well.
If anything, THIS is the definitive stroke of genius here.
I notice this phenomenon with pretty much every single bass I've ever played, where the timbre of the notes varies wildly between one string fretted on the 5th fret, and the next string played open.
These MFD pickups allow you to pretty much extinguish this problem.
On my L-2500 I raise the pole pieces of the low B, E, A and G strings in a linearly decreasing fashion, where the G string pole pieces are just ever so slightly raised from the neutral position and the G string pole pieces stay tucked in as low as they go. Then I tighten the screws that hold the pickup on the B-string side a bit closer to the body so as to keep the pole piece to pickup distance as it originally was.
Doing this gives the instrument a very homogenous and hefty tone.
And if the highs get too overpowering there's always the passive tone knob.
damn, cool explanation. can't wait to try that when my g&l doheny comes in
I'm a l-1000 owner and absolutely love! The adjustable pole pieces. If I'm playing something heavy with a pick I move the D and G string pickups back so they don't pickup so much treble/clicking to even out the tone.
I had to explain so many times that it's not an active bass but to treat it like one because of the enormous signal these pickups produce.
I fell in love with mine and wouldn't ever swap it. Get another type, yes. But never swap.
The amount of ground that this bass (and the L-1000 that Lowend Lobster demoed) can cover is insane. The bridge pickup does the Stingray thing without being too trebly or clicky. The adjustable pole pieces really can help dial in a proper P-bass or J-Bass tone. And any L-2000 i’ve ever played was built like a tank. Leo Fender nailed it with this one.
The L1000, if I recall correctly, doen't have the snap the Stingray does, but it's because of where the single pickup is placed. The L2X00 ones get right there though.
And you are exactly right on the adjustable pole pieces ... by moving them up and down you can cover the more subtler differences over the life of the P and J bass productions.
All that and the G&Ls also have their own sound.
They also have the best bass bridge I've ever played. It's just rock solid.
i just bought this bass for my dad for christmas i cant wait to hear how it plays im a guitarist but i dont mind messn around on bass once n a while but i couldnt get my dad some 600 dollar pos u know! lol but he had a g&l rampage guitar back in the day so its kind of also a reminiscence of that and watching this video alone made me want to purchase this base i cant wait thank you so much!
It's got a cool "fuzzy" growl thing going on underneath all its settings. That's pretty badass imo
I'm wondering if the U Toob cranked the input too high. It just sounds like a hot signal to me. My USA L2000 (1984) doesn't have a baked-in fuzz and can get clean.
Yep, I messed up. I always underestimate the output of this bass and it was slightly overdriving my interface.
Good to know because, yeah, I was like “me no like” due to the fact that every setting sounding fuzzed up. I want my Motown actually smooth, not buzzed like a rough shave.
So, what I hear you saying is that this bass can/does sound smoother irl than this video would suggest?
It doesn’t do vintage/classic sounds very well. It’s always rather clear even with the treble all the way off.
AAAAH I´ve been waiting for someone to do this review with an actual comparison to the trinity basses for ages, thanks Ampman, now I need one, my wallet sends his regards... Loved the Chancellor setting, I can´t afford a Wal bass, but this... this is perfect. G&L is so underrated. Called mom. thanks.
I’m sure she appreciate the call.
Great video, I feel like G&L basses are recently getting the attention that they have deserved for a long time. Have had a L2500 tribute as my only bass for almost 10 years - if you're only gonna have one bass, it's a pretty good one to have.
Completely agree! I had no idea G&L even existed for the longest time and I’m really happy they’re finding players.
Great video! One key thing to note, if you really want to nail the classic Fender tones and make the L2K even more versatile, you need the "K-Mod" which replaces that middle 2-position switch with a 3-position switch that enables split-coil. This mod is available from the factory (US made basses), but is easy enough to do on your own ;) With this mod, it is easily the best sounding P-bass I've played in 30-years! Also, backing off the volume a bit adds another color that most basses don't~
Lobster also recommended doing this mod, and with how much I like this bass, I think this mod is a distinct possibility.
@@ampthebassplayer I think you may need to get split coil pickups from G&L. I'm not sure that all of their pickups are wired to run in single coil. If they are, I know what I'm doing to my bass tonight! (G&L USA L-2500, with a custom wide spaced neck).
Yes lobster did mention this! I think he’s going to add it
I’ve bought an L-2000 Bass now AMP. I absolutely love it. I have 4 MusicMan USA Basses and also a G&L L-1000. The L-2000 is my favourite and the best out of them. One Bass to rule them all. 🎆
I definitely want to get a 4 string version. After getting a L-1000 and falling in love with it, now it’s time to take things up a notch. Thanks Leo !
❤ This! I've had an L2 Tribute for a little over two years, and am just now finding out how the electronics work. I'm going to be referring to this vid a lot; trying these sounds on my own.
I recently acquired my third G&L.They are all Leo era.The latest is an SB-2 first edition with 2 jazz pickups from early’84.It’s fairly hard to find one for sale but if you ever do grab it.
My L-2500 has a 3-position parallel/single coil/series switch which really helps with copping P or J tones. Ridiculously flexible axe.
I would love this bass more than I already do with a single coil mode.
@@ampthebassplayerI think it’s called the “K-Mod” - it absolutely rips. Highly recommend.
I may or may not have something in the works…
I used to have an early 80s L2000. I thought the controls were too busy, but sweet spots were incredible. It really spoke. Anyway, sold it 35yrs ago because I was poor and needed $. On the phone as we speak closing a deal on a late 80s version. Greatest unknown American made Leo Fender design.
Great demo, thank you. The innovation in the electrics here is fascinating. On first look it didn't seem to make sense, but the side-by-side comparison of the P, J and StingRay with the L-2500 was illuminating. Can't wait to try mine out at volume when it gets here. And, yeah, 'bass without a B' is a keeper...
I have G&L M2500. Great bass! I like G&L and Yamaha basses the most
I play an L2500 in the same exact finish. No one should expect a replica of every classic bass. Hell, every jazz sounds different to me. Although, it is the absolute perfect bass to have sit in your lap as you play riffs in every possible genre.
Completely agree. There's no substitute for the real thing, but this is not a bad compromise at all.
I've owned two of these for the past 16 years, one fretted, one fretless, gigged them a LOT, the only mod made was replacing the deep panel jack with tele-style jacks. I have other basses but these are the go-to.
MFD clearly stands for MF DOOM
My main bass is an L2K Tribute. It’s a fantastic instrument. They don’t get enough love.
You're content has grown so well and its really well structured, highly underrated man. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! I aspire to be rated one day.
I currently have the Tribute L2500 strung with Power Slinky 5s. Absolutely amazing bass for the money.
I love the L series basses. I don't even try to emulate other basses most of the time, I like it for its own full highly dynamic sound. But it's one of the few basses where I'd feel comfortable playing everything from motown to death metal on the same bass.
Love when a bass has a Parallel/Series toggle switch. My Schecter has one for each pickup.
I own one and it’s my go to bass for what I do. All I would ask of any reviewer is that when you showcase the rear pickup, play over the rear pickup. Other than that great video.
I have a G&L L2500, definitely I dont regret to get it, even when I play black metal I discover so agressive sounds from it, good video brother dont hesitate to upload them cheers from Chile 🤘🤘🍺
You should check out a G&L Kiloton (great bass with a terrible name...). I have a USA 4-string Kiloton, it's basically the Leo trinity in one bass. Precision Body, Jazz Neck, Stingray Pickup but passive. You can get "close" to the trinity sounds but the Kiloton has it's own thing going on, more modern. There is a switch for Series, Parallel, and Split, a Volume knob and Tone Knob. I almost always run it in parallel and never touch the Tone knob. The pickup is hot, very high output for a passive. I never got along with any Fender bass, always sold them but the G&L is a keeper very underrated brand.
Thanks for playing Dean Town btw. What a funky duck that was indeed
On an L-2xxx, you more often than not shouldn't have ANY pot wide open (volume, bass, and treble). My baseline setting is all pots at around 70%-75% of their full range, and that is what gets you closer to the previous Fender bass tones. In fact, with any G&L guitar with MFD pickups, your volume control should never be past 3/4 turn unless you are looking to blast your preamp.
With most guitars/basses, you pretty much dime every knob to get your sound. With G&L stuff (with MFD pickups and the PTB system), you almost never have any knob turned all the way up.
This was the exact reminder I was looking for. Otherwise I would write it myself. Actually, it is a rule of thumb for playing an L series...
If I’m not playing a Lull it’s usually a L-2500...It’s the only 34” scale 5 string I like.
I bought an American Professional P-bass thinking it would be the holy grail and sold it after less than a year. I decided to try out a few G&L products and have been absolutely blown away. I picked up a Kiloton but would love to add the L2000 to the mix.
Imagine getting rid of a p bass for this trash. You'll regret that one.
Found the boomer lol! Hot tip: it’s ok for people to like things that you don’t like.
The adjustable poles are for matching the radius of the board/strings for even output. Something Jazz Basses suffer. The A and D have less output.
I have the M2500 G&L and it’s a bulldozer😈
Just bought a Fender precision professional V5 string and it doesn’t even compare… although a decent bass the G&L just blows that Fender away.
I have also M2500. Great bass! Works great with MarkBass amp. Very punchy, especially for slap!
On my third M2500 THEY RULE THE WORLD! It's the Fender slayer. The L Series is too nasal for me.
@@DP-kj4hj M2500 is better! Can't believe they stopped making them. Who wants a bass with a treble boost? 🤔🙄
I love my L2000, but mine has the "jazz bass" mod with the series/parallel/single 3-way switch, so the jazz bass sound is almost spot-on.
I really need to do that mod. Seems cool!
You can also order the L2k's with a "k-mod." This converts the middle toggle to a three way selector and adds "single-coil mode" to the middle toggle. Really brings it to the next level in terms of versatility!
The L1k has a similar toggle, but adds a true bass-boost the the Series mode, which they call "OMG." Worth checking out for sure.
Dude you modeled the tone of each of the trinity members to a T. That was spot on modeling. The answer is, yes I am buying one tomorrow.
Thanks and hello from our new channel! 🙏
Thanks for stopping by!
Flats on your Yamaha, eh? There's a good chance you'll like that ;) I spent much of 2021 experimenting with flats. There are a lot to choose from! My favorites (on a Stingray 4HH) were Ernie Ball Group III. To me they sound like a worn-in set of nickel rounds, and feel wonderful! Gauge seems to play more of a factor than it does with rounds (both in tension and tone). For me, 45-100(ish) was a nice balance. Looking forward to hearing your experience with flats turns out.
The only bass I haven't been able to make my L-2000 sound quite like is my '78 Rickenbacker 4001, but it's pretty close. Thanks for the demos. Cheers
I had a USA L2500 for a while and it’s was a tone monster for sure. But weighing over 12 lbs made it a play at home only instrument. No way someone my age could do a 3 hour gig with it 😄
I share your experience. Still have my L2500, but now I play up the old part and sit in a chair at a gig or it stays home.
Good to know. And I guess the Tribute series (which is all I could possibly afford) would be even heftier. My Tribute Doheny is a killer guitar, but it’s heavy AF.
Good job comparing the tones.
Love G&L on my fourth one, a M2500 which just slays.
I'm a Fender fanboy, have versions of all of the trinity. I say that to say this: G&L is the perfection of all of his work.
The most versatile Bass that Fender made was the American Dimension Deluxe HH. HANDS DOWN. I own all the afore mentioned Basses ( including the G&L SB2, L2000, JB2) and love them all, but the Dimension is the one Bass for all occasions
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I have had an L-2000 for 30+ years and have loved it except for the damn battery cover. I don't understand why they would put the battery in its own compartment and no easily removable cover.
More than that, it drains the battery in about 2 weeks, even if it is off and just collecting dust.
That said, I just don't use active very often.
I am also not terribly enamored with the weight, but all in all I love the damn thing.
I have L2000 and L2500 (tribute) and also have the fender jazz aerodyne and 1957 fender pbass replica. My fav is G&L for same reasons you mentioned in this vid.
Thank you for this awesome vid!
I tried this bass today (made in Indonesia model) absolutely fantastic build quality. At least as good as the fender American pro P bass I tried yesterday. Played even better than that. Pick ups are a bit too complicated at the first try, but very powerful... and price for used one is around 400 bucks. 🤯
That’s a steal at that price!
if I'd seen that original video, I'd've said 'wait, what? no G&L?'
I bought a 1982 L1000 (single pickup) about twenty years ago. they let me try it in the shop, & when they heard it, they came out with a fresh battery in case the pre-amp died.
there was no pre-amp, that's just how loud these things are, & how versatile. I think the passive bass control threw them too.
you can't, it's true, quite get that wallpaper-peeling ping that the stingray does, or quite the same distinctive clank as a precision, & there's no mellow sweetspot on my fretless G&L like there is on my jazzers. it does another thing though- it's as if leo set out to make something to take on the thunderbird. the three-way toggle on the L1000 should be labelled 'loud/louder/are you mad?'
that said, if you're careful with it, it will do almost everything you need & be its own thing at the same time.
remember, this was the instrument range that leo himself was the happiest with.
One thing to note- the tone controls are boost only, not cut. Zeroed out is “flat.”
Every piece of literature I've found and videos I've watched on the L2500 controls label the knobs as Bass/Treble cut, which makes sense for passive mode.
I agree with @amp
The magic of the L series is cutting back some on the controls. Full out it is a monster but dialing things back it shows it's true colors. That and actually tweaking the pickup heights changes it also. Sort of like the subtle changes when rolling back one pickup or the other on a Jazz. Geddy Lee Wal era is both pickups, series, treble to taste but the bass rolled way back. Of course you need to hit the strings like Geddy though. ;) Second the K mod to be done. Gets closer to the J sound. I find the low F is just magic on the L series.
for me the L2000 is Leo’s bass masterpiece
I remember hearing someone say it could sound like a P, J and Ray. So I got a tribute L2000. I don't think it does, it's actually it's own thing. Which is good. I feel bad for not knowing about G&L until a few years ago. Very overlooked brand with lots of badass guitars and basses.
Really good info and sounds... !! I subscribed.
What that bass seems to lack, IMHO, is the trebley side that both a J bass and a Stingray have; and the J bass's scooped mids. A mid cut knob would fix that though.
The 2500 is a sweet bass. Doesn’t sound much like a Ray at all IMO. But that’s not a dealbreaker for me.
I love my G&L Tribute Mij. It’s so…
I owned one of these for several years, but it was just too heavy for gigging all the time with. but it had the absolute loveliest tones I ever got out of any bass I had.
I find that to be true also. Great bass with lots of useable tones, but heavy hanging on your neck/shoulder.
Option paralysis to me. P bass simplicity for life!
I totally feel ya. I want to take this to a gig and see how it does in a real world setting.
@@ampthebassplayer Did you? ‘Cause I’d love to know how it performed. People are saying it’s heavy, and that could really kill me wanting one.
Does a cut only EQ make this an anti-Sadowsky? Very seriously considering the Tribute version of this for my next 5 string purchase, purely because of the versatility.
I don't know much about Sadowsky as I've not had the pleasure of playing one.
@@ampthebassplayer Nor me, sadly, but I know their EQ is boost only
I almost never go 100% with the volume, treble, or bass knobs with my L2000. To get more mids, I drop the treble and bass a little, and boost the volume. However, the sheer weight and density of the tone of this bass packs a good solid mid response anyway. I bought my L2000 because my Jazz was getting lost in the mix of my 70s, 80s rock cover band. The L2000 would never fail to get the ladies on the dance floor. Running through an Ampeg SVT, it shook the walls!
I think it does a pretty good job on being every bass.
Do you still have this bass in your line up? If you had to choose an L2000 or Stingray special, which would be a better buy in your opinion?
Yep! Still have it. It doesn't get played much lately because I have a better version of it now. Hard to choose between the two, but I do absolutely love the tonal flexibility of the G&L. If I could only have one, I'd probably stick with the L2000, but the Stingray is awesome in it's own way.
Do be honest, I prefer the G&L -Sounds over the classics. Leo Fender invented very good stuff. This is awesome!!!
had one.....miss it very much....and yes it have the best neck of all the leo group...and sound like what ever you want.
alex from israel.
nah not even close to a p or jb. It does sound like a stingray though, albeit due to the alnico 5s humbuckers and exact similar pickup placement.
Now, if it had a coil split, that would maybe get it closer to those sounds.
Can the L2500 get Marcus Miller-esque slap tones?
This bass is the tribute right? I am eyeing one for sure since the Yamaha BB 5 string is on back order on MF and I have consistently came back to this and the MTD super bass 5. Does this come with a gig bag? Thank you for the review, very informative. Also appreciate your views on squiers, I love mine.
Yes, this is a Tribute model. The seller I got mine from included a G&L gig bag, but I don't know if that's standard for these or not.
@@ampthebassplayer thanks brother, I appreciate you. I had to be sure, you were very informative and I appreciate all the tone samples you provided as well as nailing that B. The price and extreme versatility kinda make it a no brainer, excited to add it to my arsenal later. I currently use a cort curbow 5 regularly.
Not overlooked by me...I have a USA G&L L2K 'E', with 'lawsuit' headstock and '81 control-plate & knobs...I love it...I would never part with it :D
Are the USA models really worth the extra $$ over the Tibutes?
Having never played one, I’m not sure.
"WHAT IS BASS WITHOUT A B ??" I loved that joke !!!
Doesn't the series/parallel have no meaning unless you are using both pickups?
No, because each pickup has two coils.
@@ampthebassplayer whoa! I thought it was usually just the pickups in series/parallel not the coils! Crazy!
Good video...thanks.
Can anyone tell me what the string spacings are on the L2500? I've heard that they're rather tight, but I've never been able to play one. And more specifically, the string spacings on the Tribute model, as that's the only one I'd be able to afford.... Help??
The Tribute has a fairly tight spacing at 17mm. If that’s a genuine concern, then I would recommend saving up for the American L2500 with 19mm spacing. Some things are just worth paying for.
"After all, what's bass without a B..." 🤣 loved it.
I play a G&L L2000, several Fender P basses and J basses (G&L jazz basses too). All sound great. The L2000 sounds different from the others...more like a Music Man Stingray, but better as it is much less "tinny".
@AMP what was your signal chain during the demo?
Bass into interface and then I probably used the same preset I’ve been using in Amplitube for a long while.
@@ampthebassplayer Oh! I have Amplitube! Which preset do you use?
@KenshinZZ It’s one that I built, but it uses default/free components. Are you on 4 or 5?
@@ampthebassplayer 5
Ah, I’m using 4 and u don’t know if they’re compatible or not.
That is a very nice bass. It"s worth the $1,000 plus price tag.
The L2500 sounded more like a Sting Ray in that mode, than that Sting Ray did. Bass without the B..... LMFAO
Nope. I found the sounds (tones?) to be different and more distinctive on each of the Fender Trilogy basses vs the L-2500. Especially the P, which has a unique sound that I happen to be in love with at the moment. (And I grew up playing Jazzes!) There's just such a sweet sound that comes out of a P that I can't even capture on my P-Deluxe, why? Is having a bridge pu somehow bump the neck pu slightly out of place or is it an active/passive thing? Tell me, dammit - otherwise, I have to go buy a new P. Also, how do you like your Squire P, better/worse than a Mexican Fender? Mexican better/worse than an American? Help me, I'm drowning in possibilities...(hell, buy 'em all!)
Check out a made in Japan p bass. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Oddly, it was the versatility that caused me to sell mine. Prefer trinity.
It is an AWESOME instrument, that is certain. Great value.
Mmmmyeeeeahh. Not quite.
The "P-bass" tone gets the closest I'd say.
I wasn't even impressed with P imitation. Why any buys these "versatile" basses is beyond me. They just sound bad.
Great bass.
Want it, but cant
How much does this bass weigh?
It’s heavy. 11 or 12lbs because swamp ash is usually a pretty dense wood.
Please consider nixing the background music. It just sounds like noise and makes you harder to follow
Yes I called mom
The power of the L-2000 (and the L-2500) I think lies less in the sound and more in the language of the controls. The common theme of all of Leo Fender's bass designs is that they all have limitations, and never more than four rotary controls (as far as I know, even the Stingray had only a two-band EQ during his lifetime, making the only one with four controls the original stacked-knob Jazz Basses) and I believe that's why his designs endured and why bass players are so personally invested in and romanticize their favorite. The genius of each design was making something versatile enough to have obvious changes while being limited enough to keep from straying too far from a present, full, and audible electric bass sound. Thus, each player effectively adopted a language that best suited them for precisely and quickly achieving subtly different timbres.
Personally, my favorite sound on this bass was both pickups in series, active mode, EQ flat. Had a nice middle ground between the articulation of a Jazz and the punch of a Stingray with something completely different going on too. Love the 3+2 headstock on the L-2500, too.
It didn't quite get the Jazz Bass tone.
Can someone please tell me how much this thing weight s?
I’ve never formally weighed mine but it is probably close to 11 lbs.
@@ampthebassplayer thanks mate..
Buying for the CHANCELLOR alone.
what's that song playing in the background? Sounds like an Indonesian song
I want one. So gud.
Hi sir is this usa made?or indonesian made?
This is a Tribute model, so it’s Indonesian made.
Prefer the jazz bass sound still
OH OH .... I play flats, and I am on the market for a 5 ... and you have both sides of my hearts / balance ... Yamaha BB735 or G&L L2500 ? ... if you have a minute to comment ? Woudl be great. thanks for your work and cracking jokes.
I thought for sure I would sell the Yamaha once I got the G&L, but they’re both great in their own ways. What I will say is the G&L does not do the classic/vintage tones very well, and the Yamaha does so if you’re going for the flats sound, my vote would be for the BB735a or even the BB435 since it’s basically the same thing but without the active preamp. I don’t think the active EQ is all that necessary for that kind of bass but YMMV.
Thank you - very much - you just confirm my half established semi decision 😂 thx again - I am about to order bb 435 and a set of la Bella flats through body.. I had the chance to try a lot of flatwound set and the la Bella keep on coming back as the most inspiring . 🎉
Keep on the great work.
MF DOOM
Hey bro ..That drive is insanely loud . Keep it off..
Mmmm. Growly. Me like!