Picked up my Tribtue L2500 today at Fedex.
The bass: 2009 (I think), Indonesian Tribute, 3 Tone Sunburst, rosewood fb, 4 weeks old (per the original owner). All stock except for Grover straplocks.
Here are my initial, out of the box, impressions based strictly on feel, construction, aesthetics. Maybe this will help someone who doesn't have the means to put their hands on one to try out.
I'll post a sonic review sometime later after I've spent enough time learning how to use the knobs and switches.
1.) Very nice looking. The sunburst finish is really nice, rich and deep. The finish is even. The hardware looks typical for an offshore bass, tuners, bridge, body ferrules, knobs, nut look okay and seem to function okay but don't have that 'look' like on my USA basses. Hard to describe but when you look at the hardware on my Stingray or MIA Fender Jazz you can tell it's quality stuff, like it’s more ‘refined’ or ‘manicured’. On my G&L you can tell it's not the 'top shelf' stuff. Purely aesthetic though as, they seem to function as fine.
2.) It's heavy. Heavier than either my Ray or Jazz, but not a boat anchor. It's expected considering the 5 standard (i.e. not ultralight) tuning keys, it’s Swamp Ash (I think) and the bridge has some girth. Edited: After putting it on using a medium Comfort Strapp, the weight and neck dive is negligible...as in...pretty much a none issue...at least for the 30min I played standing with it on....I might have a different opinion after 3 1hr sets, but I haven't done those in 2 years playing bass.
3.) B string isn't floppy, but not super taught either. Similar to some SR5’s I've played. Action is decent considering it traveled from Minnesota to FL. I don’t know if the prior owner had it setup or not. I’ll tinker with the set up anyway for my own preference. The neck is just a little thicker front to back than the Ray. I definitely can feel a difference but I don't think it's Warwick thick. I have big hands though so not so much of an issue with me. String spacing is pretty tight compared to Lakland or Fender. Neck width seems similar to SR5, narrower than any Fender, Squier or Lakland I’ve tried. The string spacing actually felt really good to me. I didn't have that mental lapse of thinking E was A or fumbling for D and G. My hands felt natural moving across BEADG, no bunching. I don’t slap for real, only for fun and wanking, so that isn’t an issue in reference to string spacing.
4.) The pickups look pretty badass, but again, even though they’re USA, the assembly looks a little ‘assembly line’. There’s some glue or something around some of the pole piece areas. Again, aesthetic, but obviously not completely refined as my Ray and Jazz were coming out of the box.
5.) Gig bag is super nice! Nice embroidered logo. Well padded and all kinds of carry options, 2 handles, 2 shoulder straps and even what looks like a hanger for hanging in a closet.
Overall, I’m pretty satisfied and impressed with the construction and feel. In that respect along with the price used ($450 USD), I don't have any problem suggesting this on the list of 'mid priced' five string basses for newbie five string players such as myself, to check out. My prior experiences were owning a Lakland 55-01, Peavey Millenium BXP 5, SX\Essex Jazz 5. I've tried out in stores Lakland 55-02, Ibanez ATK305 and other Ibanez models, Spector N-95, OLP, EBMM SR5, Fender MIA Jazz 5, Squier Active Deluxe 5...
I haven't handled or played a USA G&L. But I will make it a point to so I can have an educated opinion about how they compare.
That’s all I have right now. I’ll post pics later and a detailed review of playability, tone options, controls, etc later down the road once I’ve learned the controls and spent more time with it.
*Warning Long Post* Tribute L2500 is here - Initial Aesthetic Review 
