G&L tributes

Kyon` · #1 02-20-2009, 03:24 PM

I'm having no luck with the search today, just not hitting the hot terms but does anyone know if there's anything that really separates the quality on a G&L tribute with the big tribute letters or smaller ones? I'm going to go try an older tribute up in Santa Cruz this weekend and there's also another one, that is the newer smaller logo in San Francisco for $100 more. I know it varies instrument by instrument but is there anything big?

davidguevara80 · #2 02-20-2009, 03:44 PM

I am asking the same question.

El_JimBob · #3 02-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Simply, no - no difference, apart from a few aesthetic details - the aforementioned headstock logo and also the logo stamped on the bridge on the newer Indonesian models. Otherwise they're all (seemingly) identical....

Ken Baker · #4 02-20-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyon`

I'm having no luck with the search today, just not hitting the hot terms but does anyone know if there's anything that really separates the quality on a G&L tribute with the big tribute letters or smaller ones? I'm going to go try an older tribute up in Santa Cruz this weekend and there's also another one, that is the newer smaller logo in San Francisco for $100 more. I know it varies instrument by instrument but is there anything big?

The instruments with the big Tribute on the headstock and on the bridge were made by Cort in Korea, and are no longer sourced from that factory. The more recent instruments with the smaller Tribute on the headstock and G&L on the bridge are made by Cort in Indonesia.

Quality for both a quite good, with the Indonesian instruments a little bit better than their Korean forebears.

Ken...

fendertweed · #5 02-21-2009, 07:40 AM

Though I defer to folks like Ken who've played more Tributes than me, I think, among the few I've seen the early MIKs (I have 2 late '05/early '06s) have an edge. The fretwork has been better and the neck pockets tighter. There was nothing at all wrong w/ the MII, though, still a killer bass for the price.

Ken & others, what about the MIIs is an improvement on the MIKs in general?

Thanks,
Jon

Ken Baker · #6 02-21-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fendertweed

Ken & others, what about the MIIs is an improvement on the MIKs in general?

From what I've seen, the Indonesian Tributes are slightly higher in quality. From my conversations with G&L staff, the Indo quality processes are better and more consistent than those in the Korean factory.

Ken...

snappytom · #7 02-21-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

From what I've seen, the Indonesian Tributes are slightly higher in quality. From my conversations with G&L staff, the Indo quality processes are better and more consistent than those in the Korean factory.

Ken...

Not arguing the above, but I have had both an MIK SB-2 and a MII SB-2 at the same time. The MIK was of better build quality. The necks and fretwork were about the same but the finish and quality of the pickguard material is where the MIK beat the MII. Plus the MIK had a better overall feel to it.

I am sure you could compare 2 different MIK and MII samples and conclude the opposite. It always amazes me how unique each bass is in subtle ways.

joyboy52 · #8 02-21-2009, 02:42 PM

My 2 cents- I bought a 2006 Korean made L2500 this summer. Very noisy, (I shielded it) a bit rough finish-wise and I struggled with the settings to get a decent sound. I lived with it for a while, but as I couldn't adjust to the rosewood board, I asked my dealer to swap for a maple. He got in an Indonesian L2500 that was quiet, responsive tonally from day one, better finish, feel and looks. I own a US ASAT and L1505, but I have to admit that the Trib is my first choice in most cases. The single coil mod is the icing on the cake. Maybe I just got lucky, but I'm VERY happy with it.

stubarura · #9 02-21-2009, 04:41 PM

yeah i think a lot of it comes down to the individual bass, although ive not played or owned an american g&l or an indonesian tribute, i do own a korean tribute sb-2, which is just unbeleavable in quality and sound to every other bass ive ever owned, ive had loads of different makes from all price ranges but this tribby even outdoes the mia fender p that i owned until recently and unless im prepared to spend a LOT of money i cant see me being able to beat it..... not sure of the year of manufacture but the serial is: 03053869
ive tried to i.d it but cant get a definate year, the only problem i have had is the pots are starting to crackle, ive sprayed them but its done no good so i gotta change them, apart from that 10/10

plankspanker13 · #10 02-21-2009, 06:11 PM

I luvs me my JB-2 Tribby. It's the least expensive of my basses and it's the one that I don't put down

joyboy52 · #11 02-21-2009, 08:46 PM

One thing I recommend that I forgot to mention-I had the "crackling problem" with my MIK Trib, so I bought the American pots from G&L. They didn't come by the time I got the MII, so I slapped them into that one whether I needed to or not. Big improvement.

tornadobass · #12 02-22-2009, 10:10 AM

I own an MIK L-2500 that had the bad pots replaced before I bought it. Compared it to a friend's MII L-2500. Very similar, although I thought the MII came with a better setup. I had to deepen my nut slots, but my friend's was fine on arrival.

PJD · #13 02-23-2009, 08:26 PM

I believe the first neck on my Tribby L2000 was Korean and when it went bad the one they sent was the different logo, therefore Indonesian. It plays and sounds great.

davidguevara80 · #14 03-02-2009, 07:25 PM

Ok,I have a L-2500 Tribute Sunburst (For sale now) ,Made in Corea and just receive a Tribute L-2500 Natural with Maple FB As a Gift (made in Indonesia) and I really love it,Beats up the Corean in Craftmanship and Playability,it is a nice instrument.I'll post pics soon.

Michael Jewels · #15 03-05-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyboy52

The single coil mod is the icing on the cake. Maybe I just got lucky, but I'm VERY happy with it.

What is the single coil mod?

I'm really starting to think about getting an L-2000 Tribute.

I already own a Tribute ASAT guitar, so I know how good their quality is, especially for the price.

G&L Tributes.

Mmmm - good cracker, GOOD CRACKER!

Mike

oldrookie · #16 03-06-2009, 05:56 AM

G&L FAQ and Links: Please read first before posting

Check the bottom of the first post for the modification. I believe (haven't done it yet) that it allows you to modify the output of the humbucker pickups to use one side. Creates a single coil pickup, which if what most jazz basses use, but retain the option of using them in humbucker mode.

Looks like if you want to stir the pot, just ask whether single coil inner is better than single coil outer