Opportunity to pick up a G&L L-2000 new for $1075.

[RandomEvent]

Should I do it? I don't know how much they go for normally, I just know the guy has it listed for $1475. I'm worried about what I've heard about G&L depreciation value though. I'd like to talk down to about $900 because the guy said he really wants to move it for new inventory, and I'm not sure how long it's been hanging around in the shop. I also don't want to insult the guy, cause he's really nice.

Anyway, what should I be looking for when I go to negotiate again? Or should I just get a Tribute model, which would be much easier on my wallet. Are there tons of differences between the two models?

Thank you in advance.

*Of course, if someone traded me a Tribute L-2000 for my SUB in the classifieds, I wouldn't be worrying about this, lol.

[sunbeast]

I say play it and decide what it is worth to you. I think $1075 is a good price for a perfect condition, brand new US L2000. If it has any custom options, then its a really good price. Making an offer can't really hurt either- I got a brand new suped-up custom SB-2 by making an offer I never would have guessed would be accepted on Ebay (My Best Offer was $450 less than the Buy It Now price!). It is true that the resale value will not likely go above $850-900 (unless it has custom options to make it stand out), with an average around maybe $800 if its kept in perfect condition- you just have to decide if thats worth it to you. I personally will probably never buy another new G&L for this reason (have bought 2 brand new at this point)- there are enough used ones going for fairly cheap and I'm not all that picky about custom options (I already have my dream custom SB-2!).

The new Tributes are supposed to be pretty darn good for the price- the only complaints I ever hear about Tributes (and not any of the newer ones) is that they sometimes need some minor fretwork or that the pots/input jack are kinda cheap. I think they also tend to use nicer wood on the US ones- I think all the newer Tributes have Basswood bodies. They used to offer "premium" Tributes that would have better woods and finishes, but I believe they are no longer offered. I believe the pickups are the same in the Tributes and US models, but the Tributes just use cheaper tuners, pots, switches, etc...For the price of a Tribute, you could replace all these components and still have a killer bass for a decent price. You don't get any of the finish or neck profile options that the US models have though. Resale on the Tributes doesn't actually seem as comparatively bad as the US ones either from what I've seen...

Karl

[lug]

Let me put it this way. It's less than I paid for my new one.....in 1998.

[honeyboy]

I paid about $850.00 for my used '95 L-2000(in great shape) and thought it was a bit high but quite worth it. You should be able to negotiate a better price since he wants to move it.As long as he makes $100.00 he'll probably be happy.

[snappytom]

I picked up a new L-2000 in the spring from Music123.com for $899 during a close-out sale. It has a premier finish (Honeyburst) over a swamp ash body, and a #8 neck.
The phone sales rep said it was being sold at a loss, but who knows for sure.

Don't worry about insulting the guy with a low-ball offer, it's business. If he needs to get more to cover his costs he will counter.

[realdeal]

"List Prices" aside, G&L Basses are incredible values.
Most bang-for-buck quality and tone there is, as far as I'm concerned.
That's a very good price, even without added "options" which are mostly cosmetic and don't affect sound or playability.

Offer what you want and see what happens.

As far as USA/Tribute comparisons, it's been done many times here. Tribute players are very satisfied,but then again, the build-qualities of the Fullerton basses are in a class by themselves.

I never worry about resale myself, my 5 basses, including my ASAT aren't for sale.
I bought mine in '03, and regardless of it's market value...
The pleasure I've got from working with it and the monster tone make it priceless to me.

Good luck with your decision.

[quickervicar]

This is where I mention my $650 ASAT (new)

[Dr Rock]

Go for it! My L2000 custom was £1050 back in 2000.....

[Jimtoonz]

Is this a basic L-2000 or does it carry any options(premier finish, binding, flame/quilt top, GOT neck, etc.)?

If it is a "base" L-2000, I'm willing to bet you can buy it for about $950. Should it have "extra cost" options, adjust the number accordingly.

My first G&L was a L-2500 that I bought new from a local dealer. It carried a $1650 list. I was able to move them to $1000 plus sales tax. This was (best I remember) early 2003, so I am sure that there has been some movement in the wholesale prices since then.

An important thing to consider in your effort to determine "best price" is the age of the instrument. In my own experience, many of the music dealers I visit have not yet learned the time/value element of inventory(the fact that, over a long period of time, more profit is realized by turning inventory more quickly and using those dollars to buy new items, creating greater overall "turn" even if creating the turnover means taking some lower margins along the way).

Take a look at the serial number of the instrument. G&L basses that I have seen of late are numbered in the range of CLF45XXX and higher. If the instrument is "new" and carries a serial number that is significantly lower, the odds are good that the dealer has had it in the inventory for quite a while. This could indicate two things - 1. It was probably bought for less than the current wholesale price. AND 2. The dealer might be more willing to "deal" on it.

I say "might" because the failure of many dealers to embrace the "turn over margin" philosophy means that some of them will hold the inventory at list price even if it means letting the piece collect dust for years. I can take you to a dealer in my area that has a couple of new L-2500s with serial numbers in the CLF27XXX range. This probably makes them 2004 production, yet they remain on the rack at full list. When I was looking for a new L-2500, this dealer offered me a 10% reduction on the tag price without any negotiation at all. Even so, they were not aggressive enough to produce a "real world" price and I ended up going with a dealer who lists on eBay. This dealer accepted an offer of $400 less than their posted "buy it now" price on a new L-2500 which had numerous options(flame top, natural wood binding, GOT neck).

My $950 number that I suggest to you is simply a guess. You will have a better feel for it if you can produce a good estimate of the age of the instrument and adjust accordingly. At any rate(and as others have suggested), all he can say is "no" and counter. Hope this helps!

[ErnieD]

Is there a certain significance or sequence to these numbers? I just looked at my L2500 and its CLF21XXX. I bought it used from a dealer last year and all he knew was that he took it as a trade. I know its a US cause it has the matching burst headstock. Its in really nice, like new condition w/OHSC I paid right at $800 for it. So, was it a Deal or no Deal? Only thing is I bought a used 55-02D just after the L25K and I prefer playing it at gigs more than all my other basses. I just cant get myself to thin the herd, wife just doesn't understand why, but you all do right.

[Jimtoonz]

There is some sequence to the serial numbers, but it can be difficult to correctly date a G&L without removing the neck and examining the dates in the neck pocket. From a quick look at the registry, I'd make a rough guess that yours is 2001 production, but don't take that as gospel.

As far as the price paid, I think you got solid value. The matching headstock option is a $150 upcharge on that instrument.

[Kyon`]

They're very nice, I love mine. Like the others have stated, custom options at that price is very fairly priced. Play it, try it out. Now if you want to be like me and go around online and in the real world holding out till you find a cheap blueburst with maple board for two years then have fun, I did . Actually I got mine brand new for $760 off Matt's Music.