NBD, but what to get?

[asingardenof]

As a result of becoming chartered recently I'm due to receive a bonus from work, which obviously means NBD is going to happen. My budget for this is going to be around the £500 mark, and after a lot of debating on this subject (@Merton can confirm!) I've narrowed my choice down to either a new Sterling Sub Ray 5 or a secondhand G&L L-2500 Tribute. I tried out the Ray 5 a few months ago and was very impressed, and the neck felt extremely comfortable to my tiny hands, but I suspect if I were to buy this it would become a mod platform, with some mostly aesthetic changes to the bridge and tuner and possibly an upgrade to the preamp at some point. I've always been a bit GASsy towards the G&L, and have watched a fair few reviews and know it would be an awesome bass. I have, however, heard that the necks are pretty chunky, and having dispensed with my one and only previous fiver for having a tree trunk for a neck that made playing it very awkward I'm keen to not repeat the experience with a reward to myself.

 

My problem is that new L-2500s in the wild are few and far between, as are secondhand ones, obviously a testament to how good they are. What this means though is that I can't try any out (the nearest one I'm interested in is in Nottingham, a 1½ hour drive away), which is where I hope some of you good people come in. Can anyone who has tried both comment on the difference in neck profiles? I've also dismissed a Warwick Rockbass Streamer for the same reason - are these really chunky as well?

[Merton]

I’m still trying to come up with other options for you 🤓😎

[asingardenof]

24 minutes ago, Merton said:

I’m still trying to come up with other options for you 🤓😎

No, no more options please!!!

[dub_junkie]

If you can't stretch a bit to a used Ray 35 I'd hang on for a Tribute

L-2500. I got to play the one Waynesworld on here was selling (now sold) as I was originally going to buy it, then committed to an ACG build in the interim.

 

The neck on it was lovely, didn't feel overly chunky and I would have no problem getting through a gig or extended playing periods with it.

 

I've owned a few L-2000 and Asat basses (both USA and Tribute) and like with the MFD pickups and triton electronics. Versatile instruments and definetely a Swiss army knife bass. Sound can be a bit dark/organic sounding if you're used to more hi-fi sounding basses and they definitely have a 'grind' about them.

 

Harder to find are the M2500s which is much the same bass but with an 18v preamp, 3 band EQ and a blend control rather than the switching. The pickups are also wound a bit less than the L series so sounds a bit more generalised/neutral sounding. I had an M2500 which I really liked and on reflection should have kept.

[asingardenof]

16 minutes ago, dub_junkie said:

If you can't stretch a bit to a used Ray 35 I'd hang on for a Tribute

L-2500. I got to play the one Waynesworld on here was selling (now sold) as I was originally going to buy it, then committed to an ACG build in the interim.

 

The neck on it was lovely, didn't feel overly chunky and I would have no problem getting through a gig or extended playing periods with it.

 

I've owned a few L-2000 and Asat basses (both USA and Tribute) and like with the MFD pickups and triton electronics. Versatile instruments and definetely a Swiss army knife bass. Sound can be a bit dark/organic sounding if you're used to more hi-fi sounding basses and they definitely have a 'grind' about them.

 

Harder to find are the M2500s which is much the same bass but with an 18v preamp, 3 band EQ and a blend control rather than the switching. The pickups are also wound a bit less than the L series so sounds a bit more generalised/neutral sounding. I had an M2500 which I really liked and on reflection should have kept.

Used Ray 35s near me seem to be pretty thin on the ground as well unfortunately