G&L L2k for Geddy Lee - fair trade?

x52dcd · #1 05-15-2012, 05:47 AM

Hey all;

I'm currently playing an American G&L L2k, but seriously GAS'ing for a jazz. Have a potential local trade offer on the table for a Geddy Lee, which I'm going to check out tomorrow night (a little concerned about the thin neck). Presumably the Geddy is in as good a condition as mine; i.e. very good. Geddy has swapped pickups for a set of Dimarzio ultra jazz.

I know the G&L retails for more than the Geddy, but the used value seems to drop significantly. Think this is a reasonable deal?

dougjwray · #2 05-15-2012, 06:24 AM

I'd say that the G&L has more intrinsic worth, and has a strong chance of being "better" (construction-wise). G&Ls do tend to have low resale value (always been a mystery to me), but yours is American, so I'm guessing that its resale value would still be higher than that of a used Geddy Lee.
But if you feel a special connection with the Fender when you play it, go for the trade.

brotherbassj · #3 05-15-2012, 06:28 AM

I would keep the G&L. Now if it was an american fender.......go for it............but if you are ok with the trade that is all that really matters in the end isn't it?

x52dcd · #4 05-15-2012, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherbassj

but if you are ok with the trade that is all that really matters in the end isn't it?

Truth. But GAS is a terrible thing, makes me impatient, and as such sometimes clouds my better judgement

I'm also fairly new to the bass scene, and only catching up on values now from this site. Based on just 2 replies, maybe I should simply sell the G&L here (local market sucks) and buy something a little higher up the scale, or maybe even try to trade up.

Thanks folks!!

KJackman · #5 05-15-2012, 07:05 AM

I'm in the same used market as the OP which is tiny for this kind of stuff. Fair around here is usually around 70% of as new pricing which would be $950ish for the G&L vs $700ish for the GLee provided they are both in good condition. I think asking the trader for a little cash is fair or a pedal of interest etc.

x52dcd · #6 05-15-2012, 07:16 AM

Thanks KJackman! If you are who I believe you are, we actually chatted briefly Saturday night about your Geddy Lee - great show, by the way!

gjbassist · #7 05-15-2012, 07:25 AM

Both are great basses IMO. It's really going to come down to your personal preference after you play both basses. If it were me I would not do an even trade as the G&L is worth about $350 more than the Geddy. Even on the used market you can pick up a Geddy Lee Jazz for $650-$700 while the L2000 is closer to $900. I would want at least $200 cash plus the Geddy for the L2000.

KJackman · #8 05-15-2012, 07:25 AM

Thanks man. I could see your gas is giving you a lot of pain....just let it happen lol! I'm been very happy my Geddy Lee, it replaced an American Jazz.

armybass · #9 05-15-2012, 07:57 AM

I wouldn't do it. Maybe for and American Jazz....not for a GL Jazz.... no way.

x52dcd · #10 05-15-2012, 08:06 AM

I've think I got enough support now to hang on to my G&L - thanks all! Plus, I just spotted a Lakland Joe Osborn the next province over that now has my attention...

lug · #11 05-15-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x52dcd

I've think I got enough support now to hang on to my G&L - thanks all! Plus, I just spotted a Lakland Joe Osborn the next province over that now has my attention...

^^^^^bass slut!

dougjwray · #12 05-15-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

^^^^^bass slut!

Really!

That was quick, wasn't it?

x52dcd · #13 05-15-2012, 11:22 AM

Haha...yes indeed! All I know is I want a jazz style. After that, it's all fair game. Until I have one, the target will probably change again. Even before the Geddy, there's an all black JO in the classifieds section here I'd love to have...but cross border shopping can be a pain. I had an MIM Jazz V with Fralins, and it sounded great. I'm just not a V guy...

SteveC · #14 05-15-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherbassj

Now if it was an american fender.......go for it............

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJackman

I'm been very happy my Geddy Lee, it replaced an American Jazz.

I tried MIM, MIA, and MIJ (Geddy) when I was buying a jazz and I went with the Geddy. Not even close in my opinion.

air_leech · #15 05-15-2012, 11:41 AM

my biased answer is keep the L2k.

Js aren't my style. I own one but it will probably never be my main bass.
I had a Geddy and ended up selling it. maybe it was the super thin neck, maybe the badass bridge, maybe the 70's pickup spacing or the maple board but it was just way too aggressive and trebly and the neck shape wasn't my taste either (I like Ps and Stingrays when it comes to necks).

all of the above means nothing if you like the bass, the Geddy gets lots of praise around here and you may be one of them guys who swear by the Geddy Jazz Bass so just go with what plays and sounds better to you and make sure it's not GAS that got the best of you and made you set free the G&L for a one night stand with the Jazz Bass.

louloomis · #16 05-16-2012, 06:29 PM

The Geddy is a very solid bass for the money and considering what it's competition is.

Still, keep the G&L. You're better off on several fronts with the G&L.

LL

chuck norriss · #17 05-16-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x52dcd

Hey all;

I'm currently playing an American G&L L2k, but seriously GAS'ing for a jazz. Have a potential local trade offer on the table for a Geddy Lee, which I'm going to check out tomorrow night (a little concerned about the thin neck). Presumably the Geddy is in as good a condition as mine; i.e. very good. Geddy has swapped pickups for a set of Dimarzio ultra jazz.

I know the G&L retails for more than the Geddy, but the used value seems to drop significantly. Think this is a reasonable deal?

L2000 is about $1K on the street, no? G. Lee Jazz in the $600's + Dimarzio Ultra an add'l $100 new $60 used. I love the Lee model too but that's not a fair trade.

Xxyion · #18 05-16-2012, 07:24 PM

To Answer why G&L's resale for so much lower (my shop is a G&L dealer). Is pretty much the same reason why most custom guitars sell for so much less. The fact that you can custom pretty much every option of the G&L lowers its value because it may not be what some people want.

Also many people are unaware that Leo Fender started multiple guitar companies (G&L and Musicman) and so dont take much look at G&L even though G&Ls are made to be closer to classic Fenders moreso than Fenders made today.

ninerfan · #19 05-16-2012, 07:28 PM

Keep the L2k and get the K-mod with the outer coils!!!!!!!

bassfootballguy · #20 05-17-2012, 06:29 AM

From experience, I believe you'd regret the trade. Keep the L-2000 and if you must, get the K mod. Want varying tone? move your hands around. Use different strings. Personally, moving from an L-2000 to any other bass for more tonal variety wouldn't make sense to me (and I know the OP didn't cite that as a reason, but GAS often comes from boredom).
But in the end, do what you want to do with the bass - it IS your bass.