Quote:
Originally Posted by fearceol  Now I'm even more confused  "Student" as in beginner ?
Surely a MIA SB 1 or 2 would be the first bass for a lot of pros.  though they 'd be a great bass for anyone, student or otherwise. |
It is little baffling, but what you have to remember is that the earliest SB-1 and SB-2 models were very no-frills affairs: slab (non-contoured) body, available in a handful of colors only (and only maple boards, I think). They were designed to be about as basic as they could be while still reflecting the quality that would become G&L's hallmark (same neck construction, bridge design and electronics). Plus, they were the least expensive basses G&L made.
Later, when 2nd generation SB's were introduced, they were closer to their "pro" counterparts in terms of design, but were very limited in the options department. When the 2nd gen SB-1 hit in 1985, it was only available in sunburst with a black pickguard (again, with a maple board only,
AFAIK).
I don't know that you'll see too many pros working a 1st gen SB as their main bass, but you certainly see the 2nd gen models getting a pro workout--especially the SB-2 (which, these days is available in all the colors and with all the same options as the other designs, and at a much higher retail price than "back in the day").
I don't think anyone at G&L would argue today's SB-2 is a student bass, but that's the history of it, as I understand it.
