Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Root 5

G&L basses aren't more popular for the simple reason that they don't have the right name written across the headstock. Period.

Lakland and Sadowsky seem to be doing OK despite that "handicap" - I'm just sayin'...

For me, G&L doesn't "out Fender" Fender like Lakland and Sadowsky do - I've never cared for their headstock(minor point), most of their neck profiles are too chunky for my tastes(major point for me), and I prefer Fender and EBMM tones to most of those by G&L... I will admit that G&L has very good QC standards, IMO - across the board, *I* think they're more consistant than Fender, and almost on par with EBMM... BUT, *I* think that a good Fender is a better instrument than a good G&L... I've never played a G&L that I HAD to have, but can't say that about Fender, Sadowsky, or Lakland...

JMHO, and alot of it is purely subjective - but those are my reasons... As always, play what works for you, and don't waste time worrying about the gear choices of others...


- georgestrings

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by willsellout

I'd never even had a thought of them until I walked into a local GC and there was my bass hanging on the wall.

I remember walking into the Kirkland GC and playing a L1505 that was hanging on the wall. Probably 3 years ago? Was it blond/gold-ish color?

[StrangerDanger]

I have had the passive G&L basses (USA JB, Tribute JB-2 and Tribute SB-2 x 2), now I have G&L GAS again. I played a Korina ASAT and loved the way it sounded. I mean I really loved it but the neck dive was horrendous. Which leads me to L-2000 GAS.

I don't really care if G&L's are popular or not. I like them the way they are.

[jay tay]

I've always wanted to try one, but have never seen one in the flesh!

[georgiagoodie]

I'm not that familiar with G&L, but looking at the basses in this thread, it appears Carvin really likes the way they look(ed).....

[Chef]

Ha!
Minor Point!

Get it?!?!?!?!

Originally Posted by georgestrings

I've never cared for their headstock(minor point)


- georgestrings

[DrumsAndBass]

My L-1505 works very well for me. Although I've modified it quite a bit. The company is just right for me.

[Red_Merkin]

To my eye, they look BORING.

Every time I see a G&L, it's a natural finish on plain looking wood with a bunch of knobs and switches on the face. In short, it looks like somebody built it in their garage.

Compare that to Fenders and Stingrays that have muscle-car looks on top of a more manageable control scheme, and it's just no contest.

[lakefx]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

I've never played a G&L that I HAD to have, but can't say that about Fender, Sadowsky, or Lakland...

- georgestrings

I haven't played a Sadowsky or Lakland, but my experience with Fender and G&L is exactly the reverse of yours. In the mid 90s I spent almost a year looking for a bass after saving up the money to get just about anything I wanted. I played everything I could find in town and while there were some really good Fenders, none quite spoke to me. Then I picked up an L-2000 and I just had to have it. It's the only bass I've ever felt that way about.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by lakefx

I haven't played a Sadowsky or Lakland, but my experience with Fender and G&L is exactly the reverse of yours. In the mid 90s I spent almost a year looking for a bass after saving up the money to get just about anything I wanted. I played everything I could find in town and while there were some really good Fenders, none quite spoke to me. Then I picked up an L-2000 and I just had to have it. It's the only bass I've ever felt that way about.

That's cool - whatever works for ya, bud... G&L makes a good instrument, no question about it...

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by Red_Merkin

To my eye, they look BORING.

Every time I see a G&L, it's a natural finish on plain looking wood with a bunch of knobs and switches on the face. In short, it looks like somebody built it in their garage.

Compare that to Fenders and Stingrays that have muscle-car looks on top of a more manageable control scheme, and it's just no contest.

Then I guess you haven't seen mine. I do own a plain wood Tribby but the other two USA are blueburst. Definitely NOT plain or looking like built in a garage!

And the very features Georgestrings hates (chunky neck, "eye poker headstock", etc.) are the very features that I LOVE about mine. I HATE that profile on my Fender JAzz neck. (love the precision profile, however). G&L workmanship has no problems. SX these are NOT. Fender in my experience will give you a MUCH greater chance of scoring a dud.

But I can understand the problem. Basses are played by musicians and among them there is this faction that just absolutely FREAKS when they see more than a volume control and tone control on a bass. All those switches on an L2X00? Who can understand what they do? And it's WORSE than that. Those tone controls are PASSIVE! They work strange. A person actually has to LEARN how to use them. Who wants that? And those pickups. Cripes, they can be SO aggressive. They sound nothing like a Fender. Who wants that? Who wants ANY of this folderol?

Well, me, of course. Because I love total choices. I LOVE that these basses can be as aggressive as I ask them to be. I absolutely LOVE the tone, the neck, the look, the feel... ALL of it EXCEPT the fact that I can't buy one with 6 strings that isn't a guitar.

So oddly "Leo's last bass" is nothing like his first bass which so many are still in love with. But personally I find it no less valid. So much so that I've actually wired a couple of my other basses with "Leo's last circuit" which is the wiring in G&L L2X00 basses...yes, all those knobs and switches. Personally I find a G&L as big a classic as the Jazz, the P-bass, and the Stingray... provided you don't suffer from knobophobia.

I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone that my G&Ls are my main 5er axes.

[theduke1]

I have two both L2500s, actives removed to give me full coil tapping control.
I have been playing G&L since 1986 had a L1000 a L2000 and now my 2 L 2500.
I have found nothing I like better.
and here they are

[eyeballkid]

for me its two things... first, I don't like the post lawsuit headstock, and second, while I loved the tone of the L1000 & L2000s I've had were just way too hot of a signal to the point that I couldn't use it with any pedals or some preamps.

[theduke1]

one more pic

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Red_Merkin

To my eye, they look BORING.

Every time I see a G&L, it's a natural finish on plain looking wood with a bunch of knobs and switches on the face. In short, it looks like somebody built it in their garage.

Compare that to Fenders and Stingrays that have muscle-car looks on top of a more manageable control scheme, and it's just no contest.

I kinda see what you're saying, but I think that you might not be seeing the nicest examples.

[ksandvik]

The non-USA made G&L bass guitars are excellent but you pay a premium, much higher price than similar non MIA brand bass guitars. And that's a hard sell.

[Chef]

There are no "similar" basses, and of course the USA made are more expensive. This holds true for fender, Lakeland, etc.

[StrangerDanger]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

The non-USA made G&L bass guitars are excellent but you pay a premium, much higher price than similar non MIA brand bass guitars. And that's a hard sell.

Ummm, have you compared the prices between Tributes and Skylines?

[scubaduba]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

The non-USA made G&L bass guitars are excellent but you pay a premium, much higher price than similar non MIA brand bass guitars. And that's a hard sell.

Hmm... Not exactly.

[theduke1]

I saw on here some music store was selling new M2000 tribs under $400 or so, now I have seen some stranes of Fenders going for aroud $200, but in IMVHO thats apples and oranges
Merry Christmas!