G+L 2500 Tribute Versus Sire MM V7 5 String

[Cornwall Steve]

Happy Boxing Day to all ! 

Bored with Christmas TV 😴 ?

Does anyone out there have any first hand experience comparing these two basses ?

If both basses were fretted 5 string, maple fretboard models, regardless of year of manufacture, given the choice, which one would you opt for and why ?

[neepheid]

Only had first hand experience with the L2500, but I would pick it any day of the week and twice on Sundays over any J bass.

 

Why?  Well, the purely personal answer is that I despise J basses.  MFD pickups sound amazing.  If you *really* want a single coil sound from the L2500, you can mod it to provide that with inner or outer coils by changing one selector switch.  The G&L bridge is fabulous, apart from the saddle lock feature, it has lovely rounded edges which make it a joy for palm muting at the bridge - no sticky out bits anywhere.

 

I love Sire basses (I've owned two - had a D5, still have a Z7), it'll be a fine bass, but the V is a J bass and so as far as I'm concerned, it can get in the bin.

[Ben Jamin]

Agreed, G&L all the way. The pre-amp and pick-ups sound ace and are really flexible and genuinely useful live. The bridge is indeed fabulous.

 

Sires are great but it's just an active Jazz init. G&Ls will never be made again.

 

[Cornwall Steve]

3 hours ago, neepheid said:

Only had first hand experience with the L2500, but I would pick it any day of the week and twice on Sundays over any J bass.

 

Why?  Well, the purely personal answer is that I despise J basses.  MFD pickups sound amazing.  If you *really* want a single coil sound from the L2500, you can mod it to provide that with inner or outer coils by changing one selector switch.  The G&L bridge is fabulous, apart from the saddle lock feature, it has lovely rounded edges which make it a joy for palm muting at the bridge - no sticky out bits anywhere.

 

I love Sire basses (I've owned two - had a D5, still have a Z7), it'll be a fine bass, but the V is a J bass and so as far as I'm concerned, it can get in the bin.

Interesting observations there. And food for thought. Thanks for that.

[Sean]

6 hours ago, neepheid said:

Only had first hand experience with the L2500, but I would pick it any day of the week and twice on Sundays over any J bass.

 

Why?  Well, the purely personal answer is that I despise J basses.  MFD pickups sound amazing.  If you *really* want a single coil sound from the L2500, you can mod it to provide that with inner or outer coils by changing one selector switch.  The G&L bridge is fabulous, apart from the saddle lock feature, it has lovely rounded edges which make it a joy for palm muting at the bridge - no sticky out bits anywhere.

 

I love Sire basses (I've owned two - had a D5, still have a Z7), it'll be a fine bass, but the V is a J bass and so as far as I'm concerned, it can get in the bin.

I had a US L2500 modded as described. The pickups are amazing and splitting them unleashes great J sounds. 

[Cornwall Steve]

G&L seems the favourite to date ! 👍

[asingardenof]

I would have the G&L, but the problem is there aren't many for sale in the UK so finding one will be tricky compared to the eleventy million Sire basses there are out there.

[ryan0583]

I have a USA L2500, but I believe the Tribute is very similar. If you can find one I would go with it - it's the best bass there is in my opinion. So sad that G&L went out of business.