Info for a LB-100

[brutalron]

Hello all,

I am a long time lurker, very infrequent poster here on talkbass. I usually cant deal with the "my bass is better than your bass," "34" Vs. 35" scale",and "Maple vs Rosewood" threads, but today I come to you for your thoughts and information.

I recently acquired a LB-100 in purple (pics to come). My first G&L. This bass is in near mint condition with only one blemish on it. I got it for a song ($425 W/case)

After playing it for a week, with some newer roundwounds, I came to a few conclusions. Getting acclaimated to the wide neck will take a while. The natural finish on the back of the neck feels great. Also the build quality was top notch. The 2 piece neck is matched so well it looks like one!

The tone, however, was a little clanky. I promptly bought some Chromes and changed out the capacitor for a sprague orange drop. Huge tone difference. This guy now sounds like the real deal in terms of P-bass.

While changing out the capacitor, I noticed there was another capacitor connected to the volume control. I have never seen that on a P-bass. Does anyone know the purpose of this? What are the thoughts of this bass in G&L lover circles?

I do like the sound and build of the bass, but the neck width might eventually put me off. Then again, I just might need to spend more time with it.

Thank you in advance for your response.

[Madcity Fats]

I'm the wrong person to speculate on electronics configs, but this page may be of some assistance:

http://www.glguitars.com/schematics/index.htm

I love my LB-100. Congrats on snagging a purple one. That's a rare color for G&L.

I still can't believe the money these things are going for these days compared to 70s and 80s model Fenders. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think a used LB-100 is currently the best MIA P bass value out there.

[Dave Campbell]

I wonder what would be considered a fair price to pay for an LB100, with hard case. I spotted one up here for $675 CDN (about $575 US). Black, white p/g, maple neck.

[ahiddentableau]

The pawn shop across the street from me has a LB-100 for sale. Nice deep blue colour with a big ol' maple neck. Actually it's been there for almost a year because the shop wants $900 for it. It's $900 Canadian, but still, that price is obscene! Makes me laugh because the first time I saw it I thought, "Nice bass! Hey, maybe nobody will buy it so they'll have to cut the price." But they never do. I don't think they care if they ever sell it. Too bad. Such a fine instrument going to waste.

[chunkstyle]

sorry to sidetrack but correct me if i'm wrong...

the LB stands for legacy bass? and it was the more traditional sounding P-type bass in the G&L stable, right? no mfd?

by the way, is it the metallic purple? someone here had a metallic purple L-2000 with an ebony board and it was real looker...

keep us posted if the neck width doesn't work out for you.

[Flabass]

Yes the LB stands for Legacy Bass. It was the original name but another company claimed trademark infringement on G&L.

They had the Alnico pickups instead of the MFD's. I have owned 4 of the Legacy's and they sound more P than the Fender P's IMO (have one also).

[brutalron]

Some smallish and not so good pics of the previously mentioned Metallic Purple LB-100. Ill post some better pics at some point.

Enjoy.



http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/t...100/9a3f_1.jpg


http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/t...100/9c64_1.jpg

[Root 5]

I'm wondering if someone changed the pickups or just the cover. To my knowledge the LB-100 only came with white pup covers.

[Flabass]

I have owned 4 Legacy/LB100's and they all came with WHITE pups. They were alnico similar to Fender. No MFD's on these unless taken from a SB1 or SB2. Don't know if you can buy them from G&L.

[brutalron]

I am pretty sure that pick up covers have been replaced. When i opened the bass up to change the capacitor, all the soldering looked unchanged, and there was still plastic under the pick guard screws.(from the plastic that covers new pick guards) This leads me to believe that the pick guard hasn't been taken off before.

But yes, I noticed that too.

[NE4TT]

Congrats on the "Sparkle Purple" LB100.
Heckuva price.
Hope you get along with the #5 neck.


The cap across the Vol pot is to preserve high freqs when reducing the Vol.
Usually seen on guitars.

Here's Greg G's LB/Legacy info.
If the stock Alnico isn't happening for you, the MFD split P-style pickup can be ordered from a G&L dealer.

"Sparkle Purple" was listed in the circa 1992 and 1996 catalogs.
1992-1993 Catalog Contents
The 1996-97 catalog has a sepia tinted cover.
1996-1997 Catalog Contents

~~~
I purchased a "Sparkle Purple" SB-1, w/MFD, on the Board awhile back. Approx $550US shipped.

Put on the DR Flats, and the bass sounds great.

Pic by previous owner.

Jamie

[Infernal Affair]

Metallic purple is still my favorite color. It's really too bad that G&L discontinued it. I'm never selling my L2K.

[brutalron]

Thanks for the info NE4TT. I should have known it was for treble on lower volumes, duh. Nice sparkle purple yourself! I really dig the black pickguard! Stock? Where is the place one would get a pickguard that fits this bass? Do Fenders fit ?

I am really digging the bass more and more. As you know, the neck is 1 3/4". At first it seemed way wide for me as I am used to my EBMM Sterling. I think the neck is close to the same width as my EBMM SR5.

So I did a set up on her, lowered the action and viola! P-bass nirvana. The flats and the capacitor change really brought out what I think a P-bass should sound like. Blows away most Fenders I have played. I do like the new American standards, but for what these basses go for and for how well they are made/sound, no contest.

These basses are a real gem. I'm very glad that I took a leap of faith and bought it without playing it. G&L basses, some good stuff!

[NE4TT]

Now you need to get an old Ampeg B-15.

That LB will be talkin' to ya.

Black guard is original.

Tempted to get a repro "wrinkle" black pickguard from Wayne at tone-guard.com

I put purple chickens on for the controls.

Jamie