Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Templar

As far as marketing goes, G&L never had a broad enough dealer network to compete with the likes of Fender. Even today people complain that they can't find a store that stocks G&L.

I was at the downtown Boston GC this week. The bass room had maybe 60 basses. Loads of Fender, Musicman, Ibanez, a few Schecters and a few Gibsons. Not a single G&L bass. Same in the Peabody MA GC. No G&L's.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by Chef

What Leo said about them:

Originally Posted by Bogster

And as Chef pointed out, Leo himself seemed to feel they were the best instruments he ever made. I am inclined to believe he was right.

I love Leo Fender and have nothing against G&L. But let's put this statement in context. It's an advertisement. And just about every creative person in the public eye ever has said something similar about each of their latest products. That doesn't necessarily mean they're insincere or wrong. But it's worth keeping in mind that marketing's part of the deal.

[RobJ]

Interesting topic. I agree with the many posts calling out limited marketing, distribution and lack of big name endorsers (to the best of my knowledge) as primary reasons they aren't more popular. I'll add I think they just look too plain Jane, there is really nothing about them I consider eye catching, and yeah the headstock shape doesn't help either. Yes they do make some using gorgeous woods but that aside I think they look kind of generic.

But.... the ones I've played have been great. I played a mid '90s L2500 that was close to magical in sound, playability, etc. For me it was the best bass all around I'd ever had my mitts on. Had I not just bought my Modulus Q5 (tapped out) I'd own that bass now.

I do own a '96 L-1500 fretless that looks and sounds great. The only downside is it's kind of porky, probably the heaviest bass I own.

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by Chef

Wow, we had really different G&L's!!!
I almost always had the bass turnd down 50% or more to keep it from being too fat, and I like fat.

The old ones (pre '85) sound fatter, do not have the eye gouger head and are a relative bargain compared to 70's Fenders.

I love G&L but have never owned a newer one for more than a month.

[uOpt]

The last one I picked up in GC (I think it was their P bass variant) had a neck made from 3 pieces, and not even at that. Not impressed.

[dDaddybass]

Just keep in mind, what you pick up at G C Is VERY hit and miss.

[uOpt]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

Just keep in mind, what you pick up at G C Is VERY hit and miss.

Sure. But I don't think the 3-piece neck was their work

[delta7fred]

You think they are rare in the USA, in the UK they are like hens teeth, I have never seen anyone playing one and only seen one on a UK band's website (or facebook or something). I know they exist but haven't seen any in the flesh other than my 2.

As to why they are not so popular, well I'm sure if they churned them out in their 1000s and had more dealers then they would sell more.

But to produce more they would probably have to move to larger premises and re-tool and train more staff and the quality would no doubt take a dip for a while so they would get a bad name. Maybe they are happy with the scale of the operation they have now.

[mr.mow]

Originally Posted by uOpt

The last one I picked up in GC (I think it was their P bass variant) had a neck made from 3 pieces, and not even at that. Not impressed.

That was a design feature for stability.. Lots of companies make multi pc necks.

[uOpt]

Originally Posted by mr.mow

That was a design feature for stability.. Lots of companies make multi pc necks.

Not like that. Wasn't even even.

[Chef]

To my knowledge,
G&L have never made a three piece neck,
as in "I'm looking at the back of the neck and see three pieces."

The bi-cut neck was three pieces, if you count the fingerboard............

[uOpt]

Originally Posted by Chef

To my knowledge,
G&L have never made a three piece neck,
as in "I'm looking at the back of the neck and see three pieces."

The bi-cut neck was three pieces, if you count the fingerboard............

Well if they still have it I'll take a photo.

[Chef]

Cool!

[Templar]

Originally Posted by uOpt

Not like that. Wasn't even even.

In what way was the neck not even? Care to elaborate?

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by smcd

I was at the downtown Boston GC this week. The bass room had maybe 60 basses. Loads of Fender, Musicman, Ibanez, a few Schecters and a few Gibsons. Not a single G&L bass. Same in the Peabody MA GC. No G&L's.

You know what's awesome? In Melville, NY (in Long Island/Suburb of NYC) there is a store called Murphy's Music. They are the ONLY people I've seen that not only carry G&L regularly, but are an authorized repair center with a huge G&L sign in the window.

Most of what they had were Tribute, about 6 or 7 of them IIRC, but they had one or two US models too.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by uOpt

Well if they still have it I'll take a photo.

I'd like to see that, too.

[uOpt]

Originally Posted by Templar

In what way was the neck not even? Care to elaborate?

It was a three-piece neck along the length of a neck, like a thunderbird neck with it's layers, but just three pieces of maple. The middle piece wasn't centered, or in other words one of the outer pieces was smaller than the other.

Something like that happens every time I pick up a G&L. Weird pickups, weird hardware (zinc blocks, 2-point trems on guitars), weird pickups. Thick bulletproof poly finish that we like to slam non-american vendors for.

I can understand why they are not doing well.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by uOpt

It was a three-piece neck along the length of a neck, like a thunderbird neck with it's layers, but just three pieces of maple. The middle piece wasn't centered, or in other words one of the outer pieces was smaller than the other.

Something like that happens every time I pick up a G&L. Weird pickups, weird hardware (zinc blocks, 2-point trems on guitars), weird pickups. Thick bulletproof poly finish that we like to slam non-american vendors for.

I can understand why they are not doing well.

Where did you get the idea that G&L are "not doing well"??


From your description above, most of which is way off, it sounds like you weren't looking at a G&L bass.

[RobJ]

I have to say I've never picked up a new US made G&L bass that wasn't about perfect in fit and finish. I've never checked out their import models however so I can't comment.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by uOpt

It was a three-piece neck along the length of a neck, like a thunderbird neck with it's layers, but just three pieces of maple. The middle piece wasn't centered, or in other words one of the outer pieces was smaller than the other.

You were looking at a bi-cut neck. There were only 2 pieces there; the actual seam where the cut is made is offset to one side a bit. That's normal and how they're made.

Something like that happens every time I pick up a G&L. Weird pickups, weird hardware (zinc blocks, 2-point trems on guitars), weird pickups. Thick bulletproof poly finish that we like to slam non-american vendors for.

I can understand why they are not doing well.

No, that's just _good_ hardware. It just looks weird to you because you stare at those 70's Fenders all day. Or the pre-CBS ones which were even worse, even tho they're worth the cost of a decent new car these days .

LS