0:00 Intro Instruments 1:10 G&L LB100 Tribute 2:04 Fender MIM P 2:27 Fender Lobster Special P 3:11 Fender Amer. Pro II 3:50 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass Playing Tone 100% 4:33 G&L LB100 Tribute 5:06 Fender MIM P 5:44 Fender Lobster Special P 6:23 Fender Amer. Pro II 7:03 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass Playing Tone 50% 7:42 G&L LB100 Tribute 8:11 Fender MIM P 8:50 Fender Lobster Special P 9:29 Fender Amer. Pro II 10:08 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass Playing Tone 0% 10:47 G&L LB100 Tribute 11:06 Fender MIM P 11:45 Fender Lobster Special P 12:05 Fender Amer. Pro II 12:44 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass Playing Slap 13:23 G&L LB100 Tribute 13:42 Fender MIM P 14:02 Fender Lobster Special P 14:41 Fender Amer. Pro II 15:10 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass 16:02 Big Finish
Mannnnnnnnn, talk about great timing! I’m dying to buy a p-bass for an upcoming gig but I can’t decide which one is best. Started to get slightly anxious and then I saw you posted! I legit breathed a sigh of relief, kicked back on the couch, and hit play. You’re the hero we need but not the one we deserve!
Great video. Thank you for doing this. All of these basses sound absolutely incredible, especially that Cutlass. I've watched this video about 4 times, and I keep coming back to the G&L LB100 sound. So smooth.
The Pro-II at 50% tone was the best sound of all five basses at all different tones. I suppose we all have different tastes but the clarity of that instrument is what really stands out to me. And because of that clarity I also thought it was the best slap sound too. What a fun test run!
It has a phenomenal slap sound. Nate Navarro has a video contrasting several basses with the Fender among them and its one of the best easily for slap.
For me, when after softer, sweeter tones it's the Cutlass. For more of the traditional up-front tones it's the Pro-II. While all of them sound good enough to me, feel and stability are two major factors to consider: Pro-II has reinforcement rods in the neck for stability, and the necks on both the Pro-II and the Cutlass feel right to me. The LB-100 body is larger overall than the others and not as rounded off, which for me is a mark against. Thanks for another fun video Lobster!
Pro-II was the most articulate of the lot, to my ears. Would be great with flats too, cuz you'd get that classic motown thing but it would still cut through a mix.
Another great video Mr.Lobster ! The P bass is one of those basses that every brand makes, still, a lot to choose from and a big variety for everyone. Thx for the quality in your videos that you made us all used to, by far the best and most honest bass channel in youtube (at least for me) still, a fender vintera P bass MIM would be a nice bridge in there cause it is the top MIM and unfortunate you wont see a lot here in YT about them. (but you DIY bass filled the spot with no problem at all)
Nothing wrong with the tone on any of them. I think the G&L sounds best to my ears but just barely. At the price of the G&L, those things are a steal! Great review, loved it!
The Cutlass. That bass, just wow. The tone is awesome, but EBMM really nailed the feel on it. The neck, the finish, the fretwork, the heel joint… they just crushed it on every aspect on that bass.
Love the Pro II! I'm a bit biased as it's my #1 bass at home and on stage, but the weight, balance and overall feel makes it the most comfortable bass I've ever played. That having been said, I did swap the original pups for EMG GZRs, just because I wanted a slightly more aggressive sound. Great demos!
That’s how i feel about the Lākland 44-94 body shape and ergonomics, and also the EBMM BFR Bongo I had. How they feel directly impacts how much fun you’ll have playing them and often how well you play them. Great job Lobster!! Keep it up my friend!
The Caprice basses are amazing! I have a heavy modded made in Mexico and absolutely love it though. A used MIM Fender is a great platform for upgrades.
It's amazing how similar and different these basses sound. The Pro II sounded really nice at 100% tone. The Mex was sweet at 0%. I liked the sound of the Cutlass when you slapped it. It would be interesting to hear how the FGN sounds in this mix. Shoutout for the shootout.
Thanks for doing this comparison, Lobster! I thought the 2013 MIM, the American Pro II, and the Cutlass all sounded really good. On price/performance ratio I have to give top prize to the MIM!
Hey Lobster. Carrot here. Grooving out to this review while I'm at lunch. Thanks for the funky music. Yeah. I would agree with you on the Cutlass. I like how the tone doesn't upset the volume too much. It's a big draw back to most P basses.
The Cutlass all day!!! I couldn’t find a Cutlass to buy…it’s next to impossible. Lol I just bought a Caprice and it’s a pretty killer bass!! Winner Winner chicken dinner. LOL Thanks again for a incredible video:)
All the basses sound really nice, but when you hit the first notes on the musicman cutless i instantly get the stank face:D I really enjoy your playing, explaining and overall being a humble guy:)
I liked the EB cutlass tone the best, next would be the G&L tribute, outstanding value! I am currently playing a US made Peavey Fury with the same dimarzio pickups you have in your project Bass. Love shootouts, because I never heard the v-mod pickups played before. You should do a p-bass pickup shootout with same bass but different pickups to see what sounds better. Sometimes changing pickups is cheaper then buying a high end bass. As always thanks Lobster for the outstanding content!
Your DIY P is my favorite!!! I love her so much!!!! As much as I love the cutlass, I just love your DIY the most! . But as far as tone I'd have to go with the cutlass... when I click your reverb link I just takes me to the home page not to what you are selling
Still my favorite Pbass is my Tony Franklin fretless. Variety of tones for days. One of the best fretless basses I have. Excellent quality build. The only drawback is it didn't have a high mass bridge. I replaced the bridge with a Badass II. Makes a world of difference.
I'm with you. That Cutlass is amazing. Love the tones it gets. It's like a P seasoned with a smidge of that MM sound. Ant it looks stunning. Maybe they'll reissue it if the P has a resurgence in popularity. Second favorite would be a toss up between your build and the American Professional series. Those both sounded fantastic as well.
Thanks for that video! Those all sounded really nice, I love the neck on that G % L, and the Pro 2 was super nice. But the tone on that Music Man, though...
To my ear the G&L and the Fender Pro II had the deepest and most bottom. The Cutlass was overall most articulate. Neither of the MIM (2013 or DIY) were really lacking. Just, not quite. Easily fixed with amping and EQ. I would have liked to see a Fender Nate Mendal P in the mix. I guess what it would all boil down to is, in the hand feel and the subtle feeling of what a given piece of music calls for. Heck I have 5 different P's & PJ's and which is best can vary from one day to the next. Because I can!
Awesome!!! I was wanting for this one. Great job!!! For me it’s the G&L I love that thing. I definitely don’t regret getting the kiloton over that one, but it’s a “must” have. Very “premium” feel to it. (I haven’t played the US models, but the tribute basses are amazing) The mim, is another “must have” they aren’t perfect, but neither are we...make it your own, and play it!!! And make it yourself, is another way...I forgot about your DIY fender. That thing is sexy. You’re right, the cutlass is pretty sweet, but I still haven’t played a true MM. My only argument is, I’ve played g&l s Indonesia basses and it’s FAN-EFFING-TASTIC!!! So even if the US models play the same...they are still AMAZING!!! I’ve played music mans Indonesian basses as well...and for me, it’s real “hit and miss” and the “hit” hasn’t been great. I understand sterling is making 200$-1000$ basses but as far as I’ve seen (my opinion) I don’t see 800$ improvements. So it shys me away from “us mm”. One day I hope to say “ I was so wrong about MM”. Just not yet. ...and the US fender....yay usa.. Cheers Lobster, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!
Agree on both fronts: I have G&L 2000 Tribute. Build quality is great 👍 Love my MIM P-bass! I dropped in the EMG Geezer Butler pickup and she really came to life
@@matthewbeckwith663 we must have a connection in taste....my mim p bass came to the party as well, when’s put the Geezer pup in as well...what year and color?
@@PushSueAside that's great 👍. The Geezer pickup up has a great character in that it has enough grind to be aggressive while retaining enough warmth. I think the year is around 2013. Sunburst with a white pick gaurd...Im tempted to switch the pick gaurd to black.
@@matthewbeckwith663 totally agree. That’s funny....if you said 94/95 and blue, that would have been so crazy....but I too have been considering replacing my white pick guard with a black one... Have a wonderful evening buddy
What I look for most in a P Bass is how heavy it is on my shoulders, the lighter the better. A P Bass is going to sound like a P Bass whether you spend $300 or $3000 on one. Even in this demonstration the differences between each bass are so subtle I doubt most people would be able to tell which is which in a mix. Excellent player here and a great comparison.
Thanks for the comparison's. I like the Fender Pro II the best. The G&L was a little brighter and lacked the warmth. The Mexican Fender lacked an open sound. Music Man is cool and its got its own thing going.
Great comparison video, thanks Lobster! While they all sounded great, I agree with you- the Cutlass had the best tone to my ears. Also, the MIM p-bass sounds pretty dang good (especially for the price you paid, used). PS I love the way your DIY P-bass looks with the gold anodized pickguard and the white Dimarzios.
Big P bass lover here. First time seeing this video and that Cutlass sounds best by a significant margin IMHO. Real vintage P bass character, just like a maple-board '70's P even though it has a rosewood board . Shame EBMM ceased production. Nice job Lobster
One of my favorite basses I've owned was my 83 American Fender P Bass (not the 83 Fullerton model). Through my Ampeg SVT 4 Pro amp into two Sonic cabs (they're in Wisconsin), one sealed 4 X 10" Celestion with a piezo horn, one ported 1 X 18" ElectroVoice, sounded incredible. Nobody believed that was all I was running nor that it was stock. Always received complements on the sound, whether Blues, Jazz, Rock, Funk, or numerous subgenres of Metal. I learned without a compressor, just my right hand, and having those dynamics at my, well, at my fingertips, ugh, did make a difference.
Great video. I would like to see a Jazz bass shootout (Fender, Sire, G&L, Squier and maybe a wildcard like Sadowsky or Sandberg). I wonder which Jazz bass is the best bang for your buck and how the G&L JB holds up 😎
Music Man Cutlass 🥇 had the best tone for me. I’m sure it’s the best “P” Bass tone on the market. I’m surprised how good the G&L LB100 sounded though. If that was their Indonesian version the American made one must be scary. G&L for second place 🥈 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoy your videos. I was impressed by G&L L100's punchy sound for its price. And I like your DIY because of its special tonal characteristics. Finally, I am EHB1505MS user. (Modified with Nordstrand 3-Band preamp)
Great review 🦞 Lobster!! I will always vote USA Fender P Bass, but all of the Basses in this line up were cool... Also, USA Earnie Ball and Fender will always gain in value, where import knock offs will not... Depends on your end game I suppose, all of these basses will get the job done....
Hello Mr. Lobster! I could see in basses a big fat sound! but I found the G&L more comfortable. Well... I'm Huge fan of your channel, I'm getting a lobster hand too...
Great video Lobster. I'm with you on this - the Cutlass wins. Considering that in any live mix, the tonal differences would most likely not be noticed - the Cutlass has the best ergonomics IMO and gets the push. Plus it just sounds even up and down the board as you played. That being said, all of those basses would work well in a live mix. My preference for the Cutlass still remains however. Cheers!
To me the cutlass stood out only on slap. The pro ii gets the node from me as an all out winner. The sound has more substance and only when it's slapped the cutlass has a bit more headroom.
While I bought my very first P recently (Trib. LB100, poplar w/ ash cap, rosewood), I couldn't be happier. But, that Fender USA Pro-II...GA-GA!!!! The tone is spectacular. Not sure how it feels in the left hand, but yowza...TONE!
G&L Tribute sounds slightly better to my geezerly ears. I played a lot of Fender basses since 1969 until I realized Leo Fender had improved his designs. Been a G&L fan for the last few years and truly think they've upended Fender in many ways.
Thanks Sparks! Yeah man, even with the quirks of this specific LB-100 tribute, the brand still impresses me as a whole very much. I look forward to playing more G&Ls :)
@@daviddesmond2143 I hear you. Ash can be a heavy wood, but it has tone for days. 3 of my basses fall into that category. I have a Ash bodied P bass I built with a MIM Fender neck that weighs 10.6 lbs. My SBMM Stingray weighs 10.4 lbs. My Harley Benton ash bodied Jazz bass is the heaviest at 11.2 lbs. Those are 3 of my best sounding basses, and are some of my go to's for bedroom playing, but the thought of giging with them makes my back suddenly scream out in terror.
@@bizibetiko9778 Yes ash can be heavy. On a gig, I would not play 4 string basses over 9 lbs. Just because the ash body is heavier does not mean it sounds better. I wish Lobster weighed all the basses he tested.
@@daviddesmond2143 All true. I do love my ash basses though. That dense wood does have some presence. Swamp ash tends to be lighter, and alder isn't usually too bad either, an both sound excellent. I've been turned on to some lighter basswood instruments lately as well, and have been pleasantly surprised. I used to never worry about weight too much, but I'm not that young anymore.
they all sound very similar and probably with a boss 7 band eq pedal you could get all those tones easylie with one instrument, so it comes down to playability, how does it fell in your hands
AmProII by a pretty wide margin for me. I have an AmProI and it's one of my main basses, but recently got an AmProII and I like the mods they've made to the pickups. Both are stellar instruments, though.
It would be interesting to know how much a tone capacitor value affects tone especially at "0" and if these basses come differently equipped. Would be very cheap to alter fundamental tonal characteristics of treble roll off by using a different cap value. Would love to see a video specifically on this 😊 Your DIY bass seems a bit excessive on the treble cut, could it be that 500k pots would suit the DiMarzios (twin humbuckers?) better than standard 250k Fender pots?
For me the clear winner is the pro ll. For a number 2 rank, I liked the tone of the mim at 100% but once you rolled off the tone it became muddy, at which point the fender diy overtook it's ranking
I would have expected the roasted maple to impart some snap into the sound of the diy bass, but it was actually pretty mellow, I can see how some people wouldn't like it but to me it had it's own character
The American P sounded the most classic with the modded one right behind it. The Cutlass sounds awesome though, almost a little cleaner and growlier at the same time.
Surprised about that Mexican standard but Love the g&l Tone the most, maple fingerboard has something to do with it. The cutlass is my fav among the rosewood fingerboards. Great video!
I really like the mid presence of the G&L and the MIM. My fav has to be the MM Cutlass because of the growl. So glad I picked up a MM Caprice on clearance a couple of years ago!
They sounded a lot alike, just slight differences with the exception of your build with the DiMarzio rail pickups. That one lacked the mids and output of the other four, but still sounded good just very different from the others. Can't say I have a big preference one way or the other and if I was faced with having to choose one of these basses for a live gig I would probably just end up with the lightest one.
Lobster, for my money, my choice among those basses would absolutely be that white American Pro II P-bass! This is coming from a man who currently owns (4) Precision Basses, plus (2) P/J models. Included in my P-bass arsenal is a 2017 American Professional and a Japanese ‘58 P-bass reissue. My American Pro is absolutely the workhorse in my bass arsenal, and has been used on more gigs, jams, and recording sessions, not to mention band rehearsals, than possibly all of my other basses combined.
Wow, I was pretty surprised at just how close these all were..the DIY had the lowest output, but a nice tone. MIM, nice and punchy! The American, was really excellent. The Cutlass was a bit less bright, but nice. All of them are perfectly gig-able instruments. All that said, I left my personal favorite for last. The G&L Tribute..and that surprised me. I own a lefty L-2000 Tribute, ash body, maple neck with rosewood board, and it's a great bass. A very well done comparison video.
I have that exact same G&l with a Billy Sheehan Relentless Pickup and it’s amazing. My favorite bass by far I will never let go of it! Feels very comfortable and a tone monster! The original pickup was great but I like the ramp option from the relentless as well as the tone. Pbass on steroids 👍🏻 The American Pro II would be my second choice from this video. Please review the American made G&l P bass, thanks!
0:00 Intro
Instruments
1:10 G&L LB100 Tribute
2:04 Fender MIM P
2:27 Fender Lobster Special P
3:11 Fender Amer. Pro II
3:50 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass
Playing Tone 100%
4:33 G&L LB100 Tribute
5:06 Fender MIM P
5:44 Fender Lobster Special P
6:23 Fender Amer. Pro II
7:03 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass
Playing Tone 50%
7:42 G&L LB100 Tribute
8:11 Fender MIM P
8:50 Fender Lobster Special P
9:29 Fender Amer. Pro II
10:08 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass
Playing Tone 0%
10:47 G&L LB100 Tribute
11:06 Fender MIM P
11:45 Fender Lobster Special P
12:05 Fender Amer. Pro II
12:44 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass
Playing Slap
13:23 G&L LB100 Tribute
13:42 Fender MIM P
14:02 Fender Lobster Special P
14:41 Fender Amer. Pro II
15:10 Ernie Ball MM Cutlass
16:02 Big Finish
Fender baby Fender
Mannnnnnnnn, talk about great timing! I’m dying to buy a p-bass for an upcoming gig but I can’t decide which one is best. Started to get slightly anxious and then I saw you posted! I legit breathed a sigh of relief, kicked back on the couch, and hit play. You’re the hero we need but not the one we deserve!
Thank you Joshua! Hope the video helped you decide :)
@@LowEndLobster it did! I think I always knew it, in the end lol. Your video confirmed it for me though. G&L all day! 🤘🙏
@@joshualagrone6972 excellent choice
Great video. Thank you for doing this.
All of these basses sound absolutely incredible, especially that Cutlass. I've watched this video about 4 times, and I keep coming back to the G&L LB100 sound. So smooth.
Thanks Philippe!
That Cutlass is so much fuller sounding than the rest, while still having all of the classic P Bass character! The USA Pro II was next fullest IMHO.
Yeah man, that Cutlass is something else. I have an in depth video on that bass specifically coming soon!
G&L L100 all the way! Classic ash/maple P sound. Very impressed with the clarity of the Am.ProII as well.
You mean classic P pickup and 2 pots sound 🤣
the L100 has a lot of noise from the electronics
@@rban123 I find P basses pretty quiet noise-wise. Something must be wrong in the wiring or the general grounding if you're getting noise.
I put the G&L USA made P pickup in my 08 American Precision and there is no hum at all. Very clear sounding pickup. Love it.
The Pro-II at 50% tone was the best sound of all five basses at all different tones. I suppose we all have different tastes but the clarity of that instrument is what really stands out to me. And because of that clarity I also thought it was the best slap sound too. What a fun test run!
Agree 100%
It has a phenomenal slap sound. Nate Navarro has a video contrasting several basses with the Fender among them and its one of the best easily for slap.
Cutlass all the way!!
The High end fender a close second and the G&L third. The Mex Fender was not bad but came last.
Awesome video!!👍🏽👍🏽
For me, when after softer, sweeter tones it's the Cutlass. For more of the traditional up-front tones it's the Pro-II. While all of them sound good enough to me, feel and stability are two major factors to consider: Pro-II has reinforcement rods in the neck for stability, and the necks on both the Pro-II and the Cutlass feel right to me. The LB-100 body is larger overall than the others and not as rounded off, which for me is a mark against. Thanks for another fun video Lobster!
Pro-II was the most articulate of the lot, to my ears. Would be great with flats too, cuz you'd get that classic motown thing but it would still cut through a mix.
Another great video Mr.Lobster ! The P bass is one of those basses that every brand makes, still, a lot to choose from and a big variety for everyone. Thx for the quality in your videos that you made us all used to, by far the best and most honest bass channel in youtube (at least for me)
still, a fender vintera P bass MIM would be a nice bridge in there cause it is the top MIM and unfortunate you wont see a lot here in YT about them. (but you DIY bass filled the spot with no problem at all)
Thank you! I definitely plan on checking out the Vinteras at some point (though the price jump hurts, they used to be $899!)
@@LowEndLobster I am glad I got mine before that big jump...
Nothing wrong with the tone on any of them. I think the G&L sounds best to my ears but just barely. At the price of the G&L, those things are a steal! Great review, loved it!
The Cutlass. That bass, just wow. The tone is awesome, but EBMM really nailed the feel on it. The neck, the finish, the fretwork, the heel joint… they just crushed it on every aspect on that bass.
Agreed. I need to do an in depth video on that bass!
I like the DIY and the Cutless.
Thanks Mike!
Holy jeez, the Cutlass!!! Sounds excellent/!!
Thanks, Lobster! I'm in the market for a P right now, and this was really helpful.
My favorite so far is the Mexican Player P. It seemed to have the most consistent tone of all of them.
Thanks Troy!
Love the Pro II! I'm a bit biased as it's my #1 bass at home and on stage, but the weight, balance and overall feel makes it the most comfortable bass I've ever played. That having been said, I did swap the original pups for EMG GZRs, just because I wanted a slightly more aggressive sound. Great demos!
They all sound great. The feel of the cutlass is what you can't see or hear in the video and what sets it apart.
Agreed! That one is my favorite because it feels so 'familiar' and almost worn in. It's like a warm fuzzy sweater that you've had forever.
That’s how i feel about the Lākland 44-94 body shape and ergonomics, and also the EBMM BFR Bongo I had. How they feel directly impacts how much fun you’ll have playing them and often how well you play them.
Great job Lobster!! Keep it up my friend!
The Caprice basses are amazing! I have a heavy modded made in Mexico and absolutely love it though. A used MIM Fender is a great platform for upgrades.
It's amazing how similar and different these basses sound. The Pro II sounded really nice at 100% tone. The Mex was sweet at 0%. I liked the sound of the Cutlass when you slapped it. It would be interesting to hear how the FGN sounds in this mix. Shoutout for the shootout.
you're gonna think i'm crazy....but my top 3...mim, cutlass, american. imo, the mim covered all the bases.
The cutlass really was fantastic. I’d put the G&L second. Great shoot out!
I’m amazed to say the Cutlas was my favorite - awesome comparison, thanks!
Thanks for doing this comparison, Lobster! I thought the 2013 MIM, the American Pro II, and the Cutlass all sounded really good. On price/performance ratio I have to give top prize to the MIM!
All of them sound incredibly. Great comparison.
Hey Lobster. Carrot here. Grooving out to this review while I'm at lunch. Thanks for the funky music. Yeah. I would agree with you on the Cutlass. I like how the tone doesn't upset the volume too much. It's a big draw back to most P basses.
That Cutlass sounds amazing! Greetings from Panama!
I like your grooves, congratulations!
The beef on that cheap G&L is something to behold!
The Cutlass all day!!!
I couldn’t find a Cutlass to buy…it’s next to impossible. Lol
I just bought a Caprice and it’s a pretty killer bass!! Winner Winner chicken dinner. LOL
Thanks again for a incredible video:)
ALL off them appears to be good, but i love the MM Cutlass tone... Great content and vídeo, tks Lobster!!
I liked the Cutlass but the American Professional II sounds really good in a band setting, is a lot easier to find, and it's priced right.
All the basses sound really nice, but when you hit the first notes on the musicman cutless i instantly get the stank face:D I really enjoy your playing, explaining and overall being a humble guy:)
Thank you! So glad you liked the video. Yeah that cutlass is something special.
Kind of late to the party. Great video! The Cutlass looks and sounds the best (IMO).
Great video sir Lobster, I liked the MusicMan but the Fender Pro 2 and the GnL were a close second. And I must admit that I’m a Fender fan!
I liked the EB cutlass tone the best, next would be the G&L tribute, outstanding value! I am currently playing a US made Peavey Fury with the same dimarzio pickups you have in your project Bass. Love shootouts, because I never heard the v-mod pickups played before. You should do a p-bass pickup shootout with same bass but different pickups to see what sounds better. Sometimes changing pickups is cheaper then buying a high end bass. As always thanks Lobster for the outstanding content!
DOPE! I was hoping you’d do a video like this for the P basses.. and I didn’t even have to ask!
Great minds ;)
Your DIY P is my favorite!!! I love her so much!!!! As much as I love the cutlass, I just love your DIY the most! . But as far as tone I'd have to go with the cutlass... when I click your reverb link I just takes me to the home page not to what you are selling
Still my favorite Pbass is my Tony Franklin fretless. Variety of tones for days. One of the best fretless basses I have. Excellent quality build. The only drawback is it didn't have a high mass bridge. I replaced the bridge with a Badass II. Makes a world of difference.
I'm with you. That Cutlass is amazing. Love the tones it gets. It's like a P seasoned with a smidge of that MM sound. Ant it looks stunning. Maybe they'll reissue it if the P has a resurgence in popularity. Second favorite would be a toss up between your build and the American Professional series. Those both sounded fantastic as well.
What are the supposed pros and cons of one large pole piece vs 2 smaller ones?
I’m think the EBMM Cutlass has a slight edge over the others. I think its pickup magnets are in a stacked humbucker configuration.
Kind of surprised, I liked the g&l sound the best
The Am Pro II clearly stands out across the tone range, especially with the tone rolled off, still retains its clarity
And it's a Fender, C neck, so it's probably incredibly smooth and easy to play.
Curious to hear how one of the several lakland skyline p-basses would compare.
Thanks for that video! Those all sounded really nice, I love the neck on that G % L, and the Pro 2 was super nice. But the tone on that Music Man, though...
Oops G & L!
Thanks Jeff! Glad you liked it. Yeah that Cutlass is something special for sure
Finally the gnl LB appear on this awesome head to head comparation. I prefer the gnl p vibe the most, and the DIY P the least, drying tone.
They all sound good, no favorite. I'd probably go with the least expensive. Thanks for the shootout.
Have you ever checked out one of those Stellar Tone tone pot's, it's like a preamp with a few different preset tones in it.
To my ear the G&L and the Fender Pro II had the deepest and most bottom. The Cutlass was overall most articulate. Neither of the MIM (2013 or DIY) were really lacking. Just, not quite. Easily fixed with amping and EQ. I would have liked to see a Fender Nate Mendal P in the mix. I guess what it would all boil down to is, in the hand feel and the subtle feeling of what a given piece of music calls for. Heck I have 5 different P's & PJ's and which is best can vary from one day to the next. Because I can!
Thanks George :)
Awesome!!! I was wanting for this one. Great job!!!
For me it’s the G&L I love that thing. I definitely don’t regret getting the kiloton over that one, but it’s a “must” have. Very “premium” feel to it. (I haven’t played the US models, but the tribute basses are amazing)
The mim, is another “must have” they aren’t perfect, but neither are we...make it your own, and play it!!!
And make it yourself, is another way...I forgot about your DIY fender. That thing is sexy.
You’re right, the cutlass is pretty sweet, but I still haven’t played a true MM. My only argument is, I’ve played g&l s Indonesia basses and it’s FAN-EFFING-TASTIC!!! So even if the US models play the same...they are still AMAZING!!! I’ve played music mans Indonesian basses as well...and for me, it’s real “hit and miss” and the “hit” hasn’t been great. I understand sterling is making 200$-1000$ basses but as far as I’ve seen (my opinion) I don’t see 800$ improvements. So it shys me away from “us mm”. One day I hope to say “ I was so wrong about MM”. Just not yet.
...and the US fender....yay usa..
Cheers Lobster, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!
Agree on both fronts:
I have G&L 2000 Tribute. Build quality is great 👍
Love my MIM P-bass! I dropped in the EMG Geezer Butler pickup and she really came to life
@@matthewbeckwith663 we must have a connection in taste....my mim p bass came to the party as well, when’s put the Geezer pup in as well...what year and color?
@@PushSueAside that's great 👍. The Geezer pickup up has a great character in that it has enough grind to be aggressive while retaining enough warmth.
I think the year is around 2013. Sunburst with a white pick gaurd...Im tempted to switch the pick gaurd to black.
@@matthewbeckwith663 totally agree. That’s funny....if you said 94/95 and blue, that would have been so crazy....but I too have been considering replacing my white pick guard with a black one...
Have a wonderful evening buddy
@@PushSueAside ha! That's too funny 🤣
Stay well my friend
What I look for most in a P Bass is how heavy it is on my shoulders, the lighter the better. A P Bass is going to sound like a P Bass whether you spend $300 or $3000 on one. Even in this demonstration the differences between each bass are so subtle I doubt most people would be able to tell which is which in a mix.
Excellent player here and a great comparison.
Listened again tonight. My favorite is the Cutlass. The MIM Fender P Bass sounds great, very nice.
Thanks for the comparison's. I like the Fender Pro II the best. The G&L was a little brighter and lacked the warmth. The Mexican Fender lacked an open sound. Music Man is cool and its got its own thing going.
Great comparison video, thanks Lobster! While they all sounded great, I agree with you- the Cutlass had the best tone to my ears. Also, the MIM p-bass sounds pretty dang good (especially for the price you paid, used). PS I love the way your DIY P-bass looks with the gold anodized pickguard and the white Dimarzios.
Great comparison video dude. I personally liked all of them. Lobster, the great gas inducer, strikes again. 😁
For me , G & L , Fender AM pro , and Cutlass
Thanks Christian!
Big P bass lover here. First time seeing this video and that Cutlass sounds best by a significant margin IMHO. Real vintage P bass character, just like a maple-board '70's P even though it has a rosewood board . Shame EBMM ceased production. Nice job Lobster
Thank you! It really is a shame. I just put new strings on the Cutlass the other day. That bass just sounds so good
The American P did it for me. It has the lows and the mids that cut through.
Thanks Russell!
One of my favorite basses I've owned was my 83 American Fender P Bass (not the 83 Fullerton model). Through my Ampeg SVT 4 Pro amp into two Sonic cabs (they're in Wisconsin), one sealed 4 X 10" Celestion with a piezo horn, one ported 1 X 18" ElectroVoice, sounded incredible. Nobody believed that was all I was running nor that it was stock. Always received complements on the sound, whether Blues, Jazz, Rock, Funk, or numerous subgenres of Metal. I learned without a compressor, just my right hand, and having those dynamics at my, well, at my fingertips, ugh, did make a difference.
@@Metalbass10000 I run my P bass through an Ampeg amp, too.
Thank you so much for doing this comparison Lobster. I agree, the Cutlass for the win. They sure have jumped up in price lately.
Glad you enjoyed it Jeremy!
Crazy good demo.I like the G&L and Cutlass the best.Oddly enough I find the expensive Fender least desirable.
Great video. I would like to see a Jazz bass shootout (Fender, Sire, G&L, Squier and maybe a wildcard like Sadowsky or Sandberg). I wonder which Jazz bass is the best bang for your buck and how the G&L JB holds up 😎
Music Man Cutlass 🥇 had the best tone for me. I’m sure it’s the best “P” Bass tone on the market. I’m surprised how good the G&L LB100 sounded though. If that was their Indonesian version the American made one must be scary. G&L for second place 🥈 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The G&L was phenomenal for the price.
I really enjoy your videos. I was impressed by G&L L100's punchy sound for its price. And I like your DIY because of its special tonal characteristics.
Finally, I am EHB1505MS user. (Modified with Nordstrand 3-Band preamp)
I always enjoy your noodle work, without question to me the MIM is tops. I myself play a 2010 model, great test drive!
Thanks Johnnie!
Great review 🦞 Lobster!! I will always vote USA Fender P Bass, but all of the Basses in this line up were cool... Also, USA Earnie Ball and Fender will always gain in value, where import knock offs will not... Depends on your end game I suppose, all of these basses will get the job done....
Hello Mr. Lobster!
I could see in basses a big fat sound! but I found the G&L more comfortable. Well... I'm Huge fan of your channel, I'm getting a lobster hand too...
Thank you my friend! So glad you enjoyed the video :)
Great video Lobster. I'm with you on this - the Cutlass wins. Considering that in any live mix, the tonal differences would most likely not be noticed - the Cutlass has the best ergonomics IMO and gets the push. Plus it just sounds even up and down the board as you played. That being said, all of those basses would work well in a live mix. My preference for the Cutlass still remains however. Cheers!
Hands down Cutlass. It has such a fat sleazy sexy sound. Reminded of The Blues Ally in Georgetown where I saw Buddy Rich play.
To me the cutlass stood out only on slap. The pro ii gets the node from me as an all out winner. The sound has more substance and only when it's slapped the cutlass has a bit more headroom.
2:51 what are those white covers on the pickup? are they kind shield for the pickup or what
Groovy! I’d love to see a jazz bass version
While I bought my very first P recently (Trib. LB100, poplar w/ ash cap, rosewood), I couldn't be happier. But, that Fender USA Pro-II...GA-GA!!!! The tone is spectacular. Not sure how it feels in the left hand, but yowza...TONE!
i liked the USA pro in the first place; second the G&L tribute and finally the ernie ball cutlass.
G&L Tribute sounds slightly better to my geezerly ears. I played a lot of Fender basses since 1969 until I realized Leo Fender had improved his designs. Been a G&L fan for the last few years and truly think they've upended Fender in many ways.
Thanks Sparks! Yeah man, even with the quirks of this specific LB-100 tribute, the brand still impresses me as a whole very much. I look forward to playing more G&Ls :)
G&L makes a nice product but a 4 string weighing almost 11 pounds is way too much-I'd never play it.
@@daviddesmond2143 I hear you. Ash can be a heavy wood, but it has tone for days. 3 of my basses fall into that category. I have a Ash bodied P bass I built with a MIM Fender neck that weighs 10.6 lbs. My SBMM Stingray weighs 10.4 lbs. My Harley Benton ash bodied Jazz bass is the heaviest at 11.2 lbs.
Those are 3 of my best sounding basses, and are some of my go to's for bedroom playing, but the thought of giging with them makes my back suddenly scream out in terror.
@@bizibetiko9778 Yes ash can be heavy. On a gig, I would not play 4 string basses over 9 lbs. Just because the ash body is heavier does not mean it sounds better. I wish Lobster weighed all the basses he tested.
@@daviddesmond2143 All true. I do love my ash basses though. That dense wood does have some presence.
Swamp ash tends to be lighter, and alder isn't usually too bad either, an both sound excellent. I've been turned on to some lighter basswood instruments lately as well, and have been pleasantly surprised.
I used to never worry about weight too much, but I'm not that young anymore.
Great, now I want a bass that's been discontinued and is climbing in price. Thanks a lot, Lobster! But seriously, that Cutlass is the shit!
they all sound very similar and probably with a boss 7 band eq pedal you could get all those tones easylie with one instrument, so it comes down to playability, how does it fell in your hands
Lobsterman, that fingerstyle bass line tho, kudos! I prefered the american P, but I might be biased because of the color combo that is just my dream😀
Great review. But honestly, I wish you can add a FGN to this collection. I think it would be a really great option too
AmProII by a pretty wide margin for me. I have an AmProI and it's one of my main basses, but recently got an AmProII and I like the mods they've made to the pickups. Both are stellar instruments, though.
It would be interesting to know how much a tone capacitor value affects tone especially at "0" and if these basses come differently equipped. Would be very cheap to alter fundamental tonal characteristics of treble roll off by using a different cap value. Would love to see a video specifically on this 😊
Your DIY bass seems a bit excessive on the treble cut, could it be that 500k pots would suit the DiMarzios (twin humbuckers?) better than standard 250k Fender pots?
They all sound exactly like what they are!
For me the clear winner is the pro ll. For a number 2 rank, I liked the tone of the mim at 100% but once you rolled off the tone it became muddy, at which point the fender diy overtook it's ranking
You're right. I feel like one classy capacitor in the MIM and they'd be neck & neck though.
I would have expected the roasted maple to impart some snap into the sound of the diy bass, but it was actually pretty mellow, I can see how some people wouldn't like it but to me it had it's own character
I zoned out and got lost in the jam. You were ripping it pretty hard man. Awesome playing.
I like them all. Hard to pick. The g&l did have a noticeable buzzing sound the others didn’t. Shielding issue maybe?
Loved the Cutlass.
The American P sounded the most classic with the modded one right behind it. The Cutlass sounds awesome though, almost a little cleaner and growlier at the same time.
The Music Man Cutlass is spectacular!
Surprised about that Mexican standard but Love the g&l Tone the most, maple fingerboard has something to do with it.
The cutlass is my fav among the rosewood fingerboards.
Great video!
I really like the mid presence of the G&L and the MIM. My fav has to be the MM Cutlass because of the growl. So glad I picked up a MM Caprice on clearance a couple of years ago!
Pro 2 is #1 for tone and I'd give it to the Cutlass as a close runner up. Different flaves for different jams 🦞
They sounded a lot alike, just slight differences with the exception of your build with the DiMarzio rail pickups. That one lacked the mids and output of the other four, but still sounded good just very different from the others. Can't say I have a big preference one way or the other and if I was faced with having to choose one of these basses for a live gig I would probably just end up with the lightest one.
The Music Man really stands out, great sound. However I was also very impressed by the G&L, great p bass for a fair price.
Listening to this months later....:
The G&L, and the American Pro 2.
❤️❤️🎵
Lobster, for my money, my choice among those basses would absolutely be that white American Pro II P-bass! This is coming from a man who currently owns (4) Precision Basses, plus (2) P/J models. Included in my P-bass arsenal is a 2017 American Professional and a Japanese ‘58 P-bass reissue. My American Pro is absolutely the workhorse in my bass arsenal, and has been used on more gigs, jams, and recording sessions, not to mention band rehearsals, than possibly all of my other basses combined.
Have you played a Sandberg, Lobster? I had the pleasure of trying one out and they are truly incredible.
Back to the classics...nice..
Wow, I was pretty surprised at just how close these all were..the DIY had the lowest output, but a nice tone. MIM, nice and punchy! The American, was really excellent. The Cutlass was a bit less bright, but nice. All of them are perfectly gig-able instruments. All that said, I left my personal favorite for last. The G&L Tribute..and that surprised me. I own a lefty L-2000 Tribute, ash body, maple neck with rosewood board, and it's a great bass.
A very well done comparison video.
I have that exact same G&l with a Billy Sheehan Relentless Pickup and it’s amazing. My favorite bass by far I will never let go of it! Feels very comfortable and a tone monster! The original pickup was great but I like the ramp option from the relentless as well as the tone. Pbass on steroids 👍🏻 The American Pro II would be my second choice from this video. Please review the American made G&l P bass, thanks!
Thanks Brian! Your mod sounds like it would be killer :)
Diggin the groove! Like the LB100 and the Cutlass very much. American Fenders sound good but too pricey for my wallet. Thanks for posting.