G&L M2500 vs. L2500 Mash Up

Ed Friedland - The Bass Whisperer demonstrates the G&L M2500 and L2500 basses.

[@Tooltrocity]

And once again, Ed proves he does the best comparison videos on the web. It's very easy to hear the differences in tone between the instruments. Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@Jordy-ev4bw]

i love how the editing allows one to hear both instruments back to back like that, seamlessly alternating betweentbe two. it makes it much easier to compare. good job. thank

[@stephentesta9106]

Great review. Thank you.

[@44numskull]

Best bass comparison video I've seen.

[@marshallhall2140]

I Purchased My First G&L over 20 years ago which was a used 1981 Model G&L 2000 and Fell Instantly In Love With That Sound ! I Now Own A 1997 Model G&L 2500 and Two 2000 Model G&L 2500 All USA Made............

[@stephentesta9106]

You did a great job saming them. Proof they can sound alike. Great review. I have both and think they are really different at their best voicings.

[@IronBassman69]

Simply incredible! Both have nice sounds! and you can make them sound like each other with a bit if tweaking. But you are right...... both would be great to have! :)

[@phxphil1]

Ed, I really like your gear reviews and your playing. I recently picked up an M-2000 Tribute, replaced the stock strings with D'Addario Chromes -flat wounds, and really like the range of sounds available with the active electronics. The Tribute M-2000 has a laminated maple neck that feels beefy and solid, but yet clear across all registers. The M-2000 Tribute is a great value for a nicely made imported instrument.

[@jongrimplin7170]

Awesome video I always thought the M series was just a watered down version of the L series. I now may need to look into one of my own.

[@jacklifeson]

Awesome demo, Ed! Love them both.

[@jfh4242]

Great video and great playing as always, Mr Friedland. Super cool! For me the L will always top the M, simply because the M is active only while the L is active or passive. The passive L sound is really cool and that sound is not available on the M. But to each is own!

[@pierenricobonalumi7850]

They look and sound very similar. I have the L2500 and everybody I've played with loved its sound. I recently purchased a SB 2, and it's terrific. G&L is superb in quality and sound.

[@1okanaganguy]

I have both, the SB2 is the most interesting bass I've ever played

[@MrDimesy77]

Great video

[@BassWhispererTV]

Thanks!

[@miscodaba]

I really love G&L, they are supreme basses... Watching this lead me through a whole "trane" of thought. Too bad you couldn't come to a "resolution" on which is better...

[@Surfer8652]

I've been thoroughly enjoying my L-2000. If I were into active basses, I'd probably prefer an M series for the straightforward boost/cut EQ. But the L series has more raw power and tone control in the passive circuitry than any other bass I've played, and I prefer passive 80% of the time.

[@EzyoMusic]

Balls, balls for days on the L-2500. I love my Tribute L-2000. I would lovr to get an L-2500 too. Awesome video.

[@klaymeister]

L sounds classic/old school. The M sounds more modern and scoopy.

[@DanielGFreeman]

I dying to see a demo of the P5 back there. Thanks for another great post!

[@BassWhispererTV]

You are like... the 6th person that noticed that bass! I guess there's a lot of interest there. No worries, I'll be demoing that in about a month. I have an Acoustic Image thing to do next... then a bunch of lesson videos for a new company I'm working with - THEN I can do the PB5.

[@DanielGFreeman]

Bass Whisperer TV Awesome! I am also very keen on learning more about the lesson vids. I have many of your instruction books and have lately been working through Reggae Bass, Ya Mon!

[@sparklebiscuit]

I wanna hear that Carvin!!

[@Bass.Player]

ED, I wish you would start doing these videos again

[@TuGinecologo]

Bridge pickup in parallel sound so good

[@bass0111]

Both the L-2500 and the M-2500 are available in Tribute versions at street prices of $973 and $1,045, respectively.

[@fukiu5154]

Awesome. I'm about to buy one of those. I think the L2500 has a bit fuller tone. Thx for your help

[@carlosegtrs5308]

You are right. Both

[@cluxseltoot]

Love this video - for my ears as I prefer the depth of the M2500 and more rounded notes.

[@admarhermans1]

I think I'd still prefer the L-series basses, but I hope G&L will keep building both, because there's lots of players out there who might 'discover' G&L through the new M-series basses because of the more 'middle of the road' preamp lay-out! But for me, the L-type preamp will remain one of the few onboard bass preamps I like. I've had the chance to play L-2000 and Asat basses, and loved the broad tonal options! I've come to prefer the use of preamp pedals (like the three pedals Basswitch produces) over onboard circuits. Like many non/semi-pro's, I own too many basses. I mostly play passive fourstring basses (P's, J's, Höfners, Warwicks), and only have two with active eq ('97 Stingray & 2011 Classic Stingray Gilded White). But, my best sounding and playing bass still is my '82 simple G&L SB-2 (JJ pickups)!! IMO a bass that deserves to be reïssued, so players have a second chance to discover it!

[@MrDangard]

Just caught a steal of a deal on a Tribute L2500 just like the one in this video for $300 with a nice G&L gig bag. What a great versatile bass. I seem to prefer both pickups on, series mode, passive with bass at about 8 and treble at 10. What a sweet tone. It's a little heavy but worth it. Cheers!

[@MrDangard]

Update after 7 months of gigging live-- nothing but compliments on the great tone of this bass from musicians and non musicians alike. I've owned over 30 basses and have never been praised so much for my bass' tone. I play it through a Markbass LM3 into 5 different cabs and always get a great tone. Can't believe with all the big bucks I've spent on basses in the past 35 years that a $300 used foreign made bass would sound the best. I usually prefer rosewood or ebony fingerboards to maple for their added warmth. This maple fingerboard assures I never get "lost in the sauce". I'd describe it as muscular low end, a bit of mid scoop, and just enough highs to give it great bite and definition without being too harsh. Simply awesome! I just wish it was lighter...

[@MrDangard]

***** There's one on Ebay for $349.99 free shipping!

[@IceyFlame500]

They’re both really dope but I think the control that the L offers is very nice

[@MixingGBP]

Ohhhh, that solo at the end...tasty! I was not liking either of these basses until you played that. Still does not make me want to buy either of these, but I prefer the M over the L.

[@wanderingJms]

Those kind of humbucker at the back, and a p bass pickup at the rear, I think that configuration would sound awesome

[@yannmenard3779]

Hi, Firstly, thanks for your amazing demo videos. I'm in a complete dilemma over buying a M2500 or a L2500. I did try the M, but I can't find an L to try live anywhere, so this helps a lot. I'm now leaning towards the M, because I don't have the greatest technique and it seems more even, more forgiving. But I'm thinking if I buy an M and like it enough, I might eventually sell my EDA905 to finance a used L (perfect world!). I grew a bit tired of the piezo sound and I'm thinking the tone possibilities on the L2500 would nicely replace that brightness with something fuller sounding. Thanks again!

[@brarunasunburn7794]

hi ed,you do the best demo/reviews on you tube,i decided many shops listening your demos,now im thinking about get an M series,i already have an L series,do you think that i can get a similar l series mid range buldozer assault from the m series shaping the eq? i really like the wider freq response of new Ms

[@alcantey]

Cool, really liked my L-2000, but the M-2500 has got some very nice mids to my ear. More modern scooped tone I suppose. Nice job Ed and G&L...

[@KwonCW84]

They look similar, but actually totally different basses...Thank you for the review. I think L-2500 has more midrange than M-2500.

[@delitemyheart]

To my ears the L2500 highs sound a little clearer whilst the M2500 bottom sounds a little beefier. Both are great though just as Ed says. I have a JB-2 tribute and an SB-2 tribute and i am very happy with them. I'd luv to get my hands on a M2500 aswell as i want a 5 string and I think the 3 band active eq would be more mi cuppa tea! G&L is da shit :)

[@ChrisTromp]

Ed, you opened the video with the M2500 and closed the video with the M2500. I'm guessing you've picked your favorite. :)

[@garethhjones]

Very nice video. I'm a big fan of your no nonsense videos and have been a purchaser of a few of the basses and amps you've recommended. But looking at the wall behind you I can't help but notice you have quite a few basses hanging there. I'd like to ask a question. If you had to play only one of your basses for the rest of your life, and get rid of all the others, which one would be the keeper?

[@BassWhispererTV]

I hate that question! It hurts to even imagine a world like that! ;) But at this point if I had to pick one bass that would cover everything, it would be my L-2500.

[@MauroVerbuyt]

Hey Ed, Love your demo's. Straight forward and clear, nice :) I was wondering if you could do a review on a Fender Starcaster bass or a modern player jazz bass?

[@BassWhispererTV]

Well, I reviewed the Starcaster bass in the pages of Bass Player magazine. I won't be doing a video though. www.bassplayer.com/article/review-fender-starcaster-coronado--guild-starfire-basses/154589

[@MauroVerbuyt]

Okey, thanks

[@youngspanion]

Ed. Would it make any sense to you to compare the MJ4 bass to the M2XXX. Because of the fact that both basses are using the identical preamp, it seems that one could judge which pick ups are suited best for ones taste.

[@ChadHargis]

I've owned an L-2500. Fantastic bass. To me it sounded much better passive. Didn't like the pre in the L series. The M seems to have a nice pre in it. I'd love to play one in person.

[@sanwin17]

I thought the M sound a little rounder, deeper and smoother while the L had more mid cut. On the slap tone I didn't hear a lot of fundamental on the low notes on either. This may have been in the recording or playback. If you know where there's a nice light weight one like yours available let me know. I'd like to live in a perfect world. Your reviews, comparisons or whatever you want to call them are head and shoulders above anything else I've seen or heard on the net. Great job and thanks again.

[@BassWhispererTV]

Thanks Sandy. As far as light ones... you might have better luck ordering one through a dealer. I think it's possible to request a light one... that's what I did. They CAN build them that way.

[@srhmusic13]

I own 2 m2000 basses and I needed a 5 string so I found a killer deal on the l2500. I'm ready to get rid of it and get an m2500. I don't like the tone as much on the L series and I am not a fan of the switches either. I've played fenders for all of my years playing until I found these. I was looking for a tone like Justin Chancellor from tool. I tried Warwicks, Spectors, Yamaha, music man and none of them really did it for me. I read in a bass forum to try out these instruments and they did not disappoint. very happy playing these now.

[@anthonyg9350]

+srhmusic13 Very interesting. I played with a Tool tribute last weekend with my L-2000 (would with DR Blue Steel strings) through a SansAmp into a GK amp and it was very much in the ballpark of Justin's tone. When I asked G&L what would be better for that tone between the M-2000 and the L-2000 they said the L-2000. In your experience is the M-2000 closer to his tone? I definitely need to try one out if that's the case.

[@srhmusic13]

+Wombat Hunter that's funny. I go through a sansamp also into my fender TB 600 head. I used the Billy Sheehan signature rotosound stainless steel strings. played them for years and totally love them. I only use my five string for Breaking Benjamin song we play. I've never tried playing a tool song on it. The M Series sounds awesome to me.

[@srhmusic13]

+Wombat Hunter I did it. I got rid of my L series and got an M 2500. right out of the box plugged into my smaller amp I already like the sound of it so much better then the L series. I really suggest you check them out.

[@LaurenceMollerup]

Hi Ed, I like the M -just sounds bigger and fuller to me!

[@BassWhispererTV]

Fair enough!

[@bertsnow4472]

Ed, great video, thanks: One question from an L2500 player: the thing I'd like most about an M2500 would be the ability to get the blend positions beyond soloed or both pickups full. ie: a little toward the bridge.. How did those sound? Any great new sounds available there not in the L?

[@BassWhispererTV]

Well, it's hard to describe how they sound... but yeah, there is a lot of blend available.

[@bertsnow4472]

Bass Whisperer TV Thanks Ed! I'll have to get my hands on one to play... but your videos are really useful and fun!

[@krutoyinfo]

Hello, my friends, tell me please, is there big difference beetween L2500 and "Tribute" L2500? Can you compare them?

[@gmhogan44]

Ed. I am looking to get a G&L fretless and fretted 5 strings. Which models do you recommend for the fretted and which do you recommend for the fretless? Also would you rather have the MJ4 or an L2500?

[@gmhogan44]

I forgot to mention I also own a Stingray 5 in white with a rosewood neck with the single humbucker. By and large when playing any bass, I hate the "clack" sound when playing fingerstyle and usually roll off some highs to get rid of it. I like a good cutting fingerstyle tone without sounding too trebly or woofy. Maybe the L2500 for fretted and the M2500 for fretless??

[@basstor1]

I have 2 M2500; one fretted and one fretless. The eq is very good, and makes all the difference. And you will never play your Stingray again! I sold mine.

[@mizora6356]

what's that badass-looking uptight bass?

[@joethebar1]

i have an L 2500 and an M 2000the L is a gnarly aggressive beast of a bass and is hard to calm down.the M is more refined but has a more pleasing tone all around. think active p bass.for me, its the M hands down.

[@1okanaganguy]

yeah, that question remains, alright

[@caabmusic]

Hey Ed, i have the opportunity to pickup a 1980 all original l2000 for under a 1000 bucks in great condition. What is your opinion on the vintage g&l l2000 basses??

[@cubby6708]

Yeah, I just had one of these sent to my local GC so I can give it a test drive. $900 is amazing price for a vintage American made G&L. We'll see if I pull the trigger.

[@inuyashaspet]

Awesome comparison, Ed. I guess I don't really like super-hot pickups for the type of music I play. What kind of tweaks get the beautiful tone for the outro, btw? I've been in awe of that short piece since you played it last video.

[@BassWhispererTV]

I was playing the bass though my pedal board - using an MXR Bass Comp, and a TC Flashback Delay. It's a little overdriven (unintentionally) because I was playing through my Boss RC 300 and had the gain a little too hot.

[@inuyashaspet]

Bass Whisperer TV Thank you. If some compression and delay was all you used to sound like that, I'm going to need to practice my butt off before I look for instant gratification.

[@BassWhispererTV]

bassboost Well, first - don't mistake tone for content. And of course, everyone has their own touch on the instrument. You may be able to achieve the basic tone quite easily... what you do with it, that's up to you.

[@joninawhitecoat]

Bass Whisperer TV How do you like the MXR Compresor compared to (I'm kinda hoping you've used it) The Markbass Compressore? I tried the MXR and found it to be quite noisy and the controls seemed a bit counter-intuitive. I haven't used the Markbass but heard great things about it. I did have a EH Blackfinger for a while, that was beyond counter-intuitive but sounds amazing when you get it right.

[@BassWhispererTV]

I love the MXR Comp! It's a permanent fixture on my pedalboard. Have not tried the Markbass.

[@basstor1]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the tone controls on the L-series are passive, and cut only. So anything other than full up is cut. So comparing these to animals with a lot of boost on the m and cut on the l is not quite fair? That said, I thought there was going to be a bigger difference in sound. The M is a bit more polite perhaps. But still an elephant!

[@RCzorroFloorball]

on the L there's a switch so you can choose between 3 modes: passive, active and treble boost

[@basstor1]

RCzorroFloorball yes, there are. But the tone controls work excactly the same in both passiv an active mode. It's "just" a buffer for the signal.

[@BassWhispererTV]

That is correct, but the L with the controls on 10 is too much to make a comparison.... I actually think it sounds more similar to the M in parallel mode than series... but the point is no so much to make them sound the same as it is to showcase their differences.

[@drawebajo1750]

What is the name of tune that Ed improvise over? Sounds INCREDIBLE COOL!

[@WhamAndRun]

The tune at the end is "Resolution" by John Coltrane

[@jackiejtheg]

The M2000 tribute set up properly is the best bass I have ever played and it cost $650

[@1okanaganguy]

I've had both and the Trib is slightly better with more expression range than the USA L2500

[@alexanderloukov795]

What the difference between M-2500 and L-2500? It's look quite similar.

[@rockrenegade]

Did you have the top boost on the L?

[@pCeLobster]

Damn, L series crushes.

[@domdecosa]

+bass0111 Those are the list prices. The street prices for the Tribute series L2500 and M2500 are $699 and $749 respectively.

[@markstoddie4209]

there is a Knarl in the L that just want lie down :) but you get the feeling your could dial it into the M if you wanted to.....

[@1okanaganguy]

Tips slightly towards the M2500 for me, cost becomes a factor, now.

[@raffaelecrupi9347]

M 2500 👍

[@df4808]

M2500 all the way

[@Wozzy]

Eq on the l2500 is cut only.

[@mustafic83]

The difference could be barely noticed in any kind of live setting in my opinion. Its a humbucker. Thanks for the vid Ed.

[@BassWhispererTV]

Well.... I'm not sure I agree with that. I've used both extensively live, on the same gig... and there's a major difference in the midrange. The L is more forceful and aggressive for sure, but the M is kinda sexy and smooth (in comparison - it's still more aggressive than a Fender).

[@x.xjustdoitfoolx.x2774]

hey, I'm looking for a wal-ish tone. which one of the two will get me close?

[@caseypayne5138]

I'm 3 years late on this reply, but I can speak for the L2000 definitely gets you pretty close in the ballpark...it's pretty widely regarded as the "next closest thing" out there

[@LoganMcClain]

@@caseypayne5138 I'm 9 months late on your reply but had the same question. Thanks!

[@StoneMask6]

Would do anything on Mayones basses in the near future?

[@BassWhispererTV]

Probably not. I haven't ever seen them, and have no access to them.

[@BerkEvren]

Hi Ed, i bought a USA made L2500 some months ago and i noticed a serious deadspot on the 5th fret of G string, i contacted the dealer and they replaced it with a new one (i waited nearly 7 months, cause i live in Istanbul, Turkey) but this new bass have the same problem too. Did u ever noticed same thing on your G&L's, is this a chronic problem? Is there a fix for that?

[@BassWhispererTV]

With ANY bolt-on neck bass, dead spots are a risk, and to some degree, most of them have one. Almost every bass I own has some amount of "dead" response in that zone, but it's something I've experienced for as long as I've been playing, so I'm used to it, and know how to use that for musical purposes. Now, that said... some basses have too much, and those don't last in my collection. I'm sorry you're unhappy with it, maybe you should look into neck-through body construction, or perhaps something with a graphite neck?

[@BerkEvren]

Bass Whisperer TV Thank you so much for your answer, i really love the tone of my bass, i dont want to change it, i will keep it and try to get used to those deadspots.

[@BassWhispererTV]

Berk Evren Well, it sucks when the dead spot is bad... there are SOME that are just too dead for my taste. But if it's not too bad, I just use it as a texture... Like I said, almost every Fender-style bass has some degree of this issue.

[@BerkEvren]

Bass Whisperer TV I read about deadspots in Talkbass forums and i heard about FatFinger by Fender, maybe it can help if i can find it here of course... like i said i really love this bass...

[@3Dima]

Beside preamp/tone control difference, L-2500 have more mid-range, M-2500's sound is more scooped (beefy low and crisp highs). In a heavy mix M-2500 should be better. BUT, difference is not significant, and in my opinion may be minimazed with a turn of amp knobs.

[@micktomazou]

The ergonomics on the M series are far superior IMO

[@davidgreen3532]

The M does it for me. Warmer, full sound. To me the L has too much sharpness that detracts from it’s appeal.

[@stephenfell4338]

Is the M series made in USA or Asia?

[@benbond3433]

Defnitely like the sound of the M better...smoother and fuller. I've had an L, but never the M.

[@AugustThor438]

The M is definately more modern sounding whilst the L is more vintage sounding. Seems too be a little bit more midrange in the L and the M is more like a scooped smiley faced tone.

[@mikijons]

The L2500 has much more life and character to it. The m2500 although good for what it is seems lack a bit of life in the sound.

[@cubby6708]

Right, and for the money you are paying, have the L will give you a much more variety of options.

[@cubby6708]

As much as I like the tone of the M, the L series offers more variety of tones. Keep in mind Ed isn't exactly getting detailed with the settings. The L is very detailed, and even the simplest turn, just a hair, brings a whole new tone, not even accounting for the life of the strings.I have found M tones in the L, even though this M sounds amazing. I'd need to be in that room with both those basses to really be convinced. The M has been discontinued, FYI.

[@57precision]

Where did you read that the M has been discontinued, Jacob? Just checked their website and it looks like they still offer it. Granted, they really need to overhaul the site, it looks like its from 2004 and it's hard to tell what they even offer and with what options.

[@cubby6708]

Brett Blakeway I was chatting with the master luthier in the shop, and that’s what he told me, but he also said they were discontinuing the tobacco sunburst color option. 🤷🏻‍♂️. This was before they acquired seeetwater though. They can make everything still, but I think they have their flagship models for display, like, Namm, I didn’t see the M model etc.

[@hahabass]

Straight off the bat the M-bass is much more polite! It allows you to sit down, take off you coat and get comfy before it screams at you, which L-badboy does not!!!

[@sanwin17]

Ok Santa. I want an M-2500 and an AER Amp Two. Oh sh*t. Santa's tapped out.

[@charlesxu8895]

I haven't seen m2500 in China. G&L is poor sale. L2500 tribute is the most of popular one. I'm luckily have a custom. I want to put this video on my blog.

[@thijsroeterink]

My pick is the M2500. The L2500 sound to bright/agressive and i will get lost in all the settings. M2500 blend baby!!!

[@inatehex]

I preferred the M-2500

[@domagojoinky8262]

I also like the sunburst one more cause it has 3 band EQ. And it sounds nicer .

[@iunnox666]

How are they "very different"? It's exactly the same bass, save for a bit of black on the pole pieces and a different preamp. Definitely should have maxed out the tone controls on the first comparison, the L2500 sounded veiled with less bottom end because you rolled them down.

[@robertyoung7027]

L2500 all day long

[@Eddie-97]

Hey man at 5:05 what kind of playing or technique is that called???

[@MiguelVergaraK]

The M is a slap machine, while I kind of liked the L finger sound better. Both amazing as fuck, though.

[@BassWhispererTV]

True, amazing as fuck!

[@darkgladiator27]

Is it just me or the M2500 is more Stingray-ish? I kinda like the sound better but the L2500 looks like it's more versatile.

[@edfriedland2615]

It's a little closer to a Ray than the L Series, but it's not a MM.

[@DThompson55]

gotta have a good ear to hear much different I guess?

[@BassWhispererTV]

Tried headphones?

[@DThompson55]

@@BassWhispererTV OMG Brilliant!

[@tunaman4u2]

Body wood on both? Swamp ash? Alder? Hard ash?

[@BassWhispererTV]

Swamp Ash

[@leveilleurnonsilencieux2681]

M2500 has more bass ! l2500 more mediums !

[@VinceAnity]

The Neck Pickup sounds more like a PBass on The L Series... The Back Pickup sounds more like a MM on The L Series... The M Series have a more modern sound I stay with my L Series...

[@MiguelVergaraK]

There's also a L model with a single pickup that's a bit more MM due to it's position. But yes, they L is a more traditional sound, it's more passive even when active, the M is more modern. Both amazing.

[@BassWhispererTV]

Miguel Vergara - the L 1505! I hope to be demoing that one in the future.

[@MiguelVergaraK]

Bass Whisperer TV Hopefully you will, along with an SB-2 ;)

[@VinceAnity]

I wish I had one (SB2) Love that bass !!!

[@shiritzhaki5333]

which one is which god dammit?!

[@shiritzhaki5333]

oh okay I got it. it was really unclear