Tribute L2500 Just Ordered!

[whacker]

I don't know what possessed me, but for some reason after doing my daily check here on TalkBass, I was curious about who I might obtain a new Tribute L2500 from. So I Googled G&L Tribute, and Musician's Friend was at the top of the listings, so I went and checked, and lo and behold, they were offering a blem, 3-tone sunburst, maple board version for $523 dollars!

I wanted to make sure it was a maple board version, so I called 'em up, and they confirmed that fact, but added that, hey, right now we can give it to you for $510! Shipped! Gulp! I went for it.

Especially considering it's a blem, and usually from what I've heard the blems are pretty unnoticable, did I get a good deal? Anything to watch out for? How are the maple boards on the Tribs?

I'm currently using a USA L2500 that totally sold me on the G&L sound and features, but it has a bit of a fretboard problem that I've already had worked on once (bit of a hump near the body, limiting how low the action can go without buzzing) and I don't want to put any more cash into it, plus it's black w/rosewood (all my basses are, strangely enough), and I've been telling myself if I could find a 3-tone sunburst (my favorite wanna have finish) I'd jump on it. "So it is written, and so it shall be" (voice of Yul Brynner as the Pharoah).

Yyyyeahhh - I'm stoked!

[jimmy rocket]

Awesome deal man! Enjoy. I just picked up an L2500 and I love it.

[whacker]

Well, it only took three shipping days to get here from Kansas City, MO, via USPS Priority (surprised by that shipping choice). I haven't even played it plugged in yet, but here are some observations:

There's definitely more neck-dive potential, due to the more conventionally made tuners (compared to the USA version).

The "blem" aspect probably has something to do with the finish right where the string ferrules lie at the back.

In turning it over and around, you could hear the battery rattling around in the cavity.

The overall finish is nice, and the maple fretboard (my first) is a very nice piece of wood, almost birdseye in some places.

The control knobs are smaller and of the push-on variety, with no set screws. The treble knob is too far down and is rubbing against the top.

No nasty frets (sharp ends). Good.

I figure this sample may have been a previous return as well, but whether or not that's the case, the pickups are set up a little funny: the bridge p/u is lower than the neck p/u! An end-user could have done that, maybe.

And there are two problems that may be the deal-breakers: The action and relief seem to be within a good range (haven't measured them yet) but there's a bit of fret buzz on the A, E and B strings once you get up around the seventh fret and higher. This just shouldn't be, and I'm not a heavy handed player. I think I see a little bit of a rise near the joint-end of the fretboard that only raising the action could compensate for (or a fret levelling job). No you di-int!

The worst thing is the depth of the nut slots. It's way messed up, with the B string much higher away from the first fret than the G string. This should be around .020" if I read G&L's manual correctly. It looks like the slots were filed before the nut was installed, and the bottom of the nut blank wasn't levelled or squared off before it was installed. Strange.

But that's the deal as I see it currently. If I was a super enthusiast about it, I'd just say, well, keep it and get some work done on it, but it's not looking too good as a keeper. I've got other basses I can play, and would prefer to not have to make a project out of a new purchase.

I'll post a final on it in a few days, but it looks like it's going back to MF.

By the way, the gig bag it comes in is really nice!

[Eublet]

Sorry to hear that. I have that exact bass, and it's has an amazing quality to it for the price. No issues whatsoever with mine, and definitely no neck dive, but I where my bass a tad on the high side.

If you don't like that one, I suggest you give them another shot through another dealer. AMS has them, and you can order it at the 3-month payment. You can order one for just a little bit of money and see if you like it better.

[pbass2]

Damn, that's too bad--dissapointing.
I went the opposite route as you--my first G&L was a Tribute L2500 black/maple I bought new when they first came out. I used it for a year, and then bought a new US L2500, also black/maple from BassNW, based on how much I liked the Trib. Interestingly, I kinda liked the Trib neck profile BETTER than the US. But, everything else about the US build is clearly nicer. The sound? Pretty much exactly the same, or darn close I think.
I'd send it back for sure--there's some real good Tribs out there.
Or, rather than chase that, what about getting a new maple neck from G&L for your US?

[sk8]

i thought you could only get rosewood boards on the tributes?

EDIT: I was thinking of the SB-2's. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Tribute L2500 with maple board!!!!

[whacker]

I really like the finish (3 tone SB) and maple board.

Well, this is an update. I got around to plugging it in, played it a while, and darned if I don't think it sounds better or is more responsive than my USA model (which has fresh strings on it). So, I was able to find a local repair guy who I'm about to have look over it, and all signs point to keeping it and making it my main axe! I can be so fickle sometimes!

The neck is thicker (front to back) than the USA model, but not so that it's unwieldy for my smaller than average hands. Width is about the same, but I haven't measured it. A funny thing is, the mini-switches on my USA are arranged to flip up and down, while the Tribute's flip across (this looking at the instrument upright, as in a stand). Different strap buttons, different control knobs. Even though the tuners are heavier, they are as smooth as silk (better in this regard than the USA). I can deal with it, as I never play without a strap.

So I now look forward to taking it on and promoting it as a fully contributing member of the family!

[mainsail]

Kudos, for taking the time and energy to work out the problems with your instrument.

Here's hoping your efforts will provide you with a great bass for a long time.

Larry

Originally Posted by whacker

I really like the finish (3 tone SB) and maple board.

Well, this is an update. I got around to plugging it in, played it a while, and darned if I don't think it sounds better or is more responsive than my USA model (which has fresh strings on it). So, I was able to find a local repair guy who I'm about to have look over it, and all signs point to keeping it and making it my main axe! I can be so fickle sometimes!

The neck is thicker (front to back) than the USA model, but not so that it's unwieldy for my smaller than average hands. Width is about the same, but I haven't measured it. A funny thing is, the mini-switches on my USA are arranged to flip up and down, while the Tribute's flip across (this looking at the instrument upright, as in a stand). Different strap buttons, different control knobs. Even though the tuners are heavier, they are as smooth as silk (better in this regard than the USA). I can deal with it, as I never play without a strap.

So I now look forward to taking it on and promoting it as a fully contributing member of the family!

[whacker]

Got the Tribby back from the repair guy today (this guy was a find as well, another story. I'm lucky).

Plays great. Looks great. More taste. Less filling (well, actually, more fulfilling, really).

I am really going to like this as my main player. It is so solid and lively sounding. Don't have a gig until the first weekend in June, so I'll have to wait to see what it's like through the big rig.

If anyone reading this has a clue, what brand and gauge of strings come on these things? I really like 'em. I typically use Ernie Ball Slinky 5s on my basses, and I'm thinking these must be gauged a bit differently. They seem to be more flexible, with less tension, even though the B-string response is very good.

[vates]

Congrats man!

Any pics?