Yet More Advice Please - Lakland vs G&L

[AJC08]

I'm highly considering the following.

 

Either a Lakland DJ5

Or a G&L L2000/2500.

 

Anyone had or used both?

 

Versatility is absolutely essential to me. I do tend to prefer a more agressive sort of bass tone to be honest with thunderous low end but good top end sizzle. Think Justin Chancellor style tone.

 

I'd also be interested if anyone is selling either. Particularly the G&L's as these are becoming rare as rocking horse doo doo over here as I don't think anyone is selling them for some reason.

 

Many thanks as always!

 

Aj

 

 

[Doctor J]

Few things in life are as aggressive as the G&L MFD. The G&L will get you a lot closer to the sound you're looking for than the DJ.

[Terry M.]

While I wouldn't describe the G&L has having a thunderous low end it would be the one for you of the two. I've had both in the past.

[snorkie635]

G&L all the way.

[countjodius]

Owner of both a DJ5 and L2ks here!  Both are amazing well-built and versatile basses, but it sounds like the G&L will be more suitable if you favour a more aggressive tone. The G&L can still be tamed by backing off on the volume and string choice etc (I use flats these days and nickel roundwound previously as I prefer a smoother tone). One consideration for you is that the DJ5 is 35" scale, which makes for an incredible B-string but may feel large if you're used to 34".  Both can be heavy also so it's worth getting the weight of any you are considering buying.  Hope that helps!

Edited Monday at 22:41 by countjodius
Typo

[Sean]

Lakland has better resale value and are easier to sell generally, if you need to move them on. G&L can be a tough sell and depreciate heavily. This can be good or bad depending upon where you are in the buying/selling chain.

[Alanko]

Harvey Milk's Stephen Tanner got an outrageous tone from a G&L. Definitely lots of grinding top end and massive low end. He used an '80s SB-2 with two single coils and a Stingray-style control plate, rather than the modern PJ-style SB-2. His rig was just a Boss bass overdrive into an SVT, so the bass must contribute a lot to the tone.

[Killerfridge]

Here's what I managed with my L2000 re: Justin Chancellor, best listened to on headphones as I tried to volume match the original bass

 

 

[Terry M.]

17 minutes ago, Killerfridge said:

Here's what I managed with my L2000 re: Justin Chancellor, best listened to on headphones as I tried to volume match the original bass

 

 

I would say that definitely matches the tone the OP is after more than the DJ5. Well played also mate.

[Ben Jamin]

+1 for the G&L

 

Got to A/B my L2500 with a Lakland JO5 recently. They're both great. JO5 is super smooth, the G&L just has a gnarly mid-range that I love. I've had mine for about 13 years.

 

The pre-amp and controls on the L2500 are super flexible if you take the time to get familiar. You can get some nice warm tones in passive/parallel mode and a bunch of power in series/active. And aside from the active switch (just an impedance boost and treble boost), the whole thing is passive, not dependent on batteries.

[AJC08]

Thanks so much for the advice guys! I kind of thought the G&L would be the way to go. Now to find someone selling one. Not fussed by either the 4 or 5. I'd love one of the Carved top but they are soooo rare it would appear here in the UK 

[Ben Jamin]

I got mine from here! They do pop up occasionally. I think Andertons used to stock more but it seems they just have the Tribute SB-2 in now. Heard good things about the Tribute series though, I think the hardware and electronics are the same as their USA series?

 

Not sure if you can order from G&L? The CLF Research stuff looks great too.

[Terry M.]

24 minutes ago, AJC08 said:

Thanks so much for the advice guys! I kind of thought the G&L would be the way to go. Now to find someone selling one. Not fussed by either the 4 or 5. I'd love one of the Carved top but they are soooo rare it would appear here in the UK 

There's a 5 string on Ebay right now and the bidding is sub £400. Sunburst with maple fretboard. UK seller.

[Lozz196]

10 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

Here's what I managed with my L2000 re: Justin Chancellor, best listened to on headphones as I tried to volume match the original bass

 

 

I’m not familiar with the material but great sound and great playing

[neepheid]

The G&L in Treble Boost mode will give you more top end sizzle than you need - honestly I never used it because it sounded rather obnoxious to me, but I guess you can always use the treble knob to tame it to taste.

[80Hz]

The proverbial gentleman from Ashton-under-Lyne on Gumtree (previously discussed here on BC) was selling a rather fetching G&L Tribute series L-2000 in Tobacco burst within the last couple of weeks. It may have sold or the listing may have expired. Not sure if you're looking for Fullerton made or whether you'd consider a Tribute? If so might be worth searching and seeing if gets relisted?

 

Great sound from Killerfridge's video too. Makes me want an L series!

[TheGhostofJaco]

If are taking the non skylines or tributes it is tough to go wrong here. The L2000 is a complete beast. Powered all the old helmet records. I would pick that if you are playing aggressive or heavy music. It does more than that but really shines there. 
 

The L2500 was nice. Strings are fairly close together and I didn’t love the preamp. But the slap sound was killer and the wal-like tone can work well, but shines on the heavy stuff. 
 

Lakland is the more versatile bass imo. Just make sure you are good with 35inch scale. I’m personally not a fan. 

[AJC08]

Interesting opinions, thanks guys. I'm happy with a tribute as from what I've seen they sound equally as good!! 🤘🔥

[Terry M.]

28 minutes ago, AJC08 said:

Interesting opinions, thanks guys. I'm happy with a tribute as from what I've seen they sound equally as good!! 🤘🔥

Did you search Ebay like I suggested? It's still there.

[AJC08]

18 minutes ago, Terry M. said:

Did you search Ebay like I suggested? It's still there.

I'm on it already, I've dropped rhe chap a cheeky message asking if he has a BIN price in mindchahaha!! I guess I've become one of those people I usually hate hahah!!

[Sibob]

@AJC08
Sometimes I think that people mistake loudness for tonal aggressiveness. MFD pickups are indeed loud! But the Lakland LH3 pickup/pre system is equal to them tonally I’d say. So with that said, perhaps you’re looking at the wrong Lakland?!

 

You‘re seemingly not bothered about having a FSO (Fender Shaped Object) bass, because of your G&L suggestion, so why not look at a Lakland 55-02 instead?! More expensive than the Tributes, but more versatile I think.

 

Si

Edited 3 hours ago by Sibob

[Eldon Tyrell]

I recently looked into getting a G&L L2K (again). Apparently, they are the poor man's Wal and, as a big Tool fan, I really need one (as I cannot afford a Wal).

Anyway, I came across these beauties (yes, I like red basses):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356755443903?itmmeta=01JRYXYQJQB3DPQAJGK1RVSWX6&hash=item53104810bf:g:D4gAAOSwwJVn5CbN 

 

Killer looking bass with some interesting history:

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/anyone-know-any-info-on-this-g-l-l2000-bass.1596387/

 

The bass has been on ebay since March 26th. I guess the asking price is a bit on the high side. A price between £1000-£1200 is probably more realistic. Probably worth reaching out to the seller with a reasonable offer. 

 

 

 

This one I found in an online "bargin[sic} bin". Made in Korea Tribute model (so early 2000s).

They normally get rave reviews. Great looking bass.

Again, the asking price is probably a bit too high: https://www.m-guitars.co.uk/gl-bass-guitar-legacy-l2000-cherry-sunburst/5900 

 

Well, I eventually decided to get a Spector Euro (again). I ordered it from Japan and it has been stuck in customs for 9 days now.

Well, should have gotten one of the L2Ks instead, I guess. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

11 hours ago, 80Hz said:

The proverbial gentleman from Ashton-under-Lyne on Gumtree (previously discussed here on BC) was selling a rather fetching G&L Tribute series L-2000 in Tobacco burst within the last couple of weeks. It may have sold or the listing may have expired. Not sure if you're looking for Fullerton made or whether you'd consider a Tribute? If so might be worth searching and seeing if gets relisted?

 

Great sound from Killerfridge's video too. Makes me want an L series!

Speaking of Ashton-under-Lyne, these guys have a Tribute M-2000 in stock. The shop is legit and has sold one of my basses in the past. Smooth transaction, they even sent me some good packing material. 

The M-2000 is a more traditional model as it has a 3 band EQ and the MFD pickups are a bit underwound (but apparently still hot). Maybe something to look into too?

 

https://www.sellusyourguitar.co.uk/product-page/g-l-tribute-m-2000-gloss-black-electric-bass-1 

 

 

[Terry M.]

3 hours ago, Sibob said:

@AJC08
Sometimes I think that people mistake loudness for tonal aggressiveness. MFD pickups are indeed loud! But the Lakland LH3 pickup/pre system is equal to them tonally I’d say. So with that said, perhaps you’re looking at the wrong Lakland?!

 

You‘re seemingly not bothered about having a FSO (Fender Shaped Object) bass, because of your G&L suggestion, so why not look at a Lakland 55-02 instead?! More expensive than the Tributes, but more versatile I think.

 

Si

How would you define tonal aggressiveness?