G&L Tribute L2500

[GreeneKing]

My US L2500CLF is quickly becoming like a 2nd skin. I'm getting around to thinking that any backup bass should also have 5 strings in number and have the narrow string spacing that I'm both used to and like.

 

Does the Tribute have the same narrow string spacing?

 

Any thoughts on it vs the US model?

 

Any other suggestions on narrow string spacing 5ers would be appreciated too.

 

Peter

 

 

Edited Saturday at 08:27 by GreeneKing

[pete.young]

My L2500 Tribute had very narrow spacing, probably less than 17mm. That's why I got rid of it, I prefer wider spacing. I've not played a USA but I'm led to believe that the necks on the Tributes are much chunkier front-to-back.

 

Most of the Ibanez range seem to be quite tight, except for the BTB series.

[80Hz]

Funnily enough @GreeneKing your L-2500 has been on my mind since the NW Bass Bash!

 

I think because the Tribute and US models have the same bridges and nut width, string spacing should be the same. (G&L now have the series 750 L-2500 which has a special wide bridge giving 19mm string spacing on the 5er).

 

One suggestion I'd make is if you go shopping for a Tribute series, have a look at it in person. I'm in a minority of people who wasn't impressed with the build quality of a Tribute series guitar I bought. Admittedly that might be comparing apples to oranges, but it has made me a little shy of buying one sight unseen.

 

It may not be what you have in mind in terms of a backup, but I've also been looking at a US L-1505, which has a single MFD humbucker in the Stingray position. There's a couple of them out there for sale in the UK, not so much on the L-2500 front.

[neepheid]

If I may offer a counterpoint and another data nugget, I have owned several G&L Tribute basses over the years:

 

L-2000

L-2500 (briefly, took it in a trade - don't play 5s so I can't tell you much about it, sorry)

M-2000

LB-100

SB-2 (twice - currently own a surf green one)

 

And each one has had excellent build quality.  I would have absolutely no qualms about buying one sight unseen.  Experience is a personal thing, I get the whole "once bitten, twice shy" thing, but in reality it's just bad luck.  I'm 6 for 6 so does that mean I have been incredibly, lottery winning levels of lucky?  I think not.

[neepheid]

I don't know if your aim is to basically have a cheapy version of what you already have, but if you want something 5 string, G&L, string spacing on the narrow side but a little different - there's a L-5500 for sale in Exeter on FB right now... https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1851951122259966

 

[GreeneKing]

Thank you for that Matt. I find the MFD pickups are really just right. That blue L1550 is a good price though. Tributes can be that much 2nd hand. 

Edited Saturday at 14:59 by GreeneKing

[80Hz]

2 hours ago, neepheid said:

SB-2 (twice - currently own a surf green one)

Yeah I totally appreciate that Matt. Probably just bad luck. Your SB-2 was very nice. Not trying to dissuade anyone from a Tribby.

[neepheid]

25 minutes ago, 80Hz said:

Yeah I totally appreciate that Matt. Probably just bad luck. Your SB-2 was very nice. Not trying to dissuade anyone from a Tribby.

 

I know, wasn't accusing you of anything, I just thought I'd muddy the waters with a different perspective

 

[80Hz]

There’s a nice looking Tribute L-2500 in tobacco sunburst on Reverb. Looks like used prices on those in particular are trending upwards, which might be a 5 string thing, as there’s a bit more used supply of L-2000s.

[GreeneKing]

I saw that to. It looks like new. Very nice. 

Edited Saturday at 20:24 by GreeneKing

[tauzero]

SBMM Ray5/Ray25/Ray35 - shallow neck, 16mm spacing.

[Terry M.]

On 31/05/2025 at 20:52, tauzero said:

SBMM Ray5/Ray25/Ray35 - shallow neck, 16mm spacing.

Always thought these were 17.5mm? I've had 2 Ray35's.

[Russ]

The 5s are 17.5mm, whether it's a US or Tribute model. They're very similar - the Tributes have flatsawn maple necks compared to the quartersawn ones on the US models, they come in a much more limited range of finishes, and the body woods tend to be heavier, but, otherwise, they're practically identical. The pickups and electronics are the same. 

 

G&L Tributes are one of the best bargains out there, basically, and are criminally overlooked, considering their Leo Fender lineage. 

[tauzero]

On 01/06/2025 at 21:29, Terry M. said:

Always thought these were 17.5mm? I've had 2 Ray35's.

 

Sorry, it's the SUB 5. So many different SBMM/EBMM basses, it's like they were Precisions...

[GreeneKing]

I’ve now a back up 5er incoming. At 18mm it isn’t particularly narrow spacing but it’s quite narrow at the nut and I’ll cope. 
 

My US G&L produces a monstrous tone right where our style of music demands it. The Plek’d neck also makes it so very playable. 
 

It has a full +/- 3EQ with passive tone courtesy of an EMG BTS System which takes nothing away and adds much. 
 

It’ll be interesting to see how the East/Aguilar TRBX 605FM compares.