My poor baby!

Infernal Affair · #1 10-24-2007, 09:19 PM

So I was playing my purple L2K at church service as usual, and after playing decided to lean my bass against my cab instead of laying it flat on the stage like I usually do. A chill ran down my spine. Needless to say when one of the guitarists came up to the stage to turn off their PA he knocks my bass off the stage by accident and it falls to the floor. At first I'm not all that concerned since what's a ding or two? However, when I went up to play our second set I noticed the treble knob was completely caved in! I was too shocked to be angry. He was really sorry and has offered to pay to fix it, but it still kind of sucks. Must've hit the steps when it fell. I knew I should have laid it flat on the stage!

I talked to Chris at G&L's repair department and dropped it off there in Huntington Beach. He said that they're going to try and do the best they can to get it repaired, but it most likely won't be mint. If they can't repair it soundly then he said the next option is a body replacement, which means my bass wouldn't be purple anymore because it's a discontinued color. I told him I'd rather just have some cracks/finish marks and keep the body as is as long as it's sturdy. It's much cheaper and I don't want my guitarist to stress over an accident. This bass is going to be my player for life so I'm not very concerned if it doesn't look perfect. If they had to go with a body replacement then they'd let me know. I'd probably go redburst.

It's funny cuz a couple dudes at the repair center were pretty surprised to see a metallic purple L-2000 and were talking about how rare it was. Made me happy and sad at the same time. I told them I wish they still did the color since I'd order a new SB-2 in it.

Anybody else have horror stories like this one? Did your G&L get through it all ok, or did it have to go through much more major surgery?

plankspanker13 · #2 10-24-2007, 09:35 PM

The moral of the story: ALWAYS bring along a stand and use it.

Jimtoonz · #3 10-25-2007, 12:06 AM

Sorry to see that, I.A. I'm hoping they can do a good repair job and that you can stay with that unique color. Let us know how it turns out.

As far as Plankspanker's comments about a stand; it's solid advice, but even that doesn't mean that somebody won't knock your instrument off the stand. I've seen it happen more than once.

I'm wondering, does the external control plate from one of the older G&Ls line up with your instrument? If so, could a retrofit cover the damage and essentially look "stock"?

We'll hold a good thought for the repair effort.

Infernal Affair · #4 10-25-2007, 12:47 AM

Fitting one of the old control plates seems like an interesting idea. I'm not sure if it lines up the same, but if it does then it'd definitely cover up a lot of the leftover cosmetic damage. I hope that all they have to do besides a retouch is just pop it back up, realign the splinters, and reinforce the inside cavity with something. If not, then at least I'll be getting a nice redburst body.

I know too well about bringing a stand which is a bonehead move on my part, especially since I almost always leave it flat on the floor whenever I don't have a stand handy. The funny thing was that week I decided I should buy another stand to use. I have two at home, but they aren't the most portable of models.

**Chef** · #5 10-25-2007, 07:11 AM

It doesn't matter of the old style control plates lines up with theo old holes; if you cut out the destroyed section.
It could be fixed like a boat or car with fiberglass layers and resin, or, pressed back together and impregnated with superglue #10.

I'd be inclined to go the control plate route. There have been several on ebay lately. If you ask here and at Badassbassplayers G&L forum, you may find one.

Curtybob · #6 10-25-2007, 07:36 AM

I've done that to basses before, although nothing like a G&L. It's happened twice, both times during transport (SAY NO TO GIG BAGS). The first one I did the repair myself like Chef said, with fiberglass. Then I hand painted a false guard of sorts, and freehanded a tribal design so that the repair was covered and it looked pretty good. But it was my first time playing with tribal graphics. So I was never really proud of it.

The second one was an Ibanez SR400, so I wasn't worried about it. I just removed the splintered wood, and made a guard myself out of aluminum diamond plate. I routered the outline of the diamond plate into the body so that it wouldn't stick up above the body surface (just like the covers on the back). I actually really liked how that turned out, and it's been a lingering thought in my mind on every bass I've had since. I've been so close to "accidentally" kicking my bass over, it's sad.

I wish I had pictures of those, but they were my beater basses, so I didn't show them off that much.

**Chef** · #7 10-25-2007, 08:06 AM

Swerve:
Curtybob; I had to google Jackson MO; it's down by Cape Garagedoor, huh?
There's a kickin' cajun restaurant there I used to stop in at.

Curtybob · #8 10-25-2007, 08:22 AM

You betcha. Broussard's. Being from Southern Louisiana, it's the only place around that has decent cajun food.

Quote:

Cape Garagedoor

We refer to it lovingly as Cape Retardeau. The only people in the US that think that a zig in a river constitutes a Cape.

mainsail · #9 10-25-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

Fitting one of the old control plates seems like an interesting idea. I'm not sure if it lines up the same, but if it does then it'd definitely cover up a lot of the leftover cosmetic damage. I hope that all they have to do besides a retouch is just pop it back up, realign the splinters, and reinforce the inside cavity with something. If not, then at least I'll be getting a nice redburst body.

I know too well about bringing a stand which is a bonehead move on my part, especially since I almost always leave it flat on the floor whenever I don't have a stand handy. The funny thing was that week I decided I should buy another stand to use. I have two at home, but they aren't the most portable of models.

Chris, if you're still considering another stand, take a look at the Hercules GS412B. I've been using one for some time and find it very portable and easy to use for me. Works like a champ with my L2K and L-2500.
Hope G&L can do some good things for you.
Larry

Infernal Affair · #10 10-25-2007, 09:15 AM

I'm actually considering getting one of the Dean Markley ones on BABP, but I'll look into the Hercules. That's this model, right? It's hard for me to tell by the picture, but does it have any bottom support? It looks like the headstock hangs on top and the back of the bass rests against the bottom dowel. Hercules makes good stuff, but I'm not sure about not having hooks on the bottom to support the body.

mainsail · #11 10-25-2007, 09:30 AM

Pics aren't loud enough for me. (Smile) As I am blind. However, your discription matches my stand.

They make two models, (or they did) one does have a cradle for the bottom but the G&L neck was to long for that model so I got the one without the bracket. I've had it a little over a year now and so far so good.

Not had a chance to scope out the Markley.

Larry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

I'm actually considering getting one of the Dean Markley ones on BABP, but I'll look into the Hercules. That's this model, right? It's hard for me to tell by the picture, but does it have any bottom support? It looks like the headstock hangs on top and the back of the bass rests against the bottom dowel. Hercules makes good stuff, but I'm not sure about not having hooks on the bottom to support the body.

Sounbwoy · #12 11-02-2007, 02:49 PM

+1 on the Herc Stand. I never go anywhere without mine. Works for all my basses.

**Chef** · #13 11-02-2007, 02:59 PM

any update on the repair?

roger winkler · #14 11-02-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtybob

You betcha. Broussard's. Being from Southern Louisiana, it's the only place around that has decent cajun food.

We refer to it lovingly as Cape Retardeau. The only people in the US that think that a zig in a river constitutes a Cape.

Just amazing...I was born in Perryville, Mo. That's about 30 miles north of Jackson, Mo. I still have relatives living in Jackson. And now...back to our regular scheduled program...don't want to hijack this thread.

Infernal Affair · #15 11-05-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

any update on the repair?

I was gonna contact them sometime this week. Been really busy with work and I've been playing my backup parts Precision bass in the meantime.

Stu L. · #16 11-05-2007, 04:37 PM

I know where you could get a replacement L2K body cheap that didn't sell on Ebay...

O/T I too know people in CG MO. They used to make CGM speakers there. Went under last I heard

chunkstyle · #17 11-06-2007, 08:46 AM

FWIW...

i think the control plate option would be awesome.

thebassmandave · #18 11-16-2007, 01:41 AM

Sorry to hear about your bass Internal Affair.

I've just seen an L2K control plate on eBay.

Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1980s-ORIGINAL-G...QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps.

Regards
Dave

Infernal Affair · #19 11-16-2007, 10:26 AM

Dave: Awesome! Thanks man. I scooped that thing right up. I've never seen an L-2000 with a black control plate though. Anybody got one to show so I can compare it?

BTW Chris from G&L called me yesterday. He said they fixed it and it didn't look that pretty, so suggested that I get a pickguard cut out or find an old control plate since they didn't have them anymore at the factory. This is just my luck then!

thebassmandave · #20 11-16-2007, 02:31 PM

Glad to help Chris.

All The Best

Dave