Just got this SB-1

**wodock** · #1 02-26-2009, 05:02 PM

As in the a-1 a-2 thread I got this really nice SB-1 on ebay. I was looking for a Precision Bass and after reading some reviews this look like one that would like to try. I may have paid too much, $590, but it seemed like worth the try. I just got the bass today and so far I like the sound, I love the neck and the low action. I was surprised about the size and weight. I've gone from a Mike Dirnt P bass (which I sold) and I have a Lakland Skyline DJ4 to this SB-1. The SB-1 is lighter than either of those basses and plays much better than Dirnt bass (I think I had a lousy neck on it).

I don't see them mentioned much and they aren't many in the "show your G&L's" thread. I was wondering what people think about them. I've read that when they were made they the economical part of the G&L bass line. I'd like to hear some comments about what people think of these basses. After a few hours I knnow I like mine...

not the greatest pictures - a lot of glare = the bass is in pretty good shape some dings along the edges on the back and a couple of shallow dings on the back of the neck. The guy I bought it from must have put a wax on the body... there is a little residue in front of the bridge that I'll q-tip it off.

thanks

metron · #2 02-26-2009, 05:31 PM

SB-1s are pretty rare especially sunburst. Nice score!

Templar · #3 02-26-2009, 06:11 PM

Beauty.

'Grats.

Mick Markey · #4 02-26-2009, 06:22 PM

It's a beauty ! These basses are killer.

Surprised it's light...looks like it is a maple body, which can be heavy, but gives great tone.

Paying less than six bills for an American hand made bass is definitely NOT too much !!!! That's a steal !!! They should be selling for more than double !!!

**wodock** · #5 02-26-2009, 06:49 PM

it is light compared to the Mike Dirnt and the Lakland DJ4 or maybe I'm just getting stronger in my old age.

the serial number puts it in 1983 though the seller had it as a 1984. Someday I'll take the neck off and see what it says there.

one question - there is a small hole below the bottom screw of the neck plate - what is that for? some sort of adjustment?

thanks

strummin · #6 02-26-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

Beauty.

'Grats.

I agree. Very nice!!

**Chef** · #7 02-26-2009, 08:01 PM

Yessir, nice score...if I didn't already have one, I woulda wrassled you for that one!

I've not seen one in anything other than a solid color, and those early tobacco bursts are very, very well done. They were listed as red, white and blue...

I love mine...so much so that I sold my 51 Precision reissue. My SB1 has a wider, shallower neck, and I like that. It has a bigger more aggressive sound; and I like that.

Yessir, the early SB1 and SB2 were graded "entry/student models" but besides the slab body (which I dig, so there!), there are no shortcuts in hardware or electronics...other than the "radio knobs."

mine; also and oddball color:

**Chef** · #8 02-26-2009, 09:39 PM

yepper.
it's like the fender micro-tilt deal.

ideally, you don't need it.
if you use it, use very little of it.
if you're not familiar with it, try to find someone who is...

the on line manual is helpful.

doktorfeelgood · #9 02-26-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodock

it is light compared to the Mike Dirnt and the Lakland DJ4 or maybe I'm just getting stronger in my old age.

the serial number puts it in 1983 though the seller had it as a 1984. Someday I'll take the neck off and see what it says there.

"one question - there is a small hole below the bottom screw of the neck plate - what is that for? some sort of adjustment?"

thanks

It's a neck-tilt screw. Check this link for the Owner's Manual. Click on FAQ, scroll down and find "Owner's Manual". In will be printed in Blue ink...Click on it and the Owner's manual will come up. Scroll down to page 3 and you'll find instructions for the neck tilt. )-(

http://www.glguitars.com/

doktorfeelgood · #10 02-26-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodock

As in the a-1 a-2 thread I got this really nice SB-1 on ebay. I was looking for a Precision Bass and after reading some reviews this look like one that would like to try. I may have paid too much, $590, but it seemed like worth the try. I just got the bass today and so far I like the sound, I love the neck and the low action. I was surprised about the size and weight. I've gone from a Mike Dirnt P bass (which I sold) and I have a Lakland Skyline DJ4 to this SB-1. The SB-1 is lighter than either of those basses and plays much better than Dirnt bass (I think I had a lousy neck on it).

I don't see them mentioned much and they aren't many in the "show your G&L's" thread. I was wondering what people think about them. I've read that when they were made they the economical part of the G&L bass line. I'd like to hear some comments about what people think of these basses. After a few hours I knnow I like mine...

not the greatest pictures - a lot of glare = the bass is in pretty good shape some dings along the edges on the back and a couple of shallow dings on the back of the neck. The guy I bought it from must have put a wax on the body... there is a little residue in front of the bridge that I'll q-tip it off.

thanks

Very nice bass, BTW. I had a chance to get one of these in White about 10 years ago for $325 bucks. I passed on it, went back to get it the next day and it was gone.
You Snooze, you lose....right? They have a great sound.
)-(

Derek_L · #11 02-27-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

mine; also and oddball color:

ljazz · #12 02-27-2009, 03:42 AM

Man, that is just plain old sexy!

Super nice score..... and if it's a sweet as it looks, then it's a steal at that price. Feel good about that one!

Ljazz

**wodock** · #13 02-27-2009, 06:25 AM

thanks for all the replies... just playing the bass for a few hours last night makes me feel like I got a good deal. thanks for the information and chef that is a great looking bass. love the color.

one more question (sorry and I will do a search for it too) is there anything anyone can recommend for cleaning or polishing the nickel hardware?

have fun
TW

GaryLC · #14 02-27-2009, 06:33 AM

Add me to the legion of SB1 lovers! And I think you did fine with that price, as Chef said, the tobacco scheme is highly sought after....and I've never seen another SB1 in that color.

Here's my two, a natural and a cherry-burst:

**Chef** · #15 02-27-2009, 07:39 AM

Gary; yours is a completely different model: the G&L MFD split P is a completely different deal; so is the body...still nice tho!

"cleaning nickel hardware"
I use Mother's Mag Wheel Polish.

GaryLC · #16 02-27-2009, 09:43 AM

Chef, you're absolutely right....I had a brain freeze (or lack of brain). I knew that when I saw the original post, but totally didn't make the connection this morning when I posted...

GaryLC · #17 02-27-2009, 10:54 AM

While we're discussing the two different styles, what are the differences in sound between the two pickup styles?

**Chef** · #18 02-27-2009, 10:58 AM

The G&L MFD-P is a big, grindy, very mid present, but, traditional P pickup.

The earliest SB1 have a big-arse single coil pickup up that is typically single coil: very braod, even prequency response.

Think of it as a 51 Precision on steroids.

Madcity Fats · #19 02-27-2009, 11:58 AM

You got a sweet deal. You'd pay twice that for a mid-eighties MIA Fender that rolled off the line long after Leo left the factory. But here you've got a true Leo-era instrument that, for all we know, that man himself may have inspected and admired (especially since it's about as close to a one-off finish as you'll find on that model).

Gorgeous bass, and beautiful condition for a 25 year old instrument. Also, that appears to be the original case you have there.

I have a 2nd-gen SB-1 that's just a couple of years older than yours that I love. Always tempted to pick up a nice 1st gen example. Heck, if I didn't have a new baby arriving in a few weeks, I'd probably have given you some competition at that price!

**wodock** · #20 02-27-2009, 12:20 PM

thanks madcity and have fun with the new baby... when you put your "a-1 a-2" post up I was afraid more folks might bid on it. I put a last minute (actually about 20 seconds to go) bid on it knowing I didn't want to spend more than $600 and almost not expecting to win but happily I did.

I do want to say even if I didn't get all these nice comments I would still think I got a really nice bass - one that I want to play the heck out of it (and of course treat it well)

TW