New G&L model at NAMM - MJ-4!

[Chef]

truth
really, if they do a trib version of this, I'll probably try one.
if they did a 5, I'd buy US.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Chef

fwiw, without having played this (obviously), I'd think the M-series preamp would be a muuuuuch better thing for any J-bass spec than the L-series preamp.

And yes, this is USA made (for now?)

+1. In fact, anything would be better than the L2K preamp lol. The one in my L2K is awful, its own pickups easily overload it and it gives a really shrill sound even with the high-boost turned off. So my bass hasn't had a battery in it for about the last 10 years.

But otherwise, it looks like G&L is really upgrading the electronics at this point. And doing very Leo Fender-like things like developing these new pickup types, etc....

I'd love an M2000 with a #8 unlined neck for sure.

LS

[dedpool1052]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

A JB 5 string with a 4 + 1 headstock would be very cool.

Originally Posted by Temcat

Yeah, I would too welcome a 4+1 headstock, if only from the aesthetic point of view (not sure if it's better or worse structurally).

another here in favor of the 4+1 headstock. if it were at least an option on the basses i'd be happy.

[plankspanker13]

As a JB-2 enthusiast, with 2 American specimens, I am quite pleased to see the model getting some love. As one who is a reluctant user of active instruments for "acoustic" gigs, I am also pleased to see that G&L just might have made a new model that, at first glance, seems "just for me." The one thing that I would demand would be tool-less battery access, a la recent EBMM offerings. Hopefully G&L "gets it," in that area, as well.

[calypsocoral302]

I'm not "hatin' on" this bass-- having played several G&L's (and will soon replace both my P and my Charvel with a USA L-2000 in the next few months, if my employee profit-sharing check is as good as I think it might be), I'm sure it's an awesome bass in its own right, and I'm glad that G&L is offering more options-- I've simply come to expect a little more creativity from them, then to offer a pre-amp that uses the same control layout as a preamp made by just about anyone else.

Although, I guess there is something to be said for a degree of standardization. Maybe because the Volume/Pan/Bass/Mid/Treble layout is so common nowadays, perhaps it is something that the customer has simply come to expect as a given? It wasn't long ago when this scenario applied to Volume/Volume/Tone (70's and 80's) or Volume/Pan/Bass/Treble (late 80's and 90's), after all...

[DrSpunkwater]

I don't see what's wrong with treble, bass, and mid knobs. It's now a more versatile bass, and it'll probably make the Fender American Deluxe basses look like garbage in comparison.

What does G&L have to do to impress people? Make a bass that serves breakfast in bed and gives back rubs?

[eyeballkid]

man, if they had a "made in Asia" model that did that it would be my only girl! ;-)

[Subersibo]

I will wait for the 5 string tribute version hehe.
An active 5 string JB-2 type would be a dream come true.
I love my JB-2 tribute and have an M2K on the way.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by Chef

Why are you guys not ok with that?
G&L now have a J bass that will appeal to guys who want an active J.
Their new preamp is nice; and the stacked side-by-side hum-cancelling J's are a good move too.

I see only good things here. If you want the passive model, they still make it.

I see your point. Really I do. And I don't even disagree with it. It's just that they were one of the major players who hadn't jumped on the bandwagon so to speak. To me, this is like MM putting out a Stingray with two singles and a VVT setup.

But hey, if G&L fans are happy, then I'm happy FOR them. I hope it turns out to be everything you guys want it to be.

[plankspanker13]

As I mentioned, in the G&L Club thread, this new model has pickups that are the same size. American JB-2's have smaller neck pickups, like regular J-basses. The Tribby JB-2's have same-sized pickups, which has the effect of reducing the modding options, a bit. This new model is what my USA sunburst (which has DiMarzio Model J's) would be, if I were to install a 3-band active circuit with a blend control. I still have a Tribby (which is actually for sale, or trade bait, if I get off my @$$ and advertise it), and actually picked it up, and played a little pick-style on, keeping in mind the knob placement of the MJ-4. Methinks that I might have an issue of striking the master volume knob, if picking "in the canyon" (between the pickups), as is my usual wont.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by unclejane

+1. In fact, anything would be better than the L2K preamp lol. The one in my L2K is awful, its own pickups easily overload it and it gives a really shrill sound even with the high-boost turned off. So my bass hasn't had a battery in it for about the last 10 years.

That´s why I changed all the electronics and pre-amp to a glockenklang on my L2500. But still retained the option to go passive and individual parallel / SC / series for each pick-up wich give to this bass a whole new pallete of sounds.
Bus mostly I´m a SC active modern kind of guy and 95% percent stays in SC active with slight bass and treble boost, and that´s why this MJ-5 is appealing to me.

Originally Posted by unclejane

But otherwise, it looks like G&L is really upgrading the electronics at this point. And doing very Leo Fender-like things like developing these new pickup types, etc....


LS

+1

[sratas]

as a JB enthusiast, I must say that I'm quite intrigued by this design.
Hum-less pickups with side by side narrow shaped bobbins, the description of the preamp sounds very promising too...
I doubt that those Pus would accomplish the goal of sounding like true SC, every humbucking PU I have heard in the past did fail to deliver that, but if you accept this fact (this is not your common passive jazz), it'OK.
I would like to see also a true JB (standard jazz body), no guard, 70' spacing.
It would compliment my contemporary workhorse, a G&L JB.

[azzyrazzy]

So they upgraded the electronics in the JB-2 and now it's called MJ-4 ? Just trying to understand this.

[Wwolof]

I didn't enjoy the pickups in the JB-2 (sad trombone), so I think this is an entirely good move.

[mystic38]

i think M type pre-amp explains the M.. and uif an MJ-5 appears then the -4 is explained too..

Originally Posted by azzyrazzy

So they upgraded the electronics in the JB-2 and now it's called MJ-4 ? Just trying to understand this.

[plankspanker13]

Originally Posted by Wwolof

I didn't enjoy the pickups in the JB-2 (sad trombone), so I think this is an entirely good move.

It was made for modding; none of mine have their original pickups.

[WoodyG3]

Originally Posted by Wallace320

...Why G&L, doin' it all better than anyother out there, decided to follow everyone else's path?

Cheers,
Wallace

To make money. Jazz basses sell well, active basses sell well. G&L wants to be competitive in the market. I'm sure there are G&L JB fans who have been asking them to make an active Jazz for many years.

[Paris1871]

Honestly, I have no problem with G&L using the volume,pan,bass,mid treble configuration...I only wished they went further. ;-)

I wish they added the ability to select the midrange that your boosting or cutting via 2 concentric knobs. I remember the Peavey Cirrus bass had this option and I loved it. Midrange is so vital to shaping your sound and having the ability to select which freq you want to boost or cut is a great option, imho.

[happyg]

Hmmmmmmm.....I found a couple on line. The price seems to be less than the JB.

[Chef]

anyone played one?