I can't believe how nice the Tributes are...

Maj. Lee FUBAR · #1 09-08-2007, 03:48 PM

I had a Tribute L-2000, and I just purchased a Tribute JB-2. I can't believe how nice they are for the money, and how good they sound! These basses are way, way ahead of what Fender puts out for the same amount of money, IMO. Amazing!

MLF

Dr. Cheese · #2 09-08-2007, 08:02 PM

I just picked up a JB-2, and I am more than pleased. Compared to an American G&L, they really only scrimp in three areas: a flatsawn neck instead of quatersawn, less expensive tuners, made overseas. The pickups and bridge on a JB-2 means that it compares favorably to a MIJ Geddy Lee, let alone a MIM Jazz.

BTW, it sounds great too. I would seriously like to get a Tribute SB-2 to go along with my JB-2.

Assumer · #3 09-08-2007, 09:26 PM

I know they make one of their humbucker tributes in a lefty. Cannot remember the model. How would you say they compare to other humbucker equipped basses out their. (for around the same price) I have never picked up a tribute but they look nice in the photos.

drumbook · #4 09-08-2007, 09:40 PM

I too have an 07 JB-2 MII. I agree with the above observations as well regarding lower price features, but they work very well. I did however very lightly (extra fine paper) sand the Made in Indonesia off the back of the stock (it's silk screened on). Looked like crap!! Don't care about the re-sale value....

PSPookie · #5 09-08-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assumer

I know they make one of their humbucker tributes in a lefty. Cannot remember the model. How would you say they compare to other humbucker equipped basses out their. (for around the same price) I have never picked up a tribute but they look nice in the photos.

You will not find a better bass for the price. In fact, you would have to spend upwards of $1k on a new instrument in order to find a better quality/sounding bass IMO.

I have looked at several MIA Fender P's in the last few months and none of them compare to my MII SB-2 in terms of playability and sound.

mike_v_s · #6 09-08-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assumer

I know they make one of their humbucker tributes in a lefty. Cannot remember the model. How would you say they compare to other humbucker equipped basses out their. (for around the same price) I have never picked up a tribute but they look nice in the photos.

I've had both a MM Stingray5 and the L-2000 Tribute in the house at the same time for a few weeks. The G&L obviously had the upper hand in versatility, but the MM was an extremely nice bass. FWIW, I was able to closely approximate my favorite sound on the Stingray using the G&L, but it wasn't the same.

My opinion? The G&L is really in a class by itself in that price range. If you've got more money, you can get more bass but not more value.

Mike

Maj. Lee FUBAR · #7 09-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assumer

I know they make one of their humbucker tributes in a lefty. Cannot remember the model. How would you say they compare to other humbucker equipped basses out their. (for around the same price) I have never picked up a tribute but they look nice in the photos.

The pickups and electronics on the Tributes are the same as on the U.S. models. They sound very good, IMHO, and on the HB equipped basses are very versatile. Lots of options as far as the sound goes. They are built very well and you can't beat the quality you get for the money.

Miles Smiles · #8 09-09-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maj. Lee FUBAR

The pickups and electronics on the Tributes are the same as on the U.S. models. They sound very good, IMHO, and on the HB equipped basses are very versatile. Lots of options as far as the sound goes. They are built very well and you can't beat the quality you get for the money.

Yep, as you can read on http://www.glguitars.com/tribute:

With genuine original equipment G&L pickups and bridges supplied by the Fender Avenue factory, Tribute Series instruments are equipped with unmistakable tone, sustain and playability that surpasses more expensive instruments.

DavePlaysBass · #9 09-09-2007, 09:51 PM

I have a Tribute L2K I got off the bay for $300. The guy had heavy flats on it and the neck was pretty bowed. When I opend the case, I thought maybe I was going to get burned. But a few rod adjustments, some lighter strings and the neck has been stable for over a year. And I put the heavy flats back on with a proper setup and no issues.

Great piece of wood and electronics for the money. The neck is P like. If like the J necks, the SB-2 and JB-2 are probably a good way to go.

Dave

Assumer · #10 09-09-2007, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the replys.

Dr. Cheese · #11 09-12-2007, 09:27 AM

I have had a few more days with my JB-2 Tribute, and I am loving that jazz bass tone! I used it at a rehearsal on Monday, and it rang through loud and clear. When I cranked my little Ampeg, it sounded like a perfect jazz. To my ears, it really nails the Marcus Miller sort of slap tone (to be fair, I am a huge Marcus fan, and any jazz I play tends to sound like Marcus when I slap it.)

I cannot believe how good this bass is at its price point. I will post pics this evening. Except for the tuners, I would put it up against a Skyline JO or DJ. Folks in Indonesia are simply getting very good at making basses. I know BXP Cirruses and the Ocean basses from Indonesia are awesome too.

I don't guess it will ever happen, but a JB-2 five string Tribute with 19mm string spacing for $550 would be the best thing ever made since sliced bread!!!

Dr. Cheese · #12 09-13-2007, 08:09 AM

Here are some photos of my Tribute JB-2:

Dr. Cheese · #13 09-13-2007, 09:59 AM

Here are some more pics plus my Frankensteined Peavey Foundation V.

BassikLee · #14 09-13-2007, 06:20 PM

Dr Cheese sez: " I don't guess it will ever happen, but a JB-2 five string Tribute with 19mm string spacing for $550 would be the best thing ever made since sliced bread!!"

Lee sez: three letters; TEE, BEE, CEE......

PSPookie · #15 09-16-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I don't guess it will ever happen, but a JB-2 five string Tribute with 19mm string spacing for $550 would be the best thing ever made

That might convince me to finally buy a J.

Dr. Cheese · #16 09-16-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassikLee

Dr Cheese sez: " I don't guess it will ever happen, but a JB-2 five string Tribute with 19mm string spacing for $550 would be the best thing ever made since sliced bread!!"

Lee sez: three letters; TEE, BEE, CEE......

You're right Lee, but I would rather have a JB-2 Tribute.

safebuster · #17 09-17-2007, 01:29 PM

Just bought a Blueburst L2500 new yesterday I am loving the tone (all 1,000,000 of em) the neck is sort of baseball batty but very comfortable and once you get used to the switches the sounds are endless!

stretch80 · #18 10-16-2007, 09:03 AM

I've got a Tribute L2500 on loan from a friend, and I'm amazed at how good it is. My main bass is a MM SR5, so my standards are high, but the tribute is totally solid, and has a bunch of great sounds. It's got a GREAT ballsy Jaco-esque growl on the bridge pickup, P-bass thunk on the neck...wow! I'm not sure I'm going to give it back!

colonel2jays · #19 10-19-2007, 10:07 PM

Hail the L2500 Blueburst!

My first bass was a MIM Active Jazz Bass 5 - the Tribute dumps steaming piles of excrement all over it in sound, construction and aesthetics, and it cost less to buy! Has the sweetest growl I've ever heard. I'm hooked!

equinox_zero · #20 10-29-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumbook

I too have an 07 JB-2 MII.
I did however very lightly (extra fine paper) sand the Made in Indonesia off the back of the stock (it's silk screened on). Looked like crap!! Don't care about the re-sale value....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Folks in Indonesia are simply getting very good at making basses. I know BXP Cirruses and the Ocean basses from Indonesia are awesome too

Am I seeing things... Did you say, INDONESIA??? Hey, that's my country! I didn't know there are Tributes that are made in Indonesia.