SB-2 Tribute Japan vs. Indonesian?

[afa]

Hi there
I'm new to this forum, and new to the whole bass-thing:-) I normally play guitar, but I've just started playing bass in a typically bar/weeding band that plays all the usual songs. Therefor I'm currently lokking for some bassgear.

I've been offered a G&L Tribute SB-2 made in Japan model. The seller is demanding close to retail price the currently made Indonesian made SB-2. But I've never seen any other made in Japan SB-2 models here in Denmark, where I live, so maybe the bass guitar could be an interesting purchase.

My question is, is there a significant diffenrence in quality between the Japan and Indonesian made bass guitars?

Hope that someone have some opinions/info.
Thanks

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by afa

My question is, is there a significant diffenrence in quality between the Japan and Indonesian made bass guitars?

Hope that someone have some opinions/info.
Thanks

No idea. The Japan ones have a skunk stripe neck and bigger tuners. They are seldom seen outside of Japan.

Jim

[Wwolof]

Sure this is not a Korean model? Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but they are far more common than the Japanese jobs (which I would love to try, they have some gorgeous finishes on them!)

[bhen]

As far as I know the SB-2 Tribute was never produced in Korea - it started in Japan and then was taken up again last year in Indonesia.

The current Japanese Tributes are valued at almost double the value of the Indonesian models - at least in Japan:

http://www.kurosawagakki.com/gl/glbass.html

They're referred to as "Tribute Custom" on that website, and from another forum I know that the SB-2 model has the tone mod already from the factory.

HTH,
Bernhard

[Son of Sanford]

Originally Posted by bhen

As far as I know the SB-2 Tribute was never produced in Korea - it started in Japan and then was taken up again last year in Indonesia.

The current Japanese Tributes are valued at almost double the value of the Indonesian models - at least in Japan:

http://www.kurosawagakki.com/gl/glbass.html

They're referred to as "Tribute Custom" on that website, and from another forum I know that the SB-2 model has the tone mod already from the factory.

HTH,
Bernhard

When G&L began selling the Tribute line in the US they offered both the L2000 and the SB-2. Both were produced in Korea. The Korean SB-2 was discontinued around 2004. There was also a very short run of 12 JB-2s that Bass Northwest ended up with around this time. When Tribute production was moved to Indonesia in 2006 or 2007?, the SB-2 returned and the JB-2 made a full debut.

The Japanese Tributes are an entirely separate line meant for that market. They have been in production longer and I've only seen a few. I am note sure of how they differ from the Indonesian Tributes to demand a higher price. My only guess would be actual US hardware?

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by Son of Sanford

When G&L began selling the Tribute line in the US they offered both the L2000 and the SB-2. Both were produced in Korea. The Korean SB-2 was discontinued around 2004. There was also a very short run of 12 JB-2s that Bass Northwest ended up with around this time. When Tribute production was moved to Indonesia in 2006 or 2007?, the SB-2 returned and the JB-2 made a full debut.

Correct. The Korean SB-2 basses could be easily distinguished from the Fullerton basses by the 4 bolt neck (USA was 3 bolt at the time). Of course, they also had the word "Tribute" emblazoned on the headstock in large letters.

The Japanese Tributes are an entirely separate line meant for that market. They have been in production longer and I've only seen a few. I am note sure of how they differ from the Indonesian Tributes to demand a higher price. My only guess would be actual US hardware?

I'd say a lot of the high price has to do with perceived value. I've read that they are very high quality instruments, though not quite up to the USA basses. OTOH, their finish work is beautiful.

Ken...