Custom G&L - need insight!

dataBASS5 · #1 12-20-2007, 11:48 PM

Hello TB'ers in this neck of the woods,

Please disregard my avatar photo, I mean you no harm!

I've used G&L's consistently for the last 10 years. But never enough to feel like I "belonged" over in the club. (I am thinking of joining if I get another) They are nice basses!

I have the chance to get into a "custom" G&L bass. My question is this; what does this title involve? Is it just the fancy edge? Any specs different?

Looks like it might be uncomfortable because the edge is more pronounced--any experience with this? I played it for a few minutes and was not bothered by it. Any worries about a 2-3 hour set?

Any insight you may be able to provide would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

spideyjg · #2 12-21-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Hello TB'ers in this neck of the woods,

Please disregard my avatar photo, I mean you no harm!

I've used G&L's consistently for the last 10 years. But never enough to feel like I "belonged" over in the club. (I am thinking of joining if I get another) They are nice basses!

I have the chance to get into a "custom" G&L bass. My question is this; what does this title involve? Is it just the fancy edge? Any specs different?

Looks like it might be uncomfortable because the edge is more pronounced--any experience with this? I played it for a few minutes and was not bothered by it. Any worries about a 2-3 hour set?

Any insight you may be able to provide would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

There was a "custom" rendition done years ago and the key identifier was the slab body. Regular G&L basses, with the exception of the ASAT, have contoured bodies.

That said the "binding" is really where they tape off the body while painting. The edge should be unaffected.

Jim

palmann · #3 12-21-2007, 12:56 AM

I have one of those basses, too. In a 3h rehearsal I don't have any problems, while the contoured body is a little more comfortable, as expected.

I won't hesitate to buy a L-2000 with slab body again. (Just had to look up what slab means.

)

Gruesse, Pablo

dataBASS5 · #4 12-21-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spideyjg

There was a "custom" rendition done years ago and the key identifier was the slab body.

Jim

Really? Huh, that's interesting. I wonder how old this bass is?

Does anyone know how to read the S/N? Modulus basses are easy. ex. 04xxxx was made in 2004.

dataBASS5 · #5 12-21-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmann

I won't hesitate to buy a L-2000 with slab body again. (Just had to look up what slab means.

)

Gruesse, Pablo

Lol, that's okay. . . I just had to look up "gruesse"

palmann · #6 12-21-2007, 01:19 AM

Serial number are not very exact with G&Ls.

This page may help you to estimate the age of the instrument:
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/AUTOREG/...?registry_id=1

Gruesse, Pablo

no4mk1 · #7 12-21-2007, 03:38 AM

G&Ls with binding (either plastic or the natural wood -finish- binding) have a less rounded edge than non bound bodies.

I don't have any comfort issues with my L2.5K with nat. wood binding though.

You shouldn't have any issues, but then again, everybody is different.

Cheers,
Chris

dataBASS5 · #8 12-21-2007, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the insight so far, guys!

Using the link provided, I checked the SN and this was made in 2005, so it's not old by any means.

I guess the slab is a mind over matter type issue. It only looked like it'd get uncomfy. So far, no complaints. I'm going to demo it again this weekend to hid out from all the mall traffic.

flash99 · #9 12-21-2007, 02:39 PM

The Custom models came out at some point in the early to mid 90's (definitely BBE era) and the features were alder body with an ash top, wood binding and available in premium finishes only. L2000s and 2500s, L1500s and 1505s and (I think) L5500s were available "Custom." The 4 strings all lack a forearm contour. The earlier 5 strings with a 4+1 headstock lack a forearm contour but the later 3+2 headstock 5 strings have one. They actually sounded a little better than the standard models (a number of builders claim that an alder body with an ash top is an ideal wood combo for bass) but the Custom models were somewhat unpopular because they tended to be heavy. They were discontinued in 1999 if I remember correctly.

My first G&L was an L2500 Custom and to this day I wish I had bought an L2000 Custom. They don't seem to come up for sale often.

dataBASS5 · #10 12-22-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash99

They were discontinued in 1999 if I remember correctly.

My first G&L was an L2500 Custom and to this day I wish I had bought an L2000 Custom. They don't seem to come up for sale often.

Hmmm. . . I wonder what I've got if they went out of production in 1999?

The G&L site I was referred to links S/N to 2005 build year. It's redburst (premium color) 4-string (no upper horn contour) w/ wood binding all around. Top wood seen through red finish is definitely different than wood on bottom also seen through finish.