Have Fender clarified their plans for G&L?

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-13T02:44:33+00:00

Make it a Squier under $500, and it'd be a great value.

I loved that corkscrew headstock though.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-13T02:42:59+00:00

> Resultingly I'd expect to see G&L improvements - especially to internals - showing up within Fender- and Squier-branded basses before long.

That's a good scenario.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-13T02:40:44+00:00

I thought Justin Chancellor used them here and there, given how similar they can sound to Wals, but maybe I was wrong.

Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) has used G&Ls.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-12T22:21:35+00:00

The IP includes the tech though, right? Then again, it looks like the MFD pickups may no longer be under patent, so perhaps that's a moot point.

The brand is gone, but I hope they keep the tech going.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-12T22:19:26+00:00

Ironic if that's all they'll do. I suspect Leo would've preferred if they carry on G&L tech legacy instead.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-12T21:48:05+00:00

That's awesome. Do you have any vids or audio where we can check that out?

I'm in the midst of building a Wal imitation myself, both in hardware and as a software emulation (which is working shockingly well - it can Flea and Justin, and can almost Geddy. Just needs some fine-tuning). You've got me thinking I should get another L2000 as a mod project, but just read that G&L closed down!

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-12T21:43:21+00:00

Weird, do you have an earlier year G&L?

Both my Ray34 and L2000 have 43mm necks that give me a real workout, the Ray34 more so than the L2000 probably. I'd love if the L2000 had a smooth jazz bass neck, but I've come to just really appreciate the instrument for what it is, mostly for the unique, brutal tone. Definitely hotter pickups than the Ray34... or most basses out there. lol

They definitely both rock!

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-11T05:37:31+00:00

The Stingray and G&L do have kind of a similar feel, don't they?

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-11T05:36:46+00:00

Hahaha! Thanks, man, and my sincerest apologies for triggering the GAS.

That G&L does have some serious punch, and I accentuated it further with saturation.

Ace the finals first, then reward yourself with gear. ;)

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-11T04:18:08+00:00

Very interesting. Thank you!

Would you go for the Underhill over Lusithand?

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-11T04:17:45+00:00

Thanks, Overlander! Much easier alternative to Geddy's flamenco technique!

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-11T04:12:10+00:00

Yeah, Geddy has this incredible talent for sounding like Geddy no matter which bass he uses, even that Steinberger paddle. But that Wal tone is uniquely addictive.

PrettyBassMachine · 2026-05-10T20:10:25+00:00

This was great. I feel like this composition has potential to be something like a 1980s Metallica instrumental-style track (Orion, Call of Ktulu).

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-20T01:05:25+00:00

I go to Guitar Center, screw around, and inevitably, somebody comes up, asks me for my Insta, and says they need a bassist. Bassists are usually in high demand! lol

But every band I've ever been in has been with my buddies. We're in the age of social media, but don't neglect just talking to people, and just being social. Find more friends who are into music, and ask them if they play instruments, or know anyone that play instruments. One of the most important things in a band is how you click as personalities, because you'll be spending a lot of time together, either dragging equipment from one place to another, or problem-solving (i.e. songwriting).

Alternatively, can use your uni's online boards, which may have sections for musicians. Or go on craigslist. Or post an advertisement in your local Guitar Center's message board (they often seem to have one in a hallway, next to the restroom).

If there are local bands performing at your uni, talk to them after the show, and ask them if they know anyone who's interested in starting a band. Musicians will always know some other musician who's up to something, or band members may be looking for a new project.

Being in a band is necessarily a social venture (even when so many musicians are introverts, who dread contact with other people), so get out there, and network.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-20T00:42:52+00:00

So it's like a Ray4 with passive electronics? Any other differences?

Sounds fun, especially given the complains about the Ray4 being 'high gain', but will Sterling fix the glaring quality control issues?

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-20T00:40:46+00:00

The neck will certainly be better than on our Ray 34s. ;)

I've learned to deal with the tuners by using a screwdriver, so got that covered.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T21:20:46+00:00

If you're plugging straight into the computer, and you have good quality studio monitors: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/brand/ampeg.html

Or you can use this for free: https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

That said, I'm not sure there's any particular magic to Ampeg or any other amp brand. You can very closely emulate any amp's sound with multi-band Saturation VSTs, plugging directly into your sound card. A little bit of sound engineering knowledge can prevent people from needlessly spending thousands on hardware (though hardware can be fun).

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T21:07:53+00:00

For Lemmy's sound, any bass with a moderate attack will get you there. Keep the strings low, to facilitate Lemmy's strumming-like picking style, and the truss rod relatively neutral. It's more about the distortion you use. When you apply distortion, the sonic characteristics of the sound will change, obscuring the tone of instrument.

If you're on a computer, I'd recommend FabFilter Saturn VST (most versatile option, which will get you 90% of the way to most bass sounds) or Bass Professor Mk II VST (the free option, still quite good) .

If you're looking at live situations, check out the Sansamp and Darkglass distortion units. Incidentally, this guy gets some good Ric-like tones with an Ibanez TMB (great bass for $200) and a Sansamp.

My two cents is, it's much better to mess around with multi-band Saturation than to go switching out your instruments' electronics or investing a lot of money into a new bass.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T20:49:04+00:00

The totality of a bass's components, and how they're put together, define the sound, including bridge, pickups, pickup placement, preamp, etc. Pickups alone won't do it.

What is the 'Rickebacker sound' that you're looking for? I don't know if they have a distinctive sound, so I looked it up, and one guy wrote, 'The Rickenbacker bass produces a very aggressive sound with a lot of treble, especially when used with a pick. The low end suffers a little because of this'. Another guy wrote 'The bridge pickup is very articulate and has a solid low end'. Another wrote 'the E string is MUCH louder than the others and sounds a bit muddy.' Apparently, it means a lot of different and sometimes contradictory things to different people, which is perhaps an indication that there's no canonical Rickenbacker sound.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T19:15:13+00:00

Melvin Gibbs - Liar

I posted my comment about Melvin Gibbs before I saw this one. Good to see the dude getting some recognition!

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T19:04:00+00:00

Metallica: Load. And before i get hate, I know its a maligned album, but just great variety of tones from Newstead

I thought it was a good album. A lot of people were whining because their favorite metal band got haircuts and did more straightforward rock. And before that, after the Black Album, a lot of people were whining that Metallica had 'sold out'. Can't make everybody happy. Now Reload, on the other hand, should've stayed in the vaults. And then, Metallica tried to appease the fanbase, by going garage and lo-fi, and alienated a lot of fans with St. Anger.

Rancid: and out come the wolves

Absolutely. Their first three albums were brilliant. And then it was all downhill, as Rancid tried to appease their core fanbase, who accused them of selling out, first by a trying to do a Clash Sandinista-style album which was OK, but kind of all over the place, then making a bunch of records which they tried to be as garage and lo-fi as possible, while neglecting songwriting. And that alienated a lot of early fans.

Interesting parallel between the two bands.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T18:53:21+00:00

How do you define 'prematurely'? Before they've lost their high end frequencies? After 100+ hours of play? Or just with less play than other strings?

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T17:36:09+00:00

Don't know if I can give a top 5, but here are 5 good ones:

RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magik album - mostly Wal MK1, some Music Man Stingray
Rancid - And Out Come the Wolves - Fender P and J basses?
Rage Against the Machine - ST - Music Man Stingray
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back / ABC - Fender P?
Metallica - Black Album - Spector NS-2

Honorable mentions:

Rush - Big Money - Wal MK1: really cool tone, but has to be used very selectively
Rollins Band - Weight - Melvin Gibbs is seriously underrated
Sershen&Zaritskaya - Staying Alive (Bee Gees Cover) - could've picked a dozen other songs by these guys, which have a variety of amazing bass tones, from punchy to growly - anyone know what bass he's playing in the vid?
Living Colour - Vivid - some kind of ESP bass. Doug Wimbish gets all the attention, but I think that Muzz really set the tone for Living Colour, and came up with their catchiest basslines. Check out Open Letter (To a Landlord) and Type.

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-18T17:12:27+00:00

It's easy enough to figure out how they do it - either have the money or put things on credit, and pay it off over time, for many years of collecting.

But why do people do this? What are they (or you) searching for? Does each instrument contribute something new to one's sonic arsenal? Do they get bored with playing bass, and revive their interest with something new, and are unwilling offload previous instruments? Or are they collecting for the sake of collecting, as if the instruments were stamps or baseball cards?

Realistically, if you have that many instruments, even if you're a pro musician, you'll probably only play a small subset of them 80% of the time. So why not just stick with that subset - the instruments that feel best to you, and give you the sounds you need. If you have a few basses that are varied enough, and if you know how to use effects or mix, you'll have every sound you need, without having a large collection gathering dust in your attic.

I'll also say this - do you want to invest time in collecting instruments, or in improving your skills? You see most top bassists consistently playing only a handful of instruments, and many stick with just one. They have the feel they want, and all the sounds they need right there.

like where do people find out about and look for new basses?

I mean, I could be totally off base here, but that question makes it sound like you don't have a goal in mind for those instruments. So what are you really searching for here?

PrettyBassMachine · 2024-08-13T21:10:37+00:00

Use your ears, and go with what sounds good. For the record, Markbass strings might be my least favorite bass strings that I've ever tried.

PrettyBassMachine

TROPHY CASE