Did anyone here grab the blue swirl finish G&L?

Kyon` · #1 06-30-2009, 04:00 AM

Today there was a G&L l2000 with a blue swirl sparkle type finish on craigslist in the bay area for get this... $200

with a case!. I'm wondering if anyone on here got the deal of the century because the ad is gone and I'm a bit jealous

TDR1138 · #2 06-30-2009, 08:31 AM

Ya know, I lived in the bay area for 5 years and never found any good craigslist scores. I move away, and I keep hearing about super cheap G&Ls popping up. What's the deal?

fender3x · #3 06-30-2009, 09:42 AM

$200 might be about right for it. This finish was discontinued by G&L because it bubbles up, and chips off. It leaves chips in your case, on your floor. A crappy finish, but it may bring the price down on the bass. Buy it to get a great bass cheap. Don't get it for the cool finish.

G&L takes no responsibility for these crappy finishes and won't do a thing about them. They don't acknowledge that there was ever a problem with them. They just quietly discontinued them.

I have thought about refinishing mine, and would if it did not seem like such a huge amount of work...

El Tookay · #4 06-30-2009, 11:37 AM

Hmmm, I haven't had any issues with my one-off black swirl blank-board Tookay, but I have seen a few swirls where the clear top-coat is lifting around the bridge and/ or neck pocket. Of course, I've seen the same thing on 70's Fenders- but on those, it's called 'mojo'.

fender3x · #5 06-30-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Tookay

Hmmm, I haven't had any issues with my one-off black swirl blank-board Tookay, but I have seen a few swirls where the clear top-coat is lifting around the bridge and/ or neck pocket. Of course, I've seen the same thing on 70's Fenders- but on those, it's called 'mojo'.

I have a '74 Fender P, and, while it has issues, the finish is not trying to lift off.

In fact, I have never seen this with any other bass. It started around the bridge. Now it's in two places along the edge, as well as around the control cavity route. I expect it to continue. It seems to happen to most of the swirls.

If it were just wear, I would probably not consider refinishing. Road worn is fine with me. The problem is the chips.

I am debating. Waiting on parts to do an SC mod. When they come I'll decide whether I want to take the whole thing apart and paint, when I have the pickups disconnected anyway, or let it ride. It's a slow disintegration, but a real one.

A while back I saw an L2K bod on ebay for cheap. Should have bought it to replace this. Thing is, tho, this ASAT is lighter than most, and is perfectly balanced since I added a strap extender. It sounds great. It plays great. The paint is the only real problem with it....

IMHO the company should take *some* responsibility. At least refinish at cost. But their solution was for me to take it to a luthier.

dgce · #6 07-01-2009, 05:53 AM

I've had an ASAT bass for 10 years; black with silver swirl (dad's bowling ball). There are bubbles in the finish around the neck joint, a spot here and there around the body, but at worse on the back of the bass where belt buckles are the true culprit. Mostly, it looks good for a working bass (beer spills, some dings). The light plays some interesting tricks with it on stage. One minute the bass is silver, then its black, then its sparkly or the silver swirls takes on the color of the lights being projected on the stage. Kinda cool.

I was bummed when they discontinued the finish but figured it had something to do with the bubbling. However after years of use (and light abuse), she's still looking pretty good. And if I could score any U.S. G&L for $200 (bubbles and all), I'd grab it in a heartbeat!

Here's a couple of crappy pictures to give you an idea.

fender3x · #7 07-01-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgce

I've had an ASAT bass for 10 years; black with silver swirl (dad's bowling ball)...And if I could score any U.S. G&L for $200 (bubbles and all), I'd grab it in a heartbeat!

Mine's a little older than yours if you bought it new. On mine it is chipped right through to the wood in places. The undercoat is black and swirly too, so it may show less on a black swirl bass than on a red or blue. It's definitely cool looking where it is *not* chipped or bubbled up.

For $200 I'd grab it, sight unseen. No question!

I'm just saying that there is probably a reason for the low price. Likely to be a great player. Don't expect a great looker.

I'm a bit burned that G&L (aka BBE the company) extracts a boutique price, but does not provide boutique service. On the other hand...a USA G&L for what you'd pay for a used Squire... I could live with a few dings ;-)

dgce · #8 07-01-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender3x

I'm a bit burned that G&L (aka BBE the company) extracts a boutique price, but does not provide boutique service. On the other hand...a USA G&L for what you'd pay for a used Squire... I could live with a few dings ;-)

I don't know, these days G&L's prices are on par with stock Fenders and Musicman (that is unless you trick out your bass/guitar with fancy options). Give or take a buck or two, you can get U.S. L2k for around what you'd pay for an American Standard Jazz. Have a look at the last few Musician's Friends catalogs. Boutique is more in the realm of Lull and Sadowsky.

As for customer service, I ordered my ASAT new back in '98. I dealt with a local dealer who did right by me. I've never dealt directly with G&L.

fender3x · #9 07-01-2009, 09:04 PM

I think it's more than a buck or two more for the G&L compared to the AS. You're point is well taken tho. It's a pricey mass produced bass, but cheaper than Laklands or Sadowskys or Mike Lulls. I guess from my budget any American made bass looks boutique. ;-)

dgce · #10 07-01-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender3x

I think it's more than a buck or two more for the G&L compared to the AS. You're point is well taken tho. It's a pricey mass produced bass, but cheaper than Laklands or Sadowskys or Mike Lulls. I guess from my budget any American made bass looks boutique. ;-)

Well "a buck or two more" meaning $100 or $200 more, actually. But I know you get my drift.

Anywho, thought I'd have a look at the new Musician's Friend cat for ref. Fender American Stand Jazz (after $100--I hate that!) $1,299. G&L L2000 - $1,275. ***, it's actually less!!!

Even the Tribbys & Musicman Sterling (import line) is about the same price as MIM Fenders.

Bravo to Fender for beefing up their AS line but I still say G&L smokes 'em.