What have G&L done?! | SB-2 Tribute Series Bass [Demo/Review]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2021
- #GandL #SB2 #GandLBass
Can't believe i's taken me this long to try a G&L!
Is it a good first impression?? Leave a comment down below with your favourite G&L bass.
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glguitars.com/product/sb-2-2/
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uk.line6.com/hx-stomp/
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![Have I made a mistake?! | G&L Tribute L2000 Bass [Review/Demo]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kmj-S134sBQ/mqdefault.jpg)
UPDATE: Now they come with the tone knob. Yeah!
Oh awesome!!
Where have you seen this? Not on their homepage🧐
Thats not true
Link? I don't see it on their homepage. Sure you're not thinking about the LB 100?
@@Moogens I think it was sarcasm/irony.
Thanks, Jonny, and hello from our new channel! New SB•2 content coming soon 🙏
Hey team! If you ever want any basses reviewed, let me know!
This bass is designed so that the bridge pickup is meant to act as your "tone control". It's actually really well demoed in your video, turning the bridge pickup up increases the treble by quite a lot for a more modern P bass sound. And with the bridge pickup at 0 you get more of a classic P bass sound. And adjusting the volume does change the tone too, because there are capacitors in the volume circuits. Both pickups at 75% has less treble than both pickups at 100%. So you essentially have a passive P-bass with both treble cut AND boost, and a bridge pickup with treble full on or cut with only 2 knobs instead of 4. The only thing that would make the bass better is a master volume control for if you're playing through a PA system and want to make tone changes without someone actively adjusting levels for you.
That's true! I don't think its a substitute for a master of tone though? I know a lot of players who love rolling off the tone with a P bass so I don't think you can really achieve that specific sound with this bass so easily. Thanks for sharing the wisdom! 😊
Well, that's what your preamp is for!
( *edit :* adjusting the master volume, I mean)
Those are very interesting design choices, and, honestly, using the bridge pickup that way makes a *lot* of sense in a PJ. (I'm less sure about the volume controls affecting tone. Interesting nonetheless.)
@@JonnyDibble ACTUALLLY not, I own an original 1992 U.S.A. version of this bass!
Have you tried rolling the volume knobs a 15/30/50% back ? It doesn't really affect the volume (on a proper amp at least), but it DOES affect the tone! It's just PURRFECT! Check it out!!
I had my SB-2 for 11 years and then sold it. I hardly used it because it had no tone control. The pickups where extremely powerful and it had a huge sound..il give it that. But it also picked up an insane amount of string noise which used to drive me insane. I ended up putting a set of fender flat wounds on to deal with the string noise coming thru the pickups and that helped a lot. But i hate playing flat wounds. The SB-2 could really do with a tone control..if it had a tone control, i never would have sold it. Also, i prefer playing my yamaha BB414 and 434M because they also have the PJ configuration, sound huge and warm and have a tone control. I do not miss my SB-2 at all..was so glad to get rid of it to be honest. But G&L are great, i have a JB-2 and absolutely love it, will never ever sell that bass!
So, about capacitors on the volumes. What's funny is it's the opposite that's true. This bass takes advantage of two facts of passive electronics:
1) High frequencies naturally taper off of a volume pot faster than any other frequency. So your treble naturally decreases as your volume goes down.
2) Two pickups wired in parallel are essentially competing for signal, which is why, say, on a stratocaster, a single coil selection has a hotter sound than two pickups selected together. By comparison, series wiring gives you a much MUCH higher output since the two signals are essentially working together rather than competing. P basses and staggered coils like them are technically wired in series, which is why they're so punchy.
Therefore--!
You'll never have a tone at 0% option, but adjusting for one volume will taper treble without greatly affecting volume, and then disappear completely at 0, giving you the other pickup soloed at 100% tone. It's really ingenious, especially since 0% tone is pretty useless in my opinion :/
I've been playing one at a local music store and will soon purchase it. I find this bass really shines on the attack and style of the player due to its simplicity. It a very dynamic sensitive bass which suits me. Plus a P bass that sounds rather good when Thumping and plucking.
Awesome video Johnny! 👍🏽 I especially like the shots where it feels like I'm hiding in your room, watching you play as you test out the bass. It feels comfortable to me 🤣😛🤘🏾😎
Cheers mate! 😆😆
Thanx for your videos J !
Well, I ordered one of these DnL and must wait 4 days to test it !
Keep on groovin
nicky
Awesome! 😁 Let me know how you find it
I just bought a USA SB-2 and absolutely love it. What a great sound !
I bought one of these a few months ago I love it. It's the perfect P-bass for me because the pickups go from mellow at low volume to full on aggressive when up full! I love the shape tbh, along with the high mass bridge and the shape of the pickups it just looks lovely I think. Lack of tone knob bothered me a bit due the aggressive nature of the pickups. But as I predominantly record using software amp sim, I emulate a tone knob by having a parametric EQ before amp that cuts highs (low pass filter) before the amp and that works wonders! You could probably do that in your Helix too before the amp module.
Also, pickup heights really needs to be watched on this bass, I have the neck pickup about 4mm from the low E when fretting last fret, it stops any nasties but they still sound fat and aggressive
G&L’s seem to be so underrated in this country, unfairly in my opinion. I’ve got an SB2 tribute and totally love it, the playability is second to none. Just like a comfortable pair of slippers if you do metaphors. I fitted a pair of stacked knobs on mine just like the first generation jazz basses and it looks like they grew there. That easily fixes the tone knob problem for little cash in relation to the super versatile bass you end up with. You can have VT VT or just wire one tone for VVT which I found to be a lot less of a faff when you just want to roll the tone up or down a bit on the fly. Just ideas, but it’s easy and looks and sounds great. Keep up the great vids and do one about the install you know it makes sense 👍
Great shout! Need to get more into electronics and soldering. Thanks so much!
Brilliant, man. You just sold me
I tried a G&L tribute jazz in Lake Placid Blue whilst my son was trying out basses for himself. I already own a US jazz and a Mex fretless jazz so I wasn’t looking to buy but, to me, it was every bit as good as my US one and genuinely better than everything else I tried that day. Absolutely beautiful instrument.
I bought one of these a few years ago, absolutely loved it. I thought it was an American one when I was initially playing it. Without seeing the price tag, which hadn't been put on the bass yet, I was comparing it to much much higher end instruments and lost it when I went to the counter to pay. These are incredible value, and the pickups are so much hotter than any active bass I've had.
Totally get what you mean! They're hot but not overpowering
G&L!!! I love my USA L-2000, but the Tribute Series is really good too. Great demo--I hope this helps some bass players to decide and check out this underrated brand.
Thanks so much mate. Can't believe it's taken me this long to try one!
Very good channel man, always good content and the fact that you use a pick and play my style is the iceing on the cake - only surprise is the amount of views not being high enough. I think you'll get there though. Also your demo in this one is good showing of how the sounds of the bridge and neck pickup differ on a jazz bass
Ah thankyou so much mate! Gotta represent the pick!
No tone knob? It's the only one I play with
G&L's are absolutely amazing basses. I love my L2500, I have a Legacy guitar too which is just amazing (although I did switch out the bridge pickup for a SD SSL-5) and the build quality, finish, playability, sound, everything is amazing.
Quality all over!
This just in, Dibble dabbles again and nails it!
😆😆 Cheers me dears!
Tasty bass and tasty playing, excellent video Mr. Dibble 👏👏
This is a very tasty comment. Thankyou sir!
Great review and that bass does sound good value for the money.
Thanks Paul! It's a great bass all round 😊
I have a JB-2 Tribute, and I love it.
I missed out on a used one not long ago! They look awesome. Especially the blue one 😍
they don’t need a tone knob. that’s what your amp is for. leo was genius for this. tone knobs have been obsolete for like 40 years.
I picked up a used USA SB-2 in 2015 and it's been my workhorse for a long time since. Pickups are so strong I'm often backing them off so that I have a little extra for solos or heavier riffs. G&L are so slept on, I think primarily by Fender snobs who can't accept that Leo was *perfecting* his designs with G&L not rehasing them.
Totally! I've not met anyone that has a bad word to say about them really. So impressive 👏
Agreed. As much as I love the classic Fender designs, G&L are the fine-tuned renditions. Player friendly, quality hardware, improved electronics and ergonomics.
Saving the tone knob for the upcoming SB-2 Tribute 3 at the end of this production run
Those G&L bridges are made to give more resonance because they sit inside the actual body, my son has a G&L Asat Tele and it has the same style bridge, also those MFD pick ups are really nice.
It's a fantastic design!
Rolling off the P volume to 80% doesn't lose volume ,but acts like P with more muted highs. The bridge pup is and was NEVER intended to be soloed. It is for adding bite to the P pup.
"Bottle opener" -well played sir!
Swiss army knife bass!
Fun fact: G&L was actually CLF Research, it’s the same company that made Pre-Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars and Basses.
Thanks for the wisdom! 😁
Thanks nice Demo
Cheers!
These are great basses and such a killer tone but I do agree it needs a tone knob. Great video!
Cheers! 😄
Holy crap, you sold me on the outro.
I just picked up a Sterling HH4 from a not-so-rare Guitar Center sale that was going on. I know just how much "better" of an alternative G&L is to both Fender as a whole and other brands, but I keep turning away from them. Ugh. Regrets are being had...
I'm a little bit surprised. Always been a fan of G&L basses. Their 'magnetic field' pickups deliver lots of highs and midrange bite, so I actually don't need an active tone control. But with this characteristics a passive tone control would really make sense imo.
Good news: It should be quite easy to modify this model and add a tone control. In this particular case I'd go for a stacked volume pot and use the other one as a tone pot. Should be done for about 20€ quit.
Definitely doable! Not ideal though. Thanks for tuning in 😁
Re: headstock shape; urban legend has it that this was Leo playfully giving CBS Fender the middle finger.
Ace vid, as always! I really like G&L gear (especially with the weird headstock) and would have one of these in a heartbeat if the neck was glossed, it's still really tempting in satin tbh. Did you lock the saddles in on the bridge? Makes a bigger difference than I thought it would and makes the G&L's come alive!
Thanks Steve! No I haven't tried locking the saddles, I didnt even know that was really a feature tbh!
Give it a whirl, it makes everything sound a bit tighter and bigger. I used to the think the impact a bridge had on tone was all hoodoo until I tried it 😁
@@coldasiceunity I'll check it out! Yeah same here until I started using high mass bridges! 🤯
Beautiful! Never seen one for lefties.
This bass and the squire paranormal rascal bass are the the two basses that really stand out to me for how they sound on yt demos. I wish I could just built my own bass from scratch but it's such a big risk to take.
Thanks and hello from our new channel! 🙏
Hi guys! Thanks very much. If you want some basses reviewed, let me know!
Hello Jonny,
for you which is the best between G&L Tribute SB-2 and Yamaha BB434 in terms of sound, feel and build quality?
I saw both of your videos about theese two basses.
For your experience and in your opinion, which is the best PJ bass between the two?
Waiting for your reply,
thank you.
Sounds really good for a budget instrument but the tone thing is a strange design decision. That would stop me from buying if I’m being honest. Great video as usual Jonny. Oh, and should we talk about the slight blush of sun burn on the nose? No? Ok then….. 😂
Cheers mate! Aha not sun burn, I just get bad skin 😅
I really like G & L ( have an L1505 US), have been tempted by SB2 a couple times.... check out talkbass, there are tone mods you can do to it like a stacked pickup knob plus tone and other mods. SB2s have been around for a long time so there must be a reason, 😆.
Stacked volumes would be brilliant! Thanks for tuning in ☺
Thanks for this. I'm thinking about getting this bass and your review is very welcome. Can I cope without a tone knob...
You're welcome! Thanks for checking it out 😊 That is THE question...
I have the M2000 and it is smoking good.
Audio balance was much better this time. The bridge pickup was very quiet tho. Not sure if you did anything or not. But the bass sounded great.
Thanks pal!
The sleek curves of the SB-2 make it like a race car of P style basses.
Well, I am still getting a Stingray - one day, however the G&L comes first. Thanks.
She clanks a lot!
Ratchet and CLANK
That headstock has never been very popular. I actually think it's part of the reason G&L isn't more well known. Sad because they really make some excellent stuff!
No tone knob? That’s what the knobs on your Ampeg are for.
Now they come with the tone knob.
What was that riff with the "70's chorus", it sounds really familiar
Just something I wrote! I've used it in a couple of videos to be fair
Those are MFD pickups aren't they? I believe you can adjust the pole pieces like on humbuckers. Might be interesting to play with those as well?
They are, I did not know that! That's fun
I was really close to buying one but the two things that really put me off was the really noticeable hum from the bridge pickup on the bass I tried and while the sound was really versatile, the bass was so loud I had to run the amp on its lowest volume setting when I tried it in store. Just made me a bit worried about its versatility in quieter bands. Amazing build though, definitely worth trying out and far comfier to play than a cv
It definitely could do with a tone knob though. Rolling back the volume changes the tone a lot but i think it's something a tone knob would fix way easier and way more consistently
The neck pickup is definitely a lot boomier compared to the bridge! It's a real chame about the tone knob
Count me as a tone KNOB needer. I use the tone knob so so so much and I could not play the gigs I do without one.
We all need a knob or two! Reading comments that the volume pots kind of work like tone knobs on this. But I don't see that as any kind of replacement for a tone knob
Which would you recommend between this and the Sandberg Electra VS4? Stuck between the two!
This I think! The VS4 feels great but I don't like the pickup and electronics as much as this
I like instruments and gear with constraints so the lack of tone knob here actually compels me. Same deal with using a compressor such as the LA2A or something. Sure it could have more knobs to control attack and release but the lack of options is what gives it it's signature sound. The pickups on these bad boys are a real treat in their own right.
I'm all for less controls, forces you to adapt and play differently which is the beauty of the P bass! 😄
As usual, I'm late to the dance, seeing that this video/review was done a couple years back. I own a USA made SB-2, and I actually became intrigued with it BECAUSE it had no tone control. Who needs a tone control with the tone controls on an amp or a footpedal preamp? As has been noted in other comments, the SB-2 is now available as an SB-2T--an SB-2 with a tone control--but only in a USA-built model. On either USA or Indonesian SB-2s, adding a tone control is an easy mod for any experienced luthier. My SB-2 is not nearly as "clanky" as in this video. Maybe it was the EQ on the Line 6 pedal he uses. Or maybe the strings were really new.
EQ is pretty flat, I hit HARD 😅
So, which would you have between this and the Yamaha BB434?
Personally, i think this one steals the show. The neck is what does it for me! 😍
was gonna ask the same ahah
Don't know why G&L never fitted a tone pot but easy to wire one into the passive circuit, just copy the Jazz's wiring circuit and if wanted/needed fit an S1 series/parallel push/push Fender tone pot... nice sounding bass, would benefit from a tone pot for sure...if you can use a soldering iron it's a £10 job, more expensive if fitting a Fender S1 series/parallel tone pot but for £5-£8 you could fit an on-on toggle switch to do the same job, or just fit a tone pot & forget the series/parallel switch if not needed.....
Yeah there are some simple solutions! I'm TERRIBLE with a soldering iron though haha
No tone knob?! That would be a deal breaker for me. I know, especially in a full band mix, does It really matter?? I have went over the years from a wide open tone all the time to starting with 1/2 off on my PJ and adjusting it from there as I go. The bass does sound nice and looks to have high quality components for the price though. Black on black..meh..the surf green does look cooler to me.😎
It's a strange decision for sure, but an incredible bass otherwise!
Please make a comparison video of Tribute SB-2 vs Tribute L-2000, thank you!
I have both of those at the minute! They're so different though. I'll probably cover it mostly in my L2000 review 😊
@@JonnyDibble Thank you, I love sound of the basses but I have never tried them. Looking forward to your video :)
That's funny you mentioned the tone knob, my son tried to pull one of his off to change the pot's and it literally pulled the screw out of the body 😬
Really strange! Oh man that SUCKS 😵
Do you live in a hot climate? Knobs can kind of "melt" a little and stick to the shaft of the pot
Surely it would be pretty easy to throw a tone control knob in the loom?
Could be! You may need to try and rig some kind of blend or make a new hole in the pickguard. Not sure what the cavity is like underneath 🤔 cheers!
@@JonnyDibble personally, I’d remove the neck volume control and have it full, and use the pick guard hole, pot for a tone control. But that’s just me 🤷🏻♂️🤣 good review though man! Good to see a uk player putting all the styles in!
@@lukegriffin9043 I'm not a solo bridge pickup guy, so this mod would totally work for me! Thanks dude 😄
Do you prefer this gl or the sire p5 ?
I would also love to know this
Anyone know the weight please
Really the only negative is the shape of the headstock - the hook is just bizarre. If I bought one I would cut it off - sand - recoat with the appropriate finish. Since this is an entry level bass I doubt if this will hurt the value. The sound is very full but I like Mike Rogers suggestion of putting 2 stacked knobs for VT VT - that should come from the factory and it would be a selling point.
The stacked volume/tones would be wicked!
I actually like the lack of tone knob. Whenever you get more than two knobs in yours hands at once it can start to get over whelming! On the real too many options can be distracting. Just leave tone up 100, if you dont like it work on your dynamics!
I agree, too many KNOBS is a bad thing. The addition of 1 more on here though wpuld be fine by me 😊 All depends on what kind of playing style and tone you want to get out of it 😄 I'm a 100% tone guy! Thanks for tuning in
To be honest: Didn't like the sound of/with the bridge PU as much as the P-PU on its own.
I'm pretty sure the LB-100 is more my cup of tea.
... and it has a tone control already installed. 😜
Sometimes you can't beat just a straight up P bass!
Que le den al control del tono.mejor sin el.echufarte,tocar y listo.ideal para el rock y sin complicaciones😊
How does the G&L compare to a Fender Player Series PJ?
Hi! Do you mean the Mustang or the Jaguar?
@@JonnyDibble I meant a MIM PJ Bass...P, J, or other.
@@bflo1000 ah sorry, I thought you meant a PJ pickup configuration. I think this definitely gives the player range a run for its money! Feels a lot better to play in my opinion
@@JonnyDibble Thanks, Jon. It looks like a P so I guess a Precision PJ, LOL. Sounds like a great value for the $.
The lack of tone knob is literally the only thing stopping me from buying. That said, every G&L I’ve owned have been incredible instruments and in my opinion far superior to any other Fender or Fender family brand. Also, not that it helps at this price point but you can order the American version of this with a tone knob. It would have to be a custom order, but won’t cost too much more and to me increases the value significantly.
Its a super weird decision for a production model! I would love a full American LB100, they sound SO good.
@@JonnyDibble Try reducing the vol to 90%-80% it will change mostly the tone, it was designed like that
Do a demo without a plectrum. Only Carol Kaye plays with a pick and makes it work IMHO.
Never!
what strings do you use?
These are the stock strings, I normally use Daddario Pro Steels though 😄
what u would consider like a P-bass style option from these or any other - G&L LB-100 - Sandberg Electra VS4 - Sire P5 - Yamaha BB434, cause currently I'm looking for some option that is not too expensive, but to have overall good quality and sound?
I've not tried the Sire or the LB100, but I do prefer passive p basses. Put of the others I'd say the Yamaha! But I think the SB-2 plays better. Really really comfortable bass. For a straight P bass, I rate SX for super affordable options. I've got the new Sire P5 on pteorder so I'm very excited to try that!
It’s be a simple enough mod to add a tone control
But you shouldn’t have to mod.
If they offered it as an option they’d soon see who went for it and who didn’t.
Bass + bottle opener 🤭 You KNOW It's happened. Somewhere on YT, some luthier has posted a video repairing the resulting headstock damage. It probably improved the looks...
It's a weird design, but I love it 😍
i am convinced you are the alternate reality of Patrick Hunter
My boy! Will happily take that x
Yamaha BB 434 or G&L Tribute SB 2
Oooohhh for me it's the G&L. Prefer the neck!
I've had mine 2 years, bridge pup almost pointless.
Otherwise the most interesting rig I've owned.
I'm not a big fan of single coils in the bridge by themselves!
Well done, but I personally think that a demo/review should contain some sort of "flat" tones to get an valid overview of the basic tones. Your preset sounds really scooped. Just my 2 cents
Yeah I'm thinking of changing the preset to a Aguilar amp. I choose the Ampeg because it's personally my favourite and very well known so gives a reference. The mids are actually flat on the preset, but it's definitely something I'll be changing soon. Cheers!
@@JonnyDibble really like your channel!
@@Noblebass84 thanks mate! 😄
This bass was not good in a band setting for me it had to go
watching G&L doing stupid things. I don't get it, WTH no tone knob!?
There's a similar stupidity issue with the G&L Fallout Bass, an awesome looking and promising short scale bass.
It has a 30 inch scale, but is is nearly as long as a normal 34 inch bass. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Ethereum 🎸
Buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz….
Lightyear to the rescue
@@JonnyDibble lol...not so sure there's much saving in that. haha
Regardless, I really enjoy your channel - but I do have a question regarding the G&L's in general - every video I see on them (regardless of model) they ALL have this inherit buzz..they can't all be poorly setup, which leads me to the question..is it the pickups that are creating an odd buzz or is there a spring/bridge part vibration ...I am/was considering an L-2000...but not so much anymore - maybe those MFD pickups aren't what I was hoping for(?)...being genuine with the question..interested to hear from owners or past owners. Cheers
@@Crushin123Don’t think it’s particularly buzzy myself, pretty standard. EQ is very flat, I do play quite hard though
That's a shame to not include a tone knob, otherwise this bass would be flying off the shelves. I would mod it, but if I'm buying a $600 instrument I would expect to at least meet the minimum requirements.
Yeah, it's definitely a deal breaker for some! Weird choice
I just can't get over the lack of tone control on these instruments, genuinely makes me angry such an obvious thing isn't there
It's a big draw back, on what is otherwise a fantastic bass!
@@JonnyDibble For sure! Do you have any plans to review a G&L L2000? Its a very interesting bass and I'd love to hear your opinion on it, although it is pushing the price a bit
@@conradborba4324 if G&L could hook me up, sure! I always try and keep it to more affordable gear where I can 😊
tone it down, jonny.
no, i said, TONE it down!
HELP! I CAN'T!
I literally can't stand these rip off P basses with these awful added J pick ups. Who buys these? Hipsters? Just give me a real P.
Nothing wrong with a PJ! Everyone has their tastes 😊
rip off p basses? the sb2 was designed by LEO FENDER, the creator of the p bass. hello!!!???
There are many real Ps available, including the G&L LB-100, so no need to complain.