• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why has Music Man been more popular than G&L?

dagrev

dagrev

Supporting Member
Jun 21, 2006
25,335
148,305
63
Kentucky
#1
I've seen discussions on why some people like one or the other, but not why Music Man seems to be more popular than G&L? I know its a variation of that question but wondered if it was time on the market, sound, better marketing, quality, versatility....?

Any thoughts as well kill time together?
 
#2
From a long time G&L fan, my honest opinion is the sound. The G&L is a great sounding bass, but it aint a Stingray. But the same can be said about those who love G&L's the other way around. Stingray's are fine but they are not an L2000. Marketing could have a bit to do with it too;)
 
#3
dagrev said:
I've seen discussions on why some people like one or the other, but not why Music Man seems to be more popular than G&L? I know its a variation of that question but wondered if it was time on the market, sound, better marketing, quality, versatility....?

Any thoughts as well kill time together?
Click to expand...

Maybe because the Music Man Singray was a radical move forward in both design and electronics, and garnered almost immediate professional support. To me, these changes seem as monumental as the P or J bass. G&L's seem more like refinements of things that have gone before; they're still great instruments, maybe just a little less exciting?
 
#4
Dave Bassincus said:
Maybe because the Music Man Singray was a radical move forward in both design and electronics, and garnered almost immediate professional support. To me, these changes seem as monumental as the P or J bass. G&L's seem more like refinements of things that have gone before; they're still great instruments, maybe just a little less exciting?
Click to expand...

I think professional endorsement plays a large role. How many bassists out there have at least one musicman bass in their arsenal? A lot...

No arguments about quality or sound, G&L are just harder to come by... I can go walk into my GC and play stingrays, sterlings, and bongos.... I don't even know where I can find a G&L locally.
 
#7
I think it's all about the marketing.

I don't know the differences between both companies enough to judge properly, but marketing the product is another beast all on its own. I don't even know that they're competitors so to speak. They have their price points and such, but you'll have to find a place that is an authorized dealer for both to find out what the dealer's opinion is.
 
#8
Dave Bassincus said:
and garnered almost immediate professional support.
Click to expand...


I think this has a lot to do with it. At the time the Stingray hit the market, there weren't a ton of options for professional players. Many people seem to want to emulate the players they look up to, and lots of pros play 'Rays. They are also the default standard IMO when it come to that type of sound. It's the one all others of that type are judged against.

While the G&L's can run IMO from "decent" to "fantactic", you never saw too many big name players playing them. "Star Power" really does seem to play a big part in guitar and bass sales.

If some influential bass player started playing G&L's all the time, you might see their popularity increase.

Also, IMO, the L2K is a bit of a swiss army knife. Does a lot of things reasonalby well. The 'Ray does what it does EXTREEMLY well. I think that plays a part too.
 
#9
IMHO, it's about personality. The StingRay was like a resurrection of the Precision: distinctive, cutting sound, unlike anything else.

The G&L is more generic. Of course, it's also more versatile, but that never seems to be enough. So many bassists don't want versatility, they want something that is instantly identifiable.

I've owned an L2000, and loved it until I got a really good Precision. After that the L2K started sounding wimpy.:hiding:

I feel like the P sound gives me an edge that the L2K didn't.

Just my virtual $0.02.
 
#11
lpdeluxe said:
IMHO, it's about personality. The StingRay was like a resurrection of the Precision: distinctive, cutting sound, unlike anything else.

The G&L is more generic. Of course, it's also more versatile, but that never seems to be enough. So many bassists don't want versatility, they want something that is instantly identifiable.

I've owned an L2000, and loved it until I got a really good Precision. After that the L2K started sounding wimpy.:hiding:

I feel like the P sound gives me an edge that the L2K didn't.

Just my virtual $0.02.
Click to expand...

I agree... especially as a hopeful session player. I don't want a bass that can do a lot of things pretty well. I want individual basses that NAIL the sounds I'm looking for. The more distinctive, the better.
 
#12
+1 to much of the above. When the MM basses hit in around 1976, they were the first 'active', modern basses that most of us had played (Alembic's were around, but rare and expensive). The Stingray was the 'right bass at the right time', given the funk explosion around that time, and having Leo Fender involved immediately gave it legitimacy.

It was unique in many ways, from the preamp to the pickup to the 3+1 headstock, string through body, all that stuff.

G&L seemed to many of us like not much of a leap forward from Music Man, and for some reason, the models were very 'hit and miss' based on my memory. They kind of hit with a thud in the market place.

To complete the 'dominance' of MM, IMO Ernie Ball then brought them back from the dead and actually did a WONDERFUL job with the quality, new products, etc.

IMO!
 
#14
marketing & brand recognition.
fender is more popular than musicman, musicman is more popular than g&l

I do think it's the best design of all three. Kind of reminds me of minolta. They made the best cameras, and best lenses right after leica, but people didn't know them. Then sony bought them some time ago, and they are selling quite a lot now.
 
#15
One thing, when Musicman announced the upcoming Stingray (late '75, IICR) it was a BIG DEAL. Leo was finally back in the guitar/bass bizz! There was great anticipation (and some delay) for Leo's new, innovative bass.

OTOH, there was little fanfair in 1980 for his next incarnation, G&L. The L-2000 is a fine bass, but the "true believers" know that the L-1000 is king. Accept no substitutes!

:D
 
#19
To echo what many others said, the Stingray came first and it made a huge impact! There are so many classic Stingray tracks by Louis Johnson and Bernard Edwards. Tony Levin and the guy from Sade, John Deacon from Queen, and whole bunch of other people played classic Stingray tracks. Not to mention the work of Dixie Dregs monster (and Basscentral owner) Dave LaRue. As much as I love G&L basses, I cannot think of a single classic G&L track offhand.
 
#20
Although my Musicman Stingray 5 HH is heavy for some reason when I picked up a G&L in the store it felt heavier. Plus, it was very uncomfortable for me to play.

You don't really see a lot of big time bassists playing G&L's but you see a lot bassists on tv playing Musicmans, P, and J basses. I agree with KJung that the G&L production was not too far off from Musicman so it did not gain the popularity.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back