I tried out a 2500 tribute today at a local music store. I guess for the pricepoint it is probably a good deal but....

On a USA model, can I expect better fretwork, nut, etc..??? I found those on this particular bass to be lacking. How about electronics? I thought it had a pretty good sound but the tonal variety was very limited. I was never able to get it "too bright". (that coming from someone who never uses the 'J' on thier 'PJ' bass)

I am just looking at the fact that I can get a used USA version for about $300 or so more.

Any comments would be appreciated!

same pups, same preamp, different pots, different neck, same spec bridge (different manufacturer). All the US models are still handmade and the work seems to ALWAYS be excellent. I've NEVER hear of a G&L as being "very limited". In fact, it's one of the most versatile basses around with passive, active, active with treble boost modes and pups that can be run both series and parallel.

... I've NEVER hear of a G&L as being "very limited". In fact, it's one of the most versatile basses around with passive, active, active with treble boost modes and pups that can be run both series and parallel.

exactly! Thats what I had been hearing here on talkbass. Maybe I just picked up a dud? Bad batteries? or something else?

exactly! Thats what I had been hearing here on talkbass. Maybe I just picked up a dud? Bad batteries? or something else?


Maybe really dead strings/weak battery, although when my battery goes I first notice the lower notes farting out. Sounds like a blown speaker. You should have at least noticed an extreme difference when playing with the passive/active/active with treble boost switch (closest to the bridge).

I tried out a 2500 tribute today at a local music store. I guess for the pricepoint it is probably a good deal but....

On a USA model, can I expect better fretwork, nut, etc..??? I found those on this particular bass to be lacking. How about electronics? I thought it had a pretty good sound but the tonal variety was very limited. I was never able to get it "too bright". (that coming from someone who never uses the 'J' on thier 'PJ' bass)

I am just looking at the fact that I can get a used USA version for about $300 or so more.

Any comments would be appreciated!

I've played a newer USA L2K, a brand new Tribute, and then the '85 Mahogany L2K that just arrived on my doorstep yesterday, and the one thing they all had in common was a great degree of tonal variety.

I too own a PJ bass, built from Fender parts, and loaded with active Bartolini's, and I do use a blend of its P and J pickups, primarily to get more brightness. I can tell you for a fact, having spent several hours yesterday afternoon and evening, just going back and forth between my Fender Frankenbass and my new L2K; the G&L has far more tonal possibilities than the PJ setup.

All I can think is that you must have played one with a dead battery or something.

As for the fretwork, the Tribby I played was just fine. I do know that there are sometimes fret problems with Asian-built basses in general due to the climatic change they make when coming to the US. I've been told that sometimes fretboards will shrink slightly, as they are moved from a very damp climate to the dryness of California, causing the edge of the fret to stick out. Like I said, the one Tribby I checked out was just fine.

If you're looking for a used one, the BBE-era examples should be available for a couple hundred more than a new Tribby, but the earlier Leo-era versions are beginning to climb in price. If you can find a deal on one, snatch it up!

I've played a newer USA L2K, a brand new Tribute, and then the '85 Mahogany L2K that just arrived on my doorstep yesterday
That '85 sounds amazing...got any pics? How does she sound?

exactly! Thats what I had been hearing here on talkbass. Maybe I just picked up a dud? Bad batteries? or something else?

Also, if you're not really familiar with the 3 switches and 3 knobs, you may not be able to get the tone you're looking for. I have no problem getting just about any tone I want from my L-2000. Getting a bright tone is never a problem.

Thanks for all the replies. From everyting I have read this sounds like a bass that would fit for me. I guess I'll just try some other shops.

I wouldn't mind getting a tribute, but not the one I played. You could look down the length of a single fret and see it rise and fall. At some points the fret did not seem pressed all the way in the neck, so there was a small gap underneath. Behind the nut near the fretboard there was a gap I could get my fingernail in, knobs were not set concentric, so they wobbled when I twisted. All three switches went different directions.... Maybe I'm picky but I think they can do better than that.

Anyway... thanks again.... I will not stop my search there!

As for the fretwork, the Tribby I played was just fine. I do know that there are sometimes fret problems with Asian-built basses in general due to the climatic change they make when coming to the US. I've been told that sometimes fretboards will shrink slightly, as they are moved from a very damp climate to the dryness of California, causing the edge of the fret to stick out. Like I said, the one Tribby I checked out was just fine.


Absolutely right. Even my Sadowsky Metro was delivered to me with rather sharp fret ends. It's a common problem and once you have them filed, you'll never need to again.

I've played a used American L2K and own a Tribby L2K...I honestly can't feel any difference, and certainly can't hear one.

LUG, Just out of curiuosity, what's the average life span on a 9-volt battery? I'm sure it depends on how often one plays. On average I play about two hours every night just to keep my chops up. On weekends our band plays two to three times a month with three one hour sets for each gig. I've never had a battery go bad on me. I've also heard from other musicians that when they do go bad it sounds like total distortion. My G&L tribby still has the original battery in it and I bought it new back in November of 2005. Thanks for any information you or anyone else can give me. Roger Winkler www.recklessunion.com :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

LUG, Just out of curiuosity, what's the average life span on a 9-volt battery? I'm sure it depends on how often one plays. On average I play about two hours every night just to keep my chops up. On weekends our band plays two to three times a month with three one hour sets for each gig. I've never had a battery go bad on me. I've also heard from other musicians that when they do go bad it sounds like total distortion. My G&L tribby still has the original battery in it and I bought it new back in November of 2005. Thanks for any information you or anyone else can give me. Roger Winkler www.recklessunion.com :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

I try to change mine every 6 months or so. I switch basses so much, my battery will last a lot longer than most. I've only had it die on me once and I swear I thought I blew a speaker. The low end starts farting out first and the high end still sounds fine.

LUG, Just out of curiuosity, what's the average life span on a 9-volt battery? I'm sure it depends on how often one plays. On average I play about two hours every night just to keep my chops up. On weekends our band plays two to three times a month with three one hour sets for each gig. I've never had a battery go bad on me. I've also heard from other musicians that when they do go bad it sounds like total distortion. My G&L tribby still has the original battery in it and I bought it new back in November of 2005. Thanks for any information you or anyone else can give me. Roger Winkler www.recklessunion.com :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

I own an ASAT bass. 90% of the time I play it in passive mode. I practically never change the battery in my bass. In fact, I think I've changed it twice since I bought it and I bought it in 1998 or so. In fact, when I changed it the 2nd time it was because I'd just joined a gigging band after not doing squat for over a year and figured it was a wise thing to do. Maybe during the once in a blue moon visit to a guitar tech for a set up, he might have changed the battery. Beats me. Maybe if I played in active mode with the treble boost I'd burn through them regularly. Somehow, the passive mode seems to work best for my rig and my playing and consequently saves me a few bucks on batteries.

r

I've played a used American L2K and own a Tribby L2K...I honestly can't feel any difference, and certainly can't hear one.

+1 I was just going to say this......I spent months looking for a US L2K, and I ended up with a tribute. I play almost always in a live setting, and I noticed little difference. feel, maybe a little. other than that, nothing.

I have a 2000-ish Tribute 2500, and I like it lots. I have a 1981 L2000E fretless, and I like it lots. Seems like the "active eq" switch has more variance between the three settings on the 1981, but they are both very nice instruments. The Tribute *weighs in like a bus,* and the 1981 is pretty light.

I've tried a US L2500 and Tribby L2500 back to back in a shop under low volume a year or so ago. Mostly I was checking out the feel. Both, of course, were excellent. I was particularly impressed with the Tribute seeing as it was about half the price of the US model I was trying. In terms of feel, the neck on the US model seemed more refined, buttery, and nice to the touch; exceptional quality. The Tribute faired well in the neck area but I could tell it didn't have the attention to detail as the US model. The Tribute seemed stable and reliable but the US definitely seemed...well top shelf rather than adequate.

My one regret having sampled both basses was that I really couldn't crank the amp a bit and see what these puppies can really do. I'm quite familiar with the pickups and preamp as I own an G&L ASAT bass. However I really wanted to get an idea of the tonal variance between the US and imported G&L 5 strings. Now I know the Tribute has the same US pickups, however the pre-amp is Korean (I believe). In terms of tone, can anyone give us the scoop of the difference between the two?

r

I think I disagree that the Tribute preamp is korean made...from the G&L website, Tribute 2500 specs page:

2 Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design humbucking pickups, G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics, 3-way mini-toggle pickup selector, series/parallel mini-toggle, preamp control mini-toggle (off/on/on with high frequency EQ boost)

They do not say "G&L designed" as they do with the bridge specs:
"G&L designed Saddle Lock bridge with player's choice of string-through-body or string-through-bridge configurations. Nickel plated die-cast saddles."

I could be wrong tho...either way, in terms of sound quality, my Tribute 2500 lacks nothing compared to my '81 G&L L2000E.

I think I disagree that the Tribute preamp is korean made...from the G&L website, Tribute 2500 specs page:

2 Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design humbucking pickups, G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics, 3-way mini-toggle pickup selector, series/parallel mini-toggle, preamp control mini-toggle (off/on/on with high frequency EQ boost)

They do not say "G&L designed" as they do with the bridge specs:
"G&L designed Saddle Lock bridge with player's choice of string-through-body or string-through-bridge configurations. Nickel plated die-cast saddles."

I could be wrong tho...either way, in terms of sound quality, my Tribute 2500 lacks nothing compared to my '81 G&L L2000E.

This is my take as well. Essentially for me the difference is goin to be the neck and the finish. There are 3 reasons I went with the US G&L L2000. One, I wanted a Jazz sized neck (you can order 4 different neck options on the American). Two, My wife bought it, and three, they didn't have tributes yet when I got mine. :D

When George and Leo decided to make a Korean made line they wanted to make it an excellent instrument. They use the same pickups, and equivalent bridge, and the preamp is identical (except that it's made in Korea).

When George and Leo decided to make a Korean made line they wanted to make it an excellent instrument. They use the same pickups, and equivalent bridge, and the preamp is identical (except that it's made in Korea).

Leo was dead when this decision was made and George is a cunsultant, not a day to day participant. G&L is now run by BBE, the company that make the sonic maximizer. The original factory has been kept pretty much the same.

Leo was dead when this decision was made and George is a cunsultant, not a day to day participant. G&L is now run by BBE, the company that make the sonic maximizer. The original factory has been kept pretty much the same.

This is true. However I'm certain I've read more than once (Bass Player, maybe?) that the pickups are US made but the pre-amp is indeed an import as is the hardware. But hey, who cares? The bass is excellent with super bang for buck. For under $600 you can get one kick-ass 5 string with heavy gig bag that, albeit not as refined, can give the domestic model a run for its money at often UNDER half the price. Korea, my hat's off to ya!

r

This is true. However I'm certain I've read more than once (Bass Player, maybe?) that the pickups are US made but the pre-amp is indeed an import as is the hardware. But hey, who cares? The bass is excellent with super bang for buck. For under $600 you can get one kick-ass 5 string with heavy gig bag that, albeit not as refined, can give the domestic model a run for its money at often UNDER half the price. Korea, my hat's off to ya!

r


The "preamp" is just a National Semiconductor LF441 that probably costs about a buck, on a small pcb with a few resistors and caps. I'd guess it's manfactured overseas in the first place. They may well use a different design, but I don't really see a monitary reason to do so, like with the bridge, other hardware that is a significant cost differential. Maybe someone could have a look at their Tribute and see. Here is what the American looks like:

http://users3.ev1.net/~woodd/gandlwire.jpg

Kind of a rats nest.

The preamp design is the same in both. The Tributes appear to be sourced in Asia but made with the same parts. The US preamps have the main chip in a socket which allows for easy replacement. However, a socket elevates the chip off the board is not the best design from a noise perspective.

The only difference in wiring I am famaliar with on the Tributes is that they do not have the big green 0.1uF caps tied at the junction of the two coils when flipped in series mode. Check out the G&L site for the schematic.

Dave

I recently bought a Tribute 2500 as a backup for my MM SRV. I find the Stingray has taken the back seat. I play live a lot and the tone/feel the Tribby has is the one I've searched for. It could be the slinkys on the MM. I never did like them. Sure hate to think I $pent less on a better bass.
db

I'm seriously thinking of buying a Tribute Series G&L, altought i have the US made G&L Asat i feel that a tribute for its money and from what i heard of, it may well be worth it...

I doubt you'd regret picking up a Trib.

So how does the Tribby JB-2 and SB-2 hold up to the US models?

r

I doubt you'd regret picking up a Trib.

I take that you know what you are talking about since it looks like you have 3 G&L trib's, i think i will take you up on that one... :bassist:

Rock on!

I own a trib L2K and bought it with a dead battery. I mena, the active switch was a power switch for the first three months I owned it. And I didn't bat an eye at it. I feel that's the way you should buy an active bass though. Fall in love with it passive and then start to explore the possibilities once you take a screwdriver to the back cavity. Seriously though, just bring a 9V into the store and rock out if you're really concerned. And if it's a shop that won't set it up for you and take care of any fret issues...pass and look for another. I just hand an ebay used SB-2 arrive at my house today in perfect tune...from cali. I'm in pennsylvania. That says a bit about the build quality.

So how does the Tribby JB-2 and SB-2 hold up to the US models?

r


The discernable differences are that the USA has graphite reinforecement bars in the neck, and a string-thru-body bridge, whereas the Tribby has no reinforcement (and the usual 1st string 5th fret dead spot) and a top-load bridge. My JB-2 Tribby is my grab & go anywhere axe, but I am coveting an American-made version.

The discernable differences are that the USA has graphite reinforecement bars in the neck, and a string-thru-body bridge,

Graphite? :eyebrow: Nope G&L doesn't have that.

L-2500 USA or Tribby have string through body or bridge. Your choice as to how you string it.

Jim

Graphite? :eyebrow: Nope G&L doesn't have that.

L-2500 USA or Tribby have string through body or bridge. Your choice as to how you string it.

Jim

I think the Tribby 5's are string-thru while the 4 string is bridge only. The current US models are all string-thru. No?

I think the Tribby 5's are string-thru while the 4 string is bridge only. The current US models are all string-thru. No?

5 string USA and Tribby are string thru. 4 string are not in any flavor.

Jim

I've heard the G&L's are tough going for guys with smaller reaches due to a fatter neck, has anyone else had experiences like that with the G&L?

I've heard the G&L's are tough going for guys with smaller reaches due to a fatter neck, has anyone else had experiences like that with the G&L?

Are you talking about US or Trib models? The 4 string US models have 4 different neck options. The Tribs don't have neck options.

Are you talking about US or Trib models? The 4 string US models have 4 different neck options. The Tribs don't have neck options.

I don't have problems and I got very small hands. But I'm only a rock musician. ;)

Gruesse, Pablo

I've heard the G&L's are tough going for guys with smaller reaches due to a fatter neck, has anyone else had experiences like that with the G&L?

Small hands are no excuse. Suck it up! :D

Wanda Ortiz is all of 5'2", her hands are tiny! I put mine up to hers, palm to palm touching the base of the index finger, and her fingers only come up just a hair beyond my my first knuckle, I can bend the top of my finger over her fingertip. She plays circles around me.

She plays an SB-2, L1505, JB-2, and a 3/4 upright with so much fluid grace and ease it drives you nuts. Rock, jazz, blues, classical it doesn't matter she can play it.

It is all about hand positioning to reach the note.

Jim

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