I've been gassing for an SB-2 so I'm thinking that I'll pull the trigger on a new one soon.

Originally I was thinking I'd get a Tribute so I asked at the local G&L dealer about it and I can get one for about $550 CAD.

But now I'm wondering if I should go for a US version.

I realize that a US SB-2 will be a better instrument, but at $1200+/- is it that much of a better value than the Tribute?

As far as I can tell...

-They have the same pickups... are the rest of the guts the same?
-Bodies are Basswood(Trib) versus Alder(US)... Alder supposed to have better tone but basswood can be lighter.
-The bridge on the Tribute is nickel plated die cast saddles vs the US which is Chrome plated brass saddles... suppose brass is best there...
-Tuners are ultralight on US versus traditional open backed tuners on the Tribby...
-Are the necks the same or is the US quarter sawn and the Trib flat sawn?
-And of course the US model has a variety of finishes and the Trib has only two. Are they both poly finishes?

Does this add up to the US SB-2 being 2+ times better than the Tribute?
**Basically I'm looking for someone to talk me into or out of getting the US version. Haha.. ;)

Thanks!

The neck construction/truss rod system is totally different. That and fit-n-finish are probably the two biggest differences. Is one twice as good as the other? Probably not, but you always get the rule of diminishing returns as you climb the price range on instruments. You just have to decide if it's worth it to you. Since I can afford the best, I have no problem settling on the US. If finances were much tighter, I'sd certainly probably go for a Trib.

It's funny that you just posted this, because I own both. I bought a used American SB2 with the tone mod, it's an awesome bass! On a whim, I ordered a Tribute SB2 from an Internet shop for ~$450 shipped, with gig bag. It arrived two days ago, and I've been extensively A/B'ing them.
As you stated above, the "trimmings" are better on the US model, but the Tribby plays beautifully. I really can't hear any difference between the two, and the Tribby plays like a dream. It didn't require any tweaking out of the box (although you should assume that any bass will require that).
Bottom line, IMHO the Tribby will be played as much as the US model, maybe more so because I won't be so worried about hurting it... :)

Cool!
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I'm leaning towards the US model right now but we'll see.
I get my Christmas bonus next week. Depends how much of that I want to spend.. Haha.